Franco Luambo Makiadi – Presents les Editions Populaires/ Planet Ilunga 2Lp-PI11

Description

* 2LP album in a trifold edition
* made in collaboration with the estate of Franco Luambo Makiadi
* Liner notes in English & French
* Numbered edition (1000 copies)

Tracks:

1. Ku Kisantu Kikuenda Ku    4:42

2. Lolango    3:03

3. Agardja-Dja    4:48

4. Na Bolingo Conseil Ezali Te    4:43

5. Congo Mibale   3:33

6. Minoko    7:23

7. Edo Aboya Ngai    6:22

8. Lolo Soufire    3:36

9. Kamalandua    5:49

10. Mobali Na Ngai Azali Etudiant Na Mpoto    4:10

11. Tembe Na Tembe    5:43

12. Lola    5:03

13. Mosaka Ya Kilo    4:34

14. Nzela Claude    5:41

15. Mokili Macaramba    5:34

16. Sukola Motema Olinga    5:20

After the anniversary edition about the illustrious Ngoma label, Planet Ilunga moves forward in time with the new series ‘Les éditeurs congolais,’ aiming to honour and highlight the phonographic and entrepreneurial work of the first Congolese record label bosses, and kicking off with a compilation of one of the most significant labels, Les Editions Populaires, founded by Franco Luambo Makiadi.

“Indépendance Cha Cha” was an historic song, not only because it immortalized Congo’s independence in its lyrics, but also because it was the first single published by a Congolese-owned record label. Joseph Kabasele’s label Surboum African Jazz indeed paved the way for several Congolese musicians to become record publishers. It resulted in the 1960s in a plethora of newly found Kinshasa-based record labels, run by the biggest musicians of the time.

This label, Les Editions Populaires, founded by Franco Luambo Makiadi in 1968 after he first co-founded with Vicky Longomba the labels Epanza Makita (+/- 117 singles) and Boma Bango (+/- 50 singles) and after starting his first short-lived label Likembe (+/- 5 singles), ran until 1982 and was mostly dedicated to the output of OK Jazz (later TPOK Jazz).

This compilation brings together an original selection of 16 tracks from the first three years of Les Editions Populaires. They are a showcase of the sound Franco had envisioned for his band. The focus was less on cha-cha-cha and Spanish lyrics, but on lingering rumba and bolero ballads in Lingala, tradition-rooted songs in Kikongo, Kimongo and even Yoruba, collaborations with the Ngoma label artists Camille Feruzi and Manuel d’Oliveira, and not to forget solid pastiches of American funk, which were showing that the OK Jazz musicians had an open-minded view on music and were capable of excelling in many genres. Mama Na Ngai indeed!

Also included in this compilation is a transcript of a previously unpublished interview from 1983. In his enigmatic, implicit and sometimes mocking style, the artist discusses his influences and inspirations, the processes of decolonization and independance of African countries and how he was able to gain real ownership of his music.

“Planet Ilunga is a Belgian vinyl label focusing on music that is at first sight untranslatable. It has a special interest in Congolese music of the 50s & 60s. Planet Ilunga specializes in archiving, documenting and sharing the “Rumba Lingala” sound from the fifties and sixties from both the Congos. In the following years, Planet Ilunga wants to contribute to restore the rich Congolese music archive, in the first place through high quality vinyl issues and extensive booklets.” – Eligo Audio Culture

“Franco, you beautiful soul. This is what joy sounds like to me. Another win from Planet Ilunga, finding so much of the very best Congolese music. Hell, some of the very best music period.” – Ruins