Samba Ngo
The music
of Samba Ngo exudes a healing power that must be experienced to
be understood. Rooted in traditional Congolese sounds, Ngo is a
master of sebene - the characteristic element of Congolese music
that enchants and entrances listeners with driving layers of
guitar, and call-and-response choruses. Between songs, he
incites passion with his own brand of encouragement: "C'est
bon!" and "Let's dance now, because tomorrow who knows?"
Ngo, the
son of an herbal doctor, was born in the tiny village of Dibulu,
in the center of what is now called the Democratic Republic of
Congo. His father, the village's only nganga (doctor), treated
the sick (and often insane) with herbs and music in his healing
rituals. Ngo learned the natural healing power of music by
watching his father, and soon began playing the likembe or sansa
(also known as a kalimba or thumb piano) and guitar.
At 13, he
left his village and moved to Brazzaville, Congo, where he
joined a band called Echo Noire, which quickly achieved acclaim
in Africa and Europe. He formed his own band, African Rhythms in
1970, and one year later created the group M’Bamina with Nkouka
Batenda and Father Christian De La Bretesche. With M’Bamina, Ngo
toured worldwide and recorded nine albums. During his 14-year
stint with the band, Ngo also worked in Paris as a producer and
musical director for Paco Rabanne.
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In 1986,
he moved to California to begin a solo career. He formed his own
band, the Ngoma Players, and released his first solo album,
Introspection, in 1990. His 17th album,
Metamorphosis, maintains a distinctly African sound, and offers
listeners some irresistibly danceable music. His most recent
album, Ndoto, showcases his kalimba-like guitar style and
expressive voice. Ndoto's lyrics, sung in French, English,
Lingala and Kikongo, explore the meaning of love and create an
almost spiritual ambiance.
Ngo's
music, and the spiritual impetus behind it, makes his sound
unique and magical. In a world that's increasingly
unpredictable, where greed and violence dominate and differences
in culture, race, age and economic status create barriers
instead of bridges, Ngo's music restores hope. Ngo's sacred
gift, taught by his simple but profoundly wise father, is the
healing power of sound and rhythm. His admonishment, "Let's
dance today, because tomorrow who knows?" implores us to let the
beautiful and rhythmic forces present in his music break down
all barriers and find joy in the moment. And that's, as Ngo
would say, "C'est bon!"
Samba
Ngo Links:
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