Caribbean Island Music (1972)

To finish this month, here a fantastic recording from John Storm Roberts, great musicologist who make us dive into the roots of reggae, merengue and calypso. I don not have pictures for illustrating those traditional rhythms because I didn't find some on the web. Maybe they don't exist anymore...

Side 1:

1.Calunga (Dominican Republic)

2. Ya Lo Ve (Dominican Republic)

Both of these pices have a very high African content. The singing is a called-and-response pattern, by far the most common african-drived vocal technique in the new world.

3. Amantina (mangulina, Dominican Republic)

4. Canto de Hacha (merengue, (Dominican Republic)

Those two pieces are charectiristic of the country dance music of the Dominican Republic; both have the typical accompaniment of a small accordian, tambora drum and metal

guïra scraper.

5. Ay Lola Eh (Dominican Republic)

6. Salve Corrida

7. Pindo Mama Pindo

This last piece have been recorded in a tobacco-grinding factory. Most of the work is done by hand, and the laborers sing at their work and preserve and perfect many old forms.

8. Les Deux Jumeaux (bolero, Haiti)

9. Joséphine (méringue, Haiti)

Haiti has a great deal of highly African folk music. The best-known rhythm in Haitian popular music is the méringue, which has a chicken-and-egg relationship with its Dominican cousin but has developped very differently. The bolero spread throughtout the Spanish.

Side 2:

1. Percy Where him gone? (Jamaica)

This is an example of Tambo drumming. Singing and playing both show many africanisms.

2. Bahl 'Oman Bahl (Jamaica)

3. Georgie Lyon (Jamaica)

Two digging songs, in call-and-response orm, acompagned by the rhythm of the pickaxes that Jamaican countrymen still use for digging the fields.

4. Emmanuel Road (Jamaica)

One of the best known Jamaican songs, Emmanuel road originated as a ring-play or game song (probably among quarry-men) that involves the passing of heavy stones round a circule of squatting men. This song has been heard as a calypso and in many other versions. The present recording shows it in its the original forms, sung in the thudding rhythm of the stones being passed around a circle.

5. Mango Time (Jamaica)

6. When I was In Colon (Jamaica)

7. Chi Chi Bud-Oh! (Jamaica)

8. Obeahman (Jamaica)

9. Mummies (Dominican Republic)

This recording presents a phenomenon native to the small islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The "mummies" perform in the streets at Christmas, reciting, playing and dancing in colorful costumes.

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Germaine Jourias (Togo)

Germaine Jourias was born in Togo in 1937. She recorded this EP, the first one, with the great singer El Rego (previously posted) and His Commando's orquestra in 1967. This very good highlife title made her quicly famous. She died in August 2009.

Germain Jourias ets né au Togo, de mère Peul, en 1937. Elle enregistre son premier single, accompagné d'El Rego (précédemment posté) et son orchestre Les Commandos, que je vous présente aujourd'hui. Sortie en 1967, ce morceau highlife d'inspiration ghanéenne la propulse tout de suite en haut de l'affiche. Germaine Jouras nous a quittés en Aout 2009.

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Super Post: Super Boiro Band

I Invite you to discover Super Boiro Band's story in a recent post from the wonderful blog Radiodiffusion Internasionaal. I present to you the last album of Super Boiro Band which was released in 1976. This album is rich and powerfull, une oraison...

Je vous invite à découvrir ce récent courrier du fabuleux blog Radiodiffusion Internasionaal qui traite en détail l'histroire de cet orchestre qui eut une courte vie. Voici le dernier album, sortie en 1976. Riche, fort, puisssant, une oraison...

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Les Troubadours de Ouidah

Elias Winsa was the leader of the "Troubadours de Ouidah", a popular orchestra from the sixties which had a short life. I think this recording is old, maybe 1969.

Elias Winsa était le leader et bassiste de l'orchestre des Troubadours des Ouidah. Un orchestre populaire durant les années soixante, mais qui eut une courte vie. Je pense que cet enregistrement, du label Discafric, est vieux, peut-être 1969.

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Leon & Germain Keita with Black Santiago

When Mali meets Benin, when Keita's brothers meet Black Santiago orchestra, results a fantastic album recorded in Benin by the Satel label in 1979. Like his brother, Germain Keita plays guitar and sings. This post is the last of Keita's trilogy and I think is the best. The talent and the afro-latin touch of Black Santiago makes this recording very rare and beautiful. I invite you to discover the first and the second previous posts of Leon Keita.

Lorsque le Mali rencontre le Bénin et les frères Keita, l'orchestre Black Santiago, naît un album sublime produit par la Satel et enregistré au Bénin en 1979. Comme son frère, Germain Keita est guitariste et chanteur. Le talent et le génie afro-latin de l'orchestre Black Santiago rend cet enregistrement rare et singulier. Cet courrier est le troisième de la trilogie Keita. je vous invite à découvrir le premier et le deuxième.

