Various - Bambara Mystic Soul - The Raw Sound of Burkina Faso 1974-1979
(CD/2xLP) Analog Africa n°10 AACD 070/AALP070, 2011-10-10

For its commemorative 10th release, Analog Africa indulges in Burkina Faso, one of the jewels of the Sahel, a harsh and arid strip that straddles the southern Sahara, stretching from Dakar in the west to Djibouti in the east. Formerly known as Haute Volta, Burkina Faso's sound was organized and nurtured during the country's time as part of a vast patchwork making up French colonial West Africa. While it might be Analog Africa's venture into possibly the most obscure of African sounds thus far, the sounds of the golden age of Burkinabé music deserve to be heard and the varying styles that came to define the era are completely covered in this 16-track release.

Rob - Funky Rob Way (1977)
(CD/LP) Analog Africa Limited Dance Edition AADE02CD/AADE02LP, 2011-06-07

In 1977, a young Rob travelled to the city of Takoradi in western Ghana to approach an army band named Mag-2 whom he had seen perform in Accra. Mag-2 was essentially filled with the best elements of The Parrots, a highlife band in which Amponsah Rockson was the lead guitarist. Their primary task was to entertain soldiers and with the army tour bus, perform from town to town as well as in reputable venues in the captial. Enticed by the style of music Rob had proposed, Mag-2 backed the Ghanaian sensation on two of his most astonishing records - his first and second albums - both of which were recorded at Essiebons studios in Accra. Analog Africa is re-issuing the first album Funky Rob Way, replacing the track Forgive Us All by Loose Up Yourself from the second album, Make it Fast, Make it Slow, because the former has already been licensed by the Hippo Records label for their Ghana Funk series...

...but don't worry you're not losing anything here really. Forgive Us All is an 8mn slow-funk burner, not really essential, while Lose Up Yourself is an funky as Rob can be. Considering those two albums were pressed at 500 copies at the end of the 70s in Ghana and are now worth 500-1000$ when they appear occasionnaly on Ebay, this reissue is more than worth your money!! Rob's first album is really a more uptempo affair than the next one, and with the inclusion of Make It Fast Make It Slow on the first Ghana Soundz compilation on Soundway, you should get plenty enough of Rob hard driving afro funk!!

...This review never ends apparently! It appears that finally Hippo records haven't licended the Forgive Us All track, so Analog Africa have finally announced that "as a friend would say "trust your audience", thank you guys. "Forgive Us all" was licensed and included, "Loose up yourself" removed. The Test pressing had to be recut, some money was lost but I dont regret. Bless". So the Rob album to be released is finally the original one, in its original track order!! And since the second album album isn't planned for a reissue yet, the lucky ones who got an early CD promo copy managed to grab a remastered version of Loose up yourself, which I don't think is available anywhere... Well all in all, thank you Analog Africa!!

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou-Dahomey - The 1st Album (1973)
(CD/LP) Analog Africa Limited Dance Edition AADE01CD/AADE01LP, 2011-06-07

Nestled in between Nigeria and Ghana, the traditional heavyweights of the golden West African musical axis, Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, has birthed some of the most raw and psychedelic Afro sounds to emerge from a continent blessed with artistic talent. From Lome to Luanda, Africa's coastal cities have constantly served as creative hubs and Benin's economic capital, Cotonou, is no exception. The former French trading post has spawned several bands and performers, the most indefatigable and prolific of which undoubtedly remains Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo. Limited One-off pressing.

Various - Angola Soundtrack
Special Sounds From Luanda 1965-1978
(CD/2xLP) Analog Africa n°9, 2010-11-22

The unique sound of Luanda 1965-1978! The nascent Angolan music scene was set on fire by a small group of intrepid singers, backed by an array of super tight bands and led by extraordinary guitarists who revolutionized the musical and the political panorama of the 60s and 70s. A powerful confluence of traditional rhythms from Luanda's islands, psychedelic guitar sounds imported from neighbouring Congo, Latin grooves, old school Caribbean merengue and the hard beat of the angolan carnival bands conspired to create the modern music of Angola. These sounds were immortalized by two excellent recording companies - Fadiang (fábrica de discos angolano) and Valentim de Carvalho.

