Frank Bessem's Musiques d'Afrique: Bana OK

Frank Bessem's
Musiques d'Afrique:

Bana OK
(Congo-Kinshasa)

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Bana OK is one of the off-shoots of the legendary T.P. OK Jazz. After Franco's death in October 1989, Lutumba Simaro Massiya, alias "le poète" who was the deputy bandleader of TPOK Jazz, took over the leadership of that band. Several albums were recorded under his supervision. An uncondoned solo project by Madilu caused first problems however, and Madilu chose to leave the band. Further, the family of Franco demanded a higher share in the financial revenues of the band which was unacceptable for the remaining members, who then created another band, Bana OK. Prominent band members besides Simaro, were Rondot Kasongo wa Kasongo, Josky Kiambukuta, and Ndombe Opetum.

From 1993 until today, Bana OK recorded many albums and performed in various countries, trying to carry on the heritage of the almighty TPOK Jazz.

Things have not always been easy for the band. Malage de Lugendo and Dizzy Mandjeku left to form OK International. In 1996, Ntesa Dalienst died, and in 2002, guitarist Jerry Dialungana passed away. Currently, Simaro is in Kinshasa, where he has set up a Kinshasa based Bana OK wing, whereas Josky Kiambukuta, Makoso, Ndombe Opetun, Elba Kuluma and Shakembo stayed in Paris to sort out financial problems with Solfège Music, the producer of their latest two albums. Despite all problems, Bana OK show a remarkable continuity, which is pretty rare in the current Congolese music scene.

Formed: 4 January 1994, in Brussels
Style: soukous, rumba, odemba.

Discography:

Title	Year	Label	Remarks
Procès	2004	Solfège Universel 89802	Simaro Massiya & Bana OK
Bula Ntulu	2004	Solfège Universel 89801	Ndombe Opetum & Bana OK
Interpellation	2001	Compils Production
Top Overdose	2000
Show à Paris vol. 2	1999	Air B.Mas Production/ Debs Music	Live
Show à Paris vol. 1	1999	Air B.Mas Production/ Debs Music	Live
Ingratitude	1999	Ets. Ndiaye ND070CD	Lutumba Simaro & Bana OK
Dernier avertissement	1999	Sans Frontières SF011	Josky Kiambukuta & Bana OK
Touchez jouer	1998	Jacko Productions JP00798
N'importe quoi	1997	Sonima	Shakembo & Bana OK
Tonnerre Show	1997	Sonodisc CD79811
Trahison	1997	Ets. Ndiaye ND043CD	Lutumba Simaro & Bana OK; also released on Stern's USA (1998)
Les quatre opérations	1995	Sonodisc CD65058	Lutumba Simaro & Bana OK
Faute ya Commerçant	1995	Sonodisc CD65057	Lutumba Simaro & Bana OK
Cabinet Molili	1994	Sonodisc
Albums by Rondot (recorded before the creation of Bana OK but using its name):
Bakitani	1993	Stern's STCD 1042