dimanche 27 mars 2016

New Selection - 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 ("right clic, save as").

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..

samedi 12 mars 2016

African Brothers Band International - Self Reliance (Ghana, 197?, Anopa Nsonoma)

 

African Brothers Band (renamed to African Brothers International Band in 1973) was one of the most profilic band of Ghana, formed in 1963.

The band was led by Nana Kwame Ampadu, and was composed by some great figures of the Ghanaian music, such as Joe Mensah, Paul Sagoe, Kofi Amoah or Eddie Donkor.

The track I want to present to you here is taken from my favourite album of the band, with an amazing cover !

African Brothers Band International - Self Reliance




Regards, 

Armand

samedi 5 mars 2016

Les Abranis - Chenar Le Blues (Algeria, 1977, Disques Bordj El Phen)

 

Originated from Algerian Kabylie (Algeria), "Les Abranis" was one of the first Rock band from Algeria.

The group was founded in 1967 by Sid Mohand Tahar, aka Karim Abranis, singer and bassist, and was originally composed by :

- Karim Abranis : Singer, Bass
- Samir Chabane - Singer
- Madi Mahdi : Guitar
- Shamy El Baz : Organ

The group splitted in 1975, and Samir and Madi founded another Algerian band.

Recorded in 1977, the track presented here, "Chenar Le Blues", is my favourite from the band, splendid Fuzzy Rock ballad sung in Arab, with good organ and drums parts !

Les Abranis - Chenar Le Blues




Best regards,

Armand