Kanda Bongo Man

Prolonged comparison to 1988's Kwassa Kwassa and 1991's Zing Zong reveals distinctions so subtle I can't swear they're there. I'm certain guitarist Nene Tshakou is slightly fleeter and more lyrical (if less dazzling) than Diblo Dibala, who went on to make greater records than the boss after helping him reinvent soukous, and that Tshakou was having a good day. And I'd guess that maybe the boss's music tends to take off--lifts, grooves, accelerates--in front of an audience. For sure neither live audio nor live song length are drawbacks. For sure the material is choice. Start here. (Grade: A-)