Bella Bellow (Togo, 1969)

Here is a record by the Togolese diva Bella Bellow. It is a french pressing from 1969 released on the label "Akue". The orchestration is from a french musician, Christian Joudinaud.

Voici un disque de la diva Togolaise Bella Bellow. Ce vinyle, de 1969, est sorti sur un label français: "Akue". Enfin l'orchestration est aussi faite par un français: Christian Jourdinaud.

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Stanislas Tohon: King of Tchink System (1977)

Stanislas Tohon modernized the traditional Tchinckoumé rhythm and called it "Tchink System". This album originally recorded in 1979 on Sacodis, was also released on Stan's own label. His music is powerfull, all titles emit an energy coming from Tchinckoumé rhythm but also because of Stan's exceptional musicians like his guitarist Dizi Mageco. The sound is heavy and warrior like Tohon himself.

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Stanislas Tohon a modernisé le rythme traditionnel Tchinkoumé et l'a renomé le "Tchink System". Cet album, enregistré initialement sur Sacodis en 1979, est sorti aussi sur le propre label de Stan. Je trouve que sa musique est vraiment puissante. Tous les morceaux dégagent une energie propre au Tchinckoumé mais aussi grâce aux musiciens exceptionnels de Stan comme son guitariste Dizi Mageco. Le son est lourd et guerrier à l'image de Tohon.

Alokpon: King of Tchinkoume Rhythm

Alokpon is the the greatest singer and the king of traditional Tchinckoume rhythm, a rhythm from the center of Benin, known for its water drums and Gotta drum which are made out of calabash. The Gotta is the biggest calabash that is commonly beaten with a shoe sole. Its sound is heavy and deep.

This 1970's recording in mono, number 11 from "Les Echos du Dahomey" is the first recording from Anatole Houndeffo called Alokpon.

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Alokpon est le plus grand chanteur du rythme traditionnel Tchinckoumé, un rythme du centre du Bénin, connu pour ses tambours aquatiques et son tambour Gotta qui sont faits de calebasses. Le Gotta est la plus grande calebasse, elle est couramment frappée avec une semelle de chaussure. Son son est lourd et profond.

Ce vinyle numéro 11 de 1970, enregistré en mono par les Echos Sonores du Dahomey, est le premier enregistrement d'Anatole Houndeffo dit Alokpon.

Nestor Hountondji & Les Axes 80 (1980)

After Orchestra "Les Volcans", Nestor Hountondji recorded on his own label Nesto-Disco and with a new band: "Les Axes 80". This first solo album is rare and in very good shape.

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Après "Les Volcans", Nestor Hountondji enregistre sur son propre label Nesto-Disco et avec un nouvel orchestre: "Les Axes 80". Ce premier album solo est rare et en très bonne état.

Amadou Balake & Les 5 Consuls (1974)

Dear listeners, I am sorry to share a record in a very bad Shape but I think that all the recordings from Amadou Ballake diserve to be hear...

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Mes amis, je suis désolé de partager un disque de très mauvaise Qualité mais je pense que tout enregistrement d' Amadou Ballaké mérite d'être entendu...

Lolo Lolitta & Black Santiago

As you already know, I am not passionate and specialist about Congolese music. This albums interests me more because Black Santiago radiates music. And yes, many Congolese are passed by Benin and the huge Ignace de Souza, head of the Black Santiago, was the most brilliant ambassador of Soukous music in Ghana and Ivory Coast. Benin and Congo met therefore in music.

This album was recorded at Studio Satel of Cotonou in 1980. Lolo Lolitta sings with his comrade Tchico Tchicaya. Comrade, you are Congolese? So get up and dance on the sun of Benin...

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Comme vous savez déjà, je ne suis pas passioné et specialiste de musique Congolaise. Cet album m'intéresse plutôt parce que l'orchestre Black Santiago fait rayonner la musique. Et Oui, beaucoup de Congolais sont passés par le Bénin et le brillant Ignace de Souza, chef du Black Santiago, était le plus brillant ambassadeur de la musique Soukous au Ghana et en Côte d'Ivoire. Le Bénin et le Congo devaient donc se rencontrer en musique.

