Music And Arts Scene
African Records Review
By Kwabena Asamoah
FRANCO &T.P.O.K. JAZZ: 'Mario' (CHOC 004). 'Mario'/'Je M'en Fous De Ton Passe' 'Esuke'.
Already number one on the African chart in Paris and having sold nearly 10,000 copies there within a week of its release, Mario is another of the 'Choc' series from Franco, one of the most respected heavyweights in African music.The front cover of the sleeve shows the man himself enjoying an apple but listeners may choose what he has to offer in the blue sleeve rather than what he has in his hands. As constant as the Northern star, Franco's music stays close to the man himself - cool and calculated and infinitely soothing.
Just as the guitars open 'Mario' Franco raps the listening public a bit before the first refrain comes in followed by another rap until Franco joins in the chorus. What strikes one's ears half-way through the track are the poignant congas and muzzled horns blast that accompany the fine guitar work. Dancers are given enough chance to practice and move on while the atmosphere is still hot. Only greedy dancers would complain since the A-side of 'Mario' runs through non- stop for almost 17 minutes.
The two tracks on the B-side are not Franco's compositions but his personality fills the entire album. The vocal harmony in 'Je M'en Fou De Ton Passe' as in almost all other tracks is characteristically entertaining while the brassy middle 18 carries the mood right up to the end without much trouble. Cuba influenced Zairean music some years ago but Zaire has managed a complete independence. Franco, however, remembers few lines of Cuba's Aragon - pii pooor pi pi pi poooor - at the beginning of this track which will also stir the dance floor.
'Esuke' is not the title track but qualifies to be the best track on the album to my ears. Beginning as a mid- tempo rhumba with all the trimmings, it suddenly graduates into a sweet soukous firing gentle guitars and vocals into the air. The lead vocal is completely nice while the brassy construction in the middle is one of the best I have heard recently. This LP should be in London shops next week. Hunt and serve yourself.
4 STARS: 'Dance' (TAN 7009). 'Kabyby' 'Mayanga'/'Ba Relations' 'Kelele'.
These four Zairean musicians are not only stars but also shine as artists both playing live and recording. Singers Nyboma and Wuta Mayi and guitarists Syran and Bopol make one of the best African sets of the moment as you would have had the chance to judge for yourself if you saw them at London's Electric Ballroom some three months ago.All the five tracks on this new LP are well recorded and produced for good listening. Except '4 Stars' which sound only like a last-minute gap filler, the album could be considered one of the best around in Paris and will certainly do a similar wonder in London.
As the album title indicates, 'dancing' is the objective here. Begin- ning with Nyboma's 'Kabyby' the group move straight into hot soukous with strong brass flavours. The synthesizer at work throughout the album might be a new development in Zairean music but the 4 Stars have certainly known which dose to entertain. My preference on the A-side would be Bopol's 'Mayanga' with its catchy hook lines. The introduction, though slightly funky, quickly return to authentic Ziare sound supported by clear brassy touch. The guitar sounding more acoustic this time beautifully merges with the synthesizer while Nyboma and Wuta Mayi stretch out vocally. The ending might b abrupt but you can continue dancing i you spin the B-side too:
Franco would not put synthesizer in his music but he might probably like the effects of this instrument in 'B Relations' which possesses another catchy and beautiful hook lines nc talking about the nice keyboards and Simmonds drums. The frenzy happens almost half-way through the trac where the brass line shoots some nice and well orchestrated riffs into the infectious music.
Most listeners might probably agree with me that the most outstanding track on the B-side is Syran's 'Kelele which gives the singers the chance to exhibit the full range of their beautiful voices. The Simmonds drums colour the pattern and form of music - a new development in Zairean music but good one. Those who are used to Stars' 'Enfant Bamileke' might als add 4 Stars' but I would be more inclined towards the other four. A must for summer 1985.
AFRO HOT CHART
1. KEYNA Mbilia Bel (GENIDIA) Zaire2. ELECTRIC AFRICA Manu Dibango (CELLULOID) Cameroon
3. NEW AFRICA Various Artists (STREET SOUNDS) Inter-Africa
4. BANDONA Nyboma (SYLLART) Zaire
5. DANCE 4 Stars (TANGENT) Zaire
6. NA WA FOR YOU Hi-Life International (STERNS) Ghana
7. ARMY ARRANGEMENT Fela Anikulapo Kuti
8. OBI DOBA African Brothers (A.B.) Ghana
9. NDE YEN DA A.K. Yeboah (ASONA) Ghana
10. MR. SIMON Souzy Kasseya (EARTHWORKS) Zaire
11. PLAYS BROADWAY & UHURU Redcap James (AFROBOOM) Ghana
12. MO DUPE (GRATITUDE) Sunny Ade (SALPS) South Africa
13. WAITING FOR THE RAIN Hugh Masekela (JIVE AFRICA) South Africa
14. OYE ODO Pat Thomas/Ebo Taylor (DAN) Ghana
15. BINAM Andre-Marie Tala (ANDY'S) Cameroon
Chart courtesy of AFROBOOM RECORDS, 135 Clarence Road, London E5 8EE (Mail Order & Distribution only).
