V/A / AFRICA BOOGALOO: The Latinization Of West Africa

Beautiful funky percussive Afro-Latin compilation on Honest Jon’s!

West African music has always incorporated music from other continents, American funk, soul and rock for instance, but less well known is the latin influence. Of course, much of Latin and especially Cuban music is derived from Africa so in many ways the rhythms were simply returning home! This superb compilation of rare tracks explores those Latin influences in West African dance music as it emerged in the 1950s right up to the 70s. ‘African Boogaloo’ includes celebrated artists such as ‘Orchestre Poly Rhythmo’ alongside virtually unknown artists like ‘Amara Toure’. Inspired by Salsa and Afro-Cuban greats such as Johnny Pacheco, Alfredo Valdes and Alfredo ‘Chocolate’ Armenteros, the music has a distinctly latin flavour whilst incorporating traditonal african-jazz and highlife!