Several readers have suggested that I post some tracks off Miles Cleret’s Ghana Soundz compilations. I waited this long because I couldn’t find a copy of the recently-released second volume in Dakar. When I was in Canada/US/France these last few weeks I bought about 25 new albums, one of which is Ghana Soundz 2. So here we are, two days of “Afro-beat, funk and fusion in 70’s Ghana” on Benn loxo.

In 2000 Miles Cleret of Brighton, England, decided to head to Ghana to do some crate-digging for 70s soul, funk and afro-beat. Unlike Nigeria where the music was picked-up by big labels and well-distributed, Ghana’s soul/funk scene was pretty small and is for the most part unknown these days outside of West Africa. Two years and four trips later he had a pretty serious collection of vinyl as well as some good friends among the past players in the scene.

There are loads of tracks off these albums that I could post, however my favourite of the first volume is by a guy we’ve already heard on this site, Gyedu Blay Ambolley. Alas, we’ve already heard him so you’ll have to buy the album to hear Simigwado, a track that he recorded with the Steneboofs. Today we’ll go with some serious Afro-funk from ROB, a now-gospel musician who could sing’n'dance a funk storm back in the 70s.

ROB – Make It Fast Make It Slow

I’m finally heading back to Dakar today after over six weeks of work and vacation in Canada, the US and France. In honour of this I’m going to answer my most frequent request at Benn loxo: Senegalese rap.

Here’s a relatively recent (mid-2004) release from a group of several Senegalese up and comers (”nouveau talent”) in the Dakar rap scene, Le Collectif. I can’t tell you who they all are, but the second-half of the first rap verse is definitely Fou Malade. He has one of the most distinctive sounds on the scene, as you may have heard on his great track Taxi Man with Vivianne N’Dour that I featured here a while back.

Anyway. I’ve said a lot about Senegalese rap already on this site so I’m going to cut it short today. But enjoy. I like this track, and it’s a great example of well-produced Dakarois-Wolof rap.

ps- if you haven’t already, check out the great Ayub Ogada track over at Akwaaba Sound System.

Le Collectif – SIDA

All the Franco lately really got me in the mood for some Kékélé.

Kékélé’s 2003 album, Congo Life, is right up there as one of my favourite West/Central African albums in recent years. Congo Life is Kékélé’s second album to date. It rips it up Latin-style with beautiful acoustic harmonies of various guitars, strings, multi-part vocals and rhythm.

Kékélé boasts several major Congolese musicians, my favourite among whom is the amazingly named Rigo Star. Mr. Star’s soukous guitar used to back up the likes of Mbilia Bel and Koffi Olomide in the 80s when they were just starting to hit it big. He’s mellowed out a bit since then but the skill remains.

ps- Apparently I’ve been nominated for something called the Bloggies. If you like what you hear, why not vote.

Kékélé – Bebe Yaourt

After yesterday’s slow-jam we need to up the tempo a bit. Here’s the promised third and last track of my Franco mini-series, Lisanga Ya Ba Nganga off 1983’s Omona Wapi.

Yesterday we featured Franco with fellow ex-OK Jazz member Sam Mangwana. Today we’ll have a listen to Franco with another one of his collaborateurs extraordinaire, Tabu Ley Rochereau of Africa Jazz fame. The production is a little off but the energy and musicality of these two guys shines in this soukous track. Nice harmonies over some electric guitar this time, and that rhythm you’re hearing is a classic Zairean rumba-obenda.

As this is the last day of Franco posts, it’s worth mentioning that Franco, born Luambo Makiadi, sadly died at the age of 51 in 1989. Though I don’t believe it was ever made public many believe that he died as a result of AIDS. Regardless, he left us with a massive legacy, loads of great music and many musicians that he personally trained or influenced. He is still seen as the most important fixture of contemporary Congolese music and will be for some time.

Franco and Rochereau – Lisanga Ya Ba Nganga

As promised, I’m back with some more Franco.

Today’s pick changes the speed and style up a bit. It’s also my personal Franco favourite. Why this is has something to do with the tone of one of the female backup’s voice. I can’t quite figure out what it is that affects me so much, but regardless this track has been on heavy rotation as I wander around the grey Parisian side-streets.

Likambo Ya Ngana was recorded in 1971. It’s a nice folky tune with acoustic guitar over a slow rumba beat, featuring some nice accordian work by Camille Feruzi. The track is a gentle reminder that Franco isn’t all about dancefloor explosions and soukous-speed guitar.

Franco – Likambo Ya Ngana