Francis Bebey - Psychedelic Sanza 1982-1984 - Vinyl

Celebrating the uniquely affective timbre of the sanza, or African thumb piano, this compilation shifts focus from pop-wise anthems such as 'New Track' or 'Coffee Cola', onto the Cameroonian polymath's more stripped, rhythm-driven, and atmospheric workouts. And it's every bit as hypnotic, transcendent as that last sentence implies. Bebey's vocals are still key, but this time they're mostly used as rhythmelodic texture in chant and spectral vibings, moving further from Western styles and scales to a looser, more spacious mixture of African tradition and Western musical conventions resonating with John Hassell and Brian Eno's 4th world explorations.

- Disc 1 -

1 Sanza Nocturne

2 Bissau

3 Sanza Tristesse

4 Africa Sanza

5 Forest Nativity

6 Sunny Crypt

- Disc 2 -

1 Binta Madiallo

2 Tumu Pakara

3 Di Saegri

4 Ngoma Likembe

5 Guinée