The Albarika Story. Volume 1The Albarika Story. Volume 1

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. All of these artists create a unique mix of Westernised Funk, Soul and Latin sounds cross-pollinated with the traditional music of the region.