Invisible City Editions continues our 10 year anniversary in adventurous sounds.
We are thrilled to announce the re-release of Rico Toto’s 1993 CD recording Fwa Épi Sajès. Mind melting synthesizers and drum machines fuse with ancient Guadeloupe Gwo-ka rhythms in this musical endeavour Rico Toto describes as “Electro-ka.” The improvised live instruments of the Moundjahka ensemble meld with electronic abstraction to create a psychedelic, immersive digital diaspora dream state. With nods to Jon Hassell's atmospheric soundscapes, YMO and Baldelli / TBC Cosmic mixtapes, this selection of songs encompasses an entire spectrum of moods and sounds.
The A side begins with fourth-world tropical percussions, opening with sounds of nature in “Jungle Meditation” and leading into the downtempo summer synthpop jam “Yadadé.” The B side takes a darker turn, starting off with the deep chugging rhythms of “Rawal Pindi” and continuing even deeper with synth sounds and haunting vocals that culminates into the dreamy meditative final track, “Golgotha.”
Limited vinyl repress in collaboration with Rico Toto. Artwork by Floating Bstrd.
All tracks composed, recorded and mixed by Rico Toto
Rico Toto : Synthesizers, Sound synthesis, Sound design (all tracks)
Didier Juste : Ka Percussions, Djembé (Egyptian Song)
Jack Schwarz-Bart : Tenor Saxophone (Yadadé)
Marilyn Dahomay : Vocals, Lyrics, One string Ektara (Akacia)
Jemby Basses : Synthesizers Mini-Moog, Korg M1 (Yadadé)
Synthesizers : Yamaha TX-802, ARP Odyssey, Korg M1, Roland MT-32, Roland JX-8P, KORG MS-20, KORG Polysix
Samplers : Akaï S-950, Roland S-220, Ensoniq EPS 16+
Drum machine : Roland R-5
Computer : Macintosh SE-30 with Opcode Vision software
FX gear : Ensoniq DP-4
Restoration, Mastering & Lacquer cutting : Frank Merritt at the carvery
Digital Mastering : Wouter Brandenburg
Reissue Executive Producer : Gary Abugan
Artwork : Marko Vuleta-Djukanov
Layout : Laura Schütte
The broad range of electrifying music from the post-colonial Cape Verdean islands right after they achieved freedom is captured here in all its brilliance. Bandcamp Album of the Day Mar 2, 2017