Frank Bessem's Musiques d'Afrique: Madilu System

Frank Bessem's
Musiques d'Afrique:

Madilu System (1950-2007)
(Congo-Kinshasa)

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Jean Bialu Madilu a.k.a. Madilu System or le Grand Ninja will be remembered for his legendary duets with the great Franco. Starting his career in 1969 with a young band called Symba, he joined for short stints various band, such as Orchestre Bamboula, Festival des Maquisards, Fiesta Populaire before creating Bakuba Mayopi with guitarist Yossa Taluki and a singer called Pires in 1973 (cf. Gary Stuart: Rumba on the River). After three years he left the band to creat his own, initially called Orchestre Pamba-Pamba and later renamed into Madilu System. After the lack of success of Pamba Pamba, and a short period with Tabu Ley's Afrisa, he eventually joined Franco's TP OK Jazz in the early 1980s, where he became a respected and successful composer and singer. Among others, his role was prominent in hit songs such as « Non », « Mario », « Réponse de Mario » (1985), « La Vie des hommes » (1986) and « Mamou (Tu Vois?) » (1984).

Shortly after Franco's death in 1989 Madilu left the band to start a solo career and released a number of successful albums. He remained faithful to his particular way (system) of singing, hence his name Madilu System, and to his signature laughter he used in numerous songs. In 2006, he featured on Kekele's album « Kinavana » on the song « Tapale ». In addition, he reprised the song « Mario » on Africando's album « Ketukuba ».

In spring 2007, Madilu recorded « Bonne humeur ». His husky voice was no longer so high but he still sung very well, and with the help of guitar players Syran M'Benza, Caien Madoka, Fofo le Collegien, Dally Kimoko and Papa Noel, and singers Nyboma and Wuta Mayi, who both wrote one song on the album (the other 8 songs were by Madilu) it is seen as one of his best albums. On August 11 of the same year, Madilu died in a Kinshasa hospital. He was suffering from diabetis but nobody expected this loss, and shortly after, "Thousands of fans have taken to the streets of the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital to mourn Madilu System, known as 'Congo's King of Rumba'." (BBC NEWS). On the DVD Dernière volonté there are images of the funeral ceremonies, quite unusual on a commercial music DVD.

Musicians on the album Sans Commentaire:
Lead vocal: Madilu, Ballou Canta
Vocals: Djeffard Lukombo Mayemba, Nyboma Mwan Dido, Wuta Mayi
Guitars: Dally Kimoko, Syran M'Benza, Lokassa Ya Mbongo (rhythm)
Bass: Pablo Lubadika, Ngouma Lokito

Sources:
www.madilusystem.com.

Born: 28 May 1950 in Matadi, as Jean de Dieu Bialu Makiese, died 11 August 2007 in Kinshasa
Style: Congolese rumba.

Discography:

Title	Year	Label	Remarks
Dernière volonté	2008	Syllart	CD & DVD
Bonne humeur	2007	Stern's STCD1104
Bonne humeur	2007	Syllart
Le tenant du titre	2004	K.T.C. 02198-2
Bonheur	2002	JPS Production
Pouvoir	2000	Sonodisc
L'eau	1999	JPS Production
Opération quatre	1996	Cascade CP568
Album 95	1995	Sonodisc CD 79898
Sans commentaire	1993	Syllart 38132-2	Also on Stern's STCD1055 (1994)
Na Pokwa Ya Lelo	1990/91	Espera 29091	LP, also referred to as Kamariza
Stop feu rouge - voisin	1990	Bleu Caraībes 82804	With Nyboma, Pepe Kalle & Simaro
- Compilation CD of Nyboma & Madilu Stop feu rouge-voisin and Pepe Kalle chante le poète Simaro (JM Production 91080)

Albums by Josky Kiambukuta & Madilu System:
Chiffre 3	2005	OGP/Atoll
Les deux grands numéros: Destin (version originale)	1998	Ngoyarto NG041 (1998) / PAV100075 (2007)	CD compilation with Carlyto Lassa and Malage
Destin - la sincerité	1989?	Mondjo prod.	LP