Franco 20e anniversaire, vol. 1 (6 juin 1956 - 6 juin 1976)

Album review

Franco, the boss of the Congolese guitar, is the hallmark of local rumba. His light, fruity playing seems to hypnotise his musicians and all the dancers they lure in. With six tasty tracks (Liberté, Melou, Kamikaze, Voyage Na Bandundu...) this re-release retraces the golden age of his legendary group OK Jazz (via the album On rentre OK, on sort KO) who were renamed Tout Puissant Orchestre Kinois de Jazz (TP OK Jazz) in 1965. The album was finished just before the group’s popularity plummeted since getting into trouble with the Congolese justice system for “obscene” lyrics and was released 23 years before the guitar hero died. But this birthday cake is studded with eternal candles. Franco Luambo Makiadi unveils his ever-so-sweet arpeggios. Brass, percussion and well-calibrated strings support the tempo and counter-vocals, while crooners follow one another, their voices soaked with charm and love, especially Vicky Longomba’s at the beginning and Youlou Mabiala after 1965. This is a truly great work: never equalled, always cheerful, totally irresistible! © Benjamin MiNiMuM/Qobuz