TOGO Togo – Music From West Africa – Rounder Records 5004

TOGO

Togo – Music From West Africa – Rounder Records 5004, recorded by Dan Khan & Bill Nowlin, released in 1978 (LP)

 

BEST WISHES FOR 2024!

                                                 

 

We kick off the New Year with a panorama of inspired Togolese music released in 1978 on the excellent Rounder Records label, featuring traditional music, including the griot of Pagouda Houwenema (A3, A7, B6), Ewe female mourners from the village of Klo Mayondi (A4, B1, B5), Kotokoli flutists and drummers from the village of Kegbaflo (A2, A8, B3), lullabies (A9), children singing a welcome song (A1), as well as more modern/urban sounds with Ali Bawa (A6, B4, B8) and Akofa Akoussah (A5, B2, B7).

Nous démarrons la nouvelle année avec un excellent panorama de musique togolaise publié en 1978 sur le label Rounder Records, avec de la musique traditionnelle, notamment le griot de Pagouda Houwenema (A3, A7, B6), des pleureuses Ewe du village de Klo Mayondi (A4, B1, B5), des flûtistes et des percussionistes Kotokoli du village de Kegbaflo (A2, A8, B3), une berceuse (A9), des enfants chantant une chanson de bienvenue (A1), ainsi que des musiques plus modernes/urbaines avec Ali Bawa (A6, B4, B8) et Akofa Akoussah (A5, B2, B7).

A1 – Miawo-ezon Lo-o – Children singing a welcome song: “welcome to you who has traveled so far;” 

Diane and Shango.

 

A2 – Instrumental – Praises to rulers from the Kotokoli region during funerals, festivals and social events;

Kotokoli flutists and drummers from the village of Kegbaflo in Northern Togo.

 

A3 – Edzade Tom Doa – Narration of a plane crash that nearly killed Togo’s President Eyadema (1935-2005) in 1974; 

Houwenema, the griot of Pagouda in Northern Togo accompanied by Mola. The Kabiyé people.

 

A4 – Adjame Le Wo Tawo – Funeral song in the Kpalimé region speculating about one’s fate or fortune and wondering if this is a result of one’s actions our an external force;

Female mourners from the village of Klo Mayondi led by Akowissa Koffigan.

 

A5 – Maboule – Modern-style lament;

Akofa Akoussah (1950-2007) male and female vocals, percussion, shakers, cowbells.

 

A6 – Ki Man Wo

Ali Bawa vocal, guitar; percussion, backing vocals.

 

A7 – Kasa Bu

Houwenema, the griot of Pagouda in Northern Togo accompanied by Mola. The Kabiyé people

.

 

A8 – Instrumental – Praises to rulers from the Kotokoli region during funerals, festivals and social events;

Kotokoli flutists and drummers from the village of Kegbaflo in Northern Togo.

 

A9 – Medley of lullabies

Ayawa Aladji.

 

B1 – Drodope

Female mourners from the village of Klo Mayondi. The Ewe people.         

 

B2 – Lili – Love song;

Akofa Akoussah.

 

B3 – Instrumental – Praises to rulers from the Kotokoli region during funerals, festivals and social events;

Kotokoli flutists and drummers from the village of Kegbaflo in Northern Togo.

 

B4 – Unayafame

Ali Bawa vocal, guitar; percussion, backing vocals.

 

B5 – No Ne Ku

Female mourners from the village of Klo Mayondi. The Ewe people.         

 

B6 – Mandza Tom Halu

Houwenema, the griot of Pagouda in Northern Togo accompanied by Mola. The Kabiyé people

 

B7 – Mitoe Ne Ayehawo

Akofa Akoussah.

 

B8 – N'San

Ali Bawa vocal, guitar; percussion, backing vocals.

 

B9 – Thumb piano 

Mola who also also plays with Houwenema (on A3, A7, B6).

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Photograph below is from Man's Earliest Music: The World of Music by Richard Carlin, Facts On File, 1987:

Houwenema and Mola (A3, A7, B6, B9):

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