Hello, looks like the plane has been located-finally, so-called smart guys have traced a signal from the middle of nowhere bleeping at a regular interval and what most likely was a straight line towards where the Boeing disappeared. I'm no expert but i doubt there was any air traffic around that plane for hours before it crashed, so how difficult is that to pick up hmm . Surprising reaction by some of the family apparently they thought there was still hope their loved ones were still alive. Personally i find the whole matter a shambles and the authorities clearly incompetent.
Historically, the region of the Congo was a vast geographical area of equatorial Africa located in the tropical wet forest of Central Africa called Congolian forests. It also owes its name to the predominant ethnic group in the region, ruled by Kingdom of Kongo founded towards the end of the 14th century and extended from 1390 to 1914.
Although the span of rule of the kingdom varied, in its greatest extent, the Kingdom of Kongo reached from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Kwango River in the east, and from the Congo River in the north to the Kwanza River in the south. The kingdom largely existed from c. 1390 to 1891 as an independent state, and from 1891 to 1914 as a vassal state of the Kingdom of Portugal. The Congo River, its main river, flows through the region forming the Congo Basin.
Some groupings advocate a return to one Congolese homeland on the basis of the historical kingdom. Very notably, the Bundu dia Kongo movement advocates reviving the kingdom through secession from Angola, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Gabon. The nowadays geographic region spans across the Republic of the Congo (former French Congo), Democratic Republic of the Congo (former Zaïre/Belgian Congo), and the Angolan exclave of Cabinda (former Portuguese Congo) which lies (bizarly !) between the Republic and the Democratic Republic and produces lot's of oil. Ah yes big business making lots of money with Congolese resources.
Ok the coming weeks we're hearing about the music from this African jungle heart, it's a strange place for Westerners, life is cheap and emotions rise quickly. Religion and music deliver the much needed coherance so for the coming 3 or 4 weeks we will present stars some of which have released many albums most of these never reached the Western public or even the great Discogs database. Today The OK Jazz band that was formed in 1956 in Léopoldville (now Kinshasa), in what was at the time known as the Belgian Congo, later as Zaire and today as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At one time in the late 1970s and early 1980s the band grew to over fifty members. During that period, it often split into two groups; one group stayed in Kinshasa, playing in nightclubs there, while the other group toured in Africa, Europe and North America. They recorded many dozens of albums some of their material will be here to .......N'joy
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
There's no doubt that Franco was, in every sense of the word, a big man in African music. Sometimes weighing in at 300 pounds, he also earned his nickname as "The Sorcerer of the Guitar," making it sing like no one before, with effortless, fluid lines. Also an accomplished composer and vocalist, Francois Luambo Makiadi remains a towering figure even in death, probably the greatest the Congo (later Zaire) has ever produced, and as the leader of the long-running O.K. Jazz group, he was one of the fathers of the modern Congolese sound.
The musicians who started OK Jazz included Vicky Longomba, Jean Serge Essous, François Luambo Makiadi, De La Lune, Augustin Moniania Roitelet, La Monta LiBerlin, Saturnin Pandi, Nicolas Bosuma Bakili Dessoin and vocalist Philippe Lando Rossignol. They used to play at Loningisa Studios in Kinshasa as individual artists, before they got together to form a band in June 1956. The name OK Jazz originated from the bar in which they played which was named OK Bar. The new band played regularly at a specific studio in the city during the week and on some weekends they played at weddings. In 1957, the lead vocalist, Philippe Lando Rossignol, quit OK Jazz and was replaced by Edo Nganga, from Congo-Brazzaville. Later in the same year, Isaac Musekiwa, a saxophonist from Zimbabwe joined the band. Up to that time the band's leadership was shared between Vicky Longomba, Essous and Franco
In the early 1960s Vicky Longomba and Jean Essous left OK Jazz to join Africa Jazz. Franco then became the leader of the band. He recruited vocalists Kwamy Munsi and Mulamba Joseph Mujos. Simaro Masiya Lutumba joined OK Jazz in 1961, according to an interview he gave in 2002. Essous was replaced by saxophonist Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta. In 1962 OK Jazz visited Nigeria on their first foreign tour. Later that year, Vicky Longomba rejoined the band. Lola Checain, a vocalist who had left earlier also came back.
