"Collection of 50 tracks explores the roots of Congolese rumba ... There are rare tracks from Wendo Kolosoy, Joseph Kabaselle, Tino Baroza, Bowane, Rochereau, Franco and Docteur Nico. Also we get to hear fascinating examples from lesserknown artists like Orchestre Odeon-Kinois, who recorded for Olympia Records in 1946. These represent some of the earliest recordings from the Congo - a couple of military band inspired pieces with tuba, trombone, sax and trumpet and a gloriously swinging syncopation. Other tracks show the development of Congolese music with influences from West African palm wine as well as the ubiquitous Latin styles, religious music, and local folk traditions ... The release is attractively presented in a box with a booklet annotated in Japanese with an English translation, English outline of the song lyrics, plus period photographs and record label images"