Papa Noel & Bana Congo - Pan-Afrocuban Congo Rumba

Papa Noel - whose stage name comes from the fact he was born Antoine Nedule Monswet on Christmas day 1940- is one of the greats of African music and a guitarist of exceptional talent. Throughout his fifty year career Papa Noel has played with some of the best Congolese Rumba bands and collaborated with a host of world music stars, including Papi Oviedo with whom he produced the smash hit Bana Congo and appeared with Peter Gabriel. He has also released classic Rumba albums such as Nono and Mosala Makasi and received a MOBO nomination for Best World Music Act.
‘Cafe Noir’ is the long-awaited new album from Papa Noel, following his hugely successful ‘Bana Congo’ CD with Papa Oviedo in 2002. On this new album he is joined by guest artists including the living legend, Manu Dibango, as well as - Rey Crespo, Abby Surya, Coto, Sultan, Palma-Ernesto Reyes, Tomas Akuru, Estela– Liv Makasso and Adam Pedrosa. Papa Noel’s Café Noir Crosses the Ocean with Pan-African Congo Rumba. This is Congolese music with a Cuban spin, courtesy of Papa Noel and Bana Congo, nominated for both the MOBO and the BBC Radio 3 Planet Awards. Bana Congo was launched at Womad in 2002, followed by a highly successful tour of the UK and Europe. This tour launches Papa Noel's latest CD: 'Cafe Noir' (Tumi 141), an extraordinary album recorded in Havana, Paris, London and the Congo.
Papa Noel is renowned for his electric live performances, previous tours have wowed critics and audiences’ worldwide. On the current tour Papa Noel brought his 11 piece band together for what promises to be a spectacular series of shows.
This show was taped on the current UK tour at Colchester Arts Centre.

Nedule Montswet aka Papa Noel (vocals/guitar); Maria Cristina Azcuy, Mbambo aka Banyele Baniel, Akumu aka Wakudu Nana, Ghislain Zembellat (vocals/percussion); Juan de Cruz Coto Garcia (tres/guitar); Adam Pedroso (guitar); Rey Crespo (bass/musical director); Julio Padron (trumpet); Luis Carlos Fuentes (drums); Tomas Akuru (percussion)

Setlist
01 - Kin Havana (8.07)
02 - Salsa Africaine - Afro Cuban Son (5.42)
03 - Molimo (10.34)
04 - Democracie - Central Africa Rhythm (6.37)
05 - Mbonge (5.46)
06 - Soukous Son (7.49)
07 - Africa Mokili Mobimba - Congolese Rumba (9.21)