VA - Opika Pende ~ Africa At 78 RPM (2011) Lossless

This four-CD anthology features 100 tracks from 78 rpm discs that have never before been on compact disc. The Dust-to-Digital label excels in producing elaborate box sets of rare and culturally overlooked music, and to say that this is no exception is an understatement. All of the recordings originated in Africa and boast an astonishing diversity in not just time and place, but also in musical style. The performances span 1909 to the mid-'60s, about three-dozen countries, and genres from the most ancient and traditional folk music to cuts that verge on modern Afro-pop. Each CD does focus on a specific region or regions of the continent, generally working its way down from north to south. Yet even within each disc, numerous decades, languages, modern and traditional instruments, and singing styles are showcased, making it impossible to summarize in anything less than a 112-page book -- which, naturally, comes with the box, each track annotated in detail by compiler Jonathan Ward.
Like other ambitious boxes by Dust-to-Digital, Smithsonian Folkways, and some other labels, it straddles the lines between ethnographic/folkloric documents and music that might be of interest to the general adventurous listener. The sheer variety of sounds, as well as the sometimes primitive recording techniques (although the fidelity is good-to-excellent throughout, with the expected conscientious transfers from the original discs), does ensure that not many listeners will be enthusiastic or equally interested in everything. It also ensures, on the other hand, that very few open-minded listeners will find at least some material that intrigues and entertains them. Perhaps the more modern tracks will be more accessible to the average collector investigating this body of work, with some mid-20th century performances that date from the early days of highlife, and others that both reflect and probably influenced international jazz, gospel, and calypso. Some cuts here and there sound a bit like forms you wouldn't expect to have been played in Africa, such as rural blues (Orbert Nentambo Zahke from South Africa), country waltzes (the Seychelles United Band), and even zydeco.
Generally, the first disc contains the most traditional-minded performances, which can be stark in both their recording and execution, though they (like many of the tracks) often make use of instruments and singing that still sound exotic to many Western ears. Yet it's futile to make generalizations about any or all of the discs, or to try to point out too many highlights, so much will they vary according to individual tastes. At a guess, however, quite a few listeners will be struck by Dipela Tsabapedi's eerie high-pitched chant/vocals; the infectious rhumba of Adikwa Na Bana Loningisa Rumba; the political proto-highlife of Kenya's O.S. Africa Jazz Onema Pascal; Ssekinomu's breathlessly fast "Kayada," which finds him backed by a one-stringed Ugandan tube fiddle; Jean Bosco Mwenda's mellifluous acoustic guitar showcase "Masanga," and E.K's Band's plaintive highlife tune "Suro Onipa," with its haunting, keening vocals. Even with all the other examples that could be cited, this still doesn't (nor does it claim to) represent all styles played in Africa during this half-century or so, in part because little or no records were made in some regions, and some genres seldom or never put to disc. It still makes for a box that is amply challenging and rewarding for anyone interested in African music, or indeed interested in world music in general.

Tracklist:

