Nakomi Musulman 1 & 2 (1977) Edipop 028 Bis

Here as a late Christmas present is a great single from 1977 composed by Youlou Mabiala.

This track was split over two sides on the original vinyl. We have put it together as one mp3.

http://www.4shared.com/file/v7RPEg_G/nakomi_musulman.html

Check back in a few days for a New Year gift.

Heritage Du Grand Maitre Franco

We post this in tribute to our father. This was recorded after Franco's death in tribute to the great master. It is perhaps the best OK Jazz recording done without him. Some of the synthesizer sounds have not dated well, but we cannot fault the great songs, musicianship, sebenes and perhaps best of all, the fact that so many of the great OK Jazz members came together on this album.
We have Josky, Simaro, Madilu System, Ntesa Dalienst, Djo Mpoyi, Lola Checain, Ndombe Opetum, Aime Kiwakana, Lukoki Diatho, Papa Noel, Decca M'Pudi, Gerry Dialunguna, Yuma Michel Sax, Flavien Makabi, Ya Mokoso, Kunista Ribens, Cyril Orcel, Makwala Bibeson, Weteto Mikorason, Zinga, Alpha, Gandy and Dizzy Mandjeku mixed it. There may be a big hole without Franco on this record, but just that front line of singers is incredible. Josky, Simaro, Aime, Madilu, Papa Noel and Ndombe contributed one great song each to make this a great record. Really the last great OK Jazz record before divisions made the band members break into different versions and pursue solo careers.

We have fond memories of the day our father brought this LP home and played it for us over and over. We were mourning Franco then, today we celebrate our father's memory with this post.

http://www.4shared.com/file/ai0u-klP/ok_jazz_heritage_du_grand_mait.html

A1		Maby (Josky)
A2		Mamisa (Simaro)
A3		Malaria (Aime)
B1		Tonton Zala Serieux (Papa Noel)
B2		Mort' Vivant...Somida (Madilu)
B3		Osala Erreur (Aime)

New Franco Radio Show

We have been contacted by Hedd Thomas, a DJ and presenter of United World Radio to tell us about a new radio special about Franco and OK Jazz. You can listen to it here.

http://unitedworldradio.org/2010/11/17/show-19-%E2%80%93-legends-of-africa-franco/

Itshiofo (Edipop 058)

 

We return to posting OK Jazz classics with a bang. 

This was one of our father's favourite tracks and we found this rare single amongst his record collection. It is a Youlou Mabiala composition called 'Itshiofo' from 1977. Another one of those classic building rumbas with a great sebene. The intro is quite funky, a bit like James Brown, after that it's pure OK Jazz. 

This single just consists of this one track, broken over two sides. We've put it all on one mp3, without editing the fade in and out so as to preserve the way it goes on the vinyl. We hope you enjoy this, the first of a new batch of OK Jazz songs we will be posting this month.

The download link is here http://www.4shared.com/file/WLEX_atj/Itshiofo.html

This file is 320 kps. Some people requested we try higher bitrates so we experimented with this. Unfortunately it will not be practical for us to upload other tracks at this bitrate because our internet connection is very slow. It took an hour and a half to upload this one track!

Update

This is Isaac Musanga, brother of Kasongo. We are both sorry for not updating this blog for so long. We had been tending to our terminally ill father. We have been in mourning for the last two months as our dear father, who introduced us to Franco when we were small children and cultivated our love for TPOK Jazz, passed away.

One of his dying wishes was that we continue to restore Franco's legacy, so he has left us many records. We will soon start posting more records.

For now we just want to say Rest in Peace to our dear father......

Franco Presente Youlou Mabiala et son Orchestre Kamikaze (1982)

Ok, so this release is not a TPOK Jazz recording, but it has Franco's name on the cover, it is on his Edipop label and it features his son-in-law and TPOK Jazz member Prince Youlou Mabiala. It's also a fantastic and rare record, so these are reason's enough to post it here.

It was released in 1982 and feautres five tracks, three of which are Youlou compositions. It sounds like it could be TPOK Jazz on the record, the band is so good. We don't know who the band members are.

Franco Presente Youlou Mabiala et son Orchestre Kamikaze - Loningisa Bolongwa Na Nzela Edipop 019.

Side A

U.C.B (Youlou)

Motema Na Ngai Television (Youlou)

Gentil Ya Mbebo (Nlemvo Djomoke)

Side B

Sentiment Ekoti Nzube (Bola-Bolithe)

Ndoyi Ya Ba Soucis (Youlou)





http://www.4shared.com/file/17Gj16BO/Franco_Presente_Youlou.html

Lela Ngai Na Mosika (1985)

This is a 12 inch single from 1985. It is credited to Momy et le Tout Puissant O.K.Jazz, presumably because Momy (Momene Mo Mikengo) composed the tracks.

