Better Late than Never...
a second posting!
This selection barely needs an introduction. Franco and his Tout Puissant O. K. Jazz were catapulted into fame as soon as they began recording in the 1950's and went on to dominate Congolese music till Franco's death in 1989. Perhaps Africa's most legendary guitarist, Franco mastered rumba during his youth and went on to develop and define the style known as Soukous. His tapes are still in wide circulation throughout Francophone Africa and contemporary dance music from Kinshasha continues to reflect his enourmous influence. Unfortunately, Franco never achieved commercial success in the US and his music is difficult to find.
This album, Hommage, is a mid-career greatest hits album featuring four big singles. These songs are characteristic of soukous, or son congolaise, with long forms, distinct movements within songs, rich vocal and horn harmonies, and interlocking guitar parts. Franco sings in Lingala and French. Enjoy!
hear
-sfg
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