Song:Extra Ball
Album:Extra Ball
Loketo was a short lived soukous band that was discovered several years after they split up when Extra Ball appeared on a various artists CD. Loketo was led by guitarist Diblo Dibala, a leading figure in soukous which is native to Zaire. He was born Aug. 9, 1954 in Kisangani, Zaire. As a teen he was in Franco Luambo's band TPOK and several other bands. And then he met Kanda Bongo Man and both guys moved to Europe. Dibala settled in Brussels, Belgium. Along with being in Kanda Bongo Man's band, Dibala worked as a session musician. The 1986 formation of Loketo came out of that. Lead singer Aurius Mabele recorded solo before Loketo was formed. Dibala appeared on his albums.The other members were bassist Remy Saloman and drummer Mack Macaire. They signed with the French label Jimmy's Production. In 1989 they signed a US record deal with Shanachie. By the time Extra Ball was released in 1991, Saloman had been replaced by Miguel Yamba and some other musicians were added. Extra Ball turned out to be Loketo's final album. They split up and Dibala started his new band Matchacha with some of the same musicians. Dibala still leads that band. Apparently the conflict in Loketo was Dibala's easygoing nature as opposed to Mabele's flamboyance. They didn't get along. Loketo reformed to record a 2007 album. In 1999 Shanachie included Extra Ball on the various artists CD African Ambience: The Ultimate African Dance Party. Loketo was unknown and those who heard Extra Ball wanted to know more about them. All their albums are now available as digital downloads. One thing is for sure. By anyone's standards, Diblo Dibala is a killer guitarist. Here's the video for Extra Ball by Loketo.
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