There are just two tracks. One on each side.

The first track 'Lela Ngai Na Mosika' appears to be a re-recording of a hit from Josky and Ntesa Dalienst's album 'Alerte'.

The second track is called 'Likingo Li Mboka'.

The single was released via the African Record Center/Safari Music inprint with a catalogue of Tchika 010/85.

We don't know if Franco is on this rare record, but it is very good nonetheless. There's a great sebene in Lela Ngai Na Mosika. Vocals on both tracks are provided by Josky, Ntesa, Madilu and Kiwakana.

Side A

Lela Ngai Na Mosika (Momy)

Side B

Likingo Li Mboka (Momy)

http://www.4shared.com/file/0-jbNw6K/Lela_Ngai.html

Two 45's from the 1970's

We have been busy collecting some great rarities to post on the blog. Some of these were acquired with the help of some generous doners. May we thank you sincerely for helping to make these recordings available to everyone. Your continued support is appreciated.

Our first two posts of our new acquisitions are two 45's from the 1970's.

The first is 'Boni Nkaka' a Youlou Mabiala composition from 1977 released as a stand alone single labelled Edition Populaires 061 (African 91.595). The song was previously released on the now deleted Sonodisc CD 36571 which we never got a copy of. This is the original vinyl release in two parts.

http://www.4shared.com/file/Unz22FQ4/Boni_Nkaka.html


The second track is 'Zenaba' a compositon by Franco from 1973 released as Edition Populaires 146. This seems to be two different versions of the same song rather than one long song split over two sides. There is slight warping on our copy of this single which causes the start of part 2 to sound a bit strange. A live version of this song was released on CD by Sonodisc CDS 6952. Both studio versions seem to have only been released on vinyl so this is a rarity and a real classic too.

http://www.4shared.com/file/Y8fEcBKR/Zenaba.html

l'Animation Non Stop (Edipop 034) 1987)

We are sorry for being so long to post anything new. Patience my friends, there will be some great rare material posted soon from some vinyl we have been collecting.

In the mean time here is an album we found posted on global groovers recently.

The album is L'Animation Non Stop from 1987. We have to admit this is not one of our favourite OK Jazz LP's because of the bad synthesizer sounds. We're sure some of you will enjoy it though.

                              
L'Animation Non Stop (Edipop 034, 1987)
Side A

1 Mario III (Franco)

2 Sept ans de mariage (Josky/Franco)

3 Iran-Irak (Madilu)

4 Merci Bapesa na chien (Simaro)

5 In memoriam, Lukusa (Josky)

Side B

1 Mamou II (Franco)

2 Decision echange Maloba (Simaro)

3 Bolingo etondi ba souvenirs (Youlou)

4 Nganda parlelle ba vanda (Simaro)

http://globalgroovers.blogspot.com/2010/06/le-grand-maitre-franco-et-le-tp-ok-jazz.html

A L'ANCIENNE BELGIQUE (EDIPOP POP 025,1985)

This post is a special request from Kisondella in Tanzania. It is a great album from 1985 that has a real sound of its own. The use of chorused guitars and electric drums might put off some purists, but the songs and musicianship on the album transcend any dated 80's sounds. Josky and Madilu are to the fore on the vocal front here. The album includes the classic Madilu System song 'Pesa Position Na Yo'.

We do not have an LP version of this so the tracks we've posted are compiled from the out of print CD reissues SONODISC CDS 6856, SONODISC CDS 6866 and SONODISC CDS 6852.

Why Sonodisc split the tracks across these discs we don't understand!

The images of the LP were taken from another internet site.

http://www.4shared.com/file/uZAmC4ed/LAncienne_Belgique.html

Side A

K.S.K. (Josky)

Nda-Ya (Mpudi Decca)

Side B

Pesa Position Na Yo (Madilu System)

Mukungu (Gerry Dialungana)

Two Rare 45's

It has been some time since we posted something so here are two 45's we aquired recently with the aid of gratefully received donations from two visitors to our site. Without these donations we wouldn't have been able to purchase these rare items.

The first is an EP from 1965 credited to Brazzos et O.K. Jazz, it is a Pathé Marconi release labelled EMF 314

http://www.4shared.com/file/Cs4vHNC0/Brazzos_et_Ok_Jazz.html


These are very rare tracks never released on CD. Two of the tracks were only ever released on this EP. The first two appeared as a single on the HMV release Loningisa 1058. We don't have composers for the tracks and presume they were composed by Brazzos.

We like this EP a lot, there are some interesting variations on the standard OK Jazz sound of this time including a nice bluesy bend in Franco's guitar on Cha Cha Cha Del Zombo. The cover of the copy we acquired was quite badly damaged so our apologies for that.

