Album: Various artists, Roots of OK Jazz (Crammed Discs)

Reviewed,Phil Johnson
Sunday 04 July 2010 00:00 BST
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Like rockabilly and rocksteady, the generic sound of Congolese rumba is strong enough to support almost any song.

This terrific collection, subtitled "Congo Classics 1955-56", brings together the immediate antecedents of bandleader Franco's famous OK Jazz group. Recorded on borrowed instruments and eagerly lapped up by the Congo's own rebellious teen subculture, the Afro-Cuban influenced music went on to become the soundtrack to African independence. Check out the Solovox organ, as used by Sun Ra.

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