A Young Franco and Early Recordings

[amf]

I bumped into this picture of a very young Franco, and had to download it.

Franco, in my opinion is the greatest African musician EVER!

Tabu Ley is in the Top Tier but not better than Franco, in my opinion. Any disputes?

 
 

In case you are interested, you can buy a CD with some of his earliest recordings -- as early as 1956: "The first 1956 sessions of TP OK Jazz, remastered and with four great previously unavailable tracks." You can get the CD here: Originalite 1956/1957

Tracklist - Franco & OK Jazz 'Originalité' (RETRO2XCD)

1. On Entre OK On Sort KO [Franco] 2'56
2. La Fiesta [Franco] 3'04
3. Pasi Ya Boloko [Pandi] 3'01
4. Nini Cherie [Pandi] 3'01
5. Na Bosani Yo Te [Vicky] 3'00
6. Mado Ya Sango [Vicky] 3'04
7. Lina [Essous] 3'09
8. Se Pamba [Essous] 3'02
9. Merengue [Franco] 3'05
10. Botika Tembe [Franco] 3'04
11. Mabe Nde Kolimwa [Edo] 3'26
12. Eponi Banganga [Edo] 3'01
13. Tondimi La Mode [Edo] 3'09
14. Azali Mwasi Baponeli Ngai [Edo] 2'58
15. Tango Ekoki Nabatela Mwana [Franco] 2'59
16. Mosala Ekomi Mpasi-Embonga [Franco] 3'06
17. Tcha Tcha Tcha De Mi Amor [Brazzos] 3'08
18. Tcha Tcha Tcha Modero [De la Lune] 3'04
19. Ah Bolingo Pasi [Vicky] 3'04
20. Motindo Na Yo te [Franco] 3'08

[MUANA MBOKA]

Ah,Le Grand Maitre Pene la Ndju Luambo,i would love to hear these songs

Franco, in my opinion is the greatest African musician EVER! ...Tabu Ley is in the Top Tier but not better than Franco, in my opinion. Any disputes?

No one can dispute,this is a fact,i also regard Papa Lutumba to be in that high league of champions of Congo,he was the greatest songwriter & Chef D 'Orchestra in T.P.O.K Jazz Band.

                         

[MUANA MBOKA]

Talking about Lutumba Simaro,a lot of people still don't know he composed many of the hits in T.P.O.K Jazz let's start with two songs below.

1.Testament ya Bowule with Malage on lead vocals
   http://media.putfile.com/01-Testament-Ya-Bowule-68

2. Tala merci Bapesaka na Mbua with Bialu Madilu Systeme on lead vocals
    http://media.putfile.com/03-Tala-Merci-Bapesaka-Na-Mbwa

[P.R.A.D.A]

"When I talk about congolease music this,...this is what I mean" so says me Dad... kie kie...  

These songs sound like his cup of tea! I am sure he might have someof thm somewhere, he likes this type of congomusic!

[P.R.A.D.A]

...Franco, in my opinion is the greatest African musician EVER!

Tabu Ley is in the Top Tier but not better than Franco, in my opinion. Any disputes?...

...And what other congolease musicians/music, interest our Admin btw? kie kie kie...

[MUANA MBOKA]

"When I talk about congolease music this,...this is what I mean" so says me Dad... kie kie...  

..and he's 100% right!!!!!!!!!!!

[amf]

...And what other congolease musicians/music, interest our Admin btw? kie kie kie...

I love all music, but I do have a soft spot for classic Congolese -- stretching way back to the fifties. Soukous is good, but I will pick classic Rumba over Soukous any time.

You see, I am kind of old school - I own LP's and 45's by Bavon Marie [Franco's Younger Brother], Franklin Boukaka, Kiamangwana Mateta (Veve) and co...



