Bluecky d'Almeida - Unité Africaine

(Aux Ecoutes DB004)

"African Unity" has been a recurrent subject in post independance lyrics: many songs are direct reflect from Nkwame Nkrumah's political commitment for pan-africanism. Here's an example from Benin by Bluecky d'Almeida, with El Rego et ses Astronautes de Cotonou as backing band. The 7" is an early release of Mr. Lawani's label Aux Ecoutes.

Basically what he says in the part sung in french is that the remedy from colonialism, secessionism, racial discrimination is african unity (and also that praying is not sufficient...).

Bluecky d'Almeida - Unité Africaine:

MIX /// Muzzicaltrips back from Benin (45rpm selection)

Just to share some freshly found 45s from Benin.

...El Rego, L.A. Aux Ecoutes, Polydisco, Mélomé Clément, Poly-Rythmo, African Songs, Picoby Band, nagra sessions, african scream contest, afro beat, jerk fon...

Enjoy!

Muzzicaltrips back from Benin 45s selection:


I recommend to listen to this (re)reading the great liner notes from Analog Africa compilations (big up Samy) to perceive the context of these productions and this musical era.

Orchestre Los Commandos - Errante (y Bohemio)

 (Albarika Store AS 5010).

Here's an african version of a latin track i love (Arsenio Rodriguez - "Errante y Bohemio").

Orchestre Los Commandos is from Cotonou, and played with El Rego up to 1966 (using different band names).

From what I 've been told, it seems that almost all the musicians present on the cover picture left our world, except the red shirt guy, called "13" (the surname "13" would come from his habit to write the number 13 on his shoes to attract good luck... it seems it did worked).

Orchestre Los Commandos - Errante: