Africa 5000 – Vinyl LP

Vinyl LP pressing. Wganda Kenya was ahead of it’s time, anticipating current contemporary Afro-Latin-funk trends in a prescient way that has inspired a legion of fans across the globe. As part of that legacy, Africa 5000 (1975) has a legendary reputation as one of Discos Fuentes’ best hard-to-find Afro Caribbean funk records and is a highly prized collector’s piece. This LP features several classic dance floor gems as well as some lesser-known nuggets and a non-album bonus cut, plus informative notes. The epic ‘La torta’ (‘The Cake’) kicks things off with a lively Colombian interpretation of Haitian compas. The tune is still remembered as a big pic (amplified sound system) hit at the verbenas (outdoor dance parties). ‘Fiebre de lepra’ (‘Leprosy Fever’) was also released as a 45 single and is certainly one of Wganda Kenya’s wilder tracks. Funky wah-wah guitar, makossa style bass, manic organ, and feverishly insane vocals (from Wilson “Saoko” Manyoma and Joe Arroyo) indicate that Fruko and his pals were having a ball goofing around in the studio.