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)