ORCHESTRA LES NOIRS

Orchestra Les Noirs was formed in Kinshasa in 1966 and released two albums in East Africa in the early 1970s. There are speculations that the band may have had two branches, one based in Congo and one on tour, as well as a possible merger with an East African band called City Five, led by Chuza Kabaselle.

The band members included:

Hassan Omari

Kalonzi Braink

Kuka Mwana Bitala

Makwanzi Duki

Mukaputu Kalembi

N'Dala Mobangi

N'Talu Nkatu

Ndongo Amani

Teka Seke Chuza

Kabaselle Mbawo

Mutella Weteto.

Yassin Juma: I think some are confusing between Les Kinois and Les Noirs (The Blacks).

Steve Osieyo Opines "They were in Nairobi for Saturday TV program Salamu Zenu. At the same time, they launched the unforgettable hit 'Sikia Sauce'. Playing the Bongo was Ugandan-born Philip Lutaaya Bongoley(Dawa ya mapenzi). He always had a lot of hair. He did not stick around for long. Your observation about splitting up is accurate. The band was littering members from Kampala as they traveled to Mombasa. I think the original beginning is from Dr Nico's touring group. At least that is where Kuka Mathews started from."

James Angana, "I always say that when Tabu Ley and Franco were making music the rest of Congo was not spectating, so we should not be bored with two band monologue." Lutaaya Bongoley died of HIV/AIDS in 1990. I think the first top musician to come in the open. He raised so much money for UG campaigns. For his actions, UG faired better than Kenya who closeted the HIV + victims.

Joe Mopero: Moreno and the likes of Ntambwe Mukokolo joined Mombasa based  Le Noir before Viva Makale Alimasi was formed and Moja one. Moreno baritone voice was first heard in the Le Noirs band song "Tchiku" before he formed Orch, Moja One and composed and recorded "Dunia ni dwara" and then later evergreen song "Pili" backed by Coco Zico Mike.

Komu Wambua: Joe Mopero After the break up of le noirs in 1980, Moreno travelled to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to join the orchestra Kyauri voice band Wana Jongoo, which was based in the Mwenge area. He joined Kawele Mutimwana, Vivi Kapaya, mukumbule parashi, Ossie ssenga, Batil ossenga and khatib itei tei, patchina the group didn't last long but it revolutionized music, with fast hot beats giving a hard time to seasoned bands of Tanzania those days. Bangungi was one of the big hits of Wana jongoo.
Philippe Mukaputu Kalemby Kajos was a drummist with the orchestra Les noirs, he is the one who composed the hit "tchiku", he was involved in a love tussle between him and Hon Abdalla Mwaruwa the MP of Kisauni who is now deceased, when kajos had a hot love affair with his wife,this was the beginning of the ending of the band.

Ben Malaka: They used to play at Bristol Night Club, adjacent Makadara Ground,  Mombasa, and I loved their song "Mabuidi".

Shamallah writes: And to most Lovers of Congo music who were there from 1977 to 1984, they will tell you that the hit Tchiku by Le'Noirs was more popular on Kenya's market scene than Mario of Franco. They will tell you that Super Mazembe was more popular in Kenya than TPOK.

Steven Osieyo responds: Shamallah Wa Shamallah To be honest 1973-80, young people went for faster music. It's inevitable. Tabu Ley only survived because he fronted Mbilia to speed up the music. At a party in the early 70s, nobody wanted to listen to the lullabies of Tabu Ley or the growlings of Franco. Remember Donna Summer was scorching the disco halls.  But early 80s OK Jazz and Mbilia went wild. Still, they were not alone. Kass and West African Congolese exiles were also firing on all cylinders. Come the 90s, another Kinshasa-based infantry of Anti choc, QL, Zaikos or vocal groups was unleashed. It was never Tabu Ley/OK scene. 
This fallacy of 2 band DRC is a figment  of imagination.

Steve Osieyo don't forget the trio madjesi, orchestra sosoliso of matadidi mabwana kitoko mabele,bongat sokuul and loko masengo.

Prof Larry Gumbe: Les Noirs (The Blacks) was a breakaway from Negro Success (Black Success). City Five was a successful Nairobi band which went to Kinshasa in early 1960s. It was led by Ben Nicholas who died about a decade ago and is buried in Gem, Siaya County. He was married to Fadhili William's sister. Vieux  Ben, as he was known in Kishasa, was a saxophone player. He recorded songs with African Jazz, Negro Success, Orchestre Veve amongst other bands.

Richard Gaya: Larry Gumbe you have got the facts right...my only regret; there was this very very close friend and relative, one CTF Owino... popularly referred to by friends as "Charlie" who unfortunately passed on some time back and who without a shadow of doubt was a walking lexicon of literally everything Music Congolese and music in general...he would have built upon the very true issues that you have raised!!!!

Larry Gumbe:Richard Gaya Please read "Shades of Benga" by Tabu Osusa. You'll get information on City Five and others.

Edward Mbaya: I used to watch a vocalist called le Tenor Mawa wa Makondo and a band called Les Noirs City Fives on VoK TV in 1972/3 performing at Uhuru Park.

Komu Wambu: Edward Mmbaya the Kangee brothers led by letenor mauwa wa Makondo, during the days of salamu zenu program,they produced a great hit,Asha mtoto wa Kenya. Tucheze kangee, ancient munyambu used to play the bass guitar.

Andrew Mahaya: The East African music scene was completely dominated by the aforementioned bands not to forget Verckys managed bands,Veve, Lipua Lipua, Les Kamale... for me the TP OK JAZZ song which broke the " sound barrier" in East Africa was Ntesa Dalienst's Bina Na Ngai na Respect and Liyanzi Ekoti Ngai na Motema Munzi, then the deluge was unstoppable. I think Tabuley made a breakthrough with his tour of Nairobi, in the company of Mbilia Bel and Kiesse Diambu( Mpeve Ya Longo album).

Writer: James Angana

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