Ye Baboyaka Ye (Franco) - Franco & le T.P. O.K. Jazz 1973

From 1972 (with the entrance of Sam Mangwana and the name change of the orchestra to le Tout Puissant Orchestre Kinois de Jazz) Franco had begun to integrate the school of Joseph Kabasselé aka Le Grand Kalé (Kallé) into OKJ.

He did this, according to Seigneur Rochereau, to break through the "monotonie" of OKJ... (RotFL!!! - LOOK who's talking!!)

In February, 1973, Josky Kiambukuta Londa (who had sung with, among others, Dr. Nico) joined, and this is one of the first showcases of his vocal powers. Josky's voice would colour the vast majority of Franco's main compositions after this.

Franco and Josky alternate vocal solos here, backed up in the chorus by Michèl Boyibanda and Lola Chécain.

Most of the time, the one taking the next solo does not participate in (part of) the chorus preceding his solo.

So, although there's "only" four singers, there are at least three different combinations of three voices to be heard within the song.

Lola also plays some percussion in the latter part of the song.

(The picture was taken at least five, possibly nine years later than the song was recorded, so in the recording Franco probably used his Fender Jaguar and not the Gibson Les Paul (as in the picture)).

Category:

Music

Tags:

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

[legrandmaitre]

Not heard this before Aboubacar - lovely - do you have this on LP?

[pmbalele]

People listen to the background guitar. It's muzzled but comes out when needed. Just beautiful.

[pmbalele]

This song reminds me when I was in Tanzania. I was given a GM job at Kigoma. But I did not like living in Kigoma.

[jakojuaya]

I am still convinced that Franco released the best songs between 1969 and 1982. This is one of them. Any other new posts covering this period would be highly appreciated.

[jakojuaya]

Oh Aboubacar! This is another Franco classic that I've looked for until I nearly gave up. Thanks a lot brother. Keep it up please and God bless.

[dadasisca]

Love this song very much. I was 9 years old and these were the songs I grew up with. This was one of the song played a lot on Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam at that time.