Around this time, the band changed their name to TPOK Jazz. TP stood for "Tout Pouissant" (all powerful). Band membership had increased to over twenty. The quality of their music had improved to where they could challenge Africa Jazz for the position of Congo's premier group. Franco's music appealed to ordinary people mainly because it discussed issues that affect the common man on a daily basis. Franco led other Congolese musicians in using new technology to produce sounds of much higher quality than in any other part of Africa. The new technology included electric guitars, amplifiers and basses. Congo had now assumed the premier position as Africa's leading music nation.
During the late 1960s, Kwamy Munsi and Mulamba Joseph Mujos led nine other musicians in a mass defection from TPOK Jazz. A few months later, saxophonist Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta also left. Franco recruited Rondot Kassongo wa Kassongo to replace Verckys. He also brought in solo guitarist Mose Fan Fan. Fan Fan had a new style of guitar-playing called sebene, which was more danceable. This style came to be known as Sebene ya ba Yankees. Fan Fan also composed a number of extremely popular hits including Dje Melasi.
During the 1970s Franco and TPOK Jazz consolidated their position as one of the two giants of Congolese popular music, along with Grand Kalle & l'African Jazz. Many musical stars emerged from one or both of these bands. TPOK Jazz was staging concerts all over Africa, including places like Chad and Sudan. The band's finances also improved tremendously. Franco brought on-board composer/vocalist Sam Mangwana. Sam had a Zimbabwean father and an Angolan mother, but was born and raised in Kinshasa, DRC. He spoke English, French and Portuguese, along with a number of African dialects. His recruitment energised the band and infuriated Afrisa, where he came from.
In early 1970 Vicky Longomba, who was then acting as Co-president of the band left. Mose Fan Fan, the band's flamboyant solo guitarist also left. Then Youlou Mabiala quit and formed Orchestre Somo Somo with Fan Fan. Soon after that Tshongo Bavon Marie Marie, Franco's biological brother died in an automobile accident. The band fell upon hard times with low record sales and as sparsely attended concerts. Franco was grief-stricken and despondent and stopped playing music for some time. Upon his return, he recorded several songs in memory of his late brother.
He then began to rebuild the band. This coincided with restructuring of Congo by Mobutu Sese Seko under the program of 'La Aunthenticite'. The name of the country was changed from Congo-Kinshasa to Zaire. Franco adopted the names L'Okanga La Ndju Pene Luambo Luanzo Makiadi. During this time, vocalist Mayaula Mayoni came on board, along with guitarists Mpundi Decca, Gege Mangaya, Michelino Mavatiku Visi and Dizzy Madjeku. Franco then appointed Simaro Lutumba, as the chef d'ochestre. Sam Mangwana composed his hit Luka Mobali Moko around this time.
In 1973 Josky Kiambukuta Londa, a seasoned composer and vocalist joined the band. In 1974, Youlou Mabiala returned to TPOK Jazz. However, Sam Mangwana left and started a solo carer in Cote d'Ivoire. Ndombe Opetum was recruited from Afrisa International to replace Mangwana. He came along with hornsman Empompo Loway. In 1975 Franco released yet another classic hit Bomba Bomba Mabe.
By the mid 1970s Franco was one of Zaire's wealthiest citizens. He was heavily invested in real estate in Belgium, France and in Zaire. He owned Kinshasa's four largest and most popular nightclubs, the biggest of which was Un-deux-trois. TPOK Jazz played there every weekend to a packed house. In 1976, vocalist Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa and guitarist Gerry Dialungana were convinced to join TPOK Jazz. Mayaula Mayoni composed a song, Cheri Bondowe which was released in an album that also included Alimatou and Bisalela.
In 1977 Franco introduced a handicapped female singer known as Mpongo Love. Despite her handicap which was the result of childhood polio, she went on to become one of the continents most popular singers on the strength of her charming, vivacious voice and her songwriting. Papa Noel Nedule, an accomplished guitarist joined soon after that. Later that year the band represented Zaire in what was Africa's largest ever cultural event, The Festac which was staged in Lagos, Nigeria.
