Mick Hartley

The best version of this early 80s African classic is the one by Kenyan band Orchestre Super Mazembe. It's on YouTube but it's nine minutes long and the video consists of the name of the band and song title against a backdrop of changing bright colours which would tax even the most devoted admirer. Headphones on and stare out of the window?….

Here's Afrisa International – Zairean legends Tabu Ley (or Rochereau as he was known before President Mobutu's Africanisation drive) and Mbilia Bel. Not their greatest moment perhaps, but nice:

I'd always thought the Orchestre Super Mazembe version was the original, but apparently not:

Shauri Yako (Its Your Problem/Matter/Affair) is the title of a massive hit of the early eighties in Central and East Africa. The original version was recorded by Nguashi N'Timbo and L'Orchestre Festival du Zaire. Nguashi moved to Nairobi following a number of other Zairian bands looking for work due to an abundance of bands (and a lack of work) in Zaire. These bands, Orchestra Super Mazembe, Orchestra Makassy, Orchestra Super Matimila, Orchestra Marquis Original and many others, adapted to the club scenes in Nairobi, Kampala and dar Es Salaam and picked up a large following. The music of these bands took a new direction and picked up currents from Benga guitarists, Taraab vocalists and other local styles. Shauri Yako was also covered by Orchestra Super Mazembe and Mbilia Bel.

Read on for a translation of the lyrics.

In retrospect, a golden age of African music….