Serge Gainsbourg´s “Percussions” album from 1964 is quite possibly the first “world music” album ever produced, using African and Caribbean rhythms for the backing of his pop and jazz songs. Among his mid-’60s recordings, Gainsbourg “Percussions” is essential Gainsbourg, enhanced by Alain Goraguer’s arrangements. The album contains the hit song “New York-USA” and “Coleur Café”. Go buy it now!!
A steady track in my DJ selection since ca. 15 years, Guem E Zaka´s “Le Serpent” is a classic percussion track from the 1970s. The Nigerian bred, Algerian raised Guem released his first record in 1973. Later, he found a school for African percussions in Paris which led to the album “Guem Et Zaka” on which his young elevens would contribute to the beats of the master. Though heavyily sampled for years “Guem Et Zaka” is still fresh today and a great source of inspiration. There´s strangely no video footage from Guem Et Zaka available except for the great fan video displayed above.
