Les Griots (w/ Serge Franklin) -- Ouagadougou, Afrique: Exotissimo Vol. 8 (Pathé Marconi / EMI, 1975)

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) 

Flac + 320

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)

Photodementia - Fig. 3 (1997 -- Photodementia, 2012 Reissue) *320 + Flac

"Recently unearthed by the good folk at Rephlex, 'Photodementia' is an outstanding nugget of eight succinct and kinetic machine moves from late '90s Washington. Apparently a few white labels were distributed to Black Market in London and New York's Sonic Groove way back when, but they're that far off the radar even discogs hasn't heard of them. However, the press release reliably informs us that it's the work of Canadian-born Victor Beaudet "one time collaborator with Richard Davis of legendary band Cybertron" (sic) "and his partner, New Orleans' born Bernard Davies (R.I.P.)", so unless someone is telling porkies, this is quite a find. Essentially their sound is very similar to a number of classic projects from Drexciya to earlier AFX and the like - composed and structured with a free-flowing intuition and feel for that melancholic funk which is prized by so many nerds like you and I. Sterling stuff..."(Boomkat)

Dope reissue. I'm a bit of sucker for the electro. Has that Detroit sound, by way of mid-90's DC. This post is dedicated to my old friend Faso in BK. Thanks for the words, man! 320 vinyl rip by yours truly. FLAC is on the way, as soon as mediafire allows it. Enjoy.





**Photodementia Links removed by request. 

1. Mysophilia
2. Synovium
3. Ethnog
4. Gyrectomy
5. Fotografische
6. Anhydrosis
7. Sporobolus
8. Nitromersol
9. Hypercatharsis
10. Astrography

Sandwidi Pierre - Le Troubadour de la Savane (Production Kouri, PK 002 : Nigeria, 1984?)

Fresh Nigerian recorded synth-funk from Sandwidi Pierre (of Burkina Faso), possibly released in 1984. Groovy dancing sounds and killer keys. And the slow burners are all killing me softly. Le Troubadour de la Savane is part of a small stack of amazing wax recently lent to me by my pal Jason Urick of Galaxy My Dear. Big thanks! 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.



Sandwidi Pierre - Le Troubadour de la Savane (Production Kouri, PK 002 : Nigeria, 1984?)

Side A

Nab Wind Sigda
Fils du Sahel (Wenega)
Mousso Gwe (Balafon)


Side B

Pang Nooma (Calao)
Je Suis un Salaud (Slow)
Lucie (Slow Disco)