Mando – Akendengue, 1983

Pierre Akendengue‘s signature style is unmistakable on this Mando from 1983. The album was produced by Hugues de Courson, with whom he would collaborate again some ten years later on Lambarena: Bach To Africa. The Gabonese composer and singer brought his characteristic afro-funk to the table, accompanied by a number of well-known names including Roger Raspail, Brice Wassy, Vincent Daune (also heard with Luther Allison), Glenn Ferris and Didier Malherbe. At the time, synthesizers were exploding, blending with traditional rhythms – see Ray Lema’s productions from the same period – and inviting people to dance in a warm, colourful fusion.