Deep and obscure Afrobeat from the always on point Hot Casa Records. Originally from the Ivory Coast, Pierre Antoine was born Ahui Ngoran Marcel and ended up naming himself after a French artist who went by Antoine. He drew inspiration from international pop music, specifically James Brown and French singer Johnny Hallyday. After traveling and performing throughout the early 70s, Antoine settled down in Ghana. There he became ensconced in the influential and prolific Afro Soul scene and started to work with Pat Thomas, his wife Lolla Everett, and Sammy Cropper. He developed an Afrobeat sound and released Kalabuley Woman on Papa-Disco in 1977. Both the title track and "Ye Man Noun" feature the looping rhythms characteristic of the best of Fela Kuti. "Ye Man Noun" might be the heavier of the two, but both cuts deliver where it counts. Kalabuley Woman has been hard to find since it was first released. Thankfully Hot Casa has seen fit to reissue the album today.

• music label: Hot Casa Records 2014

reviewed by Señor Sueño Latino 08/2014