Orchestre Les Sympathics de Porto Novo - Benin To (Benin, 1978, Albarika Store)

The Orchestra "Les Sympathics de Porto-Novo" was a band created in 1972 in Porto-Novo, Benin, by Herman F. Laleye, the former leader of the very well known "Black Dragons Orchestra". They recorded a few LP in the 70's (three, as far as I know), and also backed other artists such as Singer Nahounou (Amédée Pierre). The band was composed by : Herman Laleye : Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar Armand Pognon : Lead Guitar Jean Apithy : Bass Guitar Camille Zannou : Organ Bonheur Gangbo : Vocals Georges d'Assomption : Tumbas Olivier Boke : Tumbas Marc Laleye : Drums Epiphane Zinsou : Drums This LP was recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, at the mythical EMI Studios Nigeria, and was engineered by Mister Ayo and Mister Kayode Salami, great names of the Nigerian musical scene at the time. I decided to make you discover "Benin To", a splendid slow Afrobeat and Sato Vodoun rhythm song - Enjoy ! For more African, West Indian, Oriental and World Grooves tracks feel free to go on my website : www.africangrooves.fr Armand de Preseau