Omona Wapi

Franco & Rochereau

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Original Release Date: 1976
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Shanachie
• ASIN: B000000DVW
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #138,592 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #27 in	Music > World Music > Africa > Soukous
  #30 in	Music > World Music > Africa > Zaire & Congo

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

One of the more memorable and least anticipated collaborations in Congolese music, this early-1980s production joins Falstaffian guitar legend Franco Luambo Makiadi (1938-89) with Tabu Ley Rochereau (1940- ), the famed band leader and soukous pioneer. Where Franco fused traditional music with Afro-Cuban rhythms, the prolific Tabu Ley used a variety of international genres (disco, reggae, etc.) to rev up the regional style. Rivals during much of their respective careers, Franco and Rochereau combine their talents here for a record that's brimful of Franco's sinuous and rippling guitar lines, Rochereau's sweet high-tenor vocals, solid rolling rhythmic support, sporadic horns, and some of Africa's best backing vocalists. A short album at 33 minutes, its four tracks begin with a rousing celebration of the summit meeting itself. --Richard Gehr

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy Lisanga Ya Baganga instead, November 17, 2006

By	David Gary Roberts (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This is the first cd of a two-cd landmark joint session by these twin giants of Congo music. It is very fine but the full two cd set with the addition of the better value (50 minutes) Franco-centric cd is now available in the USA for very little more than this single album price - check it out [Lisanga Ya Baganga - Syllart 823421/SC 890]

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sublime, February 19, 2004

By	Michael Gershberg (New York City, USA) - See all my reviews

Some of the most rhythmically beautiful music I've ever heard. Franco's ringing guitar and sweet, high vocals intertwine with Tabu Ley's rich tenor to make music that is rapturously gorgeous. "Ngungi" and "Kabassele In Memoriam" are standouts. Whether you're a fan of African music or not, this music transcends genre.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a good starting point for classic rhumba, December 2, 1998

By A Customer

a tabu ley- franco collaboration was a dream for many fans of congolese music. their joint session in 1983 resulted in two wonderful cds. while i prefer the other cd- available only as a french import. this is an important part of any african music fans collection. franco and tabu ley are indeed the giants of african music. the two were at the hieght of their powers in 1983. this is not a super group of has beens. the band is primarly Rochereau's but franco provides serious guitar playing giving the cd a more rootsy quality than you expect to find on post 1970 Rochereau recording. i have 30+ lps and 17cds by Franco he was the great master. if you like african music and haven't gotten into these two greats snap up this cd