Various - Afro-Beat Airways
West African Shock Waves – Ghana & Togo 1972-1979
(CD/2xLP) Analog Africa n°8, 2010-08-03

Organ-driven Afro-beat, cosmic Afro-funk and raw, psychedelic boogie... just some of the flavours to be found on this highly danceable compilation by Samy Ben Redjeb, founder of Analog Africa. No effort has been spared! To document these 15 irresistible tracks and the music scene from the'70s, Samy crisscrossed the lengths of Ghana and Togo in search of the producers and artists – or their relatives. In the process he recorded a dozen interviews, scanned 90 pictures and transferred 120 master tapes. All the evidence can be seen in the 44-page full colour booklet accompanying these 75 minutes of heavy West African sounds. Afro-Beat Airway showcases an amazing diversity of local rhythms spiced with Afro-American funk, soul and jazz.

Anibal Velasquez y Su Conjunto - Mambo Loco
(CD/2xLP) Analog Africa n°7, 2010-04-12

Having built its reputation on releasing long-forgotten gems from 70's Africa, especially Benin (including two releases by Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou), Analog Africa is moving its focus to another continent altogether. Mambo Loco is a compilation of tracks by Anibal Velasquez, an accordionist from Barranquilla in Colombia, who became a living legend of tropical music by creating a crazy blend of Guaracha, Pompo, Guarija, Cumbia and fast african beats. Many of the tracks presented here have set fire to more then one dance-floor and have become essential during Analog Africa Dj Sets...

Analog Africa Soundsystem - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
(stream) Wax Poetics, 2010-01-19

Dear friends & Afro Music Lovers, The Analog Africa Soundsystem just finished a DJ Mix for the Waxpoetics magazine. All titles were composed and played by the legendary Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou from Benin. We hope you enjoy the mix and are looking forward to your feedback. Love & Respect for the AFRICADELAY crew.

Go listen on waxpoetics.com

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou - Volume Two - Echos Hypnotiques
From the vaults of Albakira Store 1969-1979
(CD/2xLP) Analog Africa AACD066/AALP066, 2009-11-10

Four years in the making, Analog Africa finally presents the second volume of Africa's funkiest band, the mythical Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou. Volume One (The Vodoun Effect - Funk & Sato from Benins Obscure Labels, 1973 - 1975), released by Analog Africa at the end of 2008, was a collection of amazing lo-fi recordings produced for various labels around Benin. Volume Two showcases superbly recorded tracks, courtesy of the EMI studios in Lagos, Nigeria, one of the best studios in the region. All tracks here were recorded for the mighty Albarika Store label and its enigmatic producer, Adissa Seidou. The idea for this compilation was born five years ago when Samy Ben Redjeb, Analog Africa's founder and compiler, first heard the addictive funk track "Malin Kpon O" (included here), which was originally released in 1975 on Albarika Store. That discovery triggered the compiler's curiosity and what followed was a long journey through the musical history of Benin and the history of its most important ambassador, Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou who started as a children entertainment group and went on to become one of the greatest bands of their era.

WaaterproOf & ZjAk - One hour Mix 100% Poly-Rythmo (MP3 Podcast on www.ParisDJs.com) 2009-08-31 SPECIAL PARIS DJS MIX #200!! ONE HOUR LONG!!! The Tout Puissant Orchestre de Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Benin will be playing tomorrow night at the Jazz A La Villette festival along with Amadou & Mariam (featuring guests Romeo and Michele Stodart from The Magic Numbers), Seun Kuti and DJ RKK (Radio Nova) - don't miss this show!! Anyone deeply into old school African music must have already stumbled upon the Jam Magica blog and its growing index of the Orchestre de Poly-Rythmo complete...

AFRICADELAY presents EBO TAYLOR
Saturday, July 18th 2009 - Frankfurt

Ebo Taylor for the first time live in Europe!

The AFRICADELAY-Party, taking place at the Schwedlersee on July 18th promises to be a cultural Highlight and a sensation for all lovers of Afro beat, Highlife and Afro jazz. Ebo Taylor, the legendary composer, arranger and musician from Ghana will take the stage for the first time in Europe, together with Artists of the internationally assigned Afro beat Academy.

Ebo Taylor be playing with the same musicians as the day before in Paris at La Bellevilloise and then go to Berlin with them to record an album for the Analog Africa label!