Guajira Guantanamera / Guajira

This two-song 7-inch single (45 rpm) is a teaser for the upcoming double LP on Planet Ilunga, dedicated to the Congolese labels Cefa and Tcheza which were managed by the Congolese musician and record label pioneer Roger Izeidi. Both songs on this strictly limited 45 rpm teaser come from Congo-Brazzaville’s iconic band Bantou Jazz (later Bantous de le Capitale). ‘Guajira Guantanamera’ (originally on CEFA 510) is a wild guapacha-rhythm take on the Cuban evergreen and billed as folklore bantou on the label. It was recorded in November 1961 during the recording sessions in Brussels for the Cefa label and it was composed by clarinetist and vocalist Jean-Serge Essous. Along with saxophonist Nino Malapet, he was Bantou Jazz's biggest Latin aficionado. We couldn't resist the rhythm, so the flip side delivers another song from the Brussels recording sessions of the band in its formative days. This time it’s a Congolese rendition of another Cuban classic, ‘Mi Guajira’ by René Touzet. Essous once again re-arranged the song into ‘Guajira’. It was originally released on CEFA 531. Caliente!