(Information provided to AfricaSounds courtesy of Peter Toll & Jos Zimny (Josbelcongo) For additional information please contact Josbelcongo at:

belcongo@worldonline.nl

According to contacts Josbelcongo and Peter Toll, the "Hommage a Franco" concert was excellent and a rare glimpse of the past for fans of Franco’s superb music style.  Although the concert was slated to begin at 10:00PM hours, it actually began closer to 1:30AM in the morning.

The concert started with Swede Swede AC Milan. After Swede Swede; OK International performed for about 1 hour. Songs were deliverd by Fayila; Lokombe and Malage.

Then L'anti Choc performed.  L'anti Choc hey were really very good - young musicians with an excentric show.  Bozi played 2 or 3 songs with them, but our contacts thought he couldn't keep up properly with L'anti Choc.

Then it was turn for OK International with the legendary Sam Mangwana who delivered a very coherent performance of about 4 / 5 songs in truly odemba-OK Jazz style. Sam Magwana participated with his superb vocals, and performed the following songs: "ou est le serieux?" (Franco) and "Luka Mobali Moko" (Mangwana)

Sam was backed by the legendary OK International band, who brought to this event a sense of the nostalgic "old days" of OK Jazz.

After Sam Mangwana Papy-Ipepy did a play-back of a OK Jazz medley, which was welcomed very much by the audience.

Madilu played 2 songs with among other Mamou where Decca sang Franco's part and his interpretation of Mamou. The songs were welcomed very enthousiastictly.

Next, Madilu System played a set focusing on the following two classics:

"Biya" (Madilu), which is an all-time live favourite for his fans, and "Mamou" with Decca's interpretation of Mamou on the phone. Madilu's performace didn't take long about 20 - 25 minutes only.

After that Mbilia Bell had a very beautiful performance she was welcomed very enthusiastically by the public. She delivered a very nice set, where people were forced to dance along. She showed she's still a great singer and a performer. Next, Mbilia Bel, who hadn't performed live in at least 8 to 9 years in Brussels, received an overwhelming reception from the public. She delivered a nice, smooth set of her hits past and present, and invited everyone in attendance to dance. Mbilia Bel sang the following classics, among others: "Nakei Nairobi" (Tabu Ley) and "Manzil Manzil" (Mbilia Bel). As with Sam Mangwana’s performance, Mbilia Bel showed that not only is she still a superb artist, but that she has not lost any bit of her talent over the years.

About 5.15 Cyriel Momote spoke some words in remembrance of Franco and we were asked to have a 1 minute silence in respect of Franco. One of Franco's son was around (omewhere).

Wenge Musica de Werasson who finished up the event, playing from around 5:30am to 7:00am in the morning.

The concert was video-screened. Stay tuned for more details on this.

According to Jos Zimny, Sam Mangwanna will participate in the Amsterdam 'hommage a Franco' show as well. Others slated to be involved in the Amsterdam show include Nana et Baniel, Seigneur Lokombe and Malage.

Finally, for more information on Franco, as well as an interesting 1 hour radio emmission of Franco songs from 1953 - 1965, be sure to check out the link below: