Loketo

Based on the liner records from the multi-artist compilation African Atmosphere: THE BEST African Dance Get together, released in 2000, Loketo was “sort of Zairian supergroup of ‘new era’ music artists known for a super-tight, high-energy, display with spectacular dance and flawless vocals”. Probably one of the most essential bands within the development of soukous, Loketo was created by guitarist Diblo Dibala, soon after he remaining Kanda Bongo Man’s music group in 1986. With Dibala’s acoustic guitar interweaving using the effective lead vocals of Aurlus Mabele, the key pad playing of Ronald Rubinel and a lively horn section, Loketo quickly became known because of its powerful rhythms and complicated melodies. The group started to disintegrate in 1990, when Dibala and bandmates Freddy De Majunga (tempo acoustic guitar), Miguel Yamba (bass), and dancers Antoinette Yelessa and Joelle Esso remaining to create Matchatcha.