Nippon Banzai

Nippon Banzai is a 1986 album by Congolese band Zaïko Langa Langa, released on their ProZal label. The album followed the group's groundbreaking tour of Japan in October 1986, marking a milestone as the second Congolese musical ensemble to perform there, after Papa Wemba, an early member of Zaïko Langa Langa, and his band Viva La Musica's tour in May of the same year.

This album is widely regarded as Zaïko Langa Langa's greatest artistic and commercial success, propelling them to wider international renown (zones including Europe and the West Indies) and impacting Congolese discography in general. The tracklist represents an average setlist from the band's Japanese tour.

Background
In October 1986, Zaïko Langa Langa embarked on a tour of Japan, becoming only the second group from Zaire to do so (after Papa Wemba & Viva La Musica in May of the same year). Performing at prestigious venues in Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo, the group received a warm welcome from the Japanese public. Additionally, Papa Wemba and Zaïko Langa Langa's tours in Japan inspired a group of Japanese musicians to form Yoka Choc, performing Congolese rumba.

Concept and recording
The concept for Nippon Banzai originated from Jossart N’Yoka Longo, the band leader of Zaïko Langa Langa. Inspired by their successful tour in Japan, N’Yoka proposed the idea of creating a medley album (cutting songs short to aim an international audience ) that would feature the setlist of the tour, a blend of their classic hits from the late seventies, such as "Sentiment Awa," "Kin Kiesse," and "Sangela," alongside newer material from the eighties like "Muvaro," "Liwa Yo Moyibi," and "SVP Mbey." Initially met with skepticism from other band members, the concept eventually garnered acceptance, and recording for the album took place after the tour concluded in late 1986.

Cover
The album cover of "Nippon Banzai" is revered as one of the most iconic in African and Congolese music. Designed by Joss Bokken and Jacques Duquesne, the cover appears to draw inspiration from the Japanese flag. It features the band members, depicted from left to right: Jossart N’Yoka Longo, Bimi Ombale, Dindo Yogo, and Lengi Lenga.

Commercial performance and impact
Upon its release, Nippon Banzai swiftly gained widespread acclaim and commercial success, transcending geographical boundaries to resonate with audiences across Africa, the West Indies, Europe, and notably, Japan. The album sold over 100,000 copies, firmly establishing Zaïko Langa Langa as an international musical force. While it narrowly missed certification as gold in France, the album faced challenges from pirated versions that proliferated in the market. It also played a pivotal role in popularizing Congolese rumba globally, with the genre often referred to as "du Zaïko" in some African regions.

The medley format highlighted in the album became a hallmark of Congolese music, inspiring subsequent releases such as Franco Luambo's "Animation Non Stop" (1987), Tabu Ley Rochereau's "Soum Djoum/Afrisa de L’an 2000" (1989), and Wenge Musica's "Wenge Live" (1989), among others. Prior to "Nippon Banzai", Zaïko Langa Langa had experimented with medleys, releasing albums like "La Tout Neige, Christine, Nalali Mpongui" (1983) and later "Jetez l’éponge" (1989).

TF1 performance
Despite rejections of previous albums due to mixing and mastering rules, Zaïko Langa Langa's submission of Nippon Banzai to TF1 in 1987 was finally accepted. The band appeared on Christophe Dechavanne's show Ciel, mon Mardi, where they performed "Sentiment Awa", "Sandra Lina" and "Muvaro", making it the first appearance of a Congolese group on TF1.

In popular culture
The songs "Muvaro" and "Sandra Lina" were featured in the soundtrack of the 1987 film "La Vie est Belle" starring Papa Wemba, for which they won the Georges Delerue Award for Best Soundtrack/Sound Design at the Flanders-Ghent International Film Festival. "Toyambana" is also heard in a scene in the film.

CD version (1988)
Note: Last 4 tracks are taken from 1987 LP “Subissez les Conséquences”.

Personnel

 * Jossart N'Yoka Longo – vocals
 * Bimi Ombale – vocals
 * Lengi Lenga – vocals
 * JP Buse – vocals
 * Dindo Yogo – vocals
 * Nono Monzuluku – animation, shaker
 * Bébé Atalaku – animation, shaker
 * Mbuta Matima – guitar, artistic direction
 * Enoch Zamuangana – guitar
 * Petit Poisson – guitar
 * Jimmy Yaba – guitar
 * Beniko Popolipo – guitar
 * Oncle Bapius – bass guitar
 * José Piano-Piano – synthesizer
 * Meridjo Belobi – drums
 * Bakunde Ilo Pablo – drums
 * Djerba Mandjeku – congas