Le Super Borgou de Parakou
Analogue Africa Le Super Borgou de Parakou :The Bariba Sound -2LP/CD- (BN,re.2012)****'
When taking about Afro-styled music, bands like Super Borgou will make defining more difficult. Clearly elements of the Afro-beat style, with its perfected swinging repetition are there, including the call response ideas and the bottle-like percussion. At the same time we notice clearly more African-minded rumba influences in some tracks. The performed poly-rhythmic complexity however is amazing. The label states these rhythms involve Islamic ilk (-the area where they come from is mostly Islamic-), besides Soul, Pachanga, Breakbeats (????) and the already mentioned Rumba and Afro-Beat. On top of that are rhythms and improvisation on electric guitar, and also, an organ, which gives a perfect extra dynamic contrast that never disturbs any element there already is. This is at the same time dance music, complex head music and song music. Really good !
