The Orchestra “Les Sympathics de Porto-Novo” was a band created in 1972 in Porto-Novo, Benin, by Herman F. Laleye, the former leader of the very well known “Black Dragons Orchestra“.
They recorded a few LP in the 70’s (three, as far as I know), and also backed other artists such as Singer Nahounou (Amédée Pierre).
The band was composed by :
Herman Laleye : Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar
Armand Pognon : Lead Guitar
Jean Apithy : Bass Guitar
Camille Zannou : Organ
Bonheur Gangbo : Vocals
Georges d’Assomption : Tumbas
Olivier Boke : Tumbas
Marc Laleye : Drums
Epiphane Zinsou : Drums
This LP was recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, at the mythical EMI Studios Nigeria, and was engineered by Mister Ayo and Mister Kayode Salami, great names of the Nigerian musical scene at the time.
I decided to make you discover “Benin To”, a splendid slow Afrobeat and Sato Vodoun rhythm song – Enjoy !
Les Sympathics de Porto Novo – Benin To
You can also listen to this song on my Youtube channel here : https://youtu.be/kBn2Ttd_RXs
See you soon,
Armand
