Search - Franco & T.P.O.K. Jazz :: Mario & Reponse de Mario [Remix]

Essential Central African Classic

Ed Gibbon www.congocookbook.com | 11/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Zaire/Congo's François Luambo Makiadi (a.k.a. Franco) usually billed as Franco et le Tout Puissant O.K. Jazz (Franco and the All Powerful O.K. Jazz) was one of the major forces in African music in the 1970's and 80's. He and the musicians in his group combined various African and Latin American elements to create a distinctive Central African popular/dance style of music which became popular throughout the continent and in Europe. (It doesn't really have much to do with American jazz.) This is one of his classic albums, with one of his best known songs. No one with an interest in "world" music should be without at least one of his albums, and this is one of many good choices."