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..

ADP019 – Voodoo In Cotonou (Anos Band de Parakou, Black Santiago, Vincent Ahehehinnou, Poly Rythmo..)

Happy 2014 to everyone, I wish you the best for this new year !!!!
Sincerely sorry for the delay, been reaaaally busy those days, preparing some good surprises for you my dear readers but.. it’s a secret !
Let’s begin 2014 with a brand new 7 inches selection from the beautiful country of Bénin, hope you’ll enjoy those little treasures taken from my collection that I’ve cleaned, selected and masterized just for you !
The next selection will come quick ! (I hope..)
Thanks for your support !
Armand de Préseau – Voodoo In Cotonou

You can download this Selection here !

Tracklist :

1 – Ignace de Souza et L’Orchestre Black Santiago – Paulina
2 – Orchestre Blacks Dragons de Cotonou – Se Djro
3 – Vincent Ahehehinnou – Kourougninda Wende
4 – Orchestre Anos Band de Parakou – Alassane Koda Maradi
5 – Orchestre Blacks Dragons de Cotonou – E Sa F’aiye
6 – Gnonnas Pedro y sus panchos de Cotonou – L’indomptable Gnonnas Pop
7 – Orchestre Anos band de Parakou – boro non andou nan
8 –  D’almeida Blucky et L’orchestre Black Santiago – Les Nanes
9 – Melome Clement Et L’Orchestre Poly Rythmo – La Fin De L’Ete
10 – El Rego – Divogny Din Ton Le

Sincerely yours,

Armand

ADP004 – El Rego, Poly Rythmo, Honore Avolonto, Antoine Dougbe, Gnonnas Pedro : The Kings Of Benin Mix

Hi !

This week, a special Mix of some uncompiled songs from great and very well know artists from the beautiful country of Benin, hope you’ll enjoy it !
You can download it here !
Covers of the records used for this mix :
 

 
All the best,
Armand

ADP000 – Kribi Kribi Twist – Afro Songs Sung In French Mix !


Hi Everyone !

It’s a loong time we didn’t seen each other uh ?

Here comes a special Mix of some of my personal favourite Afro songs sung in french, for your ears only ; ) – Enjoy !

Armand de Preseau – Kribi Kribi Twist

You can download this selection here !

Tracklisting :
1 – Prince Nico Mbarga – Home Is Home
2 – Innovation – Le Lycee
3 – D’Almeida Blucky & Les Blacks Santiagos – Les Nanes
4 – Le Tout Puissant Orchestre Du Poly Rythmo – Ecoute Ma Melodie
5 – El Rego & Ses Commandos De Cotonou -Dis Moi Oui
6 – Gnonnas Pedro – Finis Les Paves

African Grooves

A Time & Space Journey in the African & West Indies Countries