Side A

Cha Cha Cha Del Zombo

Mokili Mobongwani

Side B

Cuidado Cona Mallo

Aya Yo Ozui



The second 45 we have is a single from 1970 with two great tracks. It was released on the African label and it is labelled African 90.485 with an extra label of Epanza-Makita 117. This seems to be an ultra-rare release as there is no mention of it on the online discographies of Ok Jazz.

http://www.4shared.com/file/1VFQ0Sbj/African_90485.html


We particularly like the second track 'Bisenga Senga' which is a composition of the great Mose Fan Fan


Side A

Mathieu Togongana (Checain)

Side B

Bisenga Senga (Fan Fan)


If you enjoyed these rarities please consider donating something to our cause so we can acquire more wonderful rare OK Jazz music like this.

3 Singles from the early 1970's

Here is a link from our friends at World Service which features three single releases from the 1970's. Apparently 4 out of the 5 of these songs were never released on CD or mp3. They're all classics

The first was released in 1973 as Fiesta 51.198 B http://www.mediafire.com/?3immtto4eqz

Side A

Cedou (Simaro)

Side B

B.S.K. (Franco)

The next was released in 1974 as Pathe 2 C006 15717 http://www.mediafire.com/?a3dj1jwclyt

Side A

Mele (Checain)

Side B

Mowunbu Ya Makanisi (Franco)


Finally on the Editions Populaire's label from 1974 is EP 205

http://www.mediafire.com/?mzjutn1djou

Side A

Tata Na Bebe part 1 (Franco)

Side B

Tata Na Bebe part 2 (Franco)




World Service provide impeccable notes on all these singles at this link

http://wrldsrv.blogspot.com/2009/12/staying-ok.html

Authenticite Volume 4 (African 360.078 - 1962/1963)

This is a compilation of tracks recorded between 1962 and 1963. There's a heavy Cuban influence on a lot of these tracks. Most of the tracks are composed by Mujos. Only one is composed by Franco, two of the tracks are early compositions of the Poet Lutumba Simarro.

Seven of these tracks appeared on the CD

FRANCO ET L'OK JAZZ (MUJOS,SIMARO ET KWAMY)
1960/1961/1962 (AFRICAN/SONODISC CD 36511)

This CD is now out of print and it hasn't been made available for
digital download yet. 

The other three tracks, Guitares De L'Enfer, Tele Mujos and
La Vida Del Un Negro, appear never to have been released on CD or mp3

http://www.4shared.com/file/258602231/a2e25438/Authenticite_Vol_4.html

Side A

ELE WA BOLINGO (MUJOS)                               

MIGUEL' CANTA (MUJOS)                               
   
JALOUSIE YA MIMI NA NGAI (MUJOS)                     
   
COMO QUERE (MUJOS)                                   
     
GUITARES DE L'ENFER  (SIMARRO)                       



Side B 

MADO OBOYI SIMARRO? (SIMARRO)                      

TELE-MUJOS (MUJOS)                                   

LICENCIE (SIMEON)                                   

BULUNDUE NA ZONGWEE (FRANCO)                       

LA VIDA DEL UN NEGRO (MUJOS)    

Vicky et Ok Jazz (EMI 1971/1976)

Here's another album from Global Groovers. This one does not actually feature Franco, but it does feature Vicky performing with OK Jazz.

We don't know much else about this album except that it was released in 1971 and reissued in 1976. We don't know who composed any of these tracks but they are possibly all composed by Vicky.

http://globalgroovers.blogspot.com/2009/11/vicky-et-ok-jazz-emi-1971-1976.html


Vicky et Ok Jazz (EMI 1971/1976)

1 Bea
2 Rocky a kovenger n'gai
3 Ngai na boyakiyo te
4 En memoire de Bayon
5 Na zali kitoko mingi
6 Nani akobenga mama
7 Nakufeli invitation
8 Mwana ponaka

A Nairobi (1986) Edipop 033

Well Global Groovers have done it again, they've posted another great TPOK Jazz album, this time 'A Nairobi' from 1986. This album has a very distinct and consitent sound and contains some great sebenes.

http://globalgroovers.blogspot.com/2010/04/le-grand-maitre-franco-et-ses-stars-du.html

Side A

BOMA NGAI, NGAI NABOMA YO (FRANCO/MADILU SYSTEM)                           

KUNA OKEYI OBONGISA (FRANCO/GERRY)                                   

Side B

EPERDEMENT (FRANCO/KIWAKANA)                                             

MASIKINI (FRANCO/DJOMPOY)    

Authenticite OK Jazz 1960/62 (African 360124)

We really like this LP of early OK Jazz tracks recorded between 1960 and 1962.

