Loketo
French Congolese music group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Loketo was a soukous group formed in Paris, France in 1986 by Congo-Brazzaville singer Aurlus Mabélé, guitarist Diblo Dibala, and singer Mav Cacharel. Mabélé and Cacharel were former members of Ndimbola Lokolé, a band from Brazzaville. The name Loketo means "hips" in Lingala.[1]
Loketo | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Paris, France |
| Genres | Soukous, African rumba, Ndombolo |
| Years active | 1986–1997 |
| Label | Shanachie |
| Past members | Aurlus Mabélé Diblo Dibala Mav Cacharel Jean Baron Lucien Bokilo Ronald Rubinel Dally Kimoko Miguel Yamba |
Within the Paris soukous scene of the late 1980s, Loketo quickly rose to prominence, with Dibala's guitar work earning him the nickname "Machine Gun," driving a series of dance hits.[2] Dibala later described Loketo's musical contribution as having helped pioneer a faster-paced style of soukous that favored reaching the sebene, the accelerating, guitar-driven climax.[3] A multi-artist compilation described the band as "a sort of Zairian supergroup of 'new generation' musicians known for a super-tight, high-energy show."[2] In 1989, the group performed at SOB's in New York City, marking their arrival on the American music scene.[4]
In 1990, Dibala left the group to form his own band, Matchatcha.[5] Mabélé continued leading the band into the early 1990s, with guitarist Dally Kimoko replacing Dibala, before the group dissolved.[6] Mabélé died on 19 March 2020 in Eaubonne, France, after contracting COVID-19.[7][8]
Discography
- Trouble (1988)
- Mondo Ry (1989)
- Super Soukous (1989, Shanachie)
- Soukous Trouble (1990)
- Embargo (1991)
- Extra Ball (1991, Shanachie)