In 1978 Franco released two songs Helene and Jacky, that were deemed "indecent" by the Attornrey General of his native country. After a brief trial, he was convicted and sent to prison, along wirth other band members, who included Simaro Lutumba. He was released two months later, following street protests. That same year, Mayaula Mayoni released Nabali Misere (I am married to misery). He quit the band soon after, to pursue a solo career. In 1979 Franco moved his recording base from Kinshasa to Brussels, Belgium to take advantage of superior recording facilities. Franco embarked on a tour of eight West African countries. That same year Josky released Propretaire.
This period marked the pinnacle in the success of the band and that of its leader, Franco Luambo Makiadi. The band was releasing an average of four albums a year during this period. The rival Congolese bands, Afrisa International, Orchestre Veve and African Jazz could not keep up with the competition. Life was good. In 1982 Sam Mangwana returned briefly and release an album with Franco called Cooperation. Franco also released several albums with former nemesis Tabu Ley. In 1983 TPOK Jazz toured the United States of America for the first time. That year the song Non was released.
In the mid 1980s the band continued to churn out best sellers including Makambo Ezali Borreaux, 12,600 Letters to Franco, Pesa Position, Mario and Boma Ngai na Boma Yo. By this time Madilu System had taken over as the lead vocalist. In 1986, Josky Kiambukuta and Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa, two vocalists who felt they were not getting enough prime time exposure led another mass exodus to form their own band. Around this time, Simaro Lutumba released an album outside the OK Jazz system, featuring the song Maya. During the same timeframe, Malage de Lugendo, a vocalist, was recruited. Also Kiesse Diambu ya Ntessa from Afrisa and female vocalist Joliet Detta came on board.
At the beiginning of 1987, Franco released a 15 minute song Attention Na Sida (Beware of AIDS). The song is sung mainly in French amid heavy African drums and a kaleidoscope of thundering guitars. The song is moving even if one does not understand all the words. Also in 1987, TPOK Jazz were invited to perform at the 4th All-Africa Games in Nairobi, Kenya. In one of the eight albums that the band released in 1987, called Les On Dit, Franco introduced two new female vocalists Nana Akumu and Baniel Bambo. In 1988, Josky and Dalienst re-joined the band.
1989 was a challenging year for the band. Franco's health was in obvious decline. He had by now moved permanently to Brussels. He did not play much and when he did, could only manage about twenty minutes. The band started to fall apart with the defection of Malage de Lugendo and Dizzy and Decca who returned to Kinshasa to pursue other opportunities. Later that year Sam Mangwana teamed with Franco to release the album Forever. The album sleeve carried a photograph of Franco who appeared emanciated, and obviously in ill-health. It turned out to be Franco's last album. On 12 October 1989, Francois Luambo Makiadi died in a hospital in Brussels, Belgium. His body was flown back to Zaire. After four days of mourning, he was given a state funeral on 17 October 1989, by Mobutu Sese Seko's government.
Following the death of Franco, the band members, led by Simaro Lutumba, Josky Kiambukuta, Ndombe Opetum and Madilu System approached the Franco family and agreed to split earnings; (70% musicians and 30% family). This arrangement worked from August 1989 until December 1993. During that period, the band released an album Hommage A Luambo Makiadi, made of songs recorded befeore Franco died. Josky released an album featuring the song Chandra. Simarro released an album that featured the hit record Eau Benite, sung by Madilu, and another album Somo which included the records Marby composed by Josky, and Mort Viviant Somida composed by Madilu System. The band continued to tour both in Africa and in Europe. More defections beset the band but the majority of the mussicians hung in there.
Then in December 1993 it all came crashing down. The Franco family was not satisfied with the profit-sharing arrangement in place at the time. The family wanted more money. They could not reach an agreement with the musicians. The musicians returned the musical equipment to the family and went on to form a new band, Bana OK. Thus ended the life of one of Africa's most famous bands of the 20th Century, that lasted over thirty-seven years; from June 1956 until December 1993.
It is not possible to list here all the records and albums released by TPOK Jazz during the thirty-seven and half years of the band's existence. It is only possible to mention a small fraction of the hundreds of records released by the band over this period.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
If you are curious about the great Franco and TP OK Jazz this a really good place to start. This is majestic music that contains a warm dance music that is also, somehow, plaintive. It has everything: amazing orchestra mix of voices, horns, guitars and the Franco wizard on lead guitar. Arrangements to wonder at. Really can't recommend this enough.
