Lemed Janvier et l'Orchestre African Allstar (Soukous from Benin, 1981-82)

(Oueme LJ001).

Lemed Janvier took part of recordings with Orchestre Poly Rythmo, Les Volcans du Benin and Tabu Ley from Congo.
Being form Benin but having lived in Kinshasa, he can also sing in lingala like a congolese  musician (and generally alternating some french or english parts). This late album was released in Benin and contains infectious soukous ryhtmic guitars (Señores Picoteros, pienso que le va a gustar). Global sound remains more in the 70s with African Allstar band, and includes also few suprisingly funky short breaks.

First tracks deals with a topic often adressed: the fact that the slanders and rumors do not affect the musicians.

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)

Kossou Houechehoun et son Groupe Folklorique Guê (Benin, 70s)

(PALP 002).

This folkloric music comes from Mina people (South of Benin and Togo) which have a very rich musical heritage.

Johnny Copeland - Ngote (Poly Rythmo cover, 1985)

(FIEND47).

If you follow muzzicaltrips you probably know already the Poly Rythmo funky bomb "Ne te Fache Pas". But could you imagine to find it covered by a jazz-blues american musician? I could not, so it was a real surprise when I discovered this cover version.

Gansou Nestor et son groupe folklorique de Tchingounme (Benin, 70s)

(Ets PHILI D'OR AZP003).

Initially a sacred rhythm played to put the curse aside after a death, "Tchinkoumé" became a popular celebratory music from Savalou region (in Benin, just north from the coastal areas when the hills begin).

Avohou Pierre & Orchestre Picoby Band (Sato music from Benin, 70s)

(ESD 029)

Sato is a traditional vodun rhythm from Benin, and has been one inspiration to modernize beninese urban music from the 70s. Here's an early (and scratchy) example with Orchestre Picoby Band, produced between 1972 and 1975, and pressed at Satel local plant.

(GMR is the Revolutionary Military Governement created in 72 by M. Kerekou during transition to marxist-leninist regime imposed in 74).

Glele Edmond & Aballo Antoine - Jeanne Yi (Benin, 70s)

(DN N°3)

A nice tune from Benin with Orchestre Poly Rythmo as backing band.

Charlie Sekato & Orchestre Les As du Benin (Ziglibity, 1981)

(BAM LP-1002/81)

This album has been recorded in Togo, includes the Orchestre les As du Benin, but is produced by Abidjan label Bam Records. I don't know where Charlie Sekato comes from, but he gives here a Ziglibity track, typical rhythm from Ivory Coast popularized by Ernesto Djedje.

Bluecky d'Almeida - Unité Africaine (Benin, 70s)

(Aux Ecoutes DB004)

"African Unity" has been a recurrent subject in post independance lyrics: many songs are direct reflect from Nkwame Nkrumah's political commitment for pan-africanism. Here's an example from Benin by Bluecky d'Almeida, with El Rego et ses Astronautes de Cotonou as backing band. The 7" is an early release of Mr. Lawani's label Aux Ecoutes.

T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - Debrouiller n'est pas voler (Soukous from Benin, 70s)

(Albarika Store ALS 058).

A very nice album from Orchestre Poly Rythmo, typical african dancefloor hit... Nice words full of humor and common sense: "trop parler c'est maladie / to speak to much is a sickness", "debrouiller n'est pas voler / to arrange does not mean to steal"...

Orchestre Black Santiago - Wo n'titi (Highlife from Benin, 70s)

(Disques BSA 01).

Ignace da Souza and his group Black Santiago plays here a beninese style highlife. Pressed around 1974 at  Satel, Benin.

MIX /// Tropical Round Trip #3 by Muzzicaltrips (A sound travel around Cuba, Colombia, Peru, Guadeloupe, Benin, Ivory Coast, Angola, Nigeria...)

Tohon Stanislas dans son nouveau style Tchink System (Benin, 1979)

(SACODIS LS 39).

I previously posted some Tchinkoumé music (here), northern Benin rhythm based on water drums.

Here is a renewal of this traditional music made by Stanislas Tohon: he created the Tchink System style, a actual  (late 70s) version of Tchinkoumé, based on same water drums patern rythms, but played by modern instruments.

MIX /// Muzzicaltrips back from Benin (45rpm selection, 70s)

Just to share some freshly found 45s from Benin.

...El Rego, L.A. Aux Ecoutes, Polydisco, Mélomé Clément, Poly-Rythmo, African Songs, Picoby Band, nagra sessions, african scream contest, afro beat, jerk fon...

Enjoy!

Orchestre Les Blacks Fingers de Cotonou (Benin, 70s)

Obscure production, blooming music...

I found no information about the singer Kpochan Pierrot, I guess he produced the record as the reference is K.P. 001. A small production seeing how cheap the cover is (i saw the same in different colors). Music has been arranged by Pierre Egnile (i.e. Pepita Egnile who worked with l'Orchestre International de la Capitale, from Niamey, Niger). It is made in Benin, so pressed at SATEL vinyl factory.

Orchestre Los Commandos - Errante (Afrolatin from Benin, 60s)

(Albarika Store AS 5010).

Here's an african version of a latin track i love (Arsenio Rodriguez - "Errante y Bohemio").

Orchestre Los Commandos is from Cotonou, and played with El Rego up to 1966 (using different band names).

Gnonnas Pedro & his Dadjes Band - vol. 1 (Afrolatin from Benin, 1975)

(African Songs Ltd, Lagos - AS 42-L).

Here comes the real Africa Latina!