Congo revolution : revolutionary and evolutionary sounds from the two Congos 1955-62

"During the late '50s and early '60s, musicians on both sides of the Congo River were experimenting with hybrid styles, drawing from Afro-Cuban son and the big-band arrangements of American and European orchestras, to craft the beginnings of a new music genre - known as Congolese rumba or rumba Lingala - that would dominate much of the continent for decades to come. This excellent compilation highlights early work by giants such as Franco and OK Jazz, Pepe Kalle's African Jazz and Dewayon's Conga Jazz, among many others. There are cha cha chas, African calypso and pseudo son from OK Jazz, plus a tribute to independence martyr Patrice Lumumba by African Jazz, and merengue from African Fiesta; faux Spanish mingles with French, Lingala and other African languages. The extensive 48-page booklet, illustrated by beautiful photographs, gives context to this most potent phase".