Customer Reviews

The Voice of Lightness: Congo Classics 1961-1977

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I have been a fan of this old Congolese music for several years. This compilation is sweet music to my ears. Without being an actual student of the artist or genre, or analyzing what is in the mix and why, I will say it flows well with some familiar songs and some new. I can put on both CDs and enjoy -- no clinkers, all good. A terrific introduction for anyone just discovering this wonderful music and artist, ...and for those more familiar, it is like coming home.

This is a great collection from the early years of one of the giants of the past half-century of African - or any - music. An essential document shows how much fun music can be; even - or especially - when you don't already know it.

Stern's Africa has compiled a first-rate collection, particularly the second CD (1970s). It is certainly a good introduction to Congolese rumba; it has quickly become one of my favorites, up there with the god-like Franco.

This artist was suggested to me by my far-flung, island-living cousin. We seldom see each other, but out of the blue she contacted me with this recommendation. I am thrilled that she did! While I know little to nothing about calypso rhythms or its history, I do appreciate most music even if it's something I don't end up listening to. Like with food, I'll try anything once. Well, I'll be listening to this compilation over and over again. The music is substantial. There's is more to it than meets the ear. Like a good movie in which you find more to love the more times you watch it, it's possible to find more levels to this music the more you listen to it. I favor bands over singer/songwriters, and I have the impression when I play these discs that I am listening to a singer/songwriter BUT backed by a band of musicians that simply know what they're doing and they do it well. Also, I am a Grateful Dead fan and find the longer tunes and the fabulous beats that my Western feet and ear didn't grow up dancing and listening to, transfixing. If you want something utterly different with non-offensive lyrics and not the "same old, same old" give this a try.

I heard about this CD set on PRI's wonderful program "The World". The songs are intricate and Rochereau's voice is beautiful. If you like African music, or would like to be transported to someplace warm and light this cold winter, you definitely want to add this to your collection!

This was a great discovery for me. Now I know why they call the more recent music "afro-cuban". Tabu Ley had an angelic voice.

I bought this for a friend's 60th birthday. She is an afcionado of world music. She was delighted by my choice.