VARIOUS ARTISTS - THE ALBARIKA STORY [2LP]

Format: 2 x LP
Catalogue No.: AJX2LP803
Barcode: 0676499080351
Release Date: 13 Sep 2024
Genre: Multi-Genre

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 overview 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 crosspollinated with the traditional music of the region.

Elsewhere, we hear the music as it is consumed further by funk and disco, with tracks from the ultra- obscure, and exceptionally danceable albums by Ipa Boogie and Ogassa – the latter sounding like they have been adding psychedelic rock to their funky brew. The record is a story of local music, and they way that it was cross-pollinated by both the West and the wider regional scene 

in neighbouring Nigeria. Adissa would often head to EMI’s state of the art Lagos studio to record his acts, contributing to the exceptional sonic quality of the recordings, and it is no surprise that the influence of Fela Kuti and Afro Beat is writ large

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 are taken. The CD is equally classy, as its card sleeve mimics the vinyl design complete with those notes and images.

Track listing
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 ONE
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