Franco TP OK Jazz - 20th Anniversaire (56-76) (flac 473mb)
01 Liberté 9:34
02 Matata Ya Muasi Na Mobali Ekoki Kosila Te 9:02
03 Melou 6:59
04 Voyage Na Bandundu 8:11
05 Kamikaze 7:53
06 Nzete Esololaka Na Motote 8:10
07 Baninga Tokola Balingaka Ngai Te 7:03
08 Seli-Ja 9:10
09 Salima 9:40
T
Franco TP OK Jazz - 20th Anniversaire (ogg 193mb)
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
This music is emotion this music is sex, its life. Its Africa.
Franco et le tout puissant OK Jazz - Vol 1 (flac 330mb)
01 Sandoka 8:18
02 Infidelite Mado 6:22
03 Nalingaka Yo Yo Te 7:57
04 Cherche une Maison 10:09
05 Les on Dit 6:52
06 Belle Mere 12:00
07 Tuti 12:59
08 Tailleur 10:43
Franco et le tout puissant OK Jazz - Vol 1 (ogg 157mb)
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Franco Et L'OK Jazz - 1970-71-72 (flac 314mb)
01 Boma L'Heure 5:04
02 Fungola Ya Mbanda 5:37
03 Cardiaque 5:09
04 Pension Na Bandalungwa 5:17
05 Ba Soucis Ya Week-End 6:02
06 Fifi Nazali Innocent 6:02
07 Mokolo Ya Pasi 5:10
08 Nazali Kitoko Mingi 4:17
09 Bango Nionso Bambanda 7:07
10 Marie Suza 5:30
11 Bolingo Marie Angele 4:04
12 Naboyi Bombanda Ya Basi Misato 5:02
13 Testament 5:37
14 Dje Melasi 6:34
Franco Et L'OK Jazz - 1970-71-72 (ogg 149mb)
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Historically, the region of the Congo was a vast geographical area of equatorial Africa located in the tropical wet forest of Central Africa called Congolian forests. It also owes its name to the predominant ethnic group in the region, ruled by Kingdom of Kongo founded towards the end of the 14th century and extended from 1390 to 1914.
Although the span of rule of the kingdom varied, in its greatest extent, the Kingdom of Kongo reached from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Kwango River in the east, and from the Congo River in the north to the Kwanza River in the south. The kingdom largely existed from c. 1390 to 1891 as an independent state, and from 1891 to 1914 as a vassal state of the Kingdom of Portugal. The Congo River, its main river, flows through the region forming the Congo Basin.
Some groupings advocate a return to one Congolese homeland on the basis of the historical kingdom. Very notably, the Bundu dia Kongo movement advocates reviving the kingdom through secession from Angola, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Gabon. The nowadays geographic region spans across the Republic of the Congo (former French Congo), Democratic Republic of the Congo (former Zaïre/Belgian Congo), and the Angolan exclave of Cabinda (former Portuguese Congo) which lies (bizarly !) between the Republic and the Democratic Republic and produces lot's of oil. Ah yes big business making lots of money with Congolese resources.
Ok the coming weeks we're hearing about the music from this African jungle heart, it's a strange place for Westerners, life is cheap and emotions rise quickly. Religion and music deliver the much needed coherance so for the coming 3 or 4 weeks we will present stars some of which have released many albums most of these never reached the Western public or even the great Discogs database. Today The OK Jazz band that was formed in 1956 in Léopoldville (now Kinshasa), in what was at the time known as the Belgian Congo, later as Zaire and today as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At one time in the late 1970s and early 1980s the band grew to over fifty members. During that period, it often split into two groups; one group stayed in Kinshasa, playing in nightclubs there, while the other group toured in Africa, Europe and North America. They recorded many dozens of albums some of their material will be here to .......N'joy
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
There's no doubt that Franco was, in every sense of the word, a big man in African music. Sometimes weighing in at 300 pounds, he also earned his nickname as "The Sorcerer of the Guitar," making it sing like no one before, with effortless, fluid lines. Also an accomplished composer and vocalist, Francois Luambo Makiadi remains a towering figure even in death, probably the greatest the Congo (later Zaire) has ever produced, and as the leader of the long-running O.K. Jazz group, he was one of the fathers of the modern Congolese sound.
