Month: March 2017

ADP032 – El Salsero (Gnonnas Pedro, The King Of Benin)

Gnonnas Sousou Pierre Kwasivi was born on the 10 of January 1943 in Cotonou, Benin.

Singing and playing music since his childhood, Gnonnas Pedro became in the 60’s one of the Beninese musical Kings (among with L’Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou, Antoine Dougbe, Honore Avolonto or El Rego), and never stopped to play music beyond.

He led his own band in the 60’s, “Pedro y Sus Sanchos”, that later became “Gnonnas Pedro et ses Dadjes”.

Lover of the French language, he was strongly influenced by the French singer Charles Aznavour (he even recorded a cover of Aznavour’s song “Les Comediens” !).

From the 90’s to 2004, he was the singer of the interplanetary known Afro cuban band “Africando”, grouping of African Legends such as Boncana Maiga, Amadou Balake, Thione Seck, Tabu Ley Rochereau, Ismael Lo, Salif Keita or Koffi Olomide.

Known as “The man that speaks all African languages”, Pedro embraced many musical styles, including afrobeat, highlife, salsa, pachanga, juju or “Modern Agbadja” (an update og the traditional style of his home region, Lokassa).

Many of the tracks he composed are still big hits today, such as “Yiri Yiri Boum” (Afro Cuban Anthem) or “Von O Von Non” (Hymn of the Togolese national football team).

He died the 12 of August 2004, at the age in Cotonou, Benin.

Armand de Preseau – El Salsero
You can download this selection right here !
TRACKLIST :
1 – Pas De Petard
2 – Dadjê Von O Von Non (80’s version)
3 – I Feel Good
4 – How Much Love Naturally Cost
5 – Adigbedoto
6 – Yiri Yiri Bom
7 – Dadjê Von O Von Non (70’s version)
8 – La Musica En Verite
9 – Tu Es Tout Seul
10 – La Crocatuba
11 – Bon Anniversaire
12 – Finis Les Paves
I tried to present you all different genre played by Gnonnas, don’t hesitate to tell me if you enjoyed this selection !
Best regards,

Armand

This selection is dedicated to Jean, my cousin, who with we listened Gnonnas albums again and again and again. Miss you and think about you everyday, my little brother..

Theadora Ifudu – Four In A Tangle (Nigeria, 1980, Theagart Records)

Splendid Afro Soul track to finish this beautiful sunday by the Nigerian Diva Theadora Ifudu – Enjoy !!

Theaodra Ifudu – Four In A Tangle

See you next week,
Armand

Zao – Ancien Combattant (Republic of Congo, 1984, Black Music)

One of the biggest African Anthems by the Congolese Artist Casimir “Zao” Zoba, taken from his first album.
This version is actualy an adaptation from “Petit Imprudent”, a song written and composed in 1969 by the guitarist and singer Idrissa Soumaoro, but Idrissa never succeded in his claim.
There is also another cover of this song, recorded in 1973 by the Guinean band Balla Et Ses Balladins.
Zao – Ancien Combattant 
Best regards,
Armand

Ebo Taylor – You Need Love (Ghana, 1980, Essiebons)

Instant feel good track by Ebo Taylor, one of the most important and prolific musician, arranger, composer from Ghana.
He relased dozens and dozens of singles and albums with Ghanaian bands and by himself, from the 60’s up to now, and is still touring today all over the world and releasing albums and compilations.
This track “You Need Love”, is taken from his 5th album, “Conflict Nkru”, which is my personnal favourite.
Ebo Taylor and Uhuru Yenzu – You Need Love
Have a nice sunday evening,
Armand

Samba Mascott – Mwana Angola (Congo, 1976, Sonafric)

Joseph Samba “Mascott” Mayanguila was a Congolese singer, born the 15 of August 1943 in the country of Loumou (Republic of Congo).

He played in several famous national orchestras such as “Les Bantous de la Capitale” (former musicians from Orchestre TP OK Jazz and Orchestre Rock-a-Mambo) or “Orchestre National du Congo” (read this article for more informations), and also released a few singles and albums by himself.
He died the 10 of April 1991 in Brazzaville, at the age of 48.
I selected for you “Mwana Angola”, a deep acoustic track track he released in 1976 on a Congolese compilation destinate to promote the Samay record Edition.
Samba Mascott – Mwana Angola
 Have a nice sunday evening,
Armand