VARIOUS – Music For A Revolution Vol. 1 – Guineas Syliphone Recording Label (1967-1973) – 2LP – Gatefold Vinyl

2LP – Black Vinyl housed in a Gatefold Sleeve.

From 1967 to 1983, Guineas government presented selections of songs from the Voix de la Rvolution catalogue on its own recording label, Syliphone. These recordings were described as the fruit of the revolution.

Syliphone was revolutionary in many aspects: it was the first recording label to feature traditional African musical instruments such as the kora and balafon within an orchestre setting; it was the first to present the traditional songs of the griots within an orchestre setting; and it was the first government-sponsored recording label of post-colonial Africa.

Syliphone represented authenticit in action, and over 750 songs were released by the recording label on 12-inch and 7-inch vinyl discs. All are highly sought after by collectors worldwide.

This first volume of a two-volume series presents a selection of the best of early Syliphone recordings. The songs demonstrate not only the essence of Guineas authenticit policy and of its subsequent Cultural Revolution, but of a confluence of musical styles from Cuba, jazz, highlife and the diverse influences of Guineas cultural groups.

On October 2 1958, after over 60 years of colonial rule, Guineans voted overwhelmingly for their independence, and Guinea was declared a Republic with Skou Tour as President. Guinea was the first of West Africas Francophone colonies to gain independence. To free Guinea from its colonial legacy, president Tour sought to restore dignity to his nation and give cause for Guineans to take pride in their culture, history and newfound freedom. To achieve this, he instructed his government to implement new cultural policies that were intended to revitalise and celebrate indigenous culture. The focus of these new policies was on music.

In 1961, President Tour launched authenticit, the name of his new cultural policy for Guinea. One of its first acts was to assemble the best Guinean musicians into a new state-sponsored orchestras that were tasked with presenting traditional Guinean music in a new and modern style. All musicians in Guineas orchestras were officially designated as members of the public service. During the years of Skou Tours presidency (1958 1984), the governments cultural policy of authenticit was applied strictly to the creative arts. Guineas sole political party, the Parti Dmocratique de Guine exercised complete authority over artistic production. The scale of the Guinean governments commitment and efforts to invigorate its indigenous musical cultures was unmatched in Africa, and it presented a clear contrast to the minimal endeavours undertaken by Guineas former colonial rulers.

Tracklist:

A1. Orchestre Du Jardin De Guine : Sakhodou
A2. Orchestre De La Paillote : La Guine Moussolou
A3. Bembeya Jazz National : Guantanamera-Seyni
A4. Bembeya Jazz National : Sabor De Guajira

B1. Balla Et Ses Balladins : Sakhodougou
B2. Balla Et Ses Balladins : Samba
B3. Orchestre De La Paillote : Kankan-Yarabi
B4. Myriams Quintette : Solo Quintette

C1. Pivi & Les Balladins : Ka Noutea
C2. Horoya Band National : NBanlassouro
C3. Orchestre de la Garde Rpublicaine : Sabouya
C4. Keletigui Et Ses Tambourinis : Samakoro

D1. Keletigui Et Ses Tambourinis : Miri Magnin
D2. 22 Novembre Band : Kouma
D3. Les Frres Diabat : NFa