Le Quart de Siecle de Franco de mi Amor et les T.P.O.K. Jazz Vol. 3 (Edipop 1982)

A couple of nights ago I was lucky enough to see Odemba OK Jazz on their Spirit of Franco tour. The band take their name from the style of rumba that was popularised by Franco and is made up of Congolese musicians who now reside in Belgium and France. They're led by Maitre 'Dizzy' Mandjeku Lengo, an astonishing guitarist and veteran of Sam Mangwana's African All Stars, Tabu Ley's Afrisa International and T.P.O.K. Jazz. I think the UK tour finishes on the 5th October, and I would recommend them to one and all for a night of irresistable Congolese dance music. They really had the audience in the palm of their hands and everyone left the building sporting huge grins and a sweat.

If you can't get to see the band, here's a taste of the mighty OK Jazz at the height of their powers.

Tracklist:

01 Tailleur
02 Katebe
03 Belle Mere
04 Tuti

Get it HERE.