Antoinette Konan

This 1986 recording predates the coupé-décalé phenomenon and launched a career that saw Antoinette Konan become a popular public figure in Ivory Coast – both through her music and her charitable and philanthropic works. She went on to make numerous further recordings including a popular version of Christ Essien's evergreen ‘Seun Rere’.

This reissue makes much of the fact that she played a percussion instrument known as ahoko in her Baoulé tradition. It is a scraper and can be heard, alongside a berimbau, in the highly rhythmic and enjoyable opening track. There are only six short songs and unfortunately the album rapidly descends into dated electro-disco with the addition of a couple of lame ballads. The album is slightly rescued by the final track, which is a lively zouk-flavoured pop song. This is a reissue that will no doubt be greatly appreciated by the Ivoirian public who still hold this artist in high esteem and will enjoy the socially conscious lyrics.