A must-have for African music fans
Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 03/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an amazing, luxurious 2-CD collection of classic work from Congolese guitarist and bandleader Francois Luambo Makiadi (better known as Franco) who led the band TPOK Jazz for several decades, starting in the early 1950s. This retrospective spans from Franco's first recording session in 1953, through the funky, hypnotic grooves of the 1970s and early '80s -- all of it amazing, lovely music. If you want to explore classic African guitar pop, you could start here and be off to a great beginning. Highly recommended! (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Guide To World Music)"
Absolutely splendid
la platija | 12/05/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am a great fan of Tabu Ley Rochereau's music, and Franco is frequently mentioned in this context. This retrospective was really my first exposure to Franco, and I must say it's an absolutely splendid collection. The sound is similar to Tabu Ley's gently lilting rhythms and the etheric guitars and propulsive percussion. Franco is a particularly great guitarist, though, and the music has a kind of psychedelic quality to it that took me completely by surprise."