I was in doubt for a while, the quality of this lp is not that good, but untill I find a better specimen we'll have to settle with this one. It has some pops and sh*t but still.. the songs about Franco send shivers down my spine. The group he left behind didn't vanish with[...]

Le Grand Maître Franco passed away in 1989. This lp is said to be released in 1988 but speaks of Franco's heritage. The grand master did not participate, so how is it ? Was it made before or after Franco's passing ? I could not find it on the web.. The lp was made with[...]

It took a few years but at the last recordfair I finally got lucky and found this wonderful lp. It is without doubt one of the grand maître's very best albums. With the great Sam Mangwana and le Tout Puissant O.K. Jazz, Lutumba Simaro being one of the loyal guitarists, from 1982, on Edipop, what[...]

This is a re-post. It was already here at the GG as 'African 360.056'. Since we have so many dead links I thought it would be appropriate to bring it again. The album was released in 1974 celebrating the OK Jazz' 18th birthday and becoming adult. To my opinion these are seven of the grandmaster's[...]

Here's a record we've all been waiting for. It's the no.10 in 'african's 360.000 series. Maître Franco de mi Amor, funny name like this, appears once again and with an important album. I saw that Bolingo's 'african' discography was also still searching for it's cover, well here it is. It has a green version of[...]

Let's get april next to march and at least bring the score to a poor 6 posts. A special one for the weekend I'd say. This is another delightful album by le Grand Maître on the Edipop label. POP 026 chez Safari Club de Bruxelles, sweet vocals, simply the best instrumentation, tastefully produced, I dare say in one word[...]

Hello, good day to you groovers. What do we have for you today ? Another album by le Grand Maître Franco with 10 songs. The lp was released in 1984 but contains songs from way earlier. Some of the tracks appeared on other collectors, some didn't. How do you like that picture of Franco, mostly[...]

Good afternoon, oncemore I am asking for your opinion on a matter. The title of this LP is 'Live Recording of the Afro European Tour'. When listening I get the impresssion the music was made in a studio and the audience was mixed in afterwards. We saw it before. Another strange thing is that the[...]

It is more like a 12" single on 33 than an LP. This one is extremely short, not even 20 minutes. This is not a complaint however, just a fact. Franco made strictly wonderful albums. From 1988, great line up, great sound, do not hesitate. tracks; 1 Anjela 2 Tawaba

Another wonderful LP by our heroe Franco, one we didn't see in our little bloggosphere untill today. From a time he was at his absolute peak, 1984, a year that brings back loads of good memories. I am blown away by the first song with Madilu. Track #4 contains some debate in Lingala, can someone[...]

If you look for female singers in Congolese music you don't find a lot. Of course there's Mbilia Bel, Mpongo Love and Abeti but male singers form the majority by far. le Grand Maïtre Franco was not only maïtre playing guitar but also in finding the ladies. Given this Choc Belgian release, even the police[...]

Speaking about magnificent voices, Madilu System was gifted as very few others. Together with heavy weight Franco he made this 1985 album on Edipop. I can't give you an informative background story but an album like this can go easily without. Just listen. tracks; 1 Mamou 2 Pesa position 3 Bourreau deg coeurs 4 Non[...]

Some oldies but goodies tonight. These recordings are from 1957 and 1958. Being from '58 myself, I can tell you, good stuff was produced in those days. ha ha, no serious, it should be possible to update that old rubbish. Give me a USB gate some- where and a regular update, wouldn't that be 2011[...]

Long time no see. Le Grand Maître took a while to return but here he is. A recording from 1982 on Edipop, 4 strong tracks by these heroes. Josky, Dalienst and Ndombe Opetum deliver their songs in a great way and Franco gives them the finishing touch with his swell guitarwork, love his Princesse Kiku.[...]