{"product_id":"various-the-albarika-story-vol-2","title":"VARIOUS - The Albarika Story (Vol. 1)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff0000;\"\u003e2LP - Black Vinyl in wide-spine jacket with printed inner, extended sleeve notes and photographs. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFounded in the late 1960s by record store owner \u003cstrong\u003eSeidou Adissa\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eAlbarika Store\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most important independent record labels on the African continent. That it was founded in the relatively small ex-French colony of Benin (then still called Dahomey), is a testament to its founder’s musical taste and vision for what the local musical scene had to offer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis September, \u003cstrong\u003eAcid Jazz\u003c\/strong\u003e releases the first ever vinyl and CD overview of the label and its music (accompanied by a digital release) - ‘\u003cem\u003eThe Albarika Story\u003c\/em\u003e'. It was compiled by \u003cstrong\u003eDavid Hill\u003c\/strong\u003e of \u003cstrong\u003eSoul Revivers\u003c\/strong\u003e and West African musical expert \u003cstrong\u003eFlorent Mazzoleni\u003c\/strong\u003e, who also wrote the in-depth sleeve notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe compilation provides a look into what was a developing and then thriving post-colonial music scene. It focuses on the label’s biggest and most prolific act \u003cstrong\u003eOrchestre Poly-Rhythmo\u003c\/strong\u003e and its founder \u003cstrong\u003eMelome Clement\u003c\/strong\u003e – who released under a variety of names, often spotlighting on the musicians key to their sound. It also looks at the other established artists on the label such as the incendiary \u003cstrong\u003eLes Sympathics De Porto Novo\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eLes Volcans\u003c\/strong\u003e. All of these artists create a unique mix of Westernised Funk, Soul and Latin sounds, cross-pollinated with the traditional music of the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eElsewhere, we hear the music as it is consumed further by funk and disco, with tracks from the ultra-obscure, and exceptionally danceable tracks by \u003cstrong\u003eIpa Boogie\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eOgassa\u003c\/strong\u003e – the latter sounding like they have been adding psychedelic rock to their funky brew. The record is a story of local music, and they way that it was cross-pollinated by both the West and the wider regional scene in neighbouring Nigeria. Adissa would often head to \u003cstrong\u003eEMI\u003c\/strong\u003e’s state of the art Lagos studio to record his acts, contributing to the exceptional sonic quality of the recordings, and it is no surprise that the influence of Fela Kuti and Afro Beat is writ large.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe double album is housed in a beautiful wide-spine sleeve designed by \u003cstrong\u003ethe Unknown\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the printed inners have the extended essay by \u003cstrong\u003eMazzoleni\u003c\/strong\u003e, and plentiful illustrations of the original LPs and 45s from which the records originate. The CD is equally classy, as its card sleeve mimics the vinyl design, complete with those notes and images. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Acid Jazz","offers":[{"title":"2LP - Vinyl","offer_id":48703487770969,"sku":"SDZ-41594","price":17.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0588\/3455\/0945\/files\/The_Albarika_Story_-_Vol_1_-_Various_-_CD_-_2024_bbe943a2-f720-4587-90dc-7dbeef180256.jpg?v=1781246368","url":"https:\/\/spindizzyrecords.com\/products\/various-the-albarika-story-vol-2","provider":"Spindizzy Dublin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}