Amazing compilation of Cameroonian funk master Pasteur Lappe.
"The story begins in the 60s with a charming 19 year old Nicolas "Pasteur" Lappe becoming a sensation on Radio Adele in Douala Cameroun. He goes on to become the editor of Douala Gazette newspaper and become friends with other African music stars such as Tala AM, J Moboule and Fela Kuti. He also works tirelessly promoting new and upcoming local Cameroonian talent. After moving to Paris, a stint in Journalism school and publishing a book of poems "Chansons Negres" he finally settles into a new life of music in Paris.
Our hero makes a trio of albums from 1979 to 1981 with backing band and production collective called the Zulu Gang which include Douglas Mbida (who goes onto release several top flight albums himself) and Jacob Desvariaux (who went on to form Kassav). The three albums are full of diverse sounds; from driving funk, sweeping disco grooves, syrupy ballads, reggae, Jackson-five-esque pop to finger-lickin' soul. At their core though is the "Sekele" groove...; a movement to encompass the dance, grooves and vibes from his native Douala.
Our album opens up with the pulsating percussion and floor-filling bass groove of "More Sekele Movement". We then move onto Africa Seven favourite "Na Real Sekele Fo'Ya" which takes stabby moog bass synth to a whole new level of grooviness. "Sanaga Calkpso" is more experimental in comparison its moog groove would go onto to form the basis of a highlight of the debut Kassav album. "Hiembi Nin" is a song in two parts; half Shaft groove and half synthy Calypso. "Back To Funky" is dance funk and features Maryse Lappe guesting on vocals.
Opening up on side two of the record is the Rhodes and sax led jazz funk of "Mbale", followed by the clavinet groove, sleezy brass and politically charged lyrics. "Sekelemania" is a cool piece of tropical, calypso funk. Lead track from Album 2, the single "ABC" is stomping afro, pop funk delight closes proceedings."
boomkat.com
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In terms of being an afrobeat legend, Pasteur Lappe is Cameroon's Fela Kuti, an unsung hero who was ahead of the game back in the 1970s and 1980s, and one whose been famous for burning the pockets of many diggers nowadays. Luckily, Africa Seven have compiled some of his best work onto a ten-track LP, ranging from the funky oddities of "More Sekele Movement" or "Na Real Seke Fo'ya", to the future-zouk sound of "Sanaga Calypso", and plenty of jazzy, popped-out, disgruntled soulfulness to satisfy anyone from Gilles Peterson to Cherrystones. Heavy and warmly recommended.
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Next up on Africa Seven is the
second edition of our African Funk Experimentals LPs. With these we
took some of our favourite African artists, choose the most funky we can
find and then put together a compilation of their choicest and funkiest
tracks. Of course that may not be their most popular or best selling
tracks...; but that's just fine. We are digging for the funk.
Step forward Cameroonian funk master Pasteur Lappe. The story begins in the 60s with a charming 19 year old Nicolas Pasteur Lappe becoming a sensation on Radio Adele in Douala Cameroun. He goes on to become the editor of Douala Gazette newspaper and become friends with other African music stars such as Tala AM, J Moboule and Fela Kuti. He also works tirelessly promoting new and upcoming local Cameroonian talent. After moving to Paris, a stint in Journalism school and publishing a book of poems Chansons Negres he finally settles into a new life of music in Paris.
Our hero makes a trio of albums from 1979 to 1981 with backing band and production collective called the Zulu Gang which include Douglas Mbida (who goes onto release several top flight albums himself) and Jacob Desvariaux (who went on to form Kassav). The three albums are full of diverse sounds; from driving funk, sweeping disco grooves, syrupy ballads, reggae, Jackson-five-esque pop to finger-lickin' soul. At their core though is the Sekele groove...; a movement to encompass the dance, grooves and vibes from his native Douala.
Our album opens up with the pulsating percussion and floor-filling bass groove of More Sekele Movement. We then move onto Africa Seven favourite Na Real Sekele Fo'Ya which takes stabby moog bass synth to a whole new level of grooviness. Sanaga Calkpso is more experimental in comparison its moog groove would go onto to form the basis of a highlight of the debut Kassav album. Hiembi Nin is a song in two parts; half Shaft groove and half synthy Calypso. Back To Funky is dance funk and features Maryse Lappe guesting on vocals.
Opening up on side two of the record is the Rhodes and sax led jazz funk of Mbale, followed by the clavinet groove, sleezy brass and politically charged lyrics. Sekelemania is a cool piece of tropical, calypso funk. Lead track from Album 2, the single ABC is stomping afro, pop funk delight closes proceedings.
The nostalgic poet, with Africa at his essence Pasteur Lappe, we salute you.
kudosrecords.co.uk
Step forward Cameroonian funk master Pasteur Lappe. The story begins in the 60s with a charming 19 year old Nicolas Pasteur Lappe becoming a sensation on Radio Adele in Douala Cameroun. He goes on to become the editor of Douala Gazette newspaper and become friends with other African music stars such as Tala AM, J Moboule and Fela Kuti. He also works tirelessly promoting new and upcoming local Cameroonian talent. After moving to Paris, a stint in Journalism school and publishing a book of poems Chansons Negres he finally settles into a new life of music in Paris.
Our hero makes a trio of albums from 1979 to 1981 with backing band and production collective called the Zulu Gang which include Douglas Mbida (who goes onto release several top flight albums himself) and Jacob Desvariaux (who went on to form Kassav). The three albums are full of diverse sounds; from driving funk, sweeping disco grooves, syrupy ballads, reggae, Jackson-five-esque pop to finger-lickin' soul. At their core though is the Sekele groove...; a movement to encompass the dance, grooves and vibes from his native Douala.
Our album opens up with the pulsating percussion and floor-filling bass groove of More Sekele Movement. We then move onto Africa Seven favourite Na Real Sekele Fo'Ya which takes stabby moog bass synth to a whole new level of grooviness. Sanaga Calkpso is more experimental in comparison its moog groove would go onto to form the basis of a highlight of the debut Kassav album. Hiembi Nin is a song in two parts; half Shaft groove and half synthy Calypso. Back To Funky is dance funk and features Maryse Lappe guesting on vocals.
Opening up on side two of the record is the Rhodes and sax led jazz funk of Mbale, followed by the clavinet groove, sleezy brass and politically charged lyrics. Sekelemania is a cool piece of tropical, calypso funk. Lead track from Album 2, the single ABC is stomping afro, pop funk delight closes proceedings.
The nostalgic poet, with Africa at his essence Pasteur Lappe, we salute you.
kudosrecords.co.uk
Tracklist
| A1 | More Sekele Movement (Papa Ni Mama) | 3:58 |
| A2 | Na Real Sekele Fo'Ya | 6:21 |
| A3 | Sanaga Calypso | 3:30 |
| A4 | Hiembi Nin (Hymne A La Vie) | 3:45 |
| A5 | Back To Funky | 3:26 |
| B1 | Mbale (Face To Face With The Truth) | 3:48 |
| B2 | Na Man Pass Man (Na Iron De Cut Iron) | 2:55 |
| B3 | Hommage A Eraste Nkom | 5:31 |
| B4 | Sekelimania (Nku Bilam) | 3:47 |
| B5 | ABC | 3:08 |
I always thought that the Kassav' version came first https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dljsiJOlr8
ReplyDeleteThe Kassav' project "Shades of black" recorded an english version.