Sharing Heritage (Original roots voodoo music from Haiti)

(Center for African Studies, Haiti).

It is a well documented fact that the Dahomeans participated in the slave trade only as a measure of "self defense"... But they had sworn among themselves never to sell anyone from their ethnic group (the Aja people).

Unfortunately towards the end of the 18th century, a "crazy man" named Agongolo seized power in Dahomey : he violated the oath of the Aja, and he sold even his own parents into slavery. In 1806, 4000 Dahomeans of royal blood who fell victim to the heinous act of Agongolo, landed in Haiti. Henry Christophe, King of Haiti had "bought" them from an English trader... Once in Haiti, these Dahomeans were set free. They were entrusted with the upkeep of the affairs of the Court of the King Henry. When King Henry died, they followed their leader Alluda Mugnon into the Artibonite Valley. There they founded their own village...

This recording is the first recording ever of the religious Vodu practices of these people. (Liner notes)

Cutlass Dance Band of Ghana - Lassissi vol. 2 (Highlife, 1980)

(Lassissi LS26).

Ghanaian guitarist Osenkafo I.K. Anin (Annin) played within Police Dance Band in Kumasi, or Parrots Band, before creating the Cutlass Dance Band.
Initially heavily influenced from religous beleives, their music turned progressively into real highlife, giving space for horns to blow wonderfull solos. Great production by Ivory Coast label Sacodis.

Presence Africaine Catalogue (1980)

Here's a particular Muzzicaltrips post for book diggers and african literature lovers... Just to have an idea on what was Presence Africaine catalogue in 1980. This Paris-based editor has been since its creation by Alioune Diop in 1947, a real amplifier for african and diasporic written forms of expression, novels poetry, or essays.

This booklet proposes list of titles, list of 2nd hand books, list of authors, list by theme and list of librairies in Africa where you can find Presence Africaine books. A very interesting document for research and to discover new authors, as many titles have not been reedited.

The book store still exists, and always great books to find.

Discover Ahmadou Kourouma's Suns of Independences here.

Francis Bebey - Concert pour un Vieux Masque (Black Atlantic music, 1980)

(Philips 70.468)

This is a guitar recital, composed and played by Cameroon's multi-artist Francis Bebey. As always with Bebey, it's poetic, sharp and meaningful... (have a look at the enlightening liner notes in french/english).

Balla Onivogui - Paulette (Orchestra Balla et ses Balladins from Guinea, 1980)

(Syliphone SLP75).

To recall Balla Onivogui's memory who left us few time ago (march 2011), lets share one of Balla et ses Balladins late LP from 1980.

Perucho Conde - La Cotorra Criolla (Early Latin Hip Hop from Venezuela, 1980)

 

(EPIC EPC8899).

A bonus track from the 45rpms found in Barcelona...

And here's a crazyness made in 1980 in Caracas: an humorist rapping in spanish on a fat disco instrumental. When first hip hop from the US arrived in Venezuela it was surnamed "musica cotorra" (cotorra = parrot) I guess because of the singers flow. So Peruche Conde made a hip hop typically from Venezuela with this hit "la cotorra criolla" (criolla = creole). Lyrics are very funny, but behind the humoristic approach, it's a real social and protest song (!) denouncing poor living conditions (prices increase, low salaries, no social welfare, pre-election promises...).

Ondeno - Mayolye (Afrodisco from Gabon, 1980)

(Disques Ledoux ASL 7017).

Ondeno Rebieno is from Gabon, recorded probably in Paris this LP, produced by Abou Sylla and supervised by Alphonse Marie Toukas a RFI journalist from Congo and musician (who created his 1st band "Sympathique Jazz"  in 1959 in Brazzaville).

Super Mama Djombo - Na Cambança (Guinea Bissau, 1980)

(SMD 001 Cobiana - Republica da Guiné-Bissau).

Probably the best band from this period in Guinea-Bissau, Super Mama Djombo represented the 1st cultural identity visibility for this small country.

Number One du Senegal - Lii Numuy Nuru (Senegal, 1980)

"Objectif 2000" corresponds to a session providing 2 albums, both excellent. Recording took place at Club Sahel in Dakar, assured by Papa Sene and Yakhya Fall. This may be one of the most accomplished recordings in Senegalese discography, Number One and his master musicians being at the top of their art.