Originally posted at: http://mongo2.podomatic.com/entry/2007-05-07T04_38_01-07_00 by Bon frère

Franco (right) and Younger Brother Siango Bavon
Marie Marie -- Photograph Malick Sidibe


Francois Luambo Makiadi ('Franco') was born on the 6th July 1938 in the Bas-Zaire region of Congo. His younger brother, Siango Bavon Marie Marie was born on May 27, 1944 in Kinshasa, Congo. Franco and Bavon would go on to lead two of Congo's great bands - Bavon with Orchestre Negro Sucess and Franco with the all conquering OK Jazz - the most influential band in African popular music history. Whether it was sibling rivalry or a genuine concern for his younger brother is hard to say, but Franco actively discouraged Bavon from pursuing the musician’s often difficult life. Bavon did not heed his brother's advice and became one of Congo's most popular musicians - self styling himself as 'the handsomest man in Zaire' whilst undertaking a physically ruinous experiment with Mercury based skin lighteners and alcohol. Both brothers were superb guitarists. Bavon had the more melodic touch in my opinion although Franco would be the more influential.

Franco's life is well documented. Graeme Ewens’ excellent Congo Colossus charts le Grand Maître's life in great detail.

Information on Bavon Marie Marie is harder to find although you could check:

- http://www.geocities.com/fbessem/frames/art_bavon.html
- http://www.afrik.com/article7639.html
- http://www.laconscience.com/article.php?id_article=114

There are two standout tracks in this mix. Franco's Infidelte Mado (Mado’s Infidelity) and Bavon's Mwana 15 Ans (15 Year Old Child). Infidelte Mado was written by 'Bitchou' and sung in a suitably mournful style by Youlou Mabiala and Franco himself. It's one of the TPOK Jazz's classics. Mwana 15 Ans is Bavon's masterpiece - sung from the point of view of a 15-year-old girl in Congo. She is sad because her family wants her to marry but she wants to go to school and grow up some more before she does.

On August 5th , 1970, Bavon Marie Marie was killed in a car accident. According to legend, the night began with an argument between Bavon and Franco over a mutual girlfriend, Lucy. It ended with Bavon Marie Marie dead at the wheel of Franco's Renault and Lucy critically injured.

Franco died on October 12th 1989, allegedly of AIDS related illnesses at the University Hospital, Namur, Belgium.

This mix is a tribute to two great stars of Congolese music. On entre OK, on sort KO.

Bon frère Podcast – mixed by Alastair J – May 2007.
Click here to listen (First song in the Congolese Music JukeBox)

1.  Mino Y A Luambo Diamant – Franco et TPOK Jazz
2.  Mwana 15 Ans – Bavon Marie Marie et Orchestre Negro Sucess
3.  Marie Naboyi - Franco et TPOK Jazz
4.  Ba soucis y ya weekend - Franco et TPOK Jazz
5.  Ruel changement - Bavon Marie Marie et Orchestre Negro Success
6.  Nsontin - Franco et TPOK Jazz
7.  Mbanda nasali nini - Franco et TPOK Jazz
8.  Okokufa Na Date Ya Pasi - Bavon et Orchestre Negro Success
9.  Nganda ma campagne - Franco et TPOK Jazz
10. Lucie Tozongana - Bavon Marie Marie et Orchestre Negro Success
11. Emilie na Gabon - Franco et TPOK Jazz
12. Titi mwasi ya libala - Bavon Marie Marie et Orchestre Negro Success
13. Lunda Maguy Franco et TPOK Jazz
14. Ngoma Nganga Franco et TPOK Jazz
14. Nadendela Mibala Bavon Marie Marie et Orchestre Negro Success
15. Tala Likambo ya Catherine Franco et TPOK Jazz
16. Infidelite Mado Franco et TPOK Jazz

Bon frère Podcast – mixed by Alastair J – May 2007.
Click here to listen (First song in the Congolese Music JukeBox)

[MUANA MBOKA]

Chief,i think one our distinguished guests on the forum saw this post and went to another forum to question if that's really Franco in that pic,could you check with your source please.