L'album a été enregistré au Studio Satel de Cotonou en 1980. Lolo Lolitta chante avec son camarade Tchico Tchicaya. Camarade, tu es Congolais ? Alors lève-toi et danse sur le soleil Béninois...

Yedenou Adjahoui (1975)

This is another album from Adjahoui on Albarika. It seems to have been recorded in 1975. I hope one day someone will translate his lyrics. Thus we will be able to know the poetry and the journalistic talent of Adjahoui.

Voici un nouvel album d'Adjahoui sur Albarika. Celui ci semble avoir été enregistré en 1975. J'espère qu'un jour quelqu'un traduira les paroles de chantre de la musique béninoise aux talents de poète et de journaliste...

Face A.

Aziza Gbe Towe Min A Din Do

Yin Mnon Wa Han Ye

A Do Nin

Face B.

Me E Do Nougbo Do

Ehouzou To Noude Ton Gandji

Han Tche Do Nou Do A Houangan Le

Akoue Min Sin Gbadjoumon Le Lo

Burkina Faso (1974-1978)

Orchestre Harmonie Voltaique:

It was the oldest and most prolific orchestra in the Upper Volta. In the Latin-Mossi track "Nwendaramba" the singer points out that those who wear shoes can do what they like whereas the poor will always be pushed from pillar to post. In the final track, "M'baba Taram", the band open up the guitars for a song about a spoilt son who meets his comeuppance when he squanders his inheritance and is reduced to selling kebabs in the street.

Orchestre Super Volta:

Super Volta were the key band for CVD, provinding most of the music for its two major singers, Amadou Ballake and Sandwidi Pierre. Alongside there work with them the band can be heard here with Cisse Abdoulaye on his composition "Son Magni", a complaint about a lazy sister.

Sandwidi Pierre:

In song after song he dignified the vast rural majority of the Upper Volta whilst sparing the urban elite no quarter. The first song of Sandwidi's songs included on thsi compilation, "Ouaga Affaires", recorded with Harmonie Voltaique, tells the story of a man leaving the countryside to meet his friend in the capital. Disillusioned with the treatment of the rural majority by the urban middle class he launches into a catalogue of Ouaga's vices.

In "Yamb Ney Capitale" , recorded with Super Volta, Sandwidi tells the story of a man born in Ouagadougou who goes to work as a civil servant in a rural district. He returns to Ouaga for holiday and meets a woman in a bar. He takes her out for the night and she accompanies him back to his hotel. In the morning he 300 CFA as a present but she insists a night costs 1000 CFA and unles he pays she will report him to the police.

In the song "Mam Ti Fou", against with Super Volta, Sandwidi is called a thief for standing beside a man's car, which prompts him to unleash an invective against his bourgeosie accuser.

Amadou Ballake:

His unsparalleled voice was destined to make im a superstar in the orchestra Harmonie Voltaique. He quickly formed his own group, Les 5 Consuls, with the superb Mangue Konde on lead guitar. The band can be heard here with their excellent latin number "Baden Djougou".

Mangue Konde:

His best work, as a composer, would come after Les 5 Consuls disbanded and he teamed up with Super Mande of Côte d'Ivoire. Super Mande's heavy rhythm section provided the ideal framework for Konde's guitar and the band can be heard her in full effect with the track "Touba". You can also listen to his fantastic album taht I posted HERE.

And also Supremes Kombemba Orchestra, Mamo Lagbema and Dafra Star.

Angelique Kidjo (first album/1981)

Angelique Kidjo was born in Cotonou, Benin. Her father is from the Fon people of Ouidah and her mother from the Yorouba people. By the time she was six, Kidjo was performing with her mother's theatre group, giving her an early appreciation for traditional music and dance. She started singing in her school band les Sphinx and found success as a teenager with her adaptation of Miriam Makeba's "Les Trois Z" which played on national radio. In 1981, She recorded hef first album "Pretty" with the Cameroonian producer Ekambi Brillant and her brother Oscar. The success of the album allowed het to travel all over West Africa.

