VA - African Pearls: Congo - Rumba on the River [2CD Set] (2006)

Why does this music sound so attractive, so comfortable, so familiar? When these records were setting the whole of central Africa alight with delight during the Fifties and Sixties, I heard none of them, in common with most people in the UK. But if I had somehow run across them accidentally, I doubt if I would have paid much attention. Back then, I was looking for music that was tougher, expressing an attitude of defiance in a language I could understand and sing along to (in my head, at least). But now I've had enough of tough, and welcome the joyous buoyancy of the Cuban rhythms that underpin most of these songs. Better yet, it turns out that there are songs here I can sing along with, after all, substituting the words of 'Louie Louie' for those of 'Alliance Mode Success' (by OK Jazz) or 'Twist and Shout' for either 'Miwela Miwela' (African Jazz) or 'Cuento Nama' (OK Jazz).

It was long after the event that I came to understand how many American hits of the Sixties used the same Latin chord changes, not only those in Spanish like 'La Bamba' and 'Guantanamera', but 'Like a Rolling Stone', 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' and 'Piece of My Heart'. With those songs engraved on our bones, these Congolese classics feel like newly discovered, long-lost cousins.

Even more familiar is the sound of the records, most of which were evidently recorded in one go, by musicians who stood next to each other around just one microphone. Yes, it's the garage band sound, featuring Congolese guitarists, among whom the most celebrated was Docteur Nico, who rarely played chords but picked hypnotic melodies on single strings, occasionally breaking out into dazzling solos that would have had Hank Marvin or Eric Clapton staring at their fingers in wonder, and maybe with envy too.

This was the period when the former Belgian Congo became the independent republic of Congo, leading to vicious struggles between several tribal and regional leaders. But as so often, music springs up with uplifting energy and spirit to deny and defy such rifts. The exemplary selection is principally devoted to the four great bands of the era - Franco's OK Jazz, African Jazz, African Fiesta and Bantous de le Capitale.

Imagine you had never heard any of the music made in Jamaica in the Sixties and then you discover for the first time an album offering Prince Buster, the Skatalites, the Maytals and the Wailers. This is as powerful, satisfying and revelatory as that would be.

Party album of the year. --Charlie Gillett, Observer (UK) Music Monthly