Franco and young bruv

[P.R.A.D.A]

Chief,i think one our distinguished guests on the forum saw this post and went to another forum to question if that's really Franco in that pic,could you check with your source please.

May be that guest had his own reasons to double-guess the pic, may be he should have registered and aired his opinions!!

....AMF.... where we dare to talk.... 

[MUANA MBOKA]

May be that guest had his own reasons to double-guess the pic, may be he should have registered and aired his opinions!!

....AMF.... where we dare to talk.... 

Meanwhile am listening to the song i posted above,Testament Ya Bowule!!ah mama eh,Luambo Le Immortel!!

[amf]

I think it is only the date that is a problem. It can't be 1977. Probably much earlier.

My source is quoted as: http://mongo2.podomatic.com/entry/2007-05-07T04_38_01-07_00

...and the man on the right sure looks like the one in first picture I posted on this thread. Also look at the lips and nose of Bavon Marie in the LP pic and compare it with those of the man on the left -- striking similarities.

Also, Platform shoes enjoyed some popularity in the United States, Europe and the UK in the 1930s, 1940s, and very early 1950s, and their popularity peaked in the 1970s to early 1980s.

If the original author (to whom I have given appropriate credit) is wrong, then he stands corrected.

I believe the picture is authentic -- and anyone who disputes it, should feel free to post supporting evidence, for no one has a monopoly on Congolese music knowledge.

And which forum is this? Post a link, let's read what they are saying.   

[MUANA MBOKA]

And which forum is this? Post a link, let's read what they are saying.   

Check your PM.

[P.R.A.D.A]

...My source is quoted as: http://mongo2.podomatic.com/entry/2007-05-07T04_38_01-07_00

...If the original author (to whom I have given appropriate credit) is wrong, then he stands corrected.

I believe the picture is authentic -- and anyone who disputes it, should feel free to post supporting evidence, for no one has a monopoly on Congolese music knowledge.

I dont think the guest was double-guessing our admin but rather the source that was quoted!   

[amf]

I have just emailed the author and invited him to join the forum. Let's hope he responds positively.

He should be in a position to shed some light ....

[P.R.A.D.A]

I have just emailed the author and invited him to join the forum. Let's hope he responds positively.

He should be in a position to shed some light ....

Oh that sounds like a good idea, lets wait and see..!! LOL...

[MUANA MBOKA]

I have just emailed the author and invited him to join the forum. Let's hope he responds positively.

He should be in a position to shed some light ....

Hopefully,i have also been looking at some covers of old Franco music,maybe i'll come across an old old one to see what he looked like in the seventies.

[Papa Musica]

Mwana Mboka, thank you sir for officially introducing me to the forum.  I hope I haven't stirred any controversy.  Now in regards to the photo, I would like to formally dispute the claim that neither persons in that picture that the admin posted is Franco....

Exhibit A

Franco Photo Gallery

Photo in Question



Now take these evidences and compare and you be judge.  Now that photo had to be taken in 1977 because of their attire, that's pretty obvious.  The pictures  in Franco's gallery were taken from his teenage years all the way close to his death.

[amf]

What can I say, other than:

 

Welcome to AMF Papa Musica!

I think the man on the right(left pic) looks slightly older, and a lot like the one in the smaller pic(Franco)

[mongo2]

Hi everyone

just joined this great forum. I was the original poster of the Bon Frere mix and I can confirm that the two brothers in the photograph are not Franco or Bavon. The photograph was taken in Mali in the late 1970's  by the great photographer Malick Sidibe. I chose the photo and the title of the mix, 'Bon Frere' (also the name of a Franco track which you all know) for obvious reasons - a mix featuring two sibling giants of African music. Hope you all enjoy the mix and please check out all the latin mixes too - if you are in to West African music then latin music is a most logicsl choice for you.

Regards Alastair J.

[amf]

Thanks Alastair, I guess I celebrated too soon.

 

...and you are welcome to our forum. Nice to have you here.