Catalogue       Group                                          A side/B side                                                        Language

Number

BMA 001      Orch Mokano                       Nekese Pts 1 & 2                                      Lingala

Many thanks to Alan Wheeler for sending in details of this record in December 2011.

It’s an intriguing record for many reasons. The label has taken its name from the international umbrella body for mechanical rights societies, which license and collect royalties on recordings. Although the Music Copyright Society of Kenya is a member of the France-based organisation, it is highly unlikely either body was involved in this label.

The band itself is a bit of a mystery too. Mokano was the title of a Super Mazembe hit written by Lovy Longomba. Did Orch Mokano, a Congolese band that also recorded for Editions Bakoka and Hit Parade, simply take its name from this hit or were musicians from Super Mazembe involved in the band?