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Angélique Kidjo est une chanteuse béninoise née en jullet 1960, quelques semaines avant l'indépendance de l'ex-Dahomey. Son père est un Fon de Ouidah et sa mère, Yorouba. Dès l'âge de six ans, elle intègre la troupe de théâtre de sa mère, ce qui naitre en elle le goût pour les musiques et les danses traditionnelles. Elle commence à chanter au sein du groupe Les Sphinx et, adolescente, rencontre le succès grâce à son adaptation pour la radio nationale de la chanson de Miriam Makeba "Les Trois Z". En 1981, Elle enregistre son premier album "Pretty" avec l'aide de son frère, le célèbre trompetiste Oscar Kidjo, et du producteur Camerounais Ekambi Brillant. Le succès de cet album lui a permis de faire un grande tournée en Afrique de l'Ouest.

T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo: Volume 7

I am sorry to offer you a record from Poly-Rythmo with a poor quality sound but this volume from the "Almighty" deserves an historical listening. The cover picture has been taken in front of the hotel Beaurivage (beautiful shore) in Port-Novo, the historical capital. This hotel is one of the oldest of Benin and it is also called hotel "Beau-virage" (beautiful corner) because it is located in a beautiful corner... It has a splendid view over the river Ouémè and a place where many orchestras used to play like Poly-Rythmo.

Je suis désolé de vous offrir ce disque de Poly-Rythmo de mauvaise qualité sonore mais ce volume du "Tou Puissant" mérite une écoute pour l'histoire. La photo de la pochette a été prise devant l'hôtel Beaurivage à Porto-Novo, la capitale historique du Bénin. Cet hôtel est l'un des plus vieux du pays et est comunément appelé hôtel "Beauvirage" car il est magnifiquement placé devant un beau virage qui surplombe le fleuve Ouémè. Beaucoup d'orchestres avaient pour habitude de jouer là tel que Poly-Ryhmo.

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Super Afro Party

Voici le mix d'une soirée que j'ai raté et qui était organisée par Vivien (DJ Balafon). De la musique, bien sûr, du live avec Pape M'Baye (percussioniste du Star Band, du Guelewar et d'Ouza et les Quatre Femmes dans le vent) mais aussi un documentaire extraordinaire, parait-il, sur Danialou Sagbohan, rien que ça. Heureusement, Vivien a gardé une trace musicale de cette soirée qu'il paratge avec nous. Vivement la prochaine...

-Afrobrazilero

-D.J. Balafon

-Sebah (percussions)

-Pape M'Baye (percussions)

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Pozo Hayes feat. Ignace de Souza & Danialou Sagbohan (Ghana/1985)

This first album from Pozo Hayes was edited by Satel and recorded in Benin in 1985. Ignace de Souza is on trumpet and Danialou Sagbohan on drums. Here is the story of Pozo Hayes:

As a little boy growing up in Kaneshie, Nana Boake Ofori Atta, a.k.a Pozo Hayes, could not go out to play like other children. Virtually grounded by polio at the age of three, he founded companionship in radio set. His father, Aaron Kofi Asante Ofori Atta, the last Speaker of parliament in Nkrumah regime bought him a wheelchair when he was about to start school. The right armrest of that chair became the drum with which he supported his singing of trendy pop tunes at school.

At the beginning of his career, the promoter of Satel Editions invited him in Cotonou, Benin. Pozo Hayes elected to do the trip with Classic Handels and the gig was great. He recorded his firts album "Looking Over There" and since then, he has not looked back and can boast of eight albums to his name.

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Gnonnas Pedro: "Africa Tei Cuba" (1980)

A while ago, I posted the single "30 Novembre..." but it was incomplete. So here is pure and complete modern Agbadja rhythm which Gnonnas Pedro is the teacher from. I also post "Africa Tei Cuba", an album of very different music styles: Afro-Cuban rhythm, Slow or French song inspired by Charles Aznavour's music. A true musical care delivered by Doctor Pedro.

As always, his lyrics are on the governement side. Gnonnas Pedro was surely not a politic opponent during the years of Marxism (between 1975 to 1989). In other words, Gnonnas Pedro healed the body but not the mind...

