Zaiko Langa Langa - Zaire-Ghana

Formed in 1969, Zaiko dropped the more overt Cuban references and horn sections of the early giants of Zairean music, Franco, Rochereau, Kale, and Nico, in favor of a faster guitar, voice, and snare drum-driven style. The seben, the improvised instrumental section at the end of Zairean songs, took on a new, supercharged exuberance as the guitars intertwined over the chattering snare reminiscent of the march-tinged drumming in a New Orleans brass band. This is not just an important document of a seminal band at its peak in 1976, but a rip-snorting great time! ~ Carl Hoyt, All Music Guide