There is one curiosity about this LP and that is that the tracks 'Sakina Jacky' and 'Bebe Ngai Na Zongi' seem to be identical. This is probably a pressing error. We're not sure if this is just something to do with the copy we have or whether it was a general pressing error that was never rectified. We would appreciate any information anyone has on this.

Either way 'Sakina Jacky' is a great track with lovely guitar and sax interplay, so it's almost worth being on the LP twice!

Most of these tracks were composed by Mujos, two are by Franco.

http://www.4shared.com/file/254808463/a7015683/Authenticite_1960-62.html

Side A


Na Banzi Zozi (Mujos)

Maria De Mi Vida (Mujos)


Bolingo Ya Mbongo Mabe (Mujos)


La Mulata Congolaisa (Mujos)


Olongi Yo Mayi Ya Bwatu (Mujos)

Nono Bolingo Na Mujos (Mujos)


Side B

Na Ko Banza Mama Na Bwana (Mujos)

Sakina Jacky (Mujos)

Sentiment Poto Poto (Mujos)

Mobembo Mabe Boye (Franco)

Ndale Mi Querida (Franco)


Bebe Ngai Na Zongi (Piccolo)

Luambo Makiadi ( Franco ) et son Orchestre OK Jazz - Editions Populaires 10e Anniversaire, Sonodisc 1982

Here's another link from Global Groovers. They've posted lots of great albums by Franco and TPOK Jazz members and we'll be linking a lot of them here to build up the Franco/TPOK Jazz legacy in one place.

This album is a compilation of singles released on the Editions Populaires label between 1965 and 1975. We think none of these tracks were ever reissued on CD or mp3, so this is really rare material.

We usually add who the composers are beside the tracks but we don't know who the composers of these tracks are so any help in identifying them would be appreciated. (Update, we now know all the tracks were composed by Franco thanks to Rumba Bantu.)

http://globalgroovers.blogspot.com/2008/10/luambo-makiadi-franco-et-son-orchestre.html

SIDE A

CINQ ANS EKOKI                                               

SALONGO ALINGI MOSALA                                        

VOTEZ VERT

REPUBLIQUE DU ZAIRE

SIDE B

TOLANDA NZELA MOKO                                       

BA DEPUTE MBILINGA-MBILINGA TOBOYI                       

BELELA AUTHENTICITE NA CONGRES 1&2

MBONGO (VOLUME 3) (AFRICAN/SONODISC 360 108,1977)

Here's an LP we promised earlier. It contains some of the same tracks on the Live on the Afro-European Tour LP but without the annoying overdubbed applause.

This is real classic TPOK Jazz from 1977. Listening to this we think it is terrible all the recordings on the Afro-European Tour LP were not made available without the fake audience noise. Once again Ntesa Dalienst provides one of the best tracks with 'Lisolo Ya Adamo Na Nzambe'

http://www.4shared.com/file/249387131/9d1acb0b/Volume_3.html

Side A

MBONGO (LUTUMBA)                                    

LISOLO YA ADAMO NA NZAMBE (NTESA)
 
LOTAMBE (WUTA MAY)
                       
Side B

BADJEKATE (MPUDI ZI KISALA)                          
  
TAMBWE LUNTADILA (LOLA DJANGI)                     
  
MOLEKA OKONIOKOLO NGAI NTINA? (WUTA MAY) 

African Party (African 360.096)

We were just about to post our own copy of this LP when we noticed it was just uploaded by our friends at Global Groovers here

http://globalgroovers.blogspot.com/2010/03/franco-orchestre-tp-ok-jazz-african.html

This is a compilation released in 1977 of old OK Jazz singles released on the CEFA label in the 1960's. Nice old style Congolese Rumba here, interestingly Franco wrote all but two of the tracks on this LP, the others being by De La Lune.

Franco & Orchestre T.P.O.K. Jazz - African Party (African 360.096)

SIDE A

1 Fuala nbombu ngulu kadia (Franco)
2 Yaka nalongola yo botutu (Franco)
3 Da da de tu amor (Franco)
4 Linzanza ebongi na langi (Franco)
5 Anny sukisa ngai bandoto (De La Lune)
6 Ata mosika yoka mongongo na ngai (De La Lune)

SIDE B

7 Telegramme maloba mokuse (Franco)
8 Nani apedelaki te ? (Franco)
9 Awa nazui likambo oyaki ? (Franco)
10 Libongi lizongi (Franco)
11 Accident ya cherie (Franco)
12 Mbongo zi ya voni (Franco)

Ekaba Kaba (1987)

Here's a rare and very good Franco album from 1987 called 'Ekaba Kaba'. The album was perhaps overshadowed by Franco's tour de force 'Attention Na Sida' which was released the same year. The album 'Ekaba Kaba' was never issued on CD or mp3, although the title track did appear on the CD 'AFRICAN CONNECTION VOL.1 : ZAIRE CHOC (CELLULOID CEL 66824-2)'. However this CD is now out of print, so the only way you can hear these tracks is by downloading them courtesy of our friends at global groovers.

