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HOW JOSKY FOUND HIS SINGING EQUILIBRIUM

September 08, 2024 - 02:12 PM
JOSKY KIAMBUKUTA
By The Monk

Josky Kiambukuta, who died on March 7, 2021, in a clinic in Ngaliema, found his musical home at Franco's OK Jazz (OKJ) after two stints with Nico’s African Fiesta Sukisa in the late 1960s and Orchestre Continental in 1971 and 1972.

Sampling three songs he performed, one with each of the three bands, clearly shows why OKJ was his ultimate musical home.

The first song is Orchestre Continental’s "Mama na Nicole," a composition by Bopol Mansiamina dedicated to his girlfriend. Josky sings lead vocals, backed by Wuta Mayi.

The second song is "Bolingo ya Sens Unique," his own composition with African Fiesta Sukisa in 1969, performed as a solo.

The third song is "Sandoka" by OKJ, composed by Franco.

The singers were divided into two sets: Josky paired with the late Ntesa Dalienst in a duet, and Wuta Mayi paired with Ndombe Opetum. As a natural high tenor, Ntesa retained his vocal style, but Josky was the wizard of the game. He could mimic any singer, hit high notes like Mpoyi, or sing as low as Opetum. To create harmony in "Sandoka," Josky sang in a lower register, blending naturally with Wuta Mayi and Opetum.

The singing styles of these bands differed, and no band accommodated Josky’s rare talent better than OKJ. His vocal range made him an exceptional lead and backup vocalist. Franco’s Odemba style featured multiple singers in one song, with one or two lead vocalists and several backup vocalists creating a choir-like harmony.

For example, Opetum struggled to match Tabuley’s high tenor in African Fiesta National’s "Hortense," but at OKJ, he used his natural deep voice. OKJ’s focus on harmony suited its high tenors, like Mangwana and Boyibanda, allowing Opetum to shine. The other bands excelled in their styles, but for a singer of Josky’s caliber, able to adapt, OKJ was the ideal home. These other bands disbanded before Josky’s prime in the 1970s.

At OKJ, Josky’s voice became synonymous with the band. Apart from Franco, the musician who participated in the most recordings was Lola Checain, who stayed with the band for 25 years, from September 1967 until his death in 1992 (OKJ disbanded in 1993). Though Lola sang solo in his composition "Lolaka," he was primarily a backup vocalist, making his voice less recognizable to casual listeners. Josky’s voice, however, was the most distinctive in the OKJ fraternity.

He was the fulcrum of the band’s vocal section from the mid-1970s into the mid-1980s and beyond, participating in nearly all recordings during this period. In the 1960s, the star singer was Vicky; in the early 1970s, it was Youlou; then Josky took over, defining the band’s vocal lineup into the 1980s. Other singers included Mangwana, Kwamy, Boyibanda, Wuta Mayi, Ntesa, Mpoyi, Opetum, Aime, Madilu, Lokombe, Ikomo, and others.

This band was wildly popular during this period, making Josky a key component of OKJ’s success. Besides singing, he was a prolific composer with several hits to his name.

So great was Josky that Anne Nyar Sirengo, known as Nyar Bunyore, affectionately claimed him as her uncle.


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See also

KOBWAKA LIBANGA

KOBWAKA LIBANGA
THE PAST IS THE PRESENT

THE PAST IS THE PRESENT

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