John Kongos

John Kongos | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 11, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collector's Choice
• ASIN: B0001CKR9Q
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,991 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Tokoloshe Man

2. Jubilee Cloud

3. Gold

4. Lift Me From The Ground

5. Come On Down Jesus

6. I Would Have Had A Good Time

7. Try To Touch Just One

8. Tomorrow I'll Go

9. He's Gonna Step On You Again

Editorial Reviews

You can hear so many early ’70s British musical currents coursing through this record that it’s no wonder this album ranks as one of the period’s great lost classics (don’t just take our word for it—4 1/2 stars in All Music Guide)! John Kongos was something of a rock and roll journeyman when he hooked up with Bowie and Elton John producer Gus Dudgeon, who brought along many of the crew that made Elton’s classic "Madman Across the Water" album to these sessions. The result sounded a little like Elton, sure, but there was a definite glam element to the proceedings—"Tokoloshe Man" sounds like the prototype for Gary Glitter’s "Rock and Roll Part 2," and the gospel-come-rock vibe brings T. Rex to mind—and the production was nothing short of groundbreaking, featuring the first known use of sampling (of African drums in "He’s Gonna Step on You Again"). In fact, this album sounds like it could have been made yesterday; it’s progressive pop in the best sense of the word.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Real good., November 11, 2006

By 

jblyn (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Kongos (Audio CD)

John Kongos was, apparently, really hot in South Africa in the Sixties and Seventies, and you can see why from this album. It shows a guy who could belt 'em out with the best of the white British rockers of that time; he particularly reminds me of early Seventies Elton John (and it seems appropriate that most of Mr. Dwight's MADMAN-era band is helping Kongos out here as well). The songs are also outstanding; "Jubilee Cloud" is great quasi-gospel, as is "Come On Down Jesus," and "Gold" and "Tomorrow I'll Go" are as good a set of songs as any of the John/James Taylor/Carole King collection from back in the day. But the two standouts are the songs that bookend the album, "Tokoloshe Man" and especially "He's Gonna Step On You Again," rockers that are ferocious and snarling, and you want to play them over and over the way you do with any good song.

I was vaguely aware of Kongos in the Seventies, but I'm glad I finally had a chance to become better acquainted with his music. This is a great album.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good to have you back John!, March 14, 2009

By 

W. Lockwood (Washington state) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: John Kongos (Audio CD)

I lucked upon a promo copy of this album in the early 70's and it remains in my vinyl collection. It's wonderful to see Collector's Choice rereleasing this undiscovered gem. The album remains one of my favorites of that time and I'm filled with joy that another generation will be able to enjoy this versatile artist's music. Kudos to CC for the release and thanks for giving these albums fresh life. Another great lost album, Tiptoe Past the Dragon by Marlin Greene from 1972 has just resurfaced in the CC collection. Yea! It feels like Christmas all over again!

4.0 out of 5 stars But 5 stars for "Tokoloshe Man"..., January 6, 2012

By 

James D. Morrow "Hey Now!" (Omaha,NE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: John Kongos (Audio CD)

because it is one of the great lost "really should have been a hit" songs that calls to mind everything good (and there was tons of bad)about rock in the 70's. Very few albums are worth the money for just one song, but even if there weren't three or four more winners here (yes, there are) it would still be worth it for "Tokoloshe Man", a song made to be cranked to the max. Imagine everything great about early Elton, Bowie, Leon with a touch of Peter Green's Mac and you've got an idea. "Jubilee Cloud", "He's Gonna Step on You," Again," "Come On Down Jesus" and "Lift Me From the Ground" are all solid tracks. This was another of those albums that we put on in the store I worked at just to see how many people would ask "who is that, man?". Grab it while you can, or at least download the first and last tracks. You'll be glad you did.