Blue Flamingo

“The foundation for modern Congolese music was laid in the 1930s, when the first 78 r.p.m. records, containing music from Latin America, reached the capitals of both Congos. These records were hugely popular with the young urban population, who were completely captivated by this music. Records had reached Central Africa before, but nowhere, not even in early jazz, was their ancestors’ legacy as clearly present as it was in the rhythms of Central and South America. It felt as if a part of Africa was returning home again. It was a homecoming that rooted deeply and fused rapidly with other Congolese traditions into something entirely authentic”

“In the last song of my gospel mix, you hear Thomas A. Dorsey himself singing his composition “Hide me in Thy Bosom.” This was a huge gospel hit for Sister Rosetta Tharpein 1937. This recording is one of the most extraordinary 78 r.p.m. records I have in my collection. It’s a demo recording from the thirties that was engraved one-on-one onto an acetate disc in the recording studio. It’s likely that this is the only copy in the world.”