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Traore Amadou dit Ballake

Je ne sors pas la nuit quand j'entends Ballaké.

Sa voix, la voix des nuits endiablées par la dingue,

Ecrits éléctriques sur des ondes Mandingues,

Qu'assomment des verres de whisky baraqués.

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Vata Mombasa & Danialou Sagbohan

When Congo meets Benin results an excellent album from Vata Mombasa with Danialou Sagbohan on drums. Vata Bombasa was the guitarist and leader of the Lipua Lipua orchestra. This very nice soukouss album is haunted by Sagbohan's talent. It was recorded in 1983 and edited by Libert and Papa Disco.

Lorsque le Congo rencontre le Bénin, ça donne un album sublime de Vata Mombasa avec Danialou Sagbohan à la batterie, s'il vous plait. Vata Mombasa est guitariste et leader de la deuxième génération de l'Orchestre Lipua Lipua. En 1983, de passage au Bénin grâce au grand producteur "Papa Disco", il enregistre cet album, hanté par la présence de Sagbohan.

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Poly-Rythmo: Gold Collection Vol.5

This is the 5th volume of this "gold collection" edited on CD by the Top Showbiz label. As you can see, the cover comes from the famous album: "Reconciliation".

1- Yawo Bebenon

2- Yewle Yawo

3- Djomido

4- Africa

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Gnonnas Pedro: El Cochechivo

I think this album from Gnonnas Pedro deserves a better sleeve. Nevertheless, this Cochechivo, one of the best album of the maestro, carries his signature. It was recorded in 1980.

Ce vinyle de Gnonnas Pedro meriterait une plus belle pochette. Néanmoins, cet album de 1980, l'un des meilleurs, est signé par le maestro.

Side A:

Yiri Yiri Boum

Nuevo Tambourini

Etrococo Masawenin

Side B:

El Cochechivo

Agbadja Moderne - synthèse

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Special Post: Amadou Traore Ballake

This single was recorded in 1969 in Burkina Faso and pressed in Benin by Satel label. I bought this vinyl on Ebay thanks to the title "Bar Konou Mousso". Ballake counts the story of a pragmatic prostitute. I think that this song is rare and beautiful enough to pay it 200 dollars...

She says: "Ballake, wait until tomorrow, i have a meeting with the white man at the Independance Hotel, it's 5000 Francs...

Ballake, leave me alone, you don't have enough money. Musician is not someone..."

Ce 45 tours a été enregistré en 1969 au Burkina-Faso et pressé au Bénin par la grande maison Satel. Je l'ai acheté sur Ebay grâce au morceau "Bar Konou Mousso". L'histoire de cette prostituée qui ignore le pauvre Ballake pour le blanc, à l'hotêl Indépendance, m'a paru assez sublime pour la payer 200 dollars...

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Bentho Gustave & l'International Poly-Rythmo

Bentho Gustave began his career with the Super Star Of Ouidah (previous post) and joined, in 1969, the powerfull Orchestre Poly-Rythmo. He is the composer and the bass player of this album which was released in 1980 by the famous label: Libert.

Bentho Gustave a commencé sa carrière dans l'Orchestre Super Star de Ouidah (précédent courrier). En 1969, il co-fonde l'Orchestre Poly-Rythmo. Sur cet album, produit en 1980 par le fameux Label Libert, il compose et joue bien entendu de son instrument fétiche: la guitare-bass.

I espcially thank Vivien for sending me this album and I also thank Frank, from Voodoo Funk, for posting the picture of Bentho Gustave.

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La Vedette Du Soleil

"La Vedette Du Soleil" is Zacharie Yekpo. It means the "Sun' Star" and he plays good traditional muisc from Benin. This first recordings, in mono, from Zacharie and his Bifalo Band were released in 1977 by a very obscure label: Promotion Hounsa and his brothers.

"La Vedette Du Soleil" a pour nom Yekpo Zacharie. Son orchestre est le Groupe Folklorique Bifalo. Voici ses deux premiers enregistrements datés de 1977 et produits par un label mysterieux: Promotion Hounsa et Frères. Je pense que Yekpo est de la ville d'Allada, un des trois principaux royaumes du Bénin. Son rythme est le Zinli, un rythme traditionnel très répandu dans le centre et sud sud du pays.

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Myriam Makeba: Live in Conakry (1971)

Après un tour de chants explosif dont la fin a été saluée par six rappels du public sous les clameurs houleuses, d'applaudissements frénétiques, d'ovations hurlées, de sifflets stridents, celle que l'on a appelée tour à tour, la "Militante de la chanson" "l'impératrice de la chanson africaine", "la pasonaria chantante", Myriam Makeba nous reçoit dans sa loge au "Palais du Peuple".

