DeepDigger

You’re in for one hell of an Afro-Funk ride with this one as Naïm Megassabi shows off what he’s been collecting: the tunes here range from pretty straightforward Afrobeat to “Haoussa Funk”, “Pop” and the slightly obscure corners of the “Jerk” & “Dindi” styles… just as confused as me about where to draw the lines? Let’s call it all Heavy Afro.

All tracks in this mix stem from the Republic of Benin, except the last one which is from Mali. Also, they all come from the original 45’s pressings, thus the not-always-superb sound quality.

Most of these artists only got released outside of the African Continent for the first time recently on the “African Scream Contest” (Analog Africa) compilation album. Pay attention to the first track “Ole”, according to John Collins this is the first Afrobeat tune ever. Who’s to say? What is certain is that it’s the only re-issued tune in the entire mix, now there’s some exclusive digging for you!

1. 00′00 - The Black Santiagos - Ole
   [decca; orchestra guided by Ignace de Souza, recorded during his short stay in Nigeria, 1968]
2. 03′05 - Ahouangnimon Sebastien Pynasco et l’Orchestre Discafric-Band de Cotonou - Mi hlin migan
   [Voix Africaine, Benin; first 45 ever on this label]
3. 07′10 - Clement Melome et l’Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - Zoun mi bo
4. 12′17 - Clement Melome et l’Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - Ma savo home (Ne te plains pas)
   [Legendary Poly-Rythmo on the L.A. Aux Ecoutes label, 1972-1973]
5. 16′45 - Orchestre Picoby-Band - Ye houe deou
   [A so-called “Jerk” tune with Honore Avolonto, a style that got it’s popularity with the 1970’s poly-rhytmo “gbeti madjro” ]
6. 20′09 - Orchestre Anos Band - Boro non andou nan
   [Another “Jerk” tune by an obscure band from Parakou with Alidou Boukary, on the Albarika Store label]
7. 23′12 - Clement Melome et l’Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - Nougbo vehou (La verité blessé)
8. 27′57 - Nestor Hountondji accompagne par les Volcans de Porto-Novo - Emalon ni hokowo
   [A “Sato” tune; the rhythm is used in traditional rituals, some claim it to be Afrobeat’s real predecessor]
9. 32′25 - Eskill Lohento & Poly-Rythmo - Iya me dji ki bi ni
   [Some kind of Sato-goes-Funky boom tune by Poly-Rythmo, composed by bass player Gustave Bentho]
10. 36′23 - Orchestre Super Borgou - Ya bara
11. 41′52 - Orchestre Super Borgou - Wegne’nda m’banda
    [Moussa Mama’s band; one of their rare late tunes on the Albarika Store label]
12. 45′06 - Daga H. Georges et l’Orchestre Black Santiago de Cotonou - Ayi e non Akome ye
    [Voix Africaine, a Black Santiago Afrobeat tune, atypically not sung by Ignace or Honore]
13. 50′23 - Leon Keïta - Dakan sate, korotoumi
    [from Mali, released on the Ivory Coast’s “Papa Disco” label; mistakingly named (on the LP-sleeve, on the record and on Frank’s Voodoofunk site ) “l’Amour en s’achete pas”. Setting the record straight: this is Dakan Sate’s gang, pay attention to the chorus after the break. Is this Leon related to Salif Keïta?]

Want to hear more? Check out Naïm’s ongoing podcast on soundcaster.podomatic.com or come back here, we’ll be having more episodes by this digger.

Now go and shake your nyaash!

Deeds.

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(http://deepdigger.org/mp3/DD004-BeninFunk-Naim.mp3)