With music by Gianmaria Testa (Italy) and Syran Mbenza & Ensemble Rumba Kongo (Zaïre).
Solo dal vivo – Gianmaria Testa.
That Gianmaria Testa is also called the Leonard Cohen of Italy is not fair for either, but it is an inviting comparison. Both are poetic lyricists, very aware of the human condition, and the roughness of their voices. This album is a good starting point for those who do not know the work of Testa. It is very undressed, only he and his guitar, which shows the beauty of his songs without fuss. Gianmaria Testa is aware, not only politically, but also of the human condition. These are songs with depth, songs with more than just entertainment, without concession to commercial success; in other words, songs as art. It does not matter if you do not speak Italian. The atmosphere is striking.
CD. Solo dal vivo – Gianmaria Testa. Label: Fuorivia (2008), code: 274 1731. VIDEO
Immortal Franco: Africa’s Unrivaled Guitar Legend by Syran Mbenza & Ensemble Rumba Kongo.
The great Congolese singer, guitarist and band leader François Luambo Makiadi – artist name Franco – was the first African musician of international allure. His premature death in 1987 was a great loss to many admirers in Africa, Europe, North America and the Caribbean. In 2009, more than twenty years after Franco’s death, Syran Mbenza released the tribute album Immortal Franco. Mbenza, one of the best guitar virtuosos in Africa, is also a master in Franco’s guitar style. Jewels from Franco’s oeuvre are filled with freshness and craftsmanship.
CD. Immortal Franco: Africa’s Unrivaled Guitar Legend – Syran Mbenza & Ensemble Rumba Kongo. Label: Riverboat Records / World music network (2009), code: TUGCD1050. Distribution: Music & Words. VIDEO
