Album of the day: Papa Wemba, “Emotion”
Pope Wemba
“Emotion” (Cd Real World CDRW 724384018320)
Let’s recover for a moment from the previous day’s sound slaps with this delicious album by Jules Shungu Wembadio
Pene Kikumba, better known as Papa Wemba.
One of the most celebrated figures in African music, he was born in the Congo and achieved his first successes in his native country with the group Zaiko Langa Langa, but his popularity increased exponentially through the records with his second band Viva La Musica (which took its name from a song by salsa musician Johnny Pacheco) and with the founding of Sape (Société des Ambianceurs et de Personnes d’Elegance), a movement that placed emphasis on elegance and fashion, whose members wore expensive clothes designed by European designers.
The breakthrough that put him on the world music charts came when Wemba released three albums for
the Real World label. Of this group “Emotion” is the best thanks to the freshness of the compositions and the excellent arrangements that exude joy and good humor. The production was entrusted to Stephen Hague, better known as the producer of Pet Shop Boys and New Order, who brought all his experience and skill in combining the pop sensibility that is usual with the African one of Wemba, without distorting either world and managing to create a catchy mix of very pleasant listening, perfect for dancing.
In addition to instantly appealing compositions in African languages like “Yolele” and “Mandola,” there are songs with lyrics partly in English, clearly intended for the radio, like “Show Me the Way” and “Rail On.” Wemba’s beautiful voice has a range that allows him to scale several octaves effortlessly, creating fireworks full of imaginative melismas that never let go of the rhythmic groove that the bases lay out beneath these melodies.
It’s probably not as deep an album as Baaba Maal or Geoffrey Oryema, but that doesn’t matter because after a couple of listens you won’t be able to do without gems like “Shofele” and “Sala Keba” or the exquisite cover of “Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song)”, an Otis Redding classic that features Papa Wemba duetting with the voice of Juliet Roberts (remember her with Working Week?). A refreshing work, recommended for those who like to sing along to records at full volume.
Carlo Boccadoro, composer and conductor, was born in Macerata in 1963. He lives and works in Milan. He collaborates with soloists and orchestras in different parts of the world. He is the author of numerous books on musical subjects.
This text is taken from “Lunario della musica: Un disco per ogni giorno dell’anno” published by Einaudi, courtesy of the author and the publisher.