CD 1
1. Cheikh Amin Hasanayn - Surah Al-Haaqqa, Pt. 1 (Arabic; Egypt) (3:19)
2. Mohamed Ben Hamadi, dit Marocain - E Zzine Emlih Yamana (Arabic; Algeria, Morocco) (2:37)
3. Cheikh El Afrit - Enna Nehoub, Pt. 2 (Arabic; Tunisia) (3:05)
4. Cheikh Abdelkader Oueld Zine - Sigha Med'heb, Pt. 2 (Arabic; Algeria) (3:20)
5. Rais Mohamed Sasbo - Ghina' Loziq (Arabic; Morocco) (2:53)
6. Les Griots de Tahoua - Chanson de Dyahadi, Pt. 2 (Hausa; Niger) (3:14)
7. Mahamoud Esma, Roble Hoche, and Kihien Ebrahim - Guelabiessi (Somali; Somalia) (2:22)
8. Yetna Taddeghegn - Ere Ye Agerie Lidj (Amharic; Ethiopia) (2:49)
9. Dan Titi and his group - Abdulkadiri Kwori (Hausa; Nigeria) (2:57)
10. Groupe de Jeunes Filles de Bamako - Celu Mankan (Bambara; Mali) (3:00)
11. Elhadji Issaika Bamba - Algrouane, Pt. 2 (Dyula; Burkina Faso, Mali) (2:51)
12. Sassi - Ahlen Bikoum (Arabic; Algeria) (2:53)
13. Youssef El Benzarti et son orchestra - Zendani Staiffi (Arabic; Algeria) (3:20)
14. Rshisha, Hlima, and Cheikh Abdesalam - `Aishek Baba (Arabic; Morocco) (3:17)
15. Messaoud Habib - Steukhbar Rasd Eddil, Pt. 1 (Tunisia) (2:55)
16. Sami al - Shawwa - Taqsim Bayati (Egypt) (2:48)
17. Mahieddine - Mestakhbar Mezmoum (Arabic; Algeria) (3:15)
18. Aicha - Doumoua Ellaini (Arabic; Tunisia) (3:07)
19. Nina Marys - Git Lil-Haq, Pt. 1 (Arabic; Egypt) (3:14)
20. Zohra El Fassia - Aita Moulay Brahim (Arabic; Morocco) (3:10)
21. Dalila Rochdi - Haragli Guelbi, Pt. 1 (Arabic; Tunisia) (2:30)
22. El Hadj Mohamed El Anka - Rabi Alaamlih Iydaabar, Pt. 2 (Arabic; Algeria) (3:19)
23. Fatimah Bent Meddah And Kouider - Adhouh, Adhouh, Pt. 1 (Arabic; Algeria) (3:21)
24. Cheikh Zouzou - Gheniet Ben Soussan, Pt. 7 (Arabic; Algeria) (3:22)
25. Tuareg women of Adrar des Iforas - Air de Kel Ajjer (Rhythme Ellehelleh) (Touareg; Mali) (1:43)

CD 2
1. Mbongue Diboue Et Son Ensemble - Tu Nja Tengene Elie (3:04)
2. Yeboa's Band - Osu Oblanyo (3:25)
3. Salia And His Accordion - Tondo Muya (2:59)
4. Yankori Beibatane - Air De Haoua (3:22)
5. Richard Ábé Brown Band - Bara Sanabo Bara (3:09)
6. Douta Seck - Dagagne (2:51)
7. Youkoui Bamileke - Ngwop (2:53)
8. Jolly Orchestra - Egberun Buso (2:56)
9. Calender And His Maringar Band - The Jambo SOng (2:28)
10. Kamkam - Okafu Nyi (3:06)
11. Jeli Bakary - Kenssa (3:05)
12. Jean Koroma - Morigbé (3:16)
13. Yagbe And Her Group - Domagbe (2:15)
14. Aziakpon And His Group - Oyida Mayi Magbo (2:52)
15. Ohue Sapey Band - Oblemo (2:56)
16. Pantanon - DJelouwei Wenike Ahlanon (2:47)
17. Paul Behanzin Et Son Ensemble - Cholie (2:52)
18. Gold Coast Police Band - High Life - Dagomba (2:45)
19. Kwaa Mensah's Band - Eho Ma Ne Wubu Efu (2:51)
20. B. Jones - Ante Maria (3:07)
21. Black Beats Band - De Ehuo (3:10)
22. Onana Mbosa Isidore - Kurungu (2:42)
23. Unknown Cameroonian - Musique De Danse (2:55)
24. Kekere Tiamiyu And His Group - Saka Amodu (2:30)
25. The K&S Band - Suro Onipa (2:47)

