Djanfa Magni – African Scream
Like most modern music in French-speaking West African countries, the music of Benin and Togo was influenced by a few main musical currents: Cuban, Congolese and local traditional music, as well as Chanson Francaise. Additionally, the geographical location of Benin and Togo – sandwiched between Ghana and Nigeria – exposed Beninese and Togolese musicians to Highlife music.
The cultural and spiritual riches of traditional Beninese music had an immense impact on the sound of Benin’s modern music. Benin is the birth place of Vodun (or, as it is known in the West, Voodoo), and some of the rhythms used during traditional rituals – Sakpata, Sato, Agbadja, Tchenkoumé and many others – were fused to Soul and Latin music as early as the mid-1960s and later to Funk.
In the late 60s and early 70s rock and soul music started creeping into the region. In particular, the music of James Brown and Johnny Hallyday became immensely popular with university students. It was then that the music scene in Benin really started to take off.
Compiled by Samy Ben Redjeb ( vinyl) of Various Artists – African Scream Contest: Raw & Psychedelic Afro Sounds From Benin & Togo 70s (2008)
tracklist
Lokonon Andre & Les Volcans – Mi Kple Dogbekpo
Picoby Band d’Aborney – Mi Ma Kpe Dji
Gabo Brown & Orchestre Poly-Rythmo – It’s a Vanity
El Rego et Ses Commandos – Se Na Min
Napo De Mi Amor et Ses Black Devils – Leki Santchi
T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou – Gbeti Madjro
Roger Damawuzan – Wait for Me
Ouinsou Corneille & Black Santiago – Vinon So Minsou
Orchestre Super Jheevs des Paillotes – Ye Nan Lon An
Tidiani Kone & Orchestre Poly-Rythmo – Djanfa Magni
Disafric Band – Houiou Djin Nan Zon Aklumon
Le Super Borgou de Parakou – Congolaise Benin Ye
Vincent Ahehehinnou – Ou c’est lui ou c‘est moi
Les Volcans de la Capitale – Oya Ka Jojo