The musicians who started OK Jazz included Vicky Longomba, Jean Serge Essous, François Luambo Makiadi, De La Lune, Augustin Moniania Roitelet, La Monta LiBerlin, Saturnin Pandi, Nicolas Bosuma Bakili Dessoin and vocalist Philippe Lando Rossignol. They used to play at Loningisa Studios in Kinshasa as individual artists, before they got together to form a band in June 1956. The name OK Jazz originated from the bar in which they played which was named OK Bar. The new band played regularly at a specific studio in the city during the week and on some weekends they played at weddings. In 1957, the lead vocalist, Philippe Lando Rossignol, quit OK Jazz and was replaced by Edo Nganga, from Congo-Brazzaville. Later in the same year, Isaac Musekiwa, a saxophonist from Zimbabwe joined the band. Up to that time the band's leadership was shared between Vicky Longomba, Essous and Franco
In the early 1960s Vicky Longomba and Jean Essous left OK Jazz to join Africa Jazz. Franco then became the leader of the band. He recruited vocalists Kwamy Munsi and Mulamba Joseph Mujos. Simaro Masiya Lutumba joined OK Jazz in 1961, according to an interview he gave in 2002. Essous was replaced by saxophonist Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta. In 1962 OK Jazz visited Nigeria on their first foreign tour. Later that year, Vicky Longomba rejoined the band. Lola Checain, a vocalist who had left earlier also came back.
Around this time, the band changed their name to TPOK Jazz. TP stood for "Tout Pouissant" (all powerful). Band membership had increased to over twenty. The quality of their music had improved to where they could challenge Africa Jazz for the position of Congo's premier group. Franco's music appealed to ordinary people mainly because it discussed issues that affect the common man on a daily basis. Franco led other Congolese musicians in using new technology to produce sounds of much higher quality than in any other part of Africa. The new technology included electric guitars, amplifiers and basses. Congo had now assumed the premier position as Africa's leading music nation.
During the late 1960s, Kwamy Munsi and Mulamba Joseph Mujos led nine other musicians in a mass defection from TPOK Jazz. A few months later, saxophonist Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta also left. Franco recruited Rondot Kassongo wa Kassongo to replace Verckys. He also brought in solo guitarist Mose Fan Fan. Fan Fan had a new style of guitar-playing called sebene, which was more danceable. This style came to be known as Sebene ya ba Yankees. Fan Fan also composed a number of extremely popular hits including Dje Melasi.
During the 1970s Franco and TPOK Jazz consolidated their position as one of the two giants of Congolese popular music, along with Grand Kalle & l'African Jazz. Many musical stars emerged from one or both of these bands. TPOK Jazz was staging concerts all over Africa, including places like Chad and Sudan. The band's finances also improved tremendously. Franco brought on-board composer/vocalist Sam Mangwana. Sam had a Zimbabwean father and an Angolan mother, but was born and raised in Kinshasa, DRC. He spoke English, French and Portuguese, along with a number of African dialects. His recruitment energised the band and infuriated Afrisa, where he came from.
In early 1970 Vicky Longomba, who was then acting as Co-president of the band left. Mose Fan Fan, the band's flamboyant solo guitarist also left. Then Youlou Mabiala quit and formed Orchestre Somo Somo with Fan Fan. Soon after that Tshongo Bavon Marie Marie, Franco's biological brother died in an automobile accident. The band fell upon hard times with low record sales and as sparsely attended concerts. Franco was grief-stricken and despondent and stopped playing music for some time. Upon his return, he recorded several songs in memory of his late brother.
He then began to rebuild the band. This coincided with restructuring of Congo by Mobutu Sese Seko under the program of 'La Aunthenticite'. The name of the country was changed from Congo-Kinshasa to Zaire. Franco adopted the names L'Okanga La Ndju Pene Luambo Luanzo Makiadi. During this time, vocalist Mayaula Mayoni came on board, along with guitarists Mpundi Decca, Gege Mangaya, Michelino Mavatiku Visi and Dizzy Madjeku. Franco then appointed Simaro Lutumba, as the chef d'ochestre. Sam Mangwana composed his hit Luka Mobali Moko around this time.
