On The Turntable: Zazou / Bikaye / CY1's Noir Et Blanc October 18 2017
Noir Et Blanc is a signature record for Crammed Discs, the Belgian label that has curated an eclectic roster of artists from around the globe since 1980 (Tuxedomoon, Konono No. 1, Arto Lindsay and more). Originally released in 1983, Noir Et Blanc marks the first collaboration between Algerian-born / French-resident Hector Zazou and Congolese singer Bony Biyake, joined by an interesting cast of characters including analog synth duo CY1 (Claude Micheli and Guillaume Loizillon), Fred Frith, Marc Hollander and (future producer of the Congotronics series) Vincent Kenis.
Within this inspired marriage of Central African music and post-punk electronics, Zazou's arrangements are kept minimal, yet funky through his supple sequencing. Amidst the choppy, art-rock guitars and mechanized polyrhythms, Noir Et Blanc always turns its focus back to Biyake's marvelously rich voice.
Since its initial release, generations of fans and DJs have discovered/rediscovered this amazing LP – hailing it as an unsurpassed milestone of Afro-electronics. Recommended for fans of Liquid Liquid, African Head Charge, William Onyeabor and Music From Memory's ethno-ambient hybrids.
