One of the more memorable and least anticipated collaborations in Congolese music, this early-1980s production joins Falstaffian guitar legend Franco Luambo Makiadi (1938-89) with Tabu Ley Rochereau (1940- ), the famed ban... more »d leader and soukous pioneer. Where Franco fused traditional music with Afro-Cuban rhythms, the prolific Tabu Ley used a variety of international genres (disco, reggae, etc.) to rev up the regional style. Rivals during much of their respective careers, Franco and Rochereau combine their talents here for a record that's brimful of Franco's sinuous and rippling guitar lines, Rochereau's sweet high-tenor vocals, solid rolling rhythmic support, sporadic horns, and some of Africa's best backing vocalists. A short album at 33 minutes, its four tracks begin with a rousing celebration of the summit meeting itself. --Richard Gehr« less
One of the more memorable and least anticipated collaborations in Congolese music, this early-1980s production joins Falstaffian guitar legend Franco Luambo Makiadi (1938-89) with Tabu Ley Rochereau (1940- ), the famed band leader and soukous pioneer. Where Franco fused traditional music with Afro-Cuban rhythms, the prolific Tabu Ley used a variety of international genres (disco, reggae, etc.) to rev up the regional style. Rivals during much of their respective careers, Franco and Rochereau combine their talents here for a record that's brimful of Franco's sinuous and rippling guitar lines, Rochereau's sweet high-tenor vocals, solid rolling rhythmic support, sporadic horns, and some of Africa's best backing vocalists. A short album at 33 minutes, its four tracks begin with a rousing celebration of the summit meeting itself. --Richard Gehr
CD Reviews
Done
Michael Gershberg | 06/12/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's about my vue regarding the main title of this CD; I was still in France a while ago, reading another review we kept talking about the said title: OMONA WAPI It's almost disgusting to see that the artist who wrote this song is being ignored by the company that's released this album: MODERO MEKANISI who is also a well known Congolese (Zairean)musician, a successfull songwritter and a leading artist; I'd personally purchased the vinyl original version of this CD, produced by SONODISC (GENIDIA) in France, the songwritter name is was MODERO on that album; now how does it come that this author's name is replaced by TABU LEY ROCHEREAU & FRANCO LWAMBO in the USA? and who's being paid for this. We are going to ask some the african artists we know if they could let the real OMONA WAPI's song- writter protect his copyrights here and ask this company handle african artist's business properly?FIDOS BUNNY"
Sublime
Michael Gershberg | New York City, USA | 02/19/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Some of the most rhythmically beautiful music I've ever heard. Franco's ringing guitar and sweet, high vocals intertwine with Tabu Ley's rich tenor to make music that is rapturously gorgeous. "Ngungi" and "Kabassele In Memoriam" are standouts. Whether you're a fan of African music or not, this music transcends genre."
A good starting point for classic rhumba
Michael Gershberg | 12/02/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"a tabu ley- franco collaboration was a dream for many fans of congolese music. their joint session in 1983 resulted in two wonderful cds. while i prefer the other cd- available only as a french import. this is an important part of any african music fans collection. franco and tabu ley are indeed the giants of african music. the two were at the hieght of their powers in 1983. this is not a super group of has beens. the band is primarly Rochereau's but franco provides serious guitar playing giving the cd a more rootsy quality than you expect to find on post 1970 Rochereau recording. i have 30+ lps and 17cds by Franco he was the great master. if you like african music and haven't gotten into these two greats snap up this cd"
Buy Lisanga Ya Baganga instead
David Gary Roberts | Oakland, CA USA | 11/17/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the first cd of a two-cd landmark joint session by these twin giants of Congo music. It is very fine but the full two cd set with the addition of the better value (50 minutes) Franco-centric cd is now available in the USA for very little more than this single album price - check it out [Lisanga Ya Baganga - Syllart 823421/SC 890]"
Very elegant piece.
Michael Gershberg | 05/20/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'd say Rochereau and Franco had a good thing going back then. I still prefer either one on his own, but still I'd go for this cd, no question about it. This album gets a high rating as it deserves."
Track Listings (4) - Disc #1