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.
“Echoes of Africa” offer 24 rare recordings from the early days of the African record industry, hardly heard in the West before. Concertina bands and doo-wop singers from South Africa, accordion groups from Kenya, West African brass bands, unaccompanied vocal and drum ensembles from Nigeria and Tanzania, plus bands from East Africa with their Arabic influences, reveal a huge variety of early African pop music and more traditional styles. (Wergo)
Another astonishing collection of vintage 78rpm delicacies from the Wergo/Spectrum camp. Nothing but the goods, here. These Wergo discs are all far too expensive for the average Jack, though, and not otherwise available for download. Its just silly. And thusly...I post them. Its sort of a protest encased in a compliment. Or vice versa. Either way, this is essential listening. Magic sounds.
Willie Gumede and His Concertina Band: Umgoboti Al Usthadh Umar Awadh Ban: Anta Lhayatu The West African Instrumental Quintet: Bea Tsin No. 2 Mamica: Nwomboko Abdo Shamakh: Mapenzi Ya Ashiki Darktown Strutters: Be Ngi Hamba Hadji Amusa & Hadji Mustafa: Nigbati Anobi Gunsanma Lagos Mozart Orchestra: Aduke Nini Mikie and Her Group: Itseko Siti Binti Saadi: Njia Ungurusumbwe Willie Gumede and His Concertina Band: U Gumede Abdo Shamakh: Nalat Ala Yadaha Mamica: March Sackey Band, Appam: Wa Wie Me Ye Mina Asabah Darktown Strutters: Wiwi Singomlil’ Ovhuthayo Abibu Oluwa & His Group: Aiye Loja Ngoma Dunduri: Tumkimiree Simba Lagos Mozart Orchestra: Ore Mi Kini Se Askari Wa K.A.R. Ya Sita (6th K.A.R.): Kofia Nyekundu Sackey Band, Appam: Abasuafu Ara Gyan Ishaku Dan Zhabarumoh and His Group: Mahamodu Nadani H.M. Timayare: Ashac Abibu Oluwa & His Group: Layiwola Akande
Wanajiita Sisi Wahuni- Jim Lasco (Nairobi) Janja Yako- NUTA Jazz Band (Tanzania) Bqna Conga Baleli Liwa ya Sinatra- Jean Bokelo (Zaire) Eyo Beats- Tunde Nightingale (Nigeria) Kosowa Loda- Victor Oleiya (Nigeria) Ikoro Special- Dan Satch- (Nigeria) Seeri Koko- Orchestra Baobab (Senegal) Pakora Ibo- Andre Pierre & L’Ivoiro Star (Ivory Coast) Jolly Papa- Cardinal Rex Lawson (Nigeria) Hamadi- Eli Wamala (Uganda) Batumanbe- Orchestra Regional de Segou (Mali)
B-side
???????- Steven Amechi- (Nigeria) Ewa- Dr. Victor Olaiya (Nigeria) Western Shilo- David Kabaka & George Agade (Nairobi) Adelina- Mamadou (Congo) Fiuga Mama Muni- Mujos w/ Orch. OK Jazz (Zaire) Ladji- Kante Manfila & Sorry Bamba (Ivory Coast) Oyo Mobali Tape- Orchestre OK Jazz (Zaire) Namuliranga- Charles & Frida Sonko (Uganda) Osalobua Rekpama- Sir Victor Uwaifo (Nigeria) Igede- Celestine Ukwu & His Philosophers National (Nigeria) My Lovely Elizabeth- S.E. Rogie (Sierra Leone) Na Ye Na Lisano- RIKKY (Congo) Nora- National Jazz band (Tanzania)
"Buda Musique's [Angola] series...captures the sounds of different ethnic regions within Angola, their effects on each other, and the way that the Portuguese and Cuban influences were absorbed into urban Angolan culture. Some songs focus on close polyphonic harmonies, tapping rhythms and ringy, simple guitar melodies; others have cascades of creaky percussion and huge choruses; still others anchor on the accordion. It starts to get really interesting around track nine, when the frenzy slows, turning to fabulous intimate, small-scale recordings that you can't tell if are Latin or African in origin. By the end of the disk, they've brought in the electric guitars, jumping up, incorporating more Western chord progressions and swinging funk rock, especially on the classic, screaming 'Muzangola' by Vum Vum. Can't wait for the rest!" (Other Music)
Good stuff. 320kbps. If anyone's got a line on a better scan, hit me up!
