The Bariba Sound

There have been some great music reissues from Benin in recent years – particularly the compilations African Scream Contest and Legends of Benin. Le Super Borgou had a track on the former and now here is a collection of 15 of their tracks, all from various 45s released in Benin. Le Super Borgou are as exciting and significant as the best of West African legends Orchestra Baobab and Bembeya Jazz. Musically, they come from a similar direction: local tradition pepped-up with languid Latin rhythms, Afro-beat grooves, and punchy rumba guitar interplay.

The group were formed in the market city of Parakou in the Borgou region, home of the Bariba people – a predominantly Islamic nation in central and northern Benin. Their initial influence was Congolese music, in particular Franco's OK Jazz. Other influences came from Guinea and, inevitably, Nigerian Afro-beat and Ghanaian highlife. The result is a glorious psychedelic Afro-beat embellished by soulful Islamic vocals, sung in the local Bariba and Dendi languages.

What is surprising is that, prior to their appearance on the African Scream Contest, this group were completely unheard of outside of its own region. This is a truly monumental discovery.