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Il y a un moment, j'ai posté le single "30 Novembre..." mais il était incomplet. Voici donc ce pure et complet rythme d' "Agbadja moderne" dont Gnonnas est le professeur. Je poste aussi "Afrei Tu Cuba", un album aux styles très variés: rythme Afro-Cubain, Slow ou chanson française inspirée de Charles Aznavour. Un vrai soin musical délivré par le Docteur Pedro.

Comme toujours les paroles de Gnonnas sont pro-gouvernementales. Il n'était sûrement pas un opposant politique durant les années de Marxisme (Entre 1975 et 1989). Autrement dit, Gnonnas Pedro soignait le corps mais pas les esprits...

Agbadja

Before posting an album from Gnonnas Pedro, the creator of modern Agbadja rhythm, let's discover traditional Agbadja, a rhythm that comes from the Mono region, to the west of Benin, and which belongs to the Mina tribe.

Avant de poster un album de Gnonnas Pedro, créateur du rythme Agbadja moderne, découvrons l'Agbadja traditionnel, un rythme qui vient de la région du Mono, à l'ouest du Bénin, et qui appartient à l'ethnie Mina.

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Pivi et les Balladins (Guinea, 1972)

This album, recorded in 1972, has a twin sleeve found on the album from Balla et ses Balladins that I already posted, but under antother sleeve (what a story). Anyway, this opus is special because Kante Manfila is singing on two tracks: "Yahadi Gere" and "Fon N' Tan Siga".

Much of Balladins' success lies in the instrumentation: both leaders, Balla and Pivi are horn players rather than guitarists or singers. They were both serious musicologists, deeply into folkloric research. At one point government interference transfered several band members to back Miriam Makeba and assigned a new singer to the band. Balla told the minister off and was demoted so the band became Pivi et les Balladins.

Cet album, energistré en 1972, possède une pochette jumelle qui est celle de Balla et ses Balladins, que j'ai déjà posté mais sous une autre pochette (toute une histoire). En tout cas, cet album est particulier car Kante Manfila fait une apparition sur deux titres: "Yahadi Gere" et "Fon N'Tan Siga".

Le succès des Balladins reposent sur l'instrumentation: les deux chefs d'orchestre, Balla et Pivi sont plus des joueurs de cuivre que des guitaristes ou des chanteurs. Ils étaient deux musicologistes attachés aux racines musicales traditionnelles. Le gouvernement Guinéen interferant dans la sphère musicale, décide de placer certains musiciens dans l'orchestre de Miriam Makeba et de changer de chanteur. Balla s'opposa au ministère et fut renvoyé. L'orchestre devint Pivi et les Balladins.

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Sicko Appiah & Orchestre Black Santiago (1972)

I especially like the diversity and quality of Prodcution Satel and its tropical records. Here the number 60 with the great Black Santiago and unknown singer Sicko Appiah. On those highlife tunes Sickoh sings in Akan language from Ghana. I guess so he is Ghanaian. If any knows him, manifest yourself. This EP was probably released in 1971. By the way, Sagbohan is playing battery.

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J'aime particulièrement la diversité et la qualité des Productions Satel et ses disques tropicaux. Voici le numéro 60 avec le grand Black Santiago et un chanteur inconnu, Sicko Appiah. Sur ces morceaux de highlife, il chante en langue Akan du Ghana. Je suppose don qu'il est Ghanéen. Si quelqu'un le connait, qu'il se manifeste. Ce 45 tours est vraisemblablement sorti en 1972. Au fait, Sagbohan est à la batterie.

Burro Morto (Oriki Music's last release)

"The Burro Morto afrobeat group members live in North East Brazil. A unique fusion between afrobeat, psychedelia & North Eastern Brazilian regional beats. Fast funky tempos, satured fuzz, long organ solo, sincopa parahibana: just perfect music for the dancefloor".

Grégoire De Villanova.

