Non Stop Dancing

This article is about the album by Zaïko Langa Langa. For the album by the James Last Band, see Non Stop Dancing 65.

Non Stop Dancing is the debut studio album by the Congolese rumba band Zaïko Langa Langa. Produced by Mfumu Muntu Bambi, it was released on the Zaire Music label in late 1974.^[1][2]

Non Stop Dancing
Studio album by Zaïko Langa Langa
Released	1974
Recorded	December 1973 – June 1974
Studio	Bokelo (Lemba, Kinshasa)
Genre	Congolese rumba
Length	42:00
Label	Zaire Music
Producer	Mfumu Muntu Bambi
Zaïko Langa Langa chronology
Non Stop Dancing (1974) Plaisir de l'Ouest Afrique (1976)

It consists of songs recorded and released between 1973 and 1974, during multiple recording sessions of the band in Kinshasa. Prior to the album's release, Zaïko Langa Langa performed at the Zaire 74 music festival at the Stade Du 20 Mai, Kinshasa, along with other notable artists such as James Brown, B.B. King, Tabu Ley Rochereau, and Franco Luambo.^[3]

Not long after its release, it had become a cultural phenomenon in Kinshasa, selling out across all major record stores on release day.

Background

Shortly after Zaïko Langa Langa's debut in December 1969, the band established itself as the "third Congolese school of music".^[4] Because of their "rebellious" and "hippie" attitude and their innovative approach to Congolese rumba, they became a symbol of the new generations of post-independence Zaire, and are sometimes compared to the Rolling Stones for their appeal to the youth.^[5]

Before releasing Non Stop Dancing, in 1973, while traveling from Brazzaville to Pointe-Noire, the band's drummer, Meridjo Belobi, pioneered the Cavacha drum rhythm.^[6] The Cavacha was later played by all Kinshasa bands and other African artists from all over the continent. Cavacha was also the name of a dance created by Evoloko Jocker.^[7]

Recording

Recording sessions took place in 1973 ("Zania", "Mbeya Mbeya", "Eluzam" and "Zena") and 1974 ("Semeki Mondo" and "Mwana Wabi") in Johnny Bokelo's studio, located in Lemba (Kinshasa). Songs were previously released as singles.

Track listing

Side one

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Semeki Mondo"	Evoloko Jocker	11:00
2.	"Zania"	Mavuela Somo	5:00
3.	"Eluzam"	Evoloko Jocker	5:00

Side two

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
4.	"Mwana Wabi"	Bimi Ombale	11:00
5.	"Zena"	Bimi Ombale	5:00
6.	"Mbeya Mbeya"	Evoloko Jocker	5:00
Total length:			42:00

Personnel

• Evoloko Jocker – vocals
• Papa Wemba – vocals
• Mavuela Somo – vocals
• Bozi Boziana – vocals
• Gina Efonge – vocals
• Bimi Ombale – vocals
• Manuaku Waku – lead guitar
• Teddy Sukami – rhythm guitar
• Oncle Bapius – bass guitar
• Meridjo Belobi – drums
• Bakunde Ilo Pablo – drums