So I’ve just come back from Africa, specifically West Africa (Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin), and while I was mostly touristing, if I had a chance to look for records I would take it, so I’ve come back with some cool stuff. Now, I’m no Frank with the ads on the radio, so temper your expectations a bit, but I think there’s some good stuff here. More good stuff than can fit in one mix, that’s for sure. But this is the start!
I had to cut some songs down - that Honore Avolonto track goes on for like 12 minutes, as does the 22 Band, so I mixed out. For this mix I didn’t want to concentrate on any area or style too much, just to play some tracks from all over. There is persistent crackle throughout the mix, sometimes worse than others, sorry about that. I washed all the records (in the bathtub!), but they could probably stand to be washed again!
You may hate the Tentemba Jazz track; certainly others have had that reaction, but I find it compelling, so I put it on here. However, I think we can all agree that the last Poly-Rhytmo track is some serious business!
Tracklist:
Funkees - Dancing Time (Nigeria)
Apostles - Never Too Late (Nigeria)
Honore Avolonto & Black Santiago - Assounon Dje Dokoli (Benin)
Orchestre Poly-Rhytmo de Cotonou - Hwe Towe Hun (Benin)
Balla et ses Balladins - Nyo (Guinea)
Tentemba Jazz du Mali - Yayoroba (Mali)
22 Band Kankan - Deny (Guinea)
Pierre Sandwidi & L’Orchestre Super Volta - Yamb Ne Y Capitale (Burkina Faso)
Orchestre The Black Dragons de Porto-Novo - Ohunyo (Benin)
Docteur Nico & Orchestre African Fiesta - Sookie (Nigera)
Orchestre Poly-Rhytmo de Cotonou - Wodeka Roe (Benin)
