IT is not often that a boxing match changes the course of an entire music industry — but that’s what happened when Muhammad Ali fought George Foreman in 1974 in the famous Rumble In The Jungle in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo).  

The promoter for the “fight of the century” was the irrepressible Don King, who according to the booklet notes to Analog Africa’s Congo Funk! — Sound Madness From The Shores Of The Mighty Congo River (Kinshasa/Brazzaville 1969-1982) secured the $10 million needed to stage the fight from the megalomanic president of Zaire Mobutu Sese Seko,(aka Mobutu) who rose to power with the aid of the US and Belgium in exchange for giving them unlimited  access to the riches of the country.

As part of the deal Mobutu agreed to a three-day music festival, Zaire ’74, prior to the fight, featuring an array of local stars including guitarist Franco with international guests Miriam Makeba, Manu Dibango, BB King and salsa stars Celia Cruz with the Fania All Stars.