B.S.K. (Franco) / Mele (Lola Chécain) - Franco & le T.P. O.K. Jazz 1973-74

Both songs are reposts in much, much better quality than before. Both singles can be downloaded here: http://wrldsrv.blogspot.com/2009/12/staying-ok.html . At the end of the clip is Sam Mangwana talking about Chécain (recorded 30-3-1997 in Amsterdam). Vocals to these songs: B.S.K.: Franco, with Chécain backing him during the first 90 seconds. Mele: First Sam Mangwana backed by Chécain, then, when Sam takes the solo, the chorus consists of Michèl Boyibanda and Chécain, but on some lines Lola still backs Sam as well.

Probably with Simaro on guitar, Decca on bass, Dessoin on percussion, Ntoya on batterie (mainly rimshots I think). And last but not least an at the time gradually but surely expanding reed and copper section, Isaac Musekiwa, Dele Pedro, Rondot Kasongo, I suppose on saxes. Lola Chécain: wooden percussion near the end of Mele.

Funny how the name change ("Tout Puissant" added), is already on this release for the Zairean market (the name Franco is avoided) from 1973, but the release for the international market from 1974 still has the old name, without the T.P..

piquedard translateted and explained B.S.K.:

One word in Lingala may be translated in many different ways in English, thus for instance "Namoni bolingo ezali konana" = I see that love is stemming the current".

Konana literally is used mostly about boats, but one must remember that boats didn't exist before the white man invaded Congo; people were using pirogues...so stemming the current by pirogues is tough...that why I translated "Namoni bolingo ezali konana by I can tell our love is dying..or is in trouble.

I could give many examples like that but I think, in doing so, I'd "destroy" the very meaning of the song...Now of course I don't claim to be absolutely right, only I made my best and the best of the situation.

Bolingo ezalaka na mpema (Franco)
Love breathes (Love is a living thing)


Lobi ye moko andimaki ngai na bolingo (bis)
Yesterday, she by herself, said she loved me
Lelo apanzi maboko aboyi ngai
To-day, she told me, she didn't want me any more

Liloba te préavis te koswana te (bis)
Yet we didn't talk, no warnings from her, we didn't quarrel
Namoni bolingo ekomi konana
I can tell, our love is dying

Nakoyemba pamba bandeko
Of course, I'm only singing, my friends
Nakotuna pamba bandeko
I'm just asking, my friends
Boyebisa ye ayoka
Tell her so that she can hear and understand
Boyebisa ye azonga
Tell her to come back
Bolingo ezalaka na ntina
There are reasons as why we fall in love
Bolingo ezalaka na mpema
Love is a living thing
Nakotubela pamba
I'm just confessing (my sins)
Bosombela ye nde ngombe mobimba
Do offer her a whole cow
Botuna ye nini alingi bandeko
Ask her what she really wants (loves)
Nakoyemba pamba bandeko
Of course, I'm only singing, my friends

Nakolela ye mayi na miso bandeko
She makes me cry, my friends
Boyebisa ye ayoka
Tell her so that she can hear and understand
Boyebisa ye azonga
Tell her to come back
Bolingo ezalaka na pema
Love breathes (Love is a living thing)
Bosumbela ye nde ngombe mobimba
Offer her a whole cow (Buy her a whole a cow)


(Words)

Ah Jo Jo

Ah Jo mboka etumba
The struggle for life
Mboka ya bato
In this world
Nzembo oyo kopesa mwasi na yo motu mosusu te
Don't let your wife dance this song with somebody else
Bina yango yo moko
Do dance it (with your wife)
Koluka mindondo te
Dont look for trouble


Live version of B.S.K.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVQ4lz2irKo

...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Franco
• Rumba
• Zaire
• Africa
• TPOKJazz
• Chécain

[thumanina]

A pity the sound quality isn't too good...

(Like it anyway!)

[AboubacarSiddikh]

@thumanina More than anything, this had to do with the quality of the studio. These songs were converted directly from good quality pressings. This studio (with special extra echoes) was used by Franco in the years 1972-1974 especially. So better get used to it because he made many of his best records in these years!!

[MAANKAMAANKA]

amazing! I just came here by accident! thanks!

[odayokodo]

This is a great song, taking into account of those times. This is wonderful! Long live the Franco spirit. we still love you as if you are still living. I Love the song

[otiipiach72]

nice nice......... incomparable

[tyty1794]

Checain remains my favorite composer in OK after F.Luambo. Better than Lutumba higher than Ntesa or Josky. Especially of his  songs soloed by Sam Mangwana. This is another such masterpiece. Thank You for uploading.