http://globalgroovers.blogspot.com/2008/08/le-grand-maitre-franco-et-le-tout.html

EKABA-KABA (YO MOKO OKABELI NGAI YE OH)
LE GRAND MAITRE FRANCO & SON T.P.O.K.JAZZ
(CELLULOID CELL 9508,1987)

Side A

EKABA-KABA (FRANCO)                         

Side B

MOBEMBO EKOSILA TITI (GEGE MANGAYA)                  

CHERIE A (GERRY DIALUNGANA)     

Le Grand Maitre Franco et Jolie Detta 'Massu' (1986)

This album is commonly known as 'Massu' due to the big hit song from the album which made its singer Jolie Detta a reluctant star.

Two of the songs on this album 'Cherie Okamuisi Ngai' and 'Likambo Ya Somo Lumbe' appear never to have been released outside of this LP release.

We think this is simply one of the best LP's Franco released in the latter years of his life. Jolie Detta's singing is sublime, as is the multi-layered guitar playing.

MASSU / FRANCO & JOLIE DETTA (ESPERANCE/SONODISC ESO 8427,1986)

SIDE A

MASSU (FRANCO)                                       

CHERIE OKAMUISI NGAI (MANTUIKA)

SIDE B                    

LAYILE (FRANCO)                                

LIKAMBO YA SOMO LUMBE (DJODJO)                     


http://www.4shared.com/file/242115995/865de92b/Massu.html

Mario (Choc 004 and Choc 005) 1985

Franco's biggest hit was the epic 'Mario' from 1985. The songs success somewhat overshadowed the other songs that were released on the two versions of Mario that were released over the albums Choc 004 and Choc 005.

Whilst 'Mario' is undeniably a classic with a wonderful infectious rhythm, the other songs released on these albums are also excellent. The guitar work on all these songs is just fantastic.

Three of the songs appear never to have been released outside of these original pressings. 'Je M'En Fou De Ton Passe' and 'Esuke' from Choc 004 and 'Likambo Na Moto Te' from Choc oo5. The latter is a real gem composed by Josky with a great bass line and Josky using his majestic voice to the maximum.

We present both LP's here for you. Our copy of 'Choc 004' may be a little warped as it sounds a bit odd at times as if the chorus pedals on the guitars were used on the whole track! If anyone has better quality versions of these tracks we would gratefully receive and post them.

FRANCO ET LE T.P.O.K.JAZZ CHANTENT MARIO (CHOC CHOC 004,1985)

Side A

MARIO (FRANCO)                                                   

Side B

JE M'EN FOU DE TON PASSE (BONYEME)

ESUKE (LOKOMBE)

http://www.4shared.com/file/241346481/36861428/Mario.html

MARIO (CHOC CHOC 005,1985)

Side A

MARIO (PART 2) (Franco)

Side B

LIKAMBO NA MOTO TE (Josky)

EKOTI YA NEUBE (Carlito)                  

http://www.4shared.com/file/241335400/29cddd48/Mario_2.html

15 Years Ago Vol 3 (1986)

We will post something new ourselves soon. In the meantime here's a link to a post from our friends at worldservice. The album 15 Years Ago Vol 3 was pressed in 1986 in Kenya but the tracks are from the early 70's. There was no album cover posted for this one, but we do have the track listing

SIDE A:

SENTENCE (YOULOU)

OU EST LE SERIEUX? (FRANCO)

MAKAMBO MANENO (FRANCO)

MASEKE YA MEME (BAVON MARIE MARIE)

Side B:

NUMERO TA TELEPHONE (YOULOU)

OSABOTE JEAN JEAN (BOYIBANDA)

SUKOLA MOTEMA OLINGA (BRAZZOS)

ANDU WA ANDURA (BOYIBANDA)

http://wrldsrv.blogspot.com/2010/02/fifteen-years-ago-3.html

Two 45's from 1964 (EG 812 and CEFA 205)

Today we present two 45's from 1964.

First up is catalogue CEFA 205 which is credited to Kwamy & l'Orchestre O.K. Jazz. Both songs are composed by Kwamy and neither have ever been available outside of this single release as far as we can tell. We particularly like the change half way through 'Nakobanga Mangungu Te'.

CEFA 205

Side A

Nakobanga Mangungu Te (Kwamy)

Side B

Tolobi (Kwamy)


http://www.4shared.com/file/237256635/4eb21ba2/Cefa_205.html

The second 45 from 1964 is the Pathé EP called OK Jazz "64" No.4 with the catalogue EG 812.

Of most interest here is the track Yambo Carolina which appears not to have been released on any CD or LP. The other tracks are more widely available which is just as well because unfortunately the version of this EP that we have has quite a lot of skips, particularly on the track 'Polo' and it is quite noisy.

