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Francophonic: A Retrospective Vol. 1 1953-1980
Franco & Le Tpok Jazz
Francophonic: A Retrospective Vol. 1 1953-1980
Genres: International Music, Special Interest, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (18) - Disc #1

Francophonic finally gives Franco his due. Vol. 1: 1953-1980 comes out this year, the 70th anniversary of the artist's birth. Vol. 2: 1980-1989 will be released next year, the 20th anniversary of his death. Each volume is ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Franco & Le Tpok Jazz
Title: Francophonic: A Retrospective Vol. 1 1953-1980
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Sterns Arc LTD.
Original Release Date: 1/1/2008
Re-Release Date: 11/24/2008
Genres: International Music, Special Interest, Pop
Styles: Africa, Holiday & Wedding
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 740042304123

Synopsis

Album Description
Francophonic finally gives Franco his due. Vol. 1: 1953-1980 comes out this year, the 70th anniversary of the artist's birth. Vol. 2: 1980-1989 will be released next year, the 20th anniversary of his death. Each volume is a boxed set containing 2 CDs and a 48-page book. From Sterns - "one of the world's finest disseminators of African music," according to the New York Times -both albums are researched, compiled, annotated, illustrated and designed by the same people that produced last year's Voice of Lightness, a retrospective of Franco's rival, Tabu Ley Rochereau, which garnered high praise from National Public Radio, Rolling Stone, the New York Times and Pitchfork. This first Francophonic volume is the album that will confirm Franco's international reputation as Africa's greatest. The second volume will crown it.
 

CD Reviews

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."