On repeat. This Serge Franklin seems to be something of a grandmaster OG in the ethnographic forgery game. 'Exotissimo' is right, no? Really though, this is a stunning record. Haven't found much, however, by way of biography for Les Griots, but, it'd be reasonable to assume that the group would've hailed originally from Burkina Faso. The dimensions of the rhythms & sounds here are truly exquisite. Heavy grooves. And, these mid 70's sessions, recorded in Paris, are subtlely realized; deep, resonant and spare. An hour or so of poking around the web has me reasonably convinced me that Loulendo is most likely Jean Loulendo. That's mostly it, although he does seems to show up as in author in worldcat. I've had even less luck with Dolo, who's also credited with an arrangement on this album. Anyone else know more? Enjoy.
Les Griots (w/ Serge Franklin) -- Ouagadougou, Afrique: Exotissimo Vol. 8 (Pathé Marconi / EMI, 1975)
Side 1
1. Messe Noire (Franklin)
2. Mama Me Mwana (Trad, arrgt. Loulendo)
Side 2
1. Sumama
2. Liwa Wetche *Chant (Trad, arrgt. Loulendo)
3. Morgen *Chant (Trad, arrgt. Dolo)
4. Danse du Fleuve (Franklin)
5. Danse de Filles su Sable (Franklin)
6. Kio Kio *Chant (Franklin)