Luckily 'Yambo Carolina' doesn't skip and sounds pretty good. The other tracks were re-issued on the Sonodisc CD 36555


Side A

Polo (Franco)

Niongo Na Yo Nakofuta Te (Franco)

Side B

Bolingo Na Bougie (Coimy)

Yambo Carolina (Edo)

http://www.4shared.com/file/237276960/32330f35/Ok_Jazz_64_No_4__Path_EG_812_.html

Africa for Africa (1986)

Africa for Africa was an African response to USA for Africa's hit 'We are the World'.

This is not the greatest song Franco was ever involved with but it has its moments. We particularly like the chorus which has some beautfiful voices on it.

Franco makes a brief appearance at the beginning and end of the song. We're not sure if he plays guitar. There is also an instrumental version of the song featuring solos by the composer Moro Beya Maduma on sax, Boncana Maiga on Flute and Emett McDonald on Trombone.

The list of singers on the main track are in order Franco, Celia Johnson, Bibi Den' Tshibayi, Julia Young, Pamelo Mounk'a, Rose Marie Guiraud, Les Freres Bassole, Abeti Masikini, Nel Oliver, Mamie Claudia, Agboti Yao, Boncana Maiga, Moro Beya Maduma et Mamie Claudia, Ismael et Les Freres Keita, Amedee Pierre, Rose Marie Guiraud, Laba Sosseh, Bibi Den's Thsibayi et Moro Beya Maduma, Aicha Kone and Franco to end.

Side A

Africa for Africa (Moro Beya Maduma)

Side B

Africa for Africa Instrumental (Moro Beya Maduma)

http://www.4shared.com/file/236468702/2d6852bf/Africa_for_Africa.html

Just to add some info, I found out who all the musicians on the record are. Franco doesn't play guitar, Ngoie Doris plays solo and rhythm.

The full list of musicians as detailed on the records inner sleeve are as follows

Chorus Vocals

Djoe Mpoy Kaninda

Malange

Kanengwa Kayoboti

Nyota Yondo

Madeleine Koussi

Saxes

Moro Beya Maduma

Kunista Rubens Madiata

Rondo Kasongo

Trumpets

Muky Le Fameux

Milanda Teke Teke

Trombone

Emmett McDonald

Guitars

Ngoie Doris

Bass

Dave Lubaki

Drums

Balu Leze

Percussion

Dave Lubaki

Nguashi N'timbo - Manguta

Nguashi N'timbo was a member of TPOK Jazz from 1979-1981 and in this time he recorded two albums with them where he was the featured vocalist and composer.

One is called 'Banganga Ya Moyindo' and it was released on N'Timbo's own label. It is available from the following blog.

http://ylow.blogspot.com/2009/06/ngwashi-ntimbo-banganga-ya-moyindo.html

SIDE A

BANGANGA YA MOYINDO
LEMBI
ZALA SERIEUSE

SIDE B

PNEU RESERVE
MOTO YA TRAIN 

The second album is called 'Manguta' from which the title track was a big hit. You can see a live performance of Manguta by TPOK Jazz here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7COog8wwhs0

We also provide the album Manguta here for your listening pleasure. It is a great album never released on CD or mp3. There are a couple of skips on the opening track which couldn't be helped. We're not sure who plays on these albums but we can hear Josky and Ntesa singing at some points and we think we hear Franco's guitar too!

http://www.4shared.com/file/234618177/7eb92077/manguta.html


SIDE A

Manguta (N'Timbo)
Mzazi (N'Timbo)

SIDE B

Bolingo Ya Sens Unique (N'Timbo)
Cheri Ago (N'Timbo)

Three Banned Songs

Here are some youtube links for three songs that were banned and so were never made available on any LP, EP or Single to our knowledge

'Paka Lowi' by Franco, was banned because it criticised a member of government

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkeDjut05iU

'Helene' and 'Jackie' also composed by Franco were banned for

their obscene lyrics which resulted in Franco and half his band being put in jail.

If you understand them you may find these lyrics offensive or funny

depending on your sense of humour!

Jackie Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gsnRkGbgNA

Jackie Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WBkUX7Yu0s&feature=related

Helené

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ernOBdXh0ic&feature=related

Merveilles du Passé 1961

All of the posts so far have been of music from the late 1970's and 80's. Here's some much earlier OK Jazz recordings where the Cuban influence is much stronger. The songs are all much shorter, the band much smaller, but there's a great charm to these recordings and Franco's guitar shines through as usual.

