Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music

Ambiance Congo: October 19, 2025 3:00-5:00 PM

Sun, Oct 19, 2025

WELCOME!

Ambiance Congo comes to you every other Sunday from 3:00-5:00 PM eastern time USA right here on WRIR.

WRIR brings free speech, music, news and views that you won’t hear anywhere else on the radio in Richmond.

Ambiance Congo has been broadcast every other week since 2005 on WRIR. It’s the only over-the-airwaves program devoted to the rich history, live music and new hits of Congolese music and it’s only here on WRIR.

Congolese music is arguably the most influential genre of African music, a genre that, starting in the 1960s, took most of Africa then western Europe and eventually the world by storm.

Congolese rumba was named in December 2021 by UNESCO declared Congolese rumba to be “an intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”.

It is historically a music that has been lead by poetic lyrics, stunning vocal arrangements and fiery guitars and for generations backed by orchestrated horn and rhythm sections.

You have to love that Orchestre Sinza LP sleeve! A green mamba slithering under that electric guitar says it all!

This week we celebrate our Fall Fund Drive. Twice a year we ask our listeners to support our mission to bring radio diversity and free speech to the airwaves.

Today I’ll present a program that includes a bit of everything you’ll hear every other week: tributes to artists, classic hits, new music and live sessions, A bit of everything in honor of our Fund Drive.

Please support Ambiance Congo on WRIR. That “DONATE” button is calling your name right now!

Show archive

Playlist

    Time: October 19 - 3:00:00 pm

  • King Kester Emeneya & Victoria Eleison Dream Team Dream Band, “sebene from DORIS ILOKO (program theme song)”

    from PAS DE CONTACT

    Black Music - 1995

    • Time: October 19 - 3:03:44 pm

  • Orchestre Sinza, “Mamy Giro”

    from Orchestre Sinza 76

    Pathe Marconi - 1975

    • Time: October 19 - 3:09:27 pm

  • Orchestre Sossa, “Telex ya Sossa Pt 1 & 2”

    from Orchestre Sossa

    Pathe Marconi - 1976

    • Time: October 19 - 3:22:55 pm

  • Pierre Moutouari, “Bolingo Ebima Maseke”

    from Retour a l'Envoyeur

    Ets, PM

    • Time: October 19 - 3:34:01 pm

  • Bozi Boziana & Anti Choc, “Evelyne”

    from Bozi Boziana Featuring Jolly Detta & Deese, Volume 1

    Ngoyarto - 1996

    • Time: October 19 - 3:41:35 pm
  • Nouveau Combattant

    ZAO, “Do La Ré”

    from Nouveau Combattant

    Celluloid - 2015

    • Time: October 19 - 3:50:49 pm

  • Zaiko Langa Langa, “Awa Te”

    from Mukina EP

    Prozal - 2025

    • Time: October 19 - 3:57:10 pm

  • Flamme Kapaya, “Yandi Mosi”

    from Concert Live à Kinshasa (feat. Bill Clinton & Celeo Scram)

    Cyriaque Bassoka Productions - 2011

    • Time: October 19 - 4:03:39 pm
  • Black Bazar

    Black Bazar, “Black Romance”

    from Black Bazar

    Lusafrica - 2012

    • Time: October 19 - 4:08:25 pm

  • Maze Moke, “Yo Liwa”

    from Napesi ya Motema

    Kiamana Productions - 1992

    • Time: October 19 - 4:16:32 pm
  • Cherie na Nga

    Jeannot Bel, “Mutu Ya Pusu”

    from Cherie na Nga

    Prosmart Studio - 2013

    • Time: October 19 - 4:24:50 pm

  • King Kester Emeneya & Victoria Eleison, “Ata Mpiaka Bis”

    from Manhattan

    Editions VeVe International - 1986

    • Time: October 19 - 4:38:11 pm

  • Manda Chante, “Henry Ndongala”

    from Délivrance Totale

    P&G - 2007

    • Time: October 19 - 4:49:30 pm

  • Orchestre Somo Somo, “Bobo Pt. 1 & 2”

    from single

    LAA Records - 1975