ROOTS OF OK JAZZ: CONGO CLASSICS 1955-1956 / VAR

Originally released on Crammed in 1993, this beautiful 20-song collection - re-released as part of the "Congo Classics" series on Crammed that began with "Roots of Rumba Rock" in 2006 - documents the fine early work of the "Tout-Pouissant Orchestre Kinois de Jazz" or Almighty Kinshasa Jazz Orchestra, as led by the imposing "Grand Maitre" Lokanga La Ndju Pene Luambo Makiadi aka FRANCO. This reissue coincides with the 50th anniversary of DR Congo's independence from Belgian colonial rule.