Strangely, none of these songs were written by Franco, they were either written by Vicky, Kwamy or Edo. The album is credited to Vicky, Kwamy, Edo et l'OK Jazz.

http://www.4shared.com/file/233677344/dd9d2d18/Merveilles_Du_Passe_1961.html

Side A

Lobela Ngai Nyonso Oyokaki (Vicky)

O.K. Yasolo Okatisi Ebale (Vicky)

Ngai Se Mwana O.K. (Vicky)

Una Bella Muchacha (Vicky)

Mbongo Ezali Na Suka Te (Kwamy)

Prosabel 2e Avenue Kabondo (Kwamy)

Side B

Gina Garde Tour Pour Moi (Kwamy)

Tika Kobebisa Muana (Kwamy)

Kopakola Ngai Boniama Te (Kwamy)

Yo Tellama (Edo)

Matinda Kolemba Ngai Te (Kwamy)

Ngai Nyao Pantalon Na Mokamba (Edo)

Tres Impoli (1984)

We will be posting some more rare albums soon, in the mean time here's a link to the album 'Tres Impoli' from 1984 courtesy of our friends at globalgroovers. This is not one of our favourite Franco albums as it lacks any really great sebenes. It is more about the song lyrics than anything. On the plus side it does feature some wonderful singing from Madilu System, particularly on the famous song 'Tu Vois?'

http://globalgroovers.blogspot.com/2010/02/franco-et-le-tpok-jazz-tres-impoli.html

Side A

Tres Impoli (Franco)

Side B

Tu Vois? (Franco)

Temps Mort (Franco)

Chez Safari Club De Bruxelles (1984) Edipop Pop 026

This is a gem of an album from 1984. Unlike most albums from this period there are no typical 1980's sound effects on it like chorused guitars or drum machines. It's pure TPOK Jazz at their best.

The standout track on the album is 'Mbanzi ya Kamundele', a beautiful song by Lutumba Simaro. All the songs are great though and none are currently available as mp3 downloads or on CD.

This album was never released on CD, three of the tracks were released on the Sonodisc CD 8490. The track Amour Perdu appears never to have been released outside of this LP release.

Side A

Mbanzi Ya Kamundele (Lutumba Simaro)

Okundji (Lunama)

Side B

Serment (Kikam)

Amour Perdu (Makabi)



So here is the album for your enjoyment

http://www.4shared.com/file/229114960/d7b3b73/Chez_Safari_Club_De_Bruxelles.html

Le Quart De Siecle Volume 5 (1981) Edipop 06

This album is a bit of an oddity. It is volume 5 of Le Quart De Siecle which we posted earlier, however this is not generally considered to go with the other four volumes because it was recorded at a different time.

The album also seems to have been released in two different versions. One features the ultra-rare song 'Honda' in place of 'Ngaliene'. Ngaliene appeared on the Sonodisc CD 8489 (titled '1980-1981') along with the other tracks 'Coupe Du Monde', 'Fabrice' and 'Wallo'. 'Honda' has never been released on CD and it appears it was only released on the rare version of Le Quart De Siecle Vol. 5.

So now this rare Josky composition is available for all along with the other tracks by following this link.

http://www.4shared.com/file/228399325/3d4fb68d/Le_Quart_Vol_5.html


There are some other things of note about this copy of the album. The track 'Fabrice' is much longer than the version released on CD, it also fades out at one point only to start abruptly again.

The album sequence was also incorrectly titled

On the album cover and label the track listing is

Side A

Coupe Du Monde

Fabrice

Side B

Wallo

Honda


The actual sequence of tracks on the LP is as follows

Side A

Coupe Du Monde (Ndombe Opetum)

Honda (Josky)

Side B

Fabrice (Franco)

Wallo (Ntesa Dalienst)

We've also included the track Ngaliene to cover both versions of the LP release.

Apologies for the bad photo reproduction of the LP cover

Mamie Zou (1987)

'Le Grand Maitre Franco Avec Ntesa Dalienst et le T.P.O.K. Jazz' (ASM 002)

Here is an album from 1987 which features one of our favourite singers and composers Ntesa Dalienst. Ntesa sadly died in 1996 from a brain tumour. He composed some wonderful songs including 'Bina Na Ngai Na Respect'. His songs on this album are also wonderful.

This is one of those albums that was never issued on CD, three of the tracks were issued on separate CD's and track 2 'Batandeli Ngai Mitambo' has never been released on CD, mp3 or another format than this LP. This is a scandal because it is perhaps the best track on the LP with wonderful guitar interplay. We think this is one of the greatest songs created in the last years of Franco's life. The guitar work on all the tracks is superb.

