World Cup Fever

A treat from the archives of TeleZaire and linked by adoyo at African Ambiance forum. It features Trio Madjesi back in 1973 kitted out in Zairian football strip singing "Sex Madjesi". Here's some background on the band courtesy of Frank Bessem's
Musiques d'Afrique:

Trio Madjesi was for a few years the hottest act in Zaire of the early 1970s. Madjesi, a composition of Mario Matadidi Mabele, Loko Massengo "Djeskain" and Saak "Sinatra" Sakoul, the three prominent members of the band, made a joyful mix of Zairean music and soul music in the style of the then so popular James Brown. Their costumes and appearance were James Brown-inspired and their lyrics and overall approach full of humour. Their song « Sex Madjesi », on the album « Trio Madjesi volume 1 » renamed in « Sosoliso na Sosoliso », is an excellent example of their style, with that rolling rhythm lead by the guitars, with James Brown inspired licks.

The individual members of the trio had earned their fame in other bands. Marcel Loko Massengo's career began in Jamel National, and continued through Négro Succès, Vox Africa and Orchestre Vévé. The other two members, Mario Mabele and Saak Sakoul (also written as Saak Saakul) equally left Orchestre Vévé to form Trio Madjesi. After the first years of success throughout Africa, their fame faded. There were some attempts to continue the saga, but without great success. Between 1978 and 1980, Loko Massengo was part of a trio Les Trois Frères, together with Youlou Mabiala and Boyibanda. After departure of Mabiala, he made an album with Boyibanda « Michel Boyibanda & Loko Massengo avec L'International Orchestre Rumbaya ». In recent years, Djeskain has participated in the rumba revival band Kékélé.

Trio Madjesi's song « 8me round » about a match of boxing legend Mohammed Ali in Kinshasa can be found on the compilation CD « Hits & Misses-Muhammad Ali And The Ultimate Sound », issued by Trikont in 2003.


Although Zaire were the only African nation to qualify for the tournament they did not make it through to the knock-out stages. My hope is with Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire to change this this time around.