Musician for:

Tabu Ley Rochereau

Language:

Lingala Swahili French

Genre:

Soukous

Instrument:

Female vocals

Articles:
On "Welcome"

On the Internet
More on Mbilia Bel

Biography

Mbilia Bel started to sing as a 17 year old in 1976 when she stepped in as back up for Abeti Masikini and later for Sam Mangwana. It was soon obvious that she would be a sensation. Not long thereafter she joined Tabu Ley's Afrisa International. Mbilia Bel's clear soprano voice and her captivating stage presence, as well as Tabu Ley's compositions quickly made the news spread throughout Central and East Africa. The first common song "Mpeve Ya Longo", a sharp critisism on woman abuse in marriage, appeared in 1982 and became a great success, especially among women in Zaire. The next album "Eswi yo wapi?" (Where does it hurt?) became a huge hit. The single of the same name was appointed "Best Song of 1983" and Mbilia Bel "Most promising new singer" in Zaire.
In 1987 Mbilia Bel left "Afrisa International" went to Paris to embark on her own career. She teamed up with soukous guitarist Rigo Star and made the album "Phenomène" which again was a hit.
With her "Welcome" album the Congolese diva made a come back after a long break, and created a nice mix of rumba and pop. Souzy Kasseya and Manu Lima took over production and arrangements and united the characteristic rumba with South African choir, rhythm and blues and zouk. She sings about child abuse, rises the question of stronger consciousness among young people, and the importance of believing in hard work.

Relevant artists:
Kanda Bongo Man
Diblo Dibala
Koffi Olomidé
Sam Mangwana
Kekele

LOYENGHE/ BALLE A TERRE
Genidia/1991(1983)

DANS KEYNA
Genidia/1991(1985)

BEYANGA
Genidia/1991(1986)

BA GERANTS YA MABALA
Genidia/1991

DESOLE!
Celluloid/1991

BAMELI SOY
Shanachie/1991

IRONIE
Celluloid/1993

FAUX-PAS
Sonodisc/1995

PHENOMENE
Ngoyarto/1996(1988)

WELCOME
Syllart/Nextmusic/2001

BELISSIMO!  
Sterns Africa/2004

Mbilia Bel should of course have been presented for the "Leopard Man's" readers a long time ago, as a leading diva within Congolese music. But finally, then!
Mbilia Bel is famous for her light soprano voice, sensous and angel like. She doesn't disappoint her fans on "Belissimo!" From the very first moment it is obvious that this woman knows her whereabouts, this is seduction on a high musical level.The opening track "Lovango" is a catchy soukous piece, but Mbilia Bel is miles away from the raw and rocky dance hall version of this music. What she presents is sofisticated and well arranged, and mostly kept at midtempo. Arrangements and production are by the old fox Souzy Kasseya, who also plays solo guitar and has composed 8 out of 10 tracks. Another veteran also shows up on guitar, Dally Kimoko. Mbilia Bel's main strength is the playful lightness and sensuality with which she performs her songs. Another strength, at least on "Belissimo!", are the countless little variations she is able to add to the soukous genre, without sounding artificial. A row of styles is in fact mixed on "Belissimo!": Zouk, funk and rock influences can be heard on several tracks, for instance "Ambiance a go go", but everything floats beautifully together on this record. And for an old soukous enthusiast it is pure joy to hear Souzy Kasseya's crystal clear guitar!
If one should make some critical points, it should perhaps be mentioned that 53 minutes with sensous and sweet voices is a bit too much, even if West-African collegue Kandia Kouyate takes part in a duet on "Droit a l'amour". But all things considered Mbilia Bel definitely defends her position as leading song diva on this record.

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