Review: Franck Biyong - Radio Masoda Remixed (Tangential Music)

Tangential Music are celebrating Fela Kuti's birthday today with a 4-track EP from Franck Biyong's album 'Radio Masoda', its like icing on the cake.

As fans of the album 'Radio Masoda' that came out back in May, (see review HERE) is supplemented with 'Jela Kubwa' remixed by Aint4perfect (getting a bit of a groovy slo-jam vibes), 'Oladipo' featuring Chief Udoh Essiet and Fela's co-hort at the  formation of Afrobeat Tony Allen (RIP) with a Yann Jankielewicz remix, 'Mbopi Road' (Max Doblhoff Remix) and the 'original' Aint4perfect / Franck Biyong track, 'London to Nairobi'.

Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome Kuti was born this day in Abeokuta, Nigeria in 1938 and there's no better way to celebrate his birthday with remixed tracks of Cameroonian guitarist/singer/composer Biyong who spent 12 years working with Tony Allen with 'Oladipo' being a tribute track.

Aint4perfect (aka Woni Kimani) has really worked the 'Jela Kubwa' into a Afro-baleriacs funk that's a really is the groovy baby - a must have in a top quality release.

Artist: Franck Biyong 

Title: Radio Masoda 

Release date: 15th October, 2024

Label : Tangential Music

Catalog Number : TAN0038EPG1

Format :  Digital 

Review: Franck Biyong – Radio Masoda (Tangential Music)

Do you have the post-WOMAD blues?  Well, they're not going to last long when you tune into 'Radio Masoda' with Franck Biyong!

The Cameroonian guitarist, composer and singer releases his 20th album and be prepared for "the creator of the Afrolectric" getting deep with the traditional sounds of makossa, Afrobeat, Highlife, Congolese rumba and all things West African with elements of jazz, funk and rock.

"Makossa, as in 'Soul Makossa'?". Yes, the great Manu Dibango was Frank's mentor and there's some other big names that Frank's called upon from his Paris base, Tony Allen (RIP), vocalist Sandre Nkaké and the horns of Pat Thomas' Kwashibu Area Band.

And talking of Paris (Olympic City and all that), there's a touch of French jazz histoire in this album too (which isn't a great surprise) but 'Jela Kubwa Na Viboko' is so gentle and cooling it's an instant classic for me (very 'Nostalgie Ya Mboka' to my Resonance ears) along with 'Liwa Ya Wech'.

But most of the album is upbeat and 'Diamane Abele' is another dancefloor killer and 'Elephant Rumble' is exactly what it says on the tin.

I like the cover image as it's DJ/Soundsytem but it's a bit diceptive as it's an album for DJs, Paris or not!

Franck Biyong · Radio Masoda

Artist: Franck Biyong 

Title: Radio Masoda 

Release date: 3rd May, 2024

Label : Tangential Music,

Catalog Number : TAN0038ADG1

Format :  Digital