Zaire and Congo music reviews

This album is one of the greatest soukouss albums of all time and one that every fan of the genre is supposed to have in their collection. It was the last album the supergroup did before Diblo Dibala left. The only thing I hate about it is that it's too short-there's only 8 songs and the total playtime is about 40 minutes, and it leaves you crying for more. The music itself is the highly addictive up-tempo hip swinging super guitar kwassa-kwassa of the early 90's. I'm hooked.

Zaire/Congo's Fran?ois Luambo Makiadi (a.k.a. Franco) usually billed as Franco et le Tout Puissant O.K. Jazz (Franco and the All Powerful O.K. Jazz) was one of the major forces in African music in the 1970's and 80's. He and the musicians in his group combined various African and Latin American elements to create a distinctive Central African popular/dance style of music which became popular throughout the continent and in Europe. (It doesn't really have much to do with American jazz.) This is one of his classic albums, with one of his best known songs. No one with an interest in "world" music should be without at least one of his albums, and this is one of many good choices.

On this excellent album MOSE FAN FAN heads a reincarnation of SOMO SOMO NGOBILA, for a session that is brimming with masterful contributions from a list of Zairean musical legends including: Syran Mbenza, Bopol, Nyboma, Wuta Mayi (aka LES QUATRE ETOILES), Youlou Mabiala, and Sam Mangwana himself.

Opening with the rousing title track HELLO HELLO, the album continues with an array of compositions that remind the listener of the glorious histories of the featured artists. Listen to the subtle threeway guitar excursion on MAMITA (track 2)(cf.FOUR STARS); or NDEMDELI, reminiscent of THE AFRICAN ALL STARS and earlier incarnations of SOMO SOMO.

Buy this CD for the range of soulful vocals, the harmonious guitar playing, and balanced compositions.

Total music: 40 minutes

Pepe Kalle was truly a great in congolese music. His song "Roger Milla" will certainly get the party started!! one of my favorite songs of all time is this one and also "Gerant", and im sure whoever listens to it will not be disappointed!!!!

Pepe Kalle was in my opinion one the true legends of Zairean music. His style and his class will live on forever. This cd is only a small tribute to a man who passed away in the prime of his life and his career.

Pepe Kalle was truly a great in congolese music. His song "Roger Milla" will certainly get the party started!! one of my favorite songs of all time is this one and also "Gerant", and im sure whoever listens to it will not be disappointed!!!!

Pepe Kalle was in my opinion one the true legends of Zairean music. His style and his class will live on forever. This cd is only a small tribute to a man who passed away in the prime of his life and his career.

This CD was my introduction to Papa Wemba years ago. I purchased it while in Tokyo where there was quite a following for this magnificent singer. This CD is still powerful, flavorful, just plain ol' tasty...some of the best mixing I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. The musicianship is outstanding, world class. Buy it, you won't be disappointed. "D"

Franco was a legend in his time - originally from Congo (Kinshasa/Brazzaville), he is regarded as one of the most popular musicians ever among Africans in Africa. Unlike his rival, Tabou Ley, he never went for the European Afropop scene, but instead stuck close to his roots. Franco is a formative figure behind modern Soukous.

This album captures him at the height of his career. The arrangements, recording quality, musicianship, and compositional strength of this album set it apart from the plethora of other Franco titles out there. Simply put, this album is a masterpiece that will never grow old.

So many Americans have no idea who Franco is. WHAT A SICK SHAME. Becuase this man is truly what the freakin' guitar is all about. I can't even see life without him. All the tracts on this CD are my personal favorites. Most of the songs last beyond 15 minutes, many people don't like long songs...but all these songs grow with intensity and a hard driving emotion. I am not a musician so I have no idea what to say as far as technique..but, so many differant sounds with his guitar. And its all pure emotion of life. This music is emotion this music is sex, its life. Its Africa.

I have had this CD for about two weeks! If this were a vynal record you would be hearing the scratches already from all the replays I have put this CD through! TSHALA! WOW!

Oh my god I love this album! It is one of the maybe 20 albums in my life I could listen to over and over. I have never heard freaky synthesizer atmospheres and beautifully polyrythmic African drumming combined to better effect. The palette of synth sounds reminds me of Joe Zawinul of Weather Report -- unique, earthy, spooky, sometimes tenderly beautiful. Fans of odd meters and complex rythmic patterns will be thrilled beyond belief, but it's all groovy and hypnotic as opposed to jerky and confusing. Add to this Fred Frith on guitar, plus strange and gorgeous violin and clarinet parts, and you're swimming in continually intriguing sounds. Bony Bikaye's voice presides over all-- deep, often scary, sometimes touching. If you like African rhythms and also like experimental stuff, this is your thing.