Songs for the Poor Man, by Remmy Ongala & Orchestre Super Matimila

Songs for the Poor Man

by Remmy Ongala & Orchestre Super Matimila

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1.	Nasikitika 06:24	buy track
2.	Karola 05:48	buy track
3.	Kipenda Roho 06:27	buy track
4.	Sauti Ya Mnyonge 08:35	buy track
5.	Kifo 09:14	buy track
6.	Usingizi 07:51	buy track
7.	Muziki Asili Yake Wapi 05:33	buy track
8.	Pamella 05:25	buy track
9.	Dole 06:57	buy track
10.	Mariam Wangu 07:09	buy track

about

Remmy Ongala was a social justice warrior, a man whose lyrics articulated the socio-cultural concerns of his people. Born in the Belgian Congo before it became Zaire and then the DRC, the singer-guitarist rose to superstar status in his adopted country of Tanzania, where he was known, simply, as ‘the Doctor’. With the sprawling Orchestre Super Matimila he mixed sparkling Congolese soukous with Tanzanian rhythms and touches of funk, soul and Latin music. He sang about the issues that had affected him growing up, the sole supporter of his family. Issues that affected and continue to affect many ordinary East Africans: poverty, racism, corruption, more.

Ongala called his sound ‘ubongo beat’, since ‘ubongo’ means ‘brain’ in Swahili and this was music with conscience and groove. Super Matimila had been touring Europe, playing festivals including WOMAD, when they stopped by Real World Studios to record Songs for the Poor Man — their first album to feature lyrics in English as well as Swahili, and the first they’d record in the West. Here, then, is a band firing on all cylinders: a bassist, saxophonist, three percussionists and three guitarists delivering an East African take on soukous, while giving their leader’s distinctive rasp the space to soar.

credits

released October 30, 1989

All songs arranged by Remmy Ongala.

Orchestre Super Matimila are:- Remmy Ongala Lead Vocal and Guitar, Keito Kiniki Vocal, Freddy Sengula Mwilasha Guitar, Muhidini Kisukari Haji Guitar, Hasani Ayas Ayas Guitar, Matu Dikundia Hassan Saxophone, Lawrence Chuki Limbanga Drums, Saidi Salum Jumaine Congas, Matimila Percussion.

Recorded and mixed at Real World Studios, England. Produced by Basil Anderson with David Bottrill and Remmy Ongala, Engineered, Mixed and Edited by David Bottrill Assistant Engineer Christopher Johns Cut by Kevin Metcalfe at The Townhouse, London.

Design Jones/Mouat O Assorted Images Front Cover Remmy Ongala superimposed upon an aerial shot of Zaltan, Libya. Remmy Ongala photographed by Francis Drake. Satellite picture: Science Photo Library. Composite by Rani Charrington/NOVA. Back Cover A wooden hand, one of the stage accessories Remmy Ongala wears around his neck.
Photograph by Francis Drake Inside Photography Francis Drake

Thanks to Fatma Abdullah and The Tanzanian High Commission, London, and Toni Ongala.

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about

Remmy Ongala & Orchestre Super Matimila image

Remmy Ongala & Orchestre Super Matimila Tanzania

Known as the 'Doctor', Remmy Ongala originally came from Kindu in what is now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He performed in bands from the age of sixteen, learning his craft from his father, who was a well-respected, traditional musician. ... more