The
10-14-07 Broadcast is uploaded and ready for listening:
http://www.africanmusicforum.com/main/Internet-Radios-Index.shtmlSunday's Program: A tribute to the late Franco [
a.k.a L'Okanga La Ndju Pene Luambo Luanzo Makiadi]
Franco and his T.P. OK Jazz is arguable the best musician Black Africa has ever produced. Some have called him "
The James Brown of Africa," the "Godfather of Soul."
Performing in French, Lingala, Kiswahili and other native Congolese languages, Franco was a master of Rumba [African Rumba], a style of music that originated in Congo, and evolved into Soukous music.
Franco accentuated the "Afro-Latin" beat — a complex mixture of Cuban sons, boleros and Congolese folk music.
Sadly, Congolese maestro, the "sorcerer of the Guitar," the "Grand Maître of Zairean Music," Luambo Luanzo Makiadi, died in a hospital in Brussels, Belgium, in 1989 at the age of 51. Just before his death, he recorded his AIDS-consciousness anthem "Attention Na SIDA" [Beware of AIDS]. Although never officially mentioned [taboo], Franco’s death was HIV related.
Africa lost a "Music Goliath." Many, if not ALL modern Congolese musicians from Music rich Zaire [Now DRC — Democratic Republic of Congo] owe their success to L’Okanga La Ndju Pene Luambo Luanzo Makiadi.
Among Franco’s proteges were Lutumba Simaro Massiya [a.k.a. Le Poet], for many years, his deputy band leader. Lutumba succeeded Franco after his death, but after quarrels with Franco’s family, quit to form Bana OK — together with fabulous Franco proteges like — Josky Kiambukuta, Ndombe Opetum, Malage de Lugendo and Ntessa Dalienst.
Below is Malage de Lugendo performing one of Franco’s classics - "Infidelite Mado," With Shiko Mawatu doing a very "credible imitation" of Franco’s guitar work - at a recent performance by the band "Soukous Stars," in New Jersey [USA].
Many have tried to emulate Franco’s style, but none will ever do it quite like him, instead African Rumba has evolved into "Soukous" and "Techno-Soukous," which is more up-tempo.
Franco sings "Toyeba Yo" with Sam Mangwana — perhaps
the most successful of Franco’s earlier proteges Many Thanks To
Mr. David Noyes! OLD-schoolers like me are thrilled to the 'bone-marrow.'
http://www.africanmusicforum.com/main/Internet-Radios-Index.shtml
