Music For A Revolution Vol 2: Guinea's Syliphone Recording Label (1968-1980)

Music For A Revolution Vol. 2 – Guinea’s Syliphone Recording Label (1968–1980) brings together key recordings from the 1970s, drawn from Guinea’s landmark Syliphone catalogue. Issued by Radio Martiko, this second volume focuses on the decade when President Sékou Touré’s cultural policy of authenticité reshaped the nation’s musical identity.

Following independence in 1958, Guinea placed music at the centre of its cultural renewal. Dozens of state-sponsored orchestras were formed, each rooted in regional traditions while embracing influences from Cuban music, jazz and funk. Musicians became public servants, and artistic production was tightly organised in service of national pride and post-colonial identity.

From 1967 onwards, Syliphone documented this movement under the banner of Voix de la Révolution. The label broke new ground by placing instruments such as kora and balafon into large orchestral settings, presenting griot traditions alongside modern arrangements. In doing so, it became the first government-run recording label of post-colonial Africa and released hundreds of recordings that now rank among the most sought-after African records worldwide.

This collection captures authenticité in action: disciplined, celebratory and forward-looking music shaped by political vision, cultural ambition and extraordinary musicianship.

A1. Super Boiro Band - So I Si Sa

A2. Bembeya Jazz National - Armée Guinéenne

A3. Kaloum Star - Maliba

A4. Balla Et Ses Balladins - Nyo

B1. Quintette Guinéenne - Douga

B2. Le Simandou De Beyla - Festival

B3. Horoya Band - Zoumana

C1. Kaloum Star - Gbassikolo

C2. Sombory Jazz De Fria - Nana

C3. Syli Authentic - Fabara

D1. Balla Et Ses Balladins - Paulette

D2. 22 Band Kankan - Deny