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In 2CDs and 48 pages of eloquent, thoroughly researched notes and rare photos, building on the success of Volume 1, Sterns are proud to present volume 2 in their labour of love: Francophonic. If you have any interest in music whatsoever ? this is absolutely essential listening.
"Franco pretty much invented an entire genre of African music, soukous, with his agile, melodic playing. This 2CD biography of his final decade finds him expanding into 15-minute songs and epic big bands (James Brown was the model). The selection is immaculate, with lots of unheard material, and the packaging handsome" The Observer
"The late-period work collected here is a joy because Franco was perpetually pushing his band toward the future, almost always with excellent results. These songs are formally riskier than most musicians with a catalog as successful as his would ever dare, and there's a wonderfully mischievous streak to them. Even in his darkest moments Franco treated moving the crowd as a sweet responsibility." 'Best new re-issue' Pitchfork
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
In my experience people either like African music or they don't. If you already do then you probably won't need any introduction to Franco & O K Jazz. For those who have yet to learn the joys of African music this is a fine begining. This double Cd & its companion Francophonic represent a loving compilation/anthology of the greatest artist ever to come out of the Congo - prolific from an early age (1953) until his untimely death in 1989.
If you like a lively band with brilliant rhythm, brilliant guitar work, great vocals & great ambience then you will come to treasure these two Francophonic retrospectives - which have been long awaited. Like a magnet for talent many of the great exponents of Congolese music (too many to name) have also passed through this Band adding their own unique contributions & touch
The first anthologyFrancophonicis probably the place to start with shorter,more concise & varied works whereas the current CD Francophonic 2 represents later work in which the band tended to longer tracks designed for the dancehall audience & segued into 3 sections building to the ever popular African rumba/soukous style. But with Franco's band you have the real thing - he is not called the Grand Master for nothing.
For those with interest to explore further the following books are recommended - Congo Colossus: Life and Legacy of Franco and OK Jazz & Rumba on the River: A History of the Popular Music of the Two Congos
If you like a lively band with brilliant rhythm, brilliant guitar work, great vocals & great ambience then you will come to treasure these two Francophonic retrospectives - which have been long awaited. Like a magnet for talent many of the great exponents of Congolese music (too many to name) have also passed through this Band adding their own unique contributions & touch
The first anthologyFrancophonicis probably the place to start with shorter,more concise & varied works whereas the current CD Francophonic 2 represents later work in which the band tended to longer tracks designed for the dancehall audience & segued into 3 sections building to the ever popular African rumba/soukous style. But with Franco's band you have the real thing - he is not called the Grand Master for nothing.
For those with interest to explore further the following books are recommended - Congo Colossus: Life and Legacy of Franco and OK Jazz & Rumba on the River: A History of the Popular Music of the Two Congos
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
No offence to any of the other splendid compilations that focus on the mainly West African but frankly, fairly obscure and with limited reach or influence, music from late-60s onwards, but this is the real deal. Franco may still be a comparatively undervalued artist outside Africa, and in that sense 'seem' obscure, but inside Africa? He was the boss, there's no doubt about it. This album, covering the last decade of his life, comes with a booklet containing some great photos and really passionate and informed text. But best of all is the music. Don't give a damn about fashion, but care about music? This is for you.
Format:Audio CD
If you like your "rumba / soukous" to go on and on and on; then this superb compilation is the one.
Melodic singing, pulsating drums and a host of guitars,led by Le Grand Maistre. It finishes with the superb Co-operation, which is the track that first turned me on to Franco and Sam Mangwana) but doesn`t include "Attention Na SIDA" which must be heard. Is there a Volume 3 to come?
Melodic singing, pulsating drums and a host of guitars,led by Le Grand Maistre. It finishes with the superb Co-operation, which is the track that first turned me on to Franco and Sam Mangwana) but doesn`t include "Attention Na SIDA" which must be heard. Is there a Volume 3 to come?
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