African Jazz, OK Jazz, African Team, Dibango & Pepito – African Jazz invites O.K. Jazz (1961-1970)

The evolution of Congolese popular music in the 1960s and 70s is generally classified into two major schools: African Jazz & OK Jazz. The main representatives of those schools are Joseph Kabasele alias Grand Kallé, founder of African Jazz, and Franco Luambo, co-founder of O.K. Jazz. Two temperaments and ambiances, one commonly referred to as ‘fiesta’, the other as ‘odemba’, both seeking their own sublimity or ideal.

For the very first time, a compilation brings together explicitly the main protagonists of the two bands on the same album, with a collection of their songs recorded in the early sixties for the Surboum African Jazz label, in addition to three tracks made by Kallé’s bands in the late sixties.

The heirs of Joseph Kabasele and Franco Luambo kindly gave permission in Kinshasa to release this original selection on Planet Ilunga about these virtuosi of Congolese Rumba on Planet Ilunga.

There were two main protagonists in the evolution of Congolese popular music in the 1960s: Joseph Kabasele (alias Grand Kallé), founder of African Jazz, and Franco Luambo, co-founder of OK Jazz. Influenced by Afro-Cuban music, both bands can claim to have invented the template of Congolese rumba. The sound would eventually mutate into soukous and several generations of the greatest names in Congolese music at some point passed through one band or the other. Yet the two schools were subtly different in ambiance. Kallé and his band played in a style known as ‘fiesta’ while Franco and OK Jazz essayed a sub-genre known as odemba.

To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time both leaders’ work has been drawn together on one ‘compare and contrast’ compilation, featuring over 14 tracks by Franco’s ensemble and a similar number by African Jazz and its off-shoots. With the exception of three tracks recorded by the latter in the late 1960s, all date from recordings made in 1961-62 for the Surboum African Jazz imprint, the first Black-owned Congolese label, founded by Kabasele himself. As such it’s a joyous trip back to the roots and those first heady days following independence from Belgian colonial rule. - Nigel Williamson

African Jazz invites O.K. Jazz, l’âge d’or de la rumba congolaise

By Aodren, 25/05/2025

In Musique, Réédition, République Démocratique du Congo 

Il fallait bien un double vinyle pour raconter cette rencontre fondatrice, celle de deux écoles, de deux styles, de deux titans. African Jazz invites O.K. Jazz (1961–1970), c’est la bande-son d’une décennie charnière, un album-manifeste qui réunit pour la première fois les figures majeures des deux grandes familles de la rumba congolaise : l’African Jazz du légendaire Grand Kallé et l’O.K. Jazz du géant Franco Luambo Makiadi.

Ce coffret précieux, édité par le label bruxellois Planet Ilunga, ressuscite des trésors sonores enregistrés dans les années 1960, en partie en Belgique, en partie à Kinshasa. Sur la face A du premier disque — soit les sept premiers titres de la version numérique — on entend l’O.K. Jazz dans sa pleine jeunesse, capté en 1961 en Europe, dans un style encore marqué par l’odemba : ce groove lent et majestueux, porté par les lignes de guitare de Franco, qui distille une mélancolie dansante. C’est une rumba de velours, presque solennelle, où le tempo semble suspendu à chaque frappe de cymbale. La voix chaude de Vicky Longomba y dialogue avec les guitares comme dans un rite de passage.

Sur la face B, place à l’African Jazz et à son école fiesta, tout en vitalité syncopée, en chœurs lumineux, en arrangements effervescents. Enregistrés entre 1961 et 1962, ces morceaux illustrent la richesse d’un groupe qui, sous la direction de Kabasele, savait conjuguer le tumulte de l’indépendance et les élans de la modernité congolaise. L’énergie est contagieuse, les guitares plus acrobatiques, les percussions presque espiègles.

Le second disque, lui, explore le reste de la décennie. Du morceau 16 au 21, c’est l’O.K. Jazz qui évolue, s’aventure vers le bolero, ralentit le pas, se fait plus introspectif, plus lyrique. Le style s’enrichit, les arrangements se densifient, et Franco devient conteur, poète, gardien d’une mémoire collective. Puis, du morceau 22 à la fin, l’African Jazz revient pour conclure en beauté : avec des titres de la fin des années 60, moins documentés, mais toujours empreints d’un savoir-faire vocal et orchestral qui impressionne.

Au-delà de la rareté des titres et de la qualité de la remasterisation, African Jazz invites O.K. Jazz est surtout un témoignage vibrant de l’intelligence musicale de ces deux écoles rivales mais complémentaires. Deux visions de la rumba, entre fièvre et élégance, entre effervescence et introspection. Deux chemins pour dire la même chose : la beauté complexe et bouleversante du Congo des années 60.

Translated with DeepL

African Jazz invites O.K. Jazz, the golden age of Congolese rumba

By Aodren, 25/05/2025

A double vinyl album was needed to tell the story of this seminal meeting of two schools, two styles, two titans. African Jazz invites O.K. Jazz (1961-1970) is the soundtrack to a pivotal decade, a manifesto album that brings together for the first time the major figures of the two great families of Congolese rumba: the African Jazz of the legendary Grand Kallé and the O.K. Jazz of the giant Franco Luambo Makiadi.

