Orchestre Super Borgou De Parakou

Lost sounds are the archives of a forgotten history. The raucously raw, Vodoun-inspired rhythms of Cotonou have confirmed Benin as a mecca of '70s Afro sounds and revivedthe story of its people, but the unopened vaults housing the country's catacombs of musical riches are endless. With this as our compass, Analog Africa charters its fifth expedition to Benin, traveling far north to delve deeper into the obscured repertoires and tales of the Bariba and Dendi people. Originating from the Kwara state of northwest Nigeria, the Bariba - a predominantly Islamic people - now dominate the Borgou department of Benin with the market city of Parakou at its heart. The rhythms of their culture constitute just one domain of the Islamic Funk Belt - a distinct musical swath of land encompassing northern Ghana, Togo and Benin. Once frequented by Muslim merchants and traders, the belt has yielded a rich harvest of talent with the likes of Uppers International (Ghana), Orchestre Abass, the Black Devils(Togo), Anassoua Jazz (Benin) and, undoubtedly the most powerful band from Parakou, Orchestre Super Borgou, who were first introduced to the West via Analog Africa's definingrelease, "African Scream Contest." The birth of modern African music in Parakou is inextricably linked to Super Borgou. Theprogressive-minded father of the band's founder, Moussa Mama, imported modern music - which he learned while working as a goldsmith in Accra, Ghana - to the region in the 50s. His return to Borgou and subsequent teachings spawned countless bands from villages across the department. In its infancy, Super Borgou served as a cover band for Congolese Rumba hits but, in line with the most enigmatic - and experimental - African bands of the day, they developed their own musical identity by reinventing traditional songs and rhythms. With Benin's foremost drummer, Bori Borro, in their ranks, Bariba and Dendi linguistic folklore - alongside melodies of an Islamic ilk - fused with Soul, Pachanga, Breakbeats, Rumba and Afro-Beat, Orchestre Sup...