VA - The Albarika Story (Vol. 1) (2024) [Hi-Res]

Founded in the late 1960s by record store owner Seidou Adissa, Albarika Store 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.

This September, Acid Jazz releases the first ever vinyl and CD overview of the label and its music (accompanied by a digital release) - ‘The Albarika Story'. It was compiled by David Hill of Soul Revivers and West African musical expert Florent Mazzoleni, who also wrote the in-depth sleeve notes.

The 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 Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo and its founder Melome Clement – 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 Les Sympathics De Porto Novo and Les Volcans. All of these artists create a unique mix of Westernised Funk, Soul and Latin sounds, cross-pollinated with the traditional music of the region.

Elsewhere, we hear the music as it is consumed further by funk and disco, with tracks from the ultra-obscure, and exceptionally danceable tracks by Ipa Boogie and Ogassa – 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 EMI’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.

The double album is housed in a beautiful wide-spine sleeve designed by the Unknown, and the printed inners have the extended essay by Mazzoleni, 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.