In 1973 Josky Kiambukuta Londa, a seasoned composer and vocalist joined the band. In 1974, Youlou Mabiala returned to TPOK Jazz. However, Sam Mangwana left and started a solo carer in Cote d'Ivoire. Ndombe Opetum was recruited from Afrisa International to replace Mangwana. He came along with hornsman Empompo Loway. In 1975 Franco released yet another classic hit Bomba Bomba Mabe.
By the mid 1970s Franco was one of Zaire's wealthiest citizens. He was heavily invested in real estate in Belgium, France and in Zaire. He owned Kinshasa's four largest and most popular nightclubs, the biggest of which was Un-deux-trois. TPOK Jazz played there every weekend to a packed house. In 1976, vocalist Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa and guitarist Gerry Dialungana were convinced to join TPOK Jazz. Mayaula Mayoni composed a song, Cheri Bondowe which was released in an album that also included Alimatou and Bisalela.
In 1977 Franco introduced a handicapped female singer known as Mpongo Love. Despite her handicap which was the result of childhood polio, she went on to become one of the continents most popular singers on the strength of her charming, vivacious voice and her songwriting. Papa Noel Nedule, an accomplished guitarist joined soon after that. Later that year the band represented Zaire in what was Africa's largest ever cultural event, The Festac which was staged in Lagos, Nigeria.
In 1978 Franco released two songs Helene and Jacky, that were deemed "indecent" by the Attornrey General of his native country. After a brief trial, he was convicted and sent to prison, along wirth other band members, who included Simaro Lutumba. He was released two months later, following street protests. That same year, Mayaula Mayoni released Nabali Misere (I am married to misery). He quit the band soon after, to pursue a solo career. In 1979 Franco moved his recording base from Kinshasa to Brussels, Belgium to take advantage of superior recording facilities. Franco embarked on a tour of eight West African countries. That same year Josky released Propretaire.
This period marked the pinnacle in the success of the band and that of its leader, Franco Luambo Makiadi. The band was releasing an average of four albums a year during this period. The rival Congolese bands, Afrisa International, Orchestre Veve and African Jazz could not keep up with the competition. Life was good. In 1982 Sam Mangwana returned briefly and release an album with Franco called Cooperation. Franco also released several albums with former nemesis Tabu Ley. In 1983 TPOK Jazz toured the United States of America for the first time. That year the song Non was released.
In the mid 1980s the band continued to churn out best sellers including Makambo Ezali Borreaux, 12,600 Letters to Franco, Pesa Position, Mario and Boma Ngai na Boma Yo. By this time Madilu System had taken over as the lead vocalist. In 1986, Josky Kiambukuta and Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa, two vocalists who felt they were not getting enough prime time exposure led another mass exodus to form their own band. Around this time, Simaro Lutumba released an album outside the OK Jazz system, featuring the song Maya. During the same timeframe, Malage de Lugendo, a vocalist, was recruited. Also Kiesse Diambu ya Ntessa from Afrisa and female vocalist Joliet Detta came on board.
At the beiginning of 1987, Franco released a 15 minute song Attention Na Sida (Beware of AIDS). The song is sung mainly in French amid heavy African drums and a kaleidoscope of thundering guitars. The song is moving even if one does not understand all the words. Also in 1987, TPOK Jazz were invited to perform at the 4th All-Africa Games in Nairobi, Kenya. In one of the eight albums that the band released in 1987, called Les On Dit, Franco introduced two new female vocalists Nana Akumu and Baniel Bambo. In 1988, Josky and Dalienst re-joined the band.
1989 was a challenging year for the band. Franco's health was in obvious decline. He had by now moved permanently to Brussels. He did not play much and when he did, could only manage about twenty minutes. The band started to fall apart with the defection of Malage de Lugendo and Dizzy and Decca who returned to Kinshasa to pursue other opportunities. Later that year Sam Mangwana teamed with Franco to release the album Forever. The album sleeve carried a photograph of Franco who appeared emanciated, and obviously in ill-health. It turned out to be Franco's last album. On 12 October 1989, Francois Luambo Makiadi died in a hospital in Brussels, Belgium. His body was flown back to Zaire. After four days of mourning, he was given a state funeral on 17 October 1989, by Mobutu Sese Seko's government.
