プラネット・イルンガの17年発売、初期ＯＫジャズ“ロニンギサ・イヤーズ”（56-61年録音初復刻集）LP２枚組には驚かされましたが、続編となる本２LP収録曲もすべて初復刻となるそう。少なくとも自分は聴いたことのない曲ばかり、入荷の場に居合わせたロス・バルバドスのダイスケさんや、コンゴ音楽に青春を捧げたＥＸＰさんも聴いたことがない曲ばかりじゃん！ と、コメントされています。相変わらず、ベルギー PLANET ILUNGA のイイ仕事で、フランコが主導権を取って以降のＯＫジャズ1962～72年音源が収録されている模様。

Ａ面にはマリンガの時代から活躍するアコーディオン奏者カミーユ・フェルージや、パームワイン・ギターを弾いたM.オリヴェイラという先達を招いて録音された70年代初めの音源。自己レーベルを立ち上げ新基軸を模索していたこの時期の温故知新というべきでしょうか。アコーディオンや生ギターが響く、爽やかと言ってイイ演奏が素晴らしいですね。６０年代録音のＢ＆Ｃ面は、ブラスも加わり、グッとキューバンの色濃い演奏が並びます（ブリュッセル録音含む）。ティト・プエンテばりのティンバレスが打たれるマンボ・ナンバーや、トレスみたいなエレキの聞こえるモントゥーノ、そして、フルート入りチャランガ〜パチャンガ風など。Ｄ面にはコンゴ民俗色を感じ取れる曲が選ばれたと思われ（70年代にかけての録音）、後年のフランコ・スタイルへの繋がりも予感させる音源が並び、やっぱり一筋縄ではないイノヴェイターぶりが聴いて取れます！

A1 Malata 3:52
A2 Tika Kolela Chérie 4:09
A3 Ba Mpangi Ya Matadi 4:06
A4 Mosala Etindi 5:51
A5 Casier Judiciare 4:05
B1 La Mode Ya Pius Apiki Dalapo 2:46
B2 Ngai Muana Na Weyi 2:40
B3 Cha Cha Cha Erique 2:35
B4 Baiser Na Litama 2:48
B5 Lopango Ya Bana Na Ngai 2:53
B6 Victoire de Bruxelles 2:51
B7 Onzeteuna 2:40
C1 Revolver 4:17
C2 Baila Charanga 4:18
C3 El Paso De Encarnacion 3:40
C4 El Pinazo 3:57
C5 Na Mokili Mibale Na Mibale 4:35
D1 Ma Nkewa 2:52
D2 Bandoki Kabasala Ye Nkenda Ko 2:42
D3 Beno Bakongo Sika 4:21
D4 Owawa 3:27
D5 Camp Luka 3:46
D6 Lokumu Ya Mwasi Mpo Na Mobali 3:07

* 23 tracks, see tracklist
* Gatefold sleeve with many photo’s and extensive liner notes in EN + FR
* 180 gram vinyl
* Limited and numbered release

After the double LP ‘The Loningisa Years 1961-1972’, released in 2017, Planet Ilunga continues to explore the monumental oeuvre of Congo’s most legendary band O.K. Jazz with the new 2LP compilation ‘La Rumba de mi Vida’. It displays the full extent to which O.K. Jazz and its bandleader Franco explored Congolese rumba in the sixties and early seventies. Each of the four sides on this double LP presents a different facet of O.K. Jazz. The songs presented on this album, made in collaboration with Franco’s son Yves Luambo Emongo, justify why Franco was (and still is) regarded as the greatest portraitist of Congolese society.

Side A presents tracks published in the early seventies on Franco’s label Editions Populaires. This was a period in which Franco took full control over the orchestra and was integrating a new sound into the band such as the return of the acoustic guitar and collaborations with artists from the first generation of Congolese rumba such as Manuel d’Oliveira and Camille Feruzi. Side B includes some of the first recordings O.K. Jazz made abroad, when the band went to Brussels in the early sixties to record for the Surboum African Jazz label. Side C features five charming covers that O.K. Jazz did, mostly of Cuban artists. Side D shows the band’s sensitivity for composing songs firmly rooted in the vast universe of Congolese folklore, and for writing lyrics in languages other than Lingala, Kinshasa’s lingua franca.

Almost all of the 23 titles on this compilation have not been re-released previously and were restored and remastered from the original 45 rpm or 78 rpm release. This release would not have been possible without the precious help from many connaisseurs and collectors of Congolese rumba. A special mention goes to Stefan Werdekker (wrldsrv.blogspot.com), Hama-Dinga Ya Makilo and Samuel Malonga for their kind assistance during my research. Also thanks to Yves Luambo Emongo, Flemming Harrev (afrodisc.com), Julien Rocky Longomba, Christian Ongoba, David Manet, Christian Van den Broeck, Tristan Cordier, Alastair M. Johnston and Zoi Sakka for the unconditional contributions, advice and input and thus for making this release possible.
〜以上、メーカーインフォより