VARIOUS ARTISTS - OPIKA PENDE: AFRICA AT 78RPM (4CD+112 PG BOOKLET) SET

COMPILED AND EDITED BY JONATHAN WARD

From the Introduction to Opika Pende:

It is truly astonishing to consider the tremendous variety of music that was pressed to shellac discs on the continent of Africa. Popular songs, topical songs, work songs, comic songs, songs of worship, ritual, dance, and praise—the sheer range of musical styles resists any easy categorization. Further, African geography itself resists boundaries. The boundaries of cultures and languages are often far more complex than political boundaries. Complicating things further, entire countries seem to have been skipped over by both commercial 78 rpm record companies and ethnographers during the 78 rpm era. No doubt it was the same with many cultures. But that doesn’t mean that 78s weren’t everywhere, even in remote parts of the continent. By the mid-1960s, 78s were still a popular if not preferred medium in much of Africa, as a significant amount of the population still used wind-up gramophone players.

I have created this compilation with one simple goal in mind: to showcase a diverse amount of long-forgotten music from Africa that transports me as a listener. It is one person’s offering of music that is wholly unavailable except in its original elusive and fragile format. While it is not definitive, nor am I attempting to construct or invent a narrative, there are important connections to be made. Around one musical corner is another corner, and another. Within these 100 tracks, traditional music stands side by side with popular music as traditional culture coexists with so-called modernity. As a non-African, I offer this set as an example of the riches that lay in waiting when considering the tens of thousands of phenomenal African 78 rpm discs that were issued, played, dispersed, and in large part, forgotten.

