Various - The Albarika Story (Vinyl)
Founded in the late 1960s by record store owner Seidou Adissa, Albarika Store is one of the most important independent record labels on the African continent. That it was founded in the relatively small ex-French colony of Benin (then still called Dahomey), is a testament to its founder’s musical taste and vision for what the local musical scene had to offer.
This September, Acid Jazz releases the first ever vinyl overview of the label and its music (accompanied by a digital release) - ‘The Albarika Story'. It was compiled by David Hill of Soul Revivers and West African musical expert Florent Mazzoleni, who also wrote the in-depth sleeve notes.
The compilation provides a look into what was a developing and then thriving post-colonial music scene. It focuses on the label’s biggest and most prolific act Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo and its founder Melome Clement – who released under a variety of names, often spotlighting on the musicians key to their sound. It also looks at the other established artists on the label such as the incendiary Les Sympathics De Porto Novo and Les Volcans. All of these artists create a unique mix of Westernised Funk, Soul and Latin sounds, cross-pollinated with the traditional music of the region.
The double album is housed in a beautiful wide-spine sleeve designed by the Unknown, and the printed inners have the extended essay by Mazzoleni, and plentiful illustrations of the original LPs and 45s from which the records originate.
Tracklist:
DISC ONE - SIDE ONE
1. SEGLA – Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou-Rep. Pop Du Benin
2. GET THE MUSIC NOW (Edit) – IPA Boogie
3. E SA F’AIYE – Orchestre Black Dragons De Porto-Novo Dahomey
DISC ONE - SIDE TWO
4. AIHA NI KPE WE (Edit) – T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou
5. EGO-IBO – Les Sympathics De Porto-Novo Benin
6. GBETI MA DJRO - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou Dahomey
DISC TWO - SIDE ONE
1. OYA KA JOJO (Edit) – Orchestre Les Volcans Du Benin
2. IT’S A VANITY - T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo
3. BAKASSINE GABOU - Orchestre Anassoua-Jazz De Parakou
DISC TWO- SIDE TWO
1. NAN MAN NAN - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou-Rep. Pop Du Benin
2. GBE WE GNIN WA BIO (Edit) – Ogassa
3. KPEDE DO GBE HOUENOU - T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou
Founded in the late 1960s by record store owner Seidou Adissa, Albarika Store is one of the most important independent record labels on the African continent. That it was founded in the relatively small ex-French colony of Benin (then still called Dahomey), is a testament to its founder’s musical taste and vision for what the local musical scene had to offer.
This September, Acid Jazz releases the first ever vinyl overview of the label and its music (accompanied by a digital release) - ‘The Albarika Story'. It was compiled by David Hill of Soul Revivers and West African musical expert Florent Mazzoleni, who also wrote the in-depth sleeve notes.
The compilation provides a look into what was a developing and then thriving post-colonial music scene. It focuses on the label’s biggest and most prolific act Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo and its founder Melome Clement – who released under a variety of names, often spotlighting on the musicians key to their sound. It also looks at the other established artists on the label such as the incendiary Les Sympathics De Porto Novo and Les Volcans. All of these artists create a unique mix of Westernised Funk, Soul and Latin sounds, cross-pollinated with the traditional music of the region.
The double album is housed in a beautiful wide-spine sleeve designed by the Unknown, and the printed inners have the extended essay by Mazzoleni, and plentiful illustrations of the original LPs and 45s from which the records originate.
Tracklist:
DISC ONE - SIDE ONE
1. SEGLA – Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou-Rep. Pop Du Benin
2. GET THE MUSIC NOW (Edit) – IPA Boogie
3. E SA F’AIYE – Orchestre Black Dragons De Porto-Novo Dahomey
DISC ONE - SIDE TWO
4. AIHA NI KPE WE (Edit) – T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou
5. EGO-IBO – Les Sympathics De Porto-Novo Benin
6. GBETI MA DJRO - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou Dahomey
DISC TWO - SIDE ONE
1. OYA KA JOJO (Edit) – Orchestre Les Volcans Du Benin
2. IT’S A VANITY - T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo
3. BAKASSINE GABOU - Orchestre Anassoua-Jazz De Parakou
DISC TWO- SIDE TWO
1. NAN MAN NAN - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou-Rep. Pop Du Benin
2. GBE WE GNIN WA BIO (Edit) – Ogassa
3. KPEDE DO GBE HOUENOU - T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou
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