Syran Mbenza

Syran Mbenza (or M’Benza) (b. May 31, 1950) is a guitarist, originally from the Congo, who has lived in Paris since about 1981. He has recorded and performed prolifically over five decades, including as a solo artist; as one of the four members of the popular soukous "supergroup" Les Quatre Étoiles; as a founding member of the acoustic, Congolese rumba revival band Kékélé; in other bands; and in support of numerous artists. He has been described as one of the greatest guitar players of Africa.
==Links to Peel==
Peel first started playing Syran's solo material in the early 80's and in the 90's played often his track Icha, which on his 28 July 1991 show mentioned that it was the song that he probably played more than any other:
"And this one I played you, well probably more than any other record this year so far anyway, and I just had to hear it, one of those things. I had to put it in a programme every once in a while to boost myself really, two minutes and twenty seven seconds don't forget, your radio should be loud as you go."
In 1993, Peel added the Icha track to his Peel Out In The States (Program 21 & 22) in 1993.
==Shows Played==
;1983
*20 August 1983 (BFBS): Elisa Dangwa (album - Elisa Dangwa) Africamania
;1990
*26 September 1990 (& Bopol Masiamina): Sambela (LP - The Best African Sound) P.G. Production
*06 October 1990 (BFBS) (& Bopol Masiamina): Sambela (LP - The Best African Sound) P.G. Production
;thumb|220x220px1991
*14 April 1991: Icha (album - Symbiose) Hysa Productions
*20 April 1991: Icha (album - Symbiose) Hysa Productions
*21 April 1991: Molatsi (album - Symbiose) Hysa
*26 April 1991 (BFBS): Icha (album - Symbiose) Hysa Productions
*27 April 1991: Icha (album - Symbiose) Hysa Production
*03 May 1991 (BFBS): Icha (album - Symbiose) Hysa Productions
*05 May 1991: Icha (album - Symbiose: With The Best Of Paris) Hysa Productions
*06 May 1991 (Ö3): 'Icha (LP-Simbiose)' (Hysa)
*10 May 1991 (BFBS): Icha (album - Symbiose) Hysa Productions
*13 May 1991 (BBC World Service): Icha (CD Album - Symbiose) Hysa Productions
*18 May 1991: Icha (album - Symbiose: With The Best Of Paris) Hysa Productions
*02 June 1991: Icha (album - Symbiose) Hysa Productions
*09 June 1991: Molatisi (album - Symbiose) Hysa
*28 July 1991: Icha (album - Symbiose) Hysa Productions
*16 August 1991 (BFBS): Icha (album - Symbiose) Hysa Productions
*29 September 1991: Icha (LP - Symbiose) Hysa Productions
;1996
*25 February 1996 (BFBS): 'Icha (LP-Symbiose)' (Hysa)
*15 June 1996: 'Youyou (LP – Symbiose: With The Best Of Paris)’ Hysa Productions
;1997
*11 September 1997 (BFBS): 'Icha (LP-Symbiose)' (Hysa Productions)
*18 September 1997 (BFBS): 'Icha (LP-Symbiose)' (Hysa Productions)
*27 November 1997 (BFBS): 'Icha (LP-Symbiose)' (Hysa Productions)
;2000
*03 August 2000: Icha (LP - Symbiose) Hysa Productions
==External Links==
*Wikipedia
*Discogs
Category:Artists