This is not the newest release (2008), but we wanted to share it with you on the first sunny morning in awhile. Aside from the excellent Underwater Peoples Records' compilation, this collection of Congolese artist Franco's music should be a staple of your summer listening. Francophonic amasses Franco's work from 1953-1980, with the earlier years featuring breezy African melodies in the form of shorter melodic, pop nuggets, while the later years find Franco and band stretching out the arrangements into longer forms, with more intricate instrumental sections. Despite the long period of time, the sound remains consistent, keeping within the buoyant Congolese rumba style and prominently featuring Franco's strong guitar playing and highly pleasing solo and group-based vocals. A long time front runner of this genre, Franco was only rivaled by our other favorite Tabu Ley Rocherau. Between the two kings of Congo (now Zaire), all of your summer cocktail parties should be more than covered in the music department. Thanks Cem.
Showing posts with label Tabu Ley Rochereau. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tabu Ley Rochereau. Show all posts
Friday, May 8, 2009
Thursday, September 25, 2008
The Voice of Lightness
Tabu Ley Rochereau "Kelya" - mp3Thanks to Cem for turning us on to this gem of a record from African vocalist Tabu Ley Rochereau. Released earlier this year, the double disc Voice of Lightness (Stern's Africa) spans Rochereau's career and touches all the major high marks. On the back of similar African records we've been loving this year, (Nigeria Special, Orchestra Baobab, Nigeria 70, Toumani Diabate, Tinariwen etc...) Voice of Lightness may take the cake as one of the best we've come across. More info below...
"The Tabu Ley set is especially satisfying. Ken Braun's fine essay hits the nail on the head, cleanly decoding the complexities of band transitions - Tabu Ley sang in six different formations between 1961-77! - while keeping the focus on this remarkable and visionary vocalist. Tabu Ley was decidedly a modernizer, the first Congolese singer to use a trap drum kit, to develop a choreographed stage show, and to perform at Paris's prestigious Oympia Theatre (1970). As Braun points out, Tabu Ley's penchant for modernity sometimes led him in unfortunate directions, particularly after this period. This well chosen selection is a pot of gold by comparison, and really clarifies exactly why he remains such a towering figure in Congo music."
-Banning Eyre, Afropop.org
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