Mammane Sani et son Orgue - Tunan (Niger, 1978, Niger Minister of Culture)

 

One of the greatest musicians of Niger, Mamman Sani Abdoulaye was one of the pioneers of Electronic music in Africa.

Guitarist and singer, he discovered electronic music in 1974, when he was employed as a musician for the UNESCO, during which he traveled to Europe.

During one of the UNESCO meetings, a delegate from Rwanda had brought along his Italian “Orlo” organ model. Mammane, captivated by the sound, convinced him to sell it.

This Organ was the first in Niger.

Then, he recorded his first and only album of instrumental electronic songs in 1978, only released on a few tapes in coordination with the Minister of Culture.

He played over 30 years, and is still playing music today.

I decided to make you discover one of his hits, Tunan, taken from his one and only album.

Mammane Sani et son Orgue - Tunan

Sincerely yours, 

Armand

Eric And George - Over The Bar (Ghana, ???, Tower)

We stay in Ghana with this little Bonus, an obscure cosmic synth proto house track a la Onyeabor from the early 70's !

No info on this record, veeeery innovative drumbox and synth using for this period in Africa !

If you have some info on this record, don't hesitate to leave a comment !

Armand

William Onyeabor - Something you will never forget (Nigeria, 1978, Wilfilms Records)

"A Tragedy Of How An African Princess Rejects The Love That Money Buys"

Hi Everyone !

Sorry for the delay, I just came back from Thailand yesterday evening ! Found around dope 80 records there, listenend more than 2000 records.. I'm preparing right now a new Thai selection !

I selected for today a track from the great William Onyeabor, from Enugu, Nigeria.

Mr Onyabor was a very prolific composer and producer (9 records between 1977 and 1985), owner of the Wilfilms records label and who had his own record pressing plant.

Secret USSR agent, Businessman that became billionaire working in oil or movie producer, no one could say who is exactly William Onyeabor..

This song is taken from the first LP of Mr Onyeabor, originally out in 1977. Actually 2 versions of this LP exist, because it was "remixed" later in a more electronic way, with synths and drummachines.

 I decided to present you "Something you'll never forget", a groovy and catchy funky track taken from the 2nd version of his first LP, hope you'll like it !

William Onyeabor - Something You Will Never Forget

Take care,

Armand

Francis Bebey - Divorce Pygmee

Hi everyone !

It's been a loooong time (too long !) without articles ! 2 months !!! Many reasons to that : too much work, I was ill also, I travelled, cleaned my records, but now I'm back !!

And because my selections take me a lot of time to do (find the records, make a coverfor the selection, restore and mix the records..) I decided to change the form of this blog : I will put more single songs now and, one time per month (or more, who knows !) I will put selection of around 6 records to download - This way, you will have more songs to discover.

So let's begin with Francis Bebey, one of my favourite Cameroonese musicans.

Francis Bebey was born in Douala in 1929 and died in Paris in 2001. He was one of the first African musician to use Drum machines and synths to produce electronic music (remember William Onyeabor ? Francis Bebey is better, for me !)

The song I present here, Divorce Pygmee, is taken from his well-known record (and harder LP to find) "La Condition Masculine", out on the "Ozileka" label, Francis Bebey's own label - Enjoy !

Francis Bebey - La Condition Masculine

 

I will be back soon, for your ears only.

Sincerely yours,

Armand