CLICK ON TITLES TO LISTEN

Side A

1- Cabaret

2- Navahla

Side B

1- Menarca

2- Indica

I invite you to buy this great vinyl on Diaspora records

Liberdade (Brazil 2002)

"These two recordings were made in Brazil by Liberdade in 2002. Liberdade was en ephemerous studio group of 9 musicians, all born and raised in the Afro Brazilian city of Salavador da Bahia. None of them ever really had the opportunity to record instrumental music for a producer. When I came up with the idea of doing of doing a short recording session inspired in 70's funk, all the musicians fell in love with the project and decided to work on original compositions. The result is here, a raw, infectious, syncopated afro funk track & easier catchy samba soul. Hope you'll enjoy this very first Oriki Music studio production". Gregoire de Villanova.

a. Grande Lua Cheia

b. Estrada Velha

I only put extracts of the vinyle. I invite you to buy this vinyl on Diaspora Records or on Itunes.

T.P. Poly-Rythmo: New Formula

Poly-Rythmo, New Formula, but without his enormous singer, Lohento Eskill (left on the cover) who died in 2006. This CD was recorded in the early 2000s. Arrangements and sounds are not, for me, enough height. I only like one title with Sagbohan Danialou on drums and vocals Melome Clement. Sagbohan plays with Poly-Rythmo for only second time. The first was in 1972, for the recording of his first single "Gbeto Vivi".

Poly-Rythmo, Nouvelle Formule, mais sans son immense chanteur: Lohento Eskill (à gauche sur la pochette). qui est décédé en 2006. Ce CD a été enregistré au début des années 2000. Pour moi, les arrangements et le son ne sont pas assez à la hauteur. Je n'aime qu'un morceau avec Sagbohan Danialou à la batterie et Mélomé Clément au chant. Sagbohan enregistre avec Poly-Rythmo pour la seconde fois seulement. La première fois, en 1972, est pour l'enregistrement de son premier titre: "Gbeto Vivi".

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Tribo Massahi (Brazil)

This vinyl is rare and curious. Recorded in 1972, it has several styles: funk, rock, samba, theatrical dialogues and especially African rhythms. A very original stuff.

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Ce vinyle est rare et curieux. Enregistré en 1972, il possède plusieurs styles musicaux: funk, rock, samba, dialogues théatraux et surtout rythmes africains. Un disque improbable.

Danialou Sagbohan (live 2005 with Black Santiago Orchestra)

In 2009, Danialou Sagbohan celebrated his 40 years of career. The 2 May of 2010, he is scheduled at New Orleans Jazz Festival and this is an event because he has never played in America. his last concert in the West was in Paris, 18 years ago. I intends to listen to some live tracks recorded in 2005 in Benin. You will be able to judge the talent constantly renewed of the great Sagbohan. On the fabulous tracks "Tafeyontomé" and "Gbeto Vivi", he is playing drums, mounted by gods...

I also invited you to read the great maintains between Sagbohan and James Stewart on the essential and prodigious blog Afro Soul Descarga.

En 2009, Danialou Sagbohan a célébré ses 40 ans de carrière. Le 02 mai 2010, il est programmé au festival de la Nouvelle Orléans (New Orleans Jazz Festival) et c'est un évènement car il n'a jamais joué en Amérique et sa dernière représentation en Europe remonte à 1992. Je vous propose d'écouter quelques titres en concert au Bénin, enregistrés en 2005 avec le mythique Orchestre Black Santiago dans lequel il fît ses débuts. Vous pourrez juger du talent sans cesse renouvelé du grand Sagbohan. Sur les titres "Tafeyontomé" et "Gbeto Vivi", il est à la batterie tel un prêtre chevauché par les dieux.

Je vous invite aussi à lire le fabuleux entretient entre Sagbohan et James Stewart, sur le blog indispensable: Afro Soul Descarga.

-Tafeyontomé

-Gbeto Vivi

-Villon

-Zémihé

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Yedenou Adjahoui

Yedenou is a prophet of beninese traditional's music. When playing live, during the 70's, he could muster thousands of people. He was mainly a poet and a journalist who could easely criticize the government's politic.