TRACKLIST 

1 Cheikh Amin Hasanayn Surah Al-Haaqqa, Pt. 1
2 Mohamed Ben Hamadi, dit Marocain E Zzine Emlih Yamana
3 Cheikh El-Afrit Enna Nehoub, Pt. 2
4 Cheikh Abdelkader Oueld Zine Sigha Med'heb, Pt. 2
5 Raïs Mohamed Sasbo Ghina' Loziq
6 Les Griots de Tahoua Chanson de Dyahadi, Pt. 2
7 Mahamoud Esma|Roble Hoche|Kihien Ebrahim Guelabiessi
8 Yetna Taddeghegn Ere Ye Agerie Lidj
9 Dan Titi And His Group Abdulkadiri Kwori
10 Groupe de Jeunes Filles de Bamako Celu Mankan
11 Elhadji Issaika Bamba Algrouane, Pt. 2
12 Sassi Ahlen Bikoum
13 Youssef El Benzarti Et Son Orchestra Zendani Staiffi
14 Rshisha, Hlima, and Cheikh Abdesalam Aishek Baba
15 Messaoud Habib Steukhbar Rasd Eddil, Pt. 1
16 Sami al-Shawwa Taqsim Bayati
17 Mahieddine Mestakhbar Mezmoum
18 Aicha Doumoua Ellaini
19 Nina And Mary Git Lil-Haq, Pt. 1
20 Zohra El Fassia Aita Moulay Brahim
21 Dalila Rochdi Haragli Guelbi, Pt. 1
22 El Hadj Mohamed El-Anka Rabi Alaamlih Iydaabar, Pt. 2
23 Fatimah Bent Meddah & Kouïder Adhouh, Adhouh, Pt. 1
24 Cheikh Zouzou Gheniet Ben Soussan, Pt. 7
25 Tuareg Women of Adrar des Iforas Air de Kel Ajjer (Rhythme Ellehelleh)
26 Mbongue Diboue Et Son Ensemble Tu Nja Tengene Elie
27 Yeboa's Band Osu Oblanyo
28 Salia And His Accordion I Tondo Muya
29 Yankori Beibatane Air De Haoua
30 Richard Ábé Brown Band Bārā Sānābo Bārā
31 Douta Seck Dagagne
32 Youkoui Bamiléké Ngwop
33 Jolly Orchestra Egberun Buso
34 Calender And His Maringar Band The Jambo Song
35 Kamkam Okafu Nyi
36 Jeli Bakari Kenssa
37 Jean Koroma Morigbé
38 Yagbe And Her Group Domagbe
39 Aziakpon And His Group Oyida Mayi Magbo
40 Ohue Sapey Band Oblemo
41 Pantanon Djelouwei Wenike Ahlanon
42 Paul Béhanzin Et Son Ensemble Cholie
43 Band Of The Gold Coast Police High Life - Dagomba
44 Kwaa Mensah's Band Eho Ma Ne Wubu Efu
45 E.A.B. Jones Ante Maria
46 Black Beats Band De Ehuo
47 Onana Mbosa Isidore Kurungu
48 Unknown Cameroonian Musique De Danse
49 Kekere Tiamiyu And His Group Saka Amodu
50 E.K.'s Band Suro Onipa
51 Chanteurs a la Croix de Cuivre Batata dia Bwanga
52 Stonik And Kiprono Molildo Kiruk-Yuk
53 Adikwa Na Bana Loningisa Rumba Tolingana
54 Okoth Onuko March Guitar
55 Siti Ganduri Arabian Conga
56 Abdu Owiti Stephen Opio
57 Tshamumania Anastasie And Singers Ndumba Wakumi Diekde Dikasa
58 Bekyibei Arap Mosonik Iyan We Kimoino
59 Tobbo Eitel Ja Bane
60 Kiko Kids Tom Tom
61 O.S. Africa Jazz Onema Pascal Furaha Ya Kanu
62 Kabasele-Kibongue|Orchestre African Jazz Titi
63 Omolo Washiembu N. Odera
64 Pancras Mkwawa Ngosingosi
65 Richard Chelobani Naswa
66 François Awila Ye Mpangi Zandi Kiboba Kiyma Nkuaku
67 Ustad Amar Gaba Ba'd el Zouz Marghub
68 Elhubi Jamila Yni Mawali
69 Mwinyi Bin Said Tela, Pt. 1
70 Mbaruk Talsam Comic Sketch
71 Evarist And Party Nambanda
72 Kabongo Bonkoli Musungayi Nembwa Matumba
73 Sekinomu Kayanda
74 Jean Bosco Mwenda Masanga
75 Coast Social Orchestra Napenda
76 Unknown Mahafaly Flute solo

77 Flying Jazz Queens Siyahamba
78 Thayelo Kapiye Nyanja Trio Wachona Thayelo
79 Francis Baloyi And Shangaan Band Sati Wa Vakwela
80 Evening Birds Yenz' Inqab' Intombi
81 Ranoko Sebabule Ditee
82 Tarik'i Dada Raleva Laloe E!
83 Orchestre André Philippe de St.-Pierre Cuisine Roulante (Réunion)
84 Aamiti And His Concertina Onano
85 Josaya Hadebe Yini Wena Funa
86 Americo Valenti Wati Si Sasekahipahpa
87 Lucas Lunga Vura Matambo
88 Wilson Makawa And His Guitar Bambo Siyaya
89 Dipela Tsabapedi Kxomo Muwa
90 Mulaji Ronger and 2 Chokwe Women Fuzhi Inopenduka Kwenda Lamukiya
91 Clement Nyamane and Sotho Men Nkau Haka Khoele
92 Marguerite and Razanatsoa Dia Veloma I Said Omar
93 Caluza's Double Quartet Imini Ifikile
94 Transvaal Rockin' Jazz Stars Swaziland
95 George Sisimayi And His Crazy Five Ndapera Cha Cha
96 Elias Nelushi Kama Kalinyana
97 Orbert Nentambo Zahke Nongqangqa Lishonile
98 The Play Singer Boshiwe
99 Seychelles United Band Waltz of the Young Hearts
100 Griffiths Motsieloa and Company Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika