Africa

Analog Africa No.15 – ANGOLA SOUNDTRACK 2
*Hypnosis, Distortions & Other Sonic Innovations 1969-1978*
Catalogue No. AACD 075 (1xCD)/AALP 075 (2xLP)
CD with 44-Page Booklet / LP with 16-Page LP Size Booklet

In 2010, against all odds, Angola Soundtrack Vol.1 was awarded the German Record Critics’ Prize in the category "Black music". This victory was all the sweeter for its triumph over the predicted winner, Aloe Blacc´s multi platinium record, "Good Things".

Many were surprised that the award was handed to a compilation that covered obscure music, but it didn’t surprise the team behind Analog Africa who believed such award should have come much earlier.

Since discovering the music of Angola 15 years ago, styles such Kazucuta, Rebita and Semba have become an addiction for Samy Ben Redjeb, the compiler, who proclaimed a serious warning in the first edition liner notes:

"Listening to these tracks may cause addiction and provoke heavy rotation!"

The unique blend of incomparable musicianship, passionate delivery and regional rhythms that make these tracks so combustible are no accident. An exceptional set of circumstances existed in the history of Angola before Independence that created the giant leap in the style and standard of bands and recordings of the time.

When Portuguese repressive measures prevented the small Turmas, street musician groups, from being able to perform in Carnaval celebrations in 1961, a Portuguese civil servant, entrepreneur and Angolan music fan named Luis Montês was already in a position to capitalise on Luanda’s need for a live music scene. His self-designed “Kutonocas”, Sunday afternoon live music festivals, delighted a Luandan population hungry for a communication between the city and musseques (townships). It also forced groups to adapt to a different style of playing that would accommodate large stages and broader audiences. They equipped themselves with electric guitars, and fed on the musical influences from Cape Verde, Congo and the Dominican Republic, while staying patriotically true to their own musical legacy and unique rhythms.

The intimacy of those participating in this musical revolution meant they playfully and professionally wanted to trump each other’s style; communication between the groups was frequent as everyone studied each other’s records and concerts and players were under a lot of pressure to outdo each other due to the limited recording and performing opportunities. Development of skill and ingenuity was a must, as well as addressing the highly politicised climate. The optimism of Independence can be heard in these recordings; a common goal between the audience and musicians.

Upon reading the characteristically generous liner notes of this new Analog Africa release, you will be given more hints of the crucial melting pot that allowed this short period to have such an outstanding productivity. Featuring 44 pages acquired in coordination with the National Library of Luanda and the art magazine “Note E Dia”, Analog Africa head honcho Samy Ben Redjeb has managed to collect newspaper clips, extremely rare pictures of the bands on stage and printed interviews from the 70s.

The stunning pages of passionate photography and artistic design also include interviews with many of the original artists and their families, biographies of the three labels that made it all possible, and of Luis Montês, who was the pulse of the live music scene in Luanda.

This compilation represents the best of the short lived recording industry in Angola, a brief moment of history between 1969 and 1978, when three recording companies produced approximately 800 limited records, mostly singles. They are rare jewels, each song with a significant story and feel behind it. You will hear exciting music blazed with the anticipation of emancipation, tracks fuelled with a sense of unity, community, importance and immediacy.

This addictive, outlawed music from Angola shakes and grooves with the smoothness of staccato machine gun fire. Do yourself a favor and submerge yourself into some of the most the addictive music created by mankind!

FATIMITA - Urbano de Castro

No mastering, no restoration......Raw in your face!
Enjoy the impact !!

(Share with friends, spread the word, forward to loved ones, download to your ipod .......enjoy !!! )

Buy Analog Africa here

Analog Africa Selection Vol.3 (2013) Download it, Share it, forward it

Fantastic mix made by my friend DJ/Producer Déni Shain, currently based in Mexico....spreading good vibes and excellent music. 

The songs used here were taken mainly from mastertapes found in Ghana, the others were recorded from obscure vinyls. Needless to say that half of these songs have never been heard before....feel free to download it, share it, play it...just funk it up !!!!! 

Enjoy it and spread the word !!
ps: Abraços and big love to Brasil...Saudades !!!

Analog Africa Selection Vol.4 (2014) I Ghana Soundtrack  - Previously unreleased & Obscure tracks

This is a mix I´ve made in 2008 to celebrate the release of my 3rd compilation "African Scream Contest". At the time I was told that this selection had reached cult status after being downloaded a few thousand times on the formidable PARIS DJs platform. But, to the surprise of many, few billion people seemed to have missed it, so here it is again!!! 

Download it, enjoy it, press the repeat button, get addicted, share it……spread the word about our label! 



Analog Africa Selection Vol.1 (2008) - Download it, Share it & make sure your friends hear it ....

This mix was originally done for The Wire Magazine Website. But not only did I want to avoid the mix getting lost in "the universe of data" after it has been remove from the Wire's front page but more importantly I wanted you guys, who have been so supportive of my label, to enjoy it as well.

The week I was about to finish the mix I got a message from Julien from www.parisdjs.com one of Europe´s best website when it comes to sharing our passion for worldwide dancefloor oriented music, asking me if I would like to send him a Mix for his site.

So I wrote to the Wire to make sure all is cool and we agreed that they will have it for a week exclusively and that Julien and myself will make it available later. The Wire kindly offered to pay me for the mix but I thought it would be fair to decline the offer.

The initial idea was to make a pure West African Afro-beat/Afro-Funk mix, as I guessed they wanted something that reflected what I was releasing but then, while selecting the tracks, I bumped into few titles from Ethiopia, Angola and Guinea that I have been enjoying a lot in recent months and decided to add them as well.

This mix is (was) also an occasion to celebrate "the Vodoun Effect" Compilation by Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou which has been released in France today and will be available in the rest of Europe and in the USA at the end of November.

The mix contains a slower version of the Poly-Rythmo killer track "Se Tche We Djo Mon"

I hope you´ll enjoy it !!!
Samy



Analog Africa Selection Vol.2 (2009) - Download it, Share it & make sure your friends hear it ....

DREMO - OJERE [NIGERIA HIPHOP]

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DREMO - OJERE [NIGERIA HIPHOP]

AfricanSounds