Omona Wapi

Omona Wapi is an album by Congolese singer-songwriters and bandleaders Franco (Francois Luambo Makiadi) and Tabu Ley Rochereau.[1] Both artists competed for popularity in Africa in the latter half of the 20th century as they contributed to the development of soukous.[2] Though typically considered to be archrivals, the duo recorded several albums together. Omona Wapi was released by the independent American label Shanachie Records in 1985 and reissued on CD in 1991.[3][4] It was one of the final recordings of Franco, who released some 150 albums during his career and died of AIDS in 1989.[2]

Omona Wapi
Studio album by
Franco and Tabu Ley Rochereau
Released1985 (1985)
LabelShanachie Records

Critical reception

Omona Wapi was largely ignored in the United States upon release. Critic Robert Christgau, then writing for the Village Voice, gave the album an A+ and named it his number one album of 1985.[5] AllMusic gave the album a four-and-a-half star rating.[6]

Track listing
  1. “Lisanga Ya Ba Nganga” (8:11)
  2. “Ngungi” (8:17)
  3. “Omona Wapi” (8:03)
  4. “Kabassele In Memoriam” (8:45)

References
  1. , Robert Christgau's review
  2. , Angeloro, Al, An African Biographical Dictionary
  3. Pareles, Jon. POP VIEW; The Influential and Joyous Legacy of Zaire's Franco. By: Jon Pareles, New York Times, 10/29/1989
  4. "Omona Wapi". Amazon. 1991.
  5. Christgau, Robert. Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s. Acknowledgments; pgs. 155 & 500.
  6. "Omana Wapi - Franco & Rochereau, Tabu Ley Rochereau | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
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