Consumer Guide Album

Ya Ntesa Dalienst and Le Maquisard: Belalo [Sango Music, 1992]
Franco's main tenor leads a large portion of Franco's immense band through five endlessly seductive cuts, all in the 10-minute range, which those who find Afropop too atmospheric to begin with will consider a bit much. I hear the tunes shift beguilingly and think the real star of the show--which includes alternate tenor Lassa Carlito, ace guitarist Dizzy Mandjeku, and a battery of casually tuned horns--is bassist J-Baptiste Nsamela, whose snake the music rides till the river reaches the sea. A