Volume two of Sterns label's essential — and deeply pleasurable — Franco anthology concentrates on his final decade. During the 1980s, the great Congolese bandleader spent most of his time in Europe until his AIDS-related death in 1989. (The final track, late 1988's "Sadou," ends with the French words, "The sick man exhales his last breath.") During these years, each of Franco's big TPOK Jazz bands — one in Belgium, another in Zaire — were almost exclusively recording side-long tracks, including the six (!) tunes comprising volume two's first disk. Each of these exquisitely balances three or four lithe guitars and multiple sweet-voiced singers with gruff yet lovable horn riffs and Franco's own commanding voice. "Sandoka" may well be the album's highlight, but "Princesse Kikou" boasts quite possibly the most sinuously seductive guitar figure and vocal refrain Franco ever waxed. Disc two focuses on slow, simmering grooves at first, with Franco taking advantage of modern recording techniques such as overdubbed guitars and electronic drums. Don't miss the feral folkloric funk of "Kimpa Kisangameni" (Witches Coven) or "Mario," Franco's greatest hit and an intoxicating testament to the war between working women and the men who would exploit them. These 41 tracks… read more »