CD 3
1. Chanteurs A La Croix De Cuivre - Batata dia Bwanga (Katanga province, Congo) (2:51)
2. Stonik & Kiprono - Molildo Kiruk-Yuk (Kipsigis; Kenya) (2:56)
3. Adikwa na bana Loningisa Rumba - Tolingana (Lingala; Congo) (2:46)
4. Okoth Onuko - March Guitar (Luo; Kenya) (3:04)
5. Siti Ganduri - Arabian Conga (Swahili; Kenya) (3:13)
6. Abdu Owiti - Stephen Opio (Luo; Kenya) (2:47)
7. Tshamumania Anastasie and singers - Ndumba Wakumi Diekde Dikasa (Luba-Kasai; Congo) (3:02)
8. Bekyibei Arap Mosonik - Iyan We Kimoino (Kipsigis; Kenya) (2:59)
9. Tobbo Eitel - Ja Bane (Duala; Cameroon) (2:39)
10. Kiko Kids - Tom Tom (Swahili; East Africa) (2:34)
11. O.S. Africa Jazz Onema Pascal - Furaha Ya Kanu (Swahili; Kenya) (3:04)
12. Kabasele - Kibongue, Orchestre African Jazz - Titi (Lingala; Congo) (2:44)
13. Omolo Washiembu - N. Odera (Luo; Kenya) (3:09)
14. Pancras Mkwawa - Ngosingosi (Hehe; Tanzania) (2:36)
15. Richard Chelobani - Naswa (Luhya / Bukusu; Kenya) (3:06)
16. Francois Awila ye mpangi zandi - Kiboba Kiyma Nkuaku (Kikongo; Congo) (3:23)
17. Ustad Amar Gaba - Ba'd el Zouz Marghub (Arabic; Kenya) (2:52)
18. Elhubi Jamila Yni - Mawali (Arabic; Rwanda / Burundi) (2:59)
19. Mwinyi Bin Said - Tela, Pt. 1 (Swahili; Kenya) (2:39)
20. Mbaruk Talsam - Comic Sketch (Swahili; Zanzibar) (3:06)
21. Evarist & Party - Nambanda (Haya; Tanzania) (2:36)
22. Kabongo Bonkoli - Musungayi Nembwa Matumba (Luba-Kasai; Congo) (3:09)
23. Ssekinomu - Kayanda (Ganda; Uganda) (2:57)
24. Jean Bosco Mwenda - Masanga (Katanga, Congo) (3:05)
25. Coast Social Orchestra - Napenda (Swahili; Kenya) (2:34)

CD 4
1. Unknown Mahafaly - Flute solo (Ampanihy, Madagascar) (1:20)
2. Flying Jazz Queens - Siyahamba (Zulu; South Africa) (2:23)
3. Thayelo Kapiye Nyanja Trio - Wachona Thayelo (Chewa; Malawi) (2:32)
4. Francis Baloyi and Shangaan Band - Sati Wa Vakwela (Tsonga; Mozambique) (2:32)
5. Evening Birds - Yenz' Inqab' Intombi (Zulu; South Africa) (3:41)
6. Ranoko Sebabule - Ditee (Sotho; South Africa) (2:22)
7. Tarik'i Dada Raleva - Laloe E! (Malagasy; Madagascar) (3:05)
8. Orchestre Andre Philippe de St. - Pierre - Cuisine Roulante (Reunion) (2:57)
9. Aamiti and his concertina - Onano (Ovambo; Angola, Namibia) (2:51)
10. Josaya Hadebe - Yini Wena Funa (Fanagalo; Zimbabwe) (2:32)
11. Americo Valenti - Wati Si Sasekahipahpa (Tsonga; Mozambique) (2:02)
12. Lucas Lunga - Vura Matambo (Shona; Zambia / Zimbabwe) (2:51)
13. Wilson Makawa And His Guitar - Bambo Siyaya (Chewa; Malawi) (2:37)
14. Dipela Tsabapedi - Kxomo Muwa (Northern Sotho; South Africa) (2:34)
15. Mulaji Ronger and 2 Chokwe Women - Fuzhi Inopenduka Kwenda Lamukiya (Luvale, Chokwe; Angola) (2:53)
16. Clement Nyamane and Sotho Men - Nkau Haka Khoele (Sotho; Lesotho) (3:00)
17. Marguerite and Razanatsoa - Dia Veloma I Said Omar (Malagasy; Madagascar) (3:10)
18. Caluza's Double Quartet - Imini Ifikile (Zulu; South Africa) (3:08)
19. Transvaal Rockin' Jazz Stars - Swaziland (South Africa) (2:40)
20. George Sisimayi and his Crazy Five - Ndapera Cha Cha (Shona; Zimbabwe) (2:47)
21. Elias Nelushi - Kama Kalinyana (Venda; South Africa, Mozambique) (2:39)
22. Orbert Nentambo Zahke - Nongqangqa Lishonile (Zulu; South Africa) (2:20)
23. The Play Singer - Boshiwe (Zulu; South Africa) (2:28)
24. Seychelles United Band - Waltz of the Young Hearts (Seychelles) (3:28)
25. Griffiths Motsieloa and Company - Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika (Zulu; South Africa) (3:23)

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