Afropop Classic July 15, 2021
Live from the Archive 1: S.O.Bs Edition
Live Afropop Worldwide recordings of Papa Wemba, Marcé et Tumpak, Chaba Fadela and Cheb Sahraoui and Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens at S.O.Bs nightclub in New York City.

When Afropop Worldwide launched back in 1988, a key goal was to capture the live energy of incredible artists emerging from Africa, the Caribbean and beyond. Most of those recordings were preserved on reel-to-reel tapes. The coronavirus lockdown has given us a chance to start revisiting and preserving. And we have been amazed to rediscover the energy of that thrilling era. On this music-rich program of concerts recorded live at S.O.Bs in New York City, we hear from Congo’s Papa Wemba, South African township heroes Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, the royal couple of Algerian rai music Chaba Fadela and Cheb Sahraoui, and Martinique zouk stars Marce and Tumpak. It’s a riveting blast from the past! Produced by Banning Eyre.

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