Pour nos lecteurs francophones: Cliquez ici pour la version française de cet article

After the anniversary edition about the illustrious Ngoma label, Planet Ilunga moves forward in time with its upcoming release. With the new series ‘Les éditeurs congolais’ Planet Ilunga aims to honour and highlight the phonographic and entrepreneurial work of the first Congolese record label bosses. We kick off with a compilation of one of the most significant labels, Les Editions Populaires, founded by Franco Luambo Makiadi.

‘Indépendance Cha Cha’ was an historic song, not only because it immortalized Congo’s independence in its lyrics, but also because it was the first single published by a Congolese-owned record label. Joseph Kabasele’s label Surboum African Jazz indeed paved the way for several Congolese musicians to become record publishers. It resulted in the 1960s in a plethora of newly found Kinshasa-based record labels, run by the biggest musicians of the time.

Les Editions Populaires was founded by Franco in 1968 after he first co-founded with Vicky Longomba the labels Epanza Makita (+/- 117 singles) and Boma Bango (+/- 50 singles) and after starting his first short-lived label Likembe (+/- 5 singles). It ran until 1982 and was mostly dedicated to the output of OK Jazz (later TPOK Jazz).

This compilation brings together an original selection of 16 tracks from the first three years of Les Editions Populaires. They are a showcase of the sound Franco had envisioned for his band. The focus was less on cha-cha-cha and Spanish lyrics, but on lingering rumba and bolero ballads in Lingala, tradition-rooted songs in Kikongo, Kimongo and even Yoruba, collaborations with Ngoma artists Camille Feruzi and Manuel d’Oliveira and not to forget solid pastiches of American funk, which were showing that the OK Jazz musicians had an open-minded view on music and were capable of excelling in many genres.

• 2LP album in a trifold edition: tracklist
• liner notes in English & French
• made in collaboration with the estate of Franco Luambo Makiadi
• design: Murielle Lô
• studio engineers: Pieter De Wagter (remastering) & Michael Kuhn (lacquer cut)
• numbered LP edition

Acknowledgements

General editor, notes & concept: Bart Cattaert
Compiled by: Hama-Dinga Ya Makilo, Stefan Werdekker & Bart Cattaert
Art Direction: Murielle Lô
Proofing: Charlotte Mavandalt, Hayat Assabounti & Alastair Johnston
Audio restoration & mastering: Pieter De Wagter (EQuuS)
Lacquer cut: Michael Kuhn (Manmade Mastering)
Manufacturer: Optimal Media in coordination with Britta Franck (Handle With Care)

My gratitude to: Yves Luambo Emongo, Stefan Werdekker, Hama-Dinga Ya Makilo, Sylvain Konko, Murielle Lô, Clémence de Bodinat, Gary Stewart, Christian Ongoba, Baudouin Bikoko, Cindy Teme, Charlotte Mavandalt, Alastair Johnston, Hayat Assabounti, Samuel Malonga, Aaron Minnebo & Edo Bouman

Authorized by the estate of Franco Luambo Makiadi
Copyright © 2024 Planet Ilunga

** Pre-orders through our website, email or Bandcamp. Release date is Thursday 29th of February (start shipping on 21st of February) **