The great Congolese singer, guitarist and band leader François Luambo Makiadi - stage name Franco - was the first African music star of international allure. His premature death in 1987 was a great loss to many admirers in Africa, Europe, North America and the Caribbean. The extensive oeuvre of the influential band Franco & Le TPOK Jazz that has existed for decades shows the development of
… Congolese pop music: from the Cuban-inspired 1950s, the 'rumba lingala' in the 1960s, the authentic and acoustic 1970s and the eighties with big band and long songs. In 2009, more than twenty years after Franco's death, Syran Mbenza released the tribute album Immortal Franco. One of the best guitar virtuosos in Africa, Mbenza is also a master of Franco's guitar style. Mbenza plays with ex-veterans of TPOK Jazz - the characterful singers Wuta Mayi and Elba Kuluma, saxophonist Jimmy Mvondo and bassist Flavien Makabi - and with members from his own bands Les 4 Etoiles and Kékéle. Jewels from Franco's oeuvre are executed full of freshness, schwung and craftsmanship. Deliciously swinging 'soukous congolaise'! (SvdP)more
