Music