Des yeux noirs intenses, mobiles, soulignés par un sourire éclatant de fraîcheur et de gentillesse. Une toque à rabat de prêtresse antique, scintillante. Sculptée harmonieusement dans une longue jupe blanche dont la fente du devant montre les jambes large d'un pantalon en tissu imprimé. Richement baguée, des doigts fins et longs au bout de bras qui esquissent de lents et gracieux mouvements pour ponctuer chaque propos. Une voix prenante au grave caressant. Des rires qui partent juvéniles, francs, brefs et se figent aussitôt au sourire fixe et lactescent. Simplicité cordiale, cette légendaire affabilité d'une jeune femme symbolisant et assumant à la fois la longue lutte de libération d'un peuple, son peuple, dans le vaste champ miné de la culture universelle.

"Aussi loin que remontent mes souvenirs, je me vois chantant. Je me rappelle qu'à treize ans, lors d'une visite du roi George V d'Angleterre en Afrique du Sud, j'ai interprété pour lui et sa suite, devant un parterre de personnalités coloniales, un chant Xhoza intitulé: "Hayi Usizi Lamtu". Ce chant pose la question de savoir pourquoi toutes les nations blanches considèrent elles les noirs comme leur descente de lit ? Depuis cette époque je me sers de ma voix comme une arme de combat, et tant que je pourrais aspirer de l'air, je l'utiliserai en plus de toute mon énergie pour lutter résolument en faveur de la libération de tous les peuples africains et de ceux opprimés de par le monde".

D.I.K.

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Poly-Rythmo: Eskill & Vicky

Another great LP from the Tout Puissant composed and sang by Eskill Lohento and Vicky Amenoudji, two famous singers and foundators of the band. This album was recorded in Ivory Coast in 1980 by an obscure label called Omo Sun.

Et oui, pour mes amis francophones, je décide désormais de traduire. Encore un autre 33 tours religieux des Tout Puissant, composé et chanté par les deux mythiques chanteurs et fondateurs de l'eglise Poly-Rythmo. Enregistré en 1980, en Côte d'Ivoire, cet album sonne les cloches du reggae, de l'Afro Cubain, et du Bénin bien sûr...

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Special Post: Sagbohan Danialou (1984)

Dear listeners and readers, this album from Sagbohan Danialou is the last vinyl that I know. If someone knows another recording from this fantastic artist, please let me know. In 2009, Sagbohan celebrated his 40 years of career.

I would like to thank again Vivien for the gift of this post.

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Annassoua Jazz de Parakou

Annasoua Jazz Orchestra is from Parakou, which is loctaed in the north of Benin. This band used to be famous in Benin as Picoby Band was. The leader and the composer of the band is Alidou Boukari. I have no informations yet about him, i am working on it. This vinyl may be very rare, excuse its quality...

Diovi

Dintchigoba

Ay! Obaranon

Mèmiwé

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Ruy Mingas (Angola, 1969)

Angolan vocalist and guitar player, Ruy Mingas is one of his homeland's most famous musician and performer. Well known and loved in his home country and beyond since the late 50's, Mingas has long been known as pioneer in African music. Mixing musical elements of his Afro-Portuguese heritage with jazz and latin music. He is not only a beloved musician, but a leader to his people, because of his political lyrics. Mingas began to float back to the tops western attention in the mid-to late '90s. Today, drawning on his cultural and politic background, Mingas serves as the Minister of Culture of Angola. He is still and regulary records and performs.

It is my second post from Angola and still from Vivien the great. Remember this previous one of Conjunto Os Tropicais.

This 1969's recording (Africa Negra) is a french pressing which has been sent to me by the great Vivien from France. Here is the cover...

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... and here is the original pressing's cover from Angola...

The illustration of this post is taken from a fabulous Mati Klarwein's painting calle "Blessing" and painted in 1965. I am sure that he is watching and listening to this post: " Please Mati, forgive me for this bad copy..."

Orchestre Picoby Band (1965's Festival)

Orchestre Picoby Band from Abomey was created in 1953. Abomey is the capital of Dahomey's Kingdoms. In 1965 the band participated in the first national music festival. They arrived third, just behind another great band from Dahomey: Anassoua Jazz Band. This 7 Inch is a recording from this 1965's festival, which took place in Cotonou. I invite you to read this post from Radiodiffusion Internasionaal Annexe which very complete. You will excuse the quality of the vinyl. Enjoy this rare record of pure gold afro-cuban songs.

- Mado Winwé (Bolero)

- Akouavi (Bolero)

- Ahobobo (Rumba)

- Egbnon Noukountchémé (Tango)

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Balla Et Ses Balladins (Guinea-Conakry, 1974)

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Ambroise Akoha

Ambroise Akoha began his career in 1971. He is called Jukko. He performed between 1975 and 1977 as Gnonnas Pedro's guitarist. This is his first album, recorded during the late 70's. The famous singer Miguelito is playing chorus and the rhythms are rich: makossa, reggae, slow...

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