This group was an introduction to African music for me, alongside Ladysmith Black Mambazo, King Sunny Ade, and Fela. A professor of mine in college was from South Africa, and he had a lot of their older albums that had not been released in the United States. I managed to track a few of those records down in second-hand shops around that time.
What a joy to hear this. I was introduced to African music in the early 80s when a friend came back from the Congo with some cassettes they'd bought. Not a lot of information except one name scrawled on a cassette. Franco. . I still have them somewhere!
One track alone stood out. That started my love affair.
I was in London shortly afterwards on a course and saw Juluka were playing at the Venue opposite Victoria station and not far from my hotel. What a brilliant gig. My first experience of this music live.
I got tickets to see Franco in Hammersmith but arrived at the venue to find it had been cancelled. I think he died not long afterwards. We never got our money back either :(
Thanks for this site. I'm enjoying your posts introducing me to lots of new music. I'm a paid subscriber!
This group was an introduction to African music for me, alongside Ladysmith Black Mambazo, King Sunny Ade, and Fela. A professor of mine in college was from South Africa, and he had a lot of their older albums that had not been released in the United States. I managed to track a few of those records down in second-hand shops around that time.
Thanks, Marc. And thanks for all the Disquiet stuff. I've been a fan since way back. :)
What a joy to hear this. I was introduced to African music in the early 80s when a friend came back from the Congo with some cassettes they'd bought. Not a lot of information except one name scrawled on a cassette. Franco. . I still have them somewhere!
One track alone stood out. That started my love affair.
I was in London shortly afterwards on a course and saw Juluka were playing at the Venue opposite Victoria station and not far from my hotel. What a brilliant gig. My first experience of this music live.
I got tickets to see Franco in Hammersmith but arrived at the venue to find it had been cancelled. I think he died not long afterwards. We never got our money back either :(
Thanks for this site. I'm enjoying your posts introducing me to lots of new music. I'm a paid subscriber!
And the track that started it all https://youtu.be/RLFATgO2NU4?si=a1IasT9BJ7k5cSMg
Cheers
Dick
Thanks for sharing your story and the song and for subscribing! :)