Orchestre Anassoua-Jazz De Parakou-Nord Dahomey – Bakassine Gabou b/w Moumouni Bassina Borou Fo – Acid Jazz 7″

Parakou is a remote town just over 400 km north of Cotonou and was home Orchestre Anassoua-Jazz de Parakou. The band recorded a series of singles and EPs for Albarika though the 70s (plus a handful for other labels) but never realised a full album.

These two tracks were released as a 45 in 1975, but this is so scarce that a copy is yet to surface on eBay and it isn’t even listed on Discogs. But it’s not all about the rarity – ‘Bakassine Gabou’ is highly-charged hypnotic dancer perfect for DJs, while ‘Moumouni Bassina Borou Fo’ builds in sonic intensity by layering guitar, vocals and percussion.