Fally Ipupa – JS

Congolese rumba icon Fally Ipupa delivers “JS,” the eleventh track off his expansive “XX: Délirium” album, the four-disc rumba tribute celebrating his twentieth anniversary in music. This one is part of the closely ordered run of the project that falls between “Miguel Tshis” and “Sans Limite” on the tracklist.

This entire album is a one hundred percent rumba celebration, and Fally has crafted it as an homage to the genre that elevated him since his first days with Talent Latent. “JS,” however, carries on the same commitment, coming just months after the first edition of “XX” had already sold over 20,000 volumes. With a tracklist this deep, each cut plays its own modest part in a much broader anniversary statement.

The sound still leans on classic Congolese rumba, patient and beautifully textured like most of the album. No chasing outside trends or modern crossover polish here. The arrangement, however, remains traditional, reflecting the reverence that runs throughout this whole effort.

Fally kicks things off in his typical expressive, seasoned voice, providing the same expertise that has distinguished two decades of recording. He sounds totally at home here, which is no surprise given how essential this sound has always been to his identity.

An album this single-minded takes a certain intention, and “JS” displays the same determination. Fally is more intent in paying tribute to the roots of rumba than seeking out something experimental. It’s another heartfelt entry in a project that’s all about legacy.

“JS” works because it’s a full-on commitment to the same rumba heritage that runs through the whole record. There’s nothing here that feels like padding out a huge tracklist like this. Sounds like another confident entry in Fally Ipupa’s huge twentieth anniversary celebration.