A nicely curated selection of lively Sub Saharan pop & folk, recently released on cassette by the Domino Sound label. They're the same folks who brought you that excellent A Orillas de Magdelena vinyl compilation of classic cumbias from Discos Fuentes, last year. I've decided not to split the tape's tracks, as a big part of the value of this one, in my view, is its overall flow. And also I'm feeling lazy today. Besides, a good portion of the tracks are available elsewhere, many having been collected on various other official cd/lp reissues & collections. As a compromise, I promise to get around to linking to the corresponding albums of the otherwise available tracks via the tracklisting below. Oh, I should also mention that Domino Sound Record Shack is a (reportedly great) shop based out of New Orleans, LA.
Side 1.
Praise Song (Senegal) - Keno Diatta & Sona Mane
Liti Liti (Senegal) - Orchestra Baobab
Wanri (Mali) - Mouesa Doumbia
Joromi (Nigeria) - Sir Victor Uwaifo
Ayamma (Nigeria) - Anambra Beats
Dead Body Never Smokey (Nigeria) - Tunde Nightingale
Vijana Niambie (Nairobi) - Williamu Osale
Fitina Nyingi (Tanzania) - Dar Es Salaam Jazz Band
Gwenasobya (Uganda) - Frida Sonko
Recital (Mali)- Orchestre Regional de Mopti
Side 2.
Ya Yongo (Zaire) - Orchestra Empire des Babuka
Come Again (Nigeria) - Nigerian Sound Makers
Ubeberu (Tanzania) - Salum Abdullah & Cuban Marimba
Ikut Asana Eden (Nigeria) - Travellers Lodge Atomic 8
Robinson Olaga (Kenya) - Dick Ngoye and Party
Wanjira Wanjira (Nairobi) - Francis Masharia
Oba Adele (Nigeria) - West African Rhythm Brothers
Selense (Nigeria) - Eastern Minstrels
Ebalume (Nigeria) - Chief Umobaurie & His Group
Masida Ngalina (Zaire) - Ombiza Charles
Adura (Nigeria) - West African Rhythm Brothers
Ibi Na Bo (Nigeria) - Cardinal Rex Lawson
Me Nsae Da (Ghana) - Ahamano's Guitar Band
A friend scored this sweet tape in Harlem, NY. Based on his name and the hypnotic griot-folk style of his music, I can safely assume that Toumani Kone hails from Mali. Many thanks to Small Wett for the dub!
“Echoes of Africa” offer 24 rare recordings from the early days of the African record industry, hardly heard in the West before. Concertina bands and doo-wop singers from South Africa, accordion groups from Kenya, West African brass bands, unaccompanied vocal and drum ensembles from Nigeria and Tanzania, plus bands from East Africa with their Arabic influences, reveal a huge variety of early African pop music and more traditional styles. (Wergo)
Yet another finely compiled cassette of crackly African gold brought to you by the good folks at Domino Sound. 
"Buda Musique's [Angola] series...captures the sounds of different ethnic regions within Angola, their effects on each other, and the way that the Portuguese and Cuban influences were absorbed into urban Angolan culture. Some songs focus on close polyphonic harmonies, tapping rhythms and ringy, simple guitar melodies; others have cascades of creaky percussion and huge choruses; still others anchor on the accordion. It starts to get really interesting around track nine, when the frenzy slows, turning to fabulous intimate, small-scale recordings that you can't tell if are Latin or African in origin. By the end of the disk, they've brought in the electric guitars, jumping up, incorporating more Western chord progressions and swinging funk rock, especially on the classic, screaming 'Muzangola' by Vum Vum. Can't wait for the rest!" (Other Music)
Download Angola 70's: 1972-1973 & Angola 70's: 1974-1978 from Musica de Angola. *The rip of Angola '60s is better here. Not so, with the other two.
A nicely curated selection of lively Sub Saharan pop & folk, recently released on cassette by the Domino Sound label. They're the same folks who brought you that excellent A Orillas de Magdelena vinyl compilation of classic cumbias from Discos Fuentes, last year. I've decided not to split the tape's tracks, as a big part of the value of this one, in my view, is its overall flow. And also I'm feeling lazy today. Besides, a good portion of the tracks are available elsewhere, many having been collected on various other official cd/lp reissues & collections. As a compromise, I promise to get around to linking to the corresponding albums of the otherwise available tracks via the tracklisting below. Oh, I should also mention that Domino Sound Record Shack is a (reportedly great) shop based out of New Orleans, LA. 
A friend scored this sweet tape in Harlem, NY. Based on his name and the hypnotic griot-folk style of his music, I can safely assume that Toumani Kone hails from Mali. Many thanks to Small Wett for the dub!