There are a few skips on the track 'Mamie Zou' which couldn't be helped. A version without skips is on youtube here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIDwcyv6rtw

Side 1

MAMIE ZOU (NTESA)                                                        
BATANDELI NGAI MITAMBO (NTESA)

Side 2

DODO (NTESA)                                                           
NA LOBI NA NGAI RIEN (NTESA)   

http://www.4shared.com/file/224162190/726c9408/Mamie_Zou.html

Live recording on the Afro European Tour

Here is one of the most infamous albums ever released by Franco et TPOK Jazz. Its infamy doesn't lie in the musical content, which is excellent, but in the so called 'live' nature of the recording. These are in fact studio recordings that have badly overdubbed fake audience sounds on them. Quite why this was done we don't know, but it ruins an otherwise brilliant record. If you can get used to the applause the album reaps many rewards.

Several of these tracks were released without the overdubbed applause on the album 'Volume 3' aka 'Mbongo' released in 1977. We recently acquired a copy of this LP and will post it soon.

In the meantime here's the link to the 'live' album provided at the French language blog bolingo.

http://bwaje.com/bolingo/?p=309

Side 1

1 Oh! Miguel (Franco)
2. Sala Lokola Luntadila (Lola)
3 Malou-O Bijou (Mpudi)

Side 2

1. Bomba, Bomba, Mabe (Franco)
2. Na Vanda Bombanda (Dialungana)
3. Libala Ya Bana Na Bana (Lola)

Side 3

1. Lisolo Ya Adamu Na Nzambe (Ntessa)
2 Mama Na Bebe (Wuta-Mayi)
3 Meta Mama Na Bana (Kasongo)

Side 4

1. Mbongo (Lutumba Simaro)
2 Amour Viole (Josky Kiambukuta)
3 Lotambe (Wuta-Mayi)

Sonodisc once again butchered a TPOK Jazz album when they released this on CD.
You can download 9 of the 12 tracks as digital mp3's on iTunes from the Sonodisc CD 'Bomba, Bomba, Mabe.' The other 3 tracks comprising Side 3 of the LP were never re-issued on CD.

http://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/bomba-bomba-mabe-mbongo-1977/id211564654

New Article about Franco in the Journal of Music

We are delighted to announce that the main moderator for this blog, Kasongo Musanga, has just had an article about Franco and Congolese music published in the excellent 'Journal of Music'.

The 'Journal of Music' is a wide ranging publication produced in Ireland which discusses music in a healthy, intelligent way. It is wonderful that Franco and TPOK Jazz's legacy has been featured in this publication.

You can view the opening of the article here,

http://journalofmusic.com/article/1133

The whole of the article may be accessed by subscribing to the magazine or ordering a copy of the latest issue.

Franco Presente Le Prince Youlou et le T.P.O.K. Jazz

Here's a link to a great album we've been listening to lately, Franco Presente Le Prince Youlou et le T.P.O.K. Jazz from 1981.

This album is one of series of releases which showcase the talents of OK Jazz members. Here we get the sweet high voice of Youlou Mabiala singing with TPOK Jazz in full flight. We're not sure who wrote the songs but we presume they're all by Youlou. Please correct us if we're wrong!

Thanks to our friends at globalgroovers for the link and for their great blog.

http://globalgroovers.blogspot.com/2009/09/franco-presente-le-prince-youlou-et-le.html

Side 1

MWANA BITENDI

LIBAKU YA MONOKO

Side 2

ILUMBE

FAFY

Benediction

Franco & Michelino - Benediction

Benediction is an album originally released in 1983 by Michelino, a great guitarist who was an occasional member of TPOK Jazz. The album was released on CD a few years ago but it has now gone out of print and it is not available as a digital download. So this is a rarity only available at the link below for your listening pleasure.

The sound on this album is quite different to the classic TPOK Jazz sound. It's very much an album from the 1980's with its drum machines and chorused guitar sounds, but if you can get beyond these things it becomes a wonderful album. In fact the novel 1980's touches have a kind of charm to them, particularly the funky slap bass on the track 'Prince D'xl'.

The real highlight of the album though is the guitar playing of Michelino and how it interacts with Franco's guitar. Whilst this album is not officially a TPOK Jazz recording, it does feature other TPOK Jazz members including Josky, teaming up with members of Tabu Ley Rochereau's band Afrisa International under the banner 'Lisanga ya Banganga'. This is the same group that made several albums in 1983 such as Choc Choc Choc & L'Evenement.

A similar sound pervades all these albums and they will be posted
here at a later date.

Our special thanks go to Stefan of worldservice for providing
us with the track 'Va et Vient',

We think all the tracks were composed by Michelino, if we're
wrong please correct us.

BENEDICTION / FRANCO & MICHELINO (MICHELINO/SONODISC MICH 01, 1983) 

Side 1

MUTAMBULA MPIMPA  (Michelino)     

PRINCE D' XL (Michelino)

Side 2

POINT CARRÉ (Michelino)    

VA ET VIENT (Michelino)

http://www.4shared.com/file/212671645/6d688c70/Benediction__MICH_01_.html