Various Artists – The Soul of Congo: Treasures of the Ngoma label (1948​-​1963)

Before Afrobeat became such a massive influence across Africa, Congolese music seemed to be the pride of the continent.  A joyous mix of merengue, rhumba and local music would influence a great deal of West African popular music until James Brown and others came over to topple over the previous pop idols.  Respect to Planet Ilunga out of Belgium for producing this gorgeous artifact.