The Albarika Story (Vol. 1)Various Artists

• – Nan Man Nan

• 1. Segla
• 2. Get The Music Now
• 3. E Sa F'Aiye
• 4. Aiha Ni Kpe We
• 5. Ego-Ibo
• 6. Gbeti Ma Djro
• 7. Oya Ka Jojo
• 8. It's A Vanity
• 9. Bakassine Gabou
• 10. Nan Man Nan
• 11. Gbe We Gnin Wa Bio
• 12. Kpede Do Gbe Houenou

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.

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 albums 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.