Sound recording copyright (P) 2017 Colomotion Records. Composition by Tabu Ley Rochereau (c) 1974 Frochot Music Cantos (SACEM). All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Produced by Doug Auerbach. Recorded by Mark Simmons at Pacific Recording Studios, Tacoma and Don Guy at Dongital Studios, Paris.

Founded by the legendary Congolese singer Tabu Ley Rochereau in 1970, and considered one of Africa’s most popular and influential bands, l’Orchestre Afrisa International returns with their first new album since 1996.

In the days before he passed away in 2013, Tabu Ley confided in his friend and bandmate Modero Mekanisi, making him promise to continue the legacy of Congolese rumba and soukous by reuniting the band.

The latest album features all-new recordings of rare and classic Afrisa songs of the 1970s-1990s, reinterpreted by many of the band’s original Congolese musicians. The reunited Afrisa is a bonafide Congolese supergroup, featuring musicians who performed with Tabu Ley for decades, including saxophonist Modero Mekanisi, singers Wawali Bonane, Dodo Munoko, Habiba Batantu and Djeffard Lukombo, guitarists Dino Vangu and Huit Kilos Nseka, drummers Parigo Asuka and Abro Moke, horn players Valentine Ntumba and Kabert Kabasele, joined by renowned bassist Ngouma “Le Professeur” Lokito. The album recalls Tabu Ley’s innovative orchestration and emotive musicality in African music, featuring richly layered vocal harmonies, warm tube amp guitar tones, live drumming and the syncopated horn parts of classic Congolese rumba.

l’Orchestre Afrisa International will be touring extensively through 2017 to support the new album in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe, having already played several significant venues, including the Montana Folk Festival, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and globalFEST 2017 in New York City.

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