Screamadelica

The second installment of African Scream Contest is finally here and was it worth the long wait? You bet it was. Analog Africa, a label so scrupulous it hired a guy trained by the KGB to track down their highly obscure artists to pay them royalties, did it again, and selected the grooviest and rarest sixties and seventies Afro-funk from tiny Benin. Diggers supreme, satisfaction guaranteed.

Black Santiago - Pauline

Abomey Madness

Crazy stuff from Benin. Particularly check out that wild guitar sound, courtesy of one Nicolas Gomez. Boy sure could play. Find it on African Scream Contest, an essential afro-rocking compilation on the superb Analog Africa label. Worth it for the accompanying booklet alone.

Picoby Band D'Abomey - Mi Ma Kpe Dji