Hired by Franco in 1984, Madilu-Bialu blossomed into a vocalist of particular expressiveness. Franco’s ghost is here in spots, but there’s also some dynamite input from Lokassa, Syran M’Benza, Pablo, and — above all — the lesser-known guitarist Popolipo Zero Faute. This kind of talent could get slick, but this is all swing and charm, tightness and ease. – John Storm Roberts