Let me begin by assuring you that there is nothing wrong with my record player. Also there is no problem with the record itself; it is not one of those slightly oval pressings, or one with a hump. This is how it is supposed to sound.
Listening to this record by Moussa Doumbia can be an unsettling experience, though. With its unsteady pace, its weirdly mind-piercing organ, its unexpected breaks this 1980 album, released on the Ivorian Sacodis label, is not suitable for listeners with a nervous disposition. And listening to it while in a state of inebriation can lead to long lasting mental problems.
Even the three songs which were recently (well alright, not recently - it was nearly three years ago...) included in the CD on the Oriki label, sound different on vinyl.
Of course, in the present-day craving for Afro-funk Moussa Doumbia's music will be labelled as 'funk'. And I am sure he has - like many African artists - been influenced by the Fela Kutis and James Browns of this world. But nevertheless this native from Mali has retained a high level of originality, and arguably even authenticity.
Despite the embellishment Doumbia's singing in the opening track "Houphouet Boigny" is in a relatively normal djeli (or griot) style. And if you listen closely "Samba" is actually the same song as "Samba" by Pivi et les Balladins from Guinea. And "Mokholou" a tune from the broad repertoire of hunters' songs from the Wassoulou, made famous by the great Toumani Koné.
But it does not explain the beginning of "Disco Time".
Personally, I am inclined to favour the B-side. And not just because of the blasting version of "Mokholou", but even more because of "Mamadou Coulibaly" and "Dialaman", - of which "Disco Time" is the instrumental version....
Sacodis LS 28