Following the death of Franco, the band members, led by Simaro Lutumba, Josky Kiambukuta, Ndombe Opetum and Madilu System approached the Franco family and agreed to split earnings; (70% musicians and 30% family). This arrangement worked from August 1989 until December 1993. During that period, the band released an album Hommage A Luambo Makiadi, made of songs recorded befeore Franco died. Josky released an album featuring the song Chandra. Simarro released an album that featured the hit record Eau Benite, sung by Madilu, and another album Somo which included the records Marby composed by Josky, and Mort Viviant Somida composed by Madilu System. The band continued to tour both in Africa and in Europe. More defections beset the band but the majority of the mussicians hung in there.
Then in December 1993 it all came crashing down. The Franco family was not satisfied with the profit-sharing arrangement in place at the time. The family wanted more money. They could not reach an agreement with the musicians. The musicians returned the musical equipment to the family and went on to form a new band, Bana OK. Thus ended the life of one of Africa's most famous bands of the 20th Century, that lasted over thirty-seven years; from June 1956 until December 1993.
It is not possible to list here all the records and albums released by TPOK Jazz during the thirty-seven and half years of the band's existence. It is only possible to mention a small fraction of the hundreds of records released by the band over this period.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
If you are curious about the great Franco and TP OK Jazz this a really good place to start. This is majestic music that contains a warm dance music that is also, somehow, plaintive. It has everything: amazing orchestra mix of voices, horns, guitars and the Franco wizard on lead guitar. Arrangements to wonder at. Really can't recommend this enough.
Franco TP OK Jazz - 20th Anniversaire (56-76) (flac 473mb)
01 Liberté 9:34
02 Matata Ya Muasi Na Mobali Ekoki Kosila Te 9:02
03 Melou 6:59
04 Voyage Na Bandundu 8:11
05 Kamikaze 7:53
06 Nzete Esololaka Na Motote 8:10
07 Baninga Tokola Balingaka Ngai Te 7:03
08 Seli-Ja 9:10
09 Salima 9:40
T
Franco TP OK Jazz - 20th Anniversaire (ogg 193mb)
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
This music is emotion this music is sex, its life. Its Africa.
Franco et le tout puissant OK Jazz - Vol 1 (flac 330mb)
01 Sandoka 8:18
02 Infidelite Mado 6:22
03 Nalingaka Yo Yo Te 7:57
04 Cherche une Maison 10:09
05 Les on Dit 6:52
06 Belle Mere 12:00
07 Tuti 12:59
08 Tailleur 10:43
Franco et le tout puissant OK Jazz - Vol 1 (ogg 157mb)
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Franco Et L'OK Jazz - 1970-71-72 (flac 314mb)
01 Boma L'Heure 5:04
02 Fungola Ya Mbanda 5:37
03 Cardiaque 5:09
04 Pension Na Bandalungwa 5:17
05 Ba Soucis Ya Week-End 6:02
06 Fifi Nazali Innocent 6:02
07 Mokolo Ya Pasi 5:10
08 Nazali Kitoko Mingi 4:17
09 Bango Nionso Bambanda 7:07
10 Marie Suza 5:30
11 Bolingo Marie Angele 4:04
12 Naboyi Bombanda Ya Basi Misato 5:02
13 Testament 5:37
14 Dje Melasi 6:34
Franco Et L'OK Jazz - 1970-71-72 (ogg 149mb)
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Very Good Congolese post, and thanks so much.
ReplyDeletePlease re-visit Congo and give us some sounds of other pioneers such as Joseph Kabaselleh (Grand Kalle), Docteur Nico Wamikalay, Rochereau (Tabu Ley Pascal) and son and so forth.
Hello Rho!
ReplyDeleteWould be great if you would re-ip the following:
Franco Et L'OK Jazz - 1970-71-72 (flac 314mb)
Franco et le tout puissant OK Jazz - Vol 1 (flac 330mb)
Many thanks in advance.