This precious boxed set, published by Brussels-based label Planet Ilunga, resurrects sound treasures recorded in the 1960s, partly in Belgium, partly in Kinshasa. On side A of the first disc - the first seven tracks of the digital version - we hear O.K. Jazz in its prime, recorded in Europe in 1961, in a style still marked by odemba: a slow, majestic groove, carried by Franco's guitar lines, that distills a dancing melancholy. It's a velvety, almost solemn rumba, where the tempo seems to hang on every cymbal strike. Vicky Longomba's warm voice converses with the guitars as if in a rite of passage.

The B-side features African Jazz and its fiesta school, with its syncopated vitality, luminous choruses and effervescent arrangements. Recorded between 1961 and 1962, these tracks illustrate the richness of a group that, under Kabasele's direction, knew how to combine the tumult of independence with the surges of Congolese modernity. The energy is contagious, the guitars more acrobatic, the percussion almost mischievous.

The second disc explores the rest of the decade. From track 16 to 21, O.K. Jazz evolves, venturing into bolero, slowing down, becoming more introspective, more lyrical. The style becomes richer, the arrangements denser, and Franco becomes a storyteller, a poet, the guardian of a collective memory. Then, from track 22 to the end, African Jazz returns to conclude in style: with tracks from the late 60s, less documented, but still imbued with an impressive vocal and orchestral savoir-faire.

Beyond the rarity of the tracks and the quality of the remastering, African Jazz invites O.K. Jazz is above all a vibrant testimony to the musical intelligence of these two rival but complementary schools. Two visions of rumba, between fever and elegance, between effervescence and introspection. Two ways of saying the same thing: the complex, moving beauty of the Congo in the 60s.

African Jazz, OK Jazz, African Team, Dibango & Pepito - African Jazz invites O.K. Jazz (1961-1970)

Label: Planet Ilunga – PI 12
Series: Les Editeurs Congolais
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album, Compilation, Numbered

Visit: https://planetilunga.bandcamp.com/
Country: Belgium
Released: May 7, 2025
Style: African, Bolero, Rumba, Merengue, Cha-Cha, Guaracha
Source: Digital

OK Jazz - Style Odemba 1961
1. L'O. K. Jazz – Molinard Danser Cha-Cha 2:50
     Composed By – Kwamy
2. L'O. K. Jazz – Mibali Bakomi Mpasi Na Leo 2:44
     Composed By – Franco
3. L'O. K. Jazz – Soki Ye Te Nani ? “Carra” 2:40
     Composed By – Mujos
4. L'O. K. Jazz – Amida Asukisi Molato 2:50
     Composed By – Franco
5. L'O. K. Jazz – Ya Mbala 2:52
     Composed By – Franco
6. L'O. K. Jazz – Kingotolo Mbuta Ngani Mbote 2:55
     Composed By – Franco
7. L'O. K. Jazz – Muasi Ya Motema Mabe 2:44
     Composed By – Isaac

African Jazz - Style Fiesta 1961-1962

8. L'African Jazz – Para Fifi 2:40
     Composed By – Kalle
9. L'African Jazz – Clarie Télé 2:46
     Composed By – Lutula 
10. L'African Jazz – Moto Na Esika Na Ye 2:52
       Composed By – Damoiseau
11. L'African Jazz– Toponaki Bino Boyokana 2:46
       Composed By – Kalle
12. L'African Jazz – Kongo Ya Bankoko 2:45
       Composed By – Lutula
13. L'African Jazz – Kajinga Victorine 2:50
       Composed By – Dechaud
14. L'African Jazz – Mama Seba 2:45
       Composed By – Kalle
15. L'African Jazz – Ekoti Ngai Hopitalo 2:51
       Composed By – Nico

The African Jazz school - Style Fiesta 1961-1970
16. Dibango & Pepito Et Leur Formation – Pachito Eche 2:45
17. L'African Jazz – Mi Jose 2:47
       Composed By – Nico  
18. L'African Jazz – Bueno Valentina Cha Cha 2:48
       Composed By – Kalle
19. Orch. African-Jazz – Lolango Helena 6:04
       Composed By – Mathieu Kuka
20. L'African Team De Paris – Lolaka Lwa Bale 3:53
       Composed By – Essous
21. L'African-Team – Lalouma De Belen 4:26
       Cover – Don Gonzalo

OK Jazz - Style Bolero 1961
22. L'O. K. Jazz – Liwa Ya Emery 2:47
       Composed By – Franco
23. L'O. K. Jazz – Mboka Mosika Mawa 2:49
       Composed By – Franco
24. L'O. K. Jazz – Zongela Nzela Na Ngai 2:44
       Composed By – Franco
25. L'O. K. Jazz – Motema Ya Fa Fa 2:48
       Composed By – Franco
26. L'O. K. Jazz – Mbanda Mwasi Alingi 2:50
       Composed By – Franco
27. L'O. K. Jazz – Liwa Ya Champagne 2:51
       Composed By – Kwamy
28. L'O. K. Jazz – A Girl I’m Looking For 2:50

       Composed By – Isaac