Those two EP's produced by Albarika Store in 1972. They were given to me by Dailyleftover and I really thank him. He gave me the vinyl and luckily I had the cover (ASEP 1050) ...

Yedenou Adjahoui est un prophète de la musique Béninoise. Lorsqu'il jouait en concert, durant les années 70's, il pouvait critiquer le pouvoir en place autant que la religion Vodoun, dont il était un digne initié.

Voici deux 45 Tours produits par le label Albarika Store en 1972. Ils m'ont été donnés par Dailyleftover et je le remercie particulièrement car je possédais la pochette du disque (ASEP 1050) mais pas le vinyle...

ASEP 1050

ASEP 1073

Syliphone Discothèque 71

Here is a compilation of Guinean year 1970 which should delight everyone. Music traditional and modern orchestrated by leading bands such as Bembeya, Balla, Keletigui, Virtuose Diabate... I have found no information on the obscure band Bafing Jazz Mamou, so if someone knows, speak up.

Voici une compilation Guinéenne de l'année 1970 qui devrait enchanter tout le monde. Musique traditionnelle et moderne orchestrées par les plus grands orchestres tels que Bembeya, Balla, Keletigui, Virtuose Diabate, bref, un grand cru. Je n'ai pas trouvé d'informations sur l'orchestre Bafing Jazz Mamou, alors si quelqu'un connaît, qu'il s'exprime.

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Assa Cica

Assa Cica is called the "nightingale" because of his high-pitched voice. He is a poet who can be compared with Sagbohan Danialou. They hace somewhat the same style of music but Cica is certainly more romantic, with compositions more languorous.

Assa Cica ets appelé le "rossignol" à cause de sa voix haut-perchée. Il est avant tout un poète que l'on peut comparer avec Sagbohan Danialou. Ils posèdent un peu le même style musical mais Cica est incontestablement plus romantique, avec des compositions plus langoureuses.

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Bylledey Guissey

I propose today two EP's from Professor Bylledey Guissey. I've already submitted Bylledey, also known by the name of Jimmy Pop when composing for orchestra Poly-Rythmo. After Marxist-Leninist trend in 1975, he returned to the roots of Beninise music and recorded mainly traditional music. I particulary like this artist because he exudes a certain modernity.

Je vous propose aujourd'hui deux 45 tours de Bylledey Guissey. Je vous ai déjà introduit Bylledey, connu sous le nom de Jimmy Pop lorsqu'il composait pour l'orchestre Poly-Rythmo. Après la révolution Marxiste-Léniniste de 1975, il retourne aux sources de la musique Béninoise et enregistre essentiellement de la musique traditionnelle. J'aime particulièrement cet artiste car il dégage une certaine modernité.

This EP was recorded in 1978 on Bylledey's label Kinhouande.

This one was recorded in 1979 on the label Echo d'Afrique.

MARIJATA (Pat Thomas Introduces Marijata)

Born in 1951 in Kumasi, Ghana, the highlife vocalist, Pat Thomas, made his name with his band the Sweet Beans. He began his carreer in 1969 with the Broadway Dance Band, leaving a year later to join the Uhuru Dance Band. Then he played with Ebo Taylor's Blue Monks and finally formed the Sweet Beans in 1973. They released "Faise Lover" in 1974, then split and-reformed as Marijata, releasing Marijata and Pat Thomas Introduces Marijata. What a story to resume this rare and famous album that can be sold more than one thousand dollar.

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Né en 1951 à Kumasi, Ghana, le chanteur de highlife, Pat Thomas, s'est fait connaître avec son groupe les Sweet Beans. Il commençe sa carrière en 1969 avec l'orchestre Broadway Dance Band, et rejoint un an plus tard la formation Uhuru Dance Band. Puis il accompagne Ebo Taylor et ses Blue Monks pour enfin créer l'orchestre Sweet Beans en 1973. Ils sortent l'album "Faise Lover" en 1974, se séparent pour se reformer sous le nom de Marijata et le célèbre album Marijata et Pat Thomas introduit Marijata. Tout une histoire pour parler de ce rare et fameux vinyle qui peut atteindre une valeur de plus de mille Euros.