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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 and CD over-view of the label and its music, compiled by David Hill of The Soul Revivers and West African musical expert Florent Mazzoleni, who also wrote the in-depth 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.
Tracklist
1. Segla
2. Get The Music Now
3. E Sa F'Aiye
4. Aiha Ni Kpe We
5. Ego-Ibo
6. Gbeti Ma Djro
7. Oya Ka Jojo
8. It's A Vanity
9. Bakassine Gabou
10. Nan Man Nan
11. Gbe We Gnin Wa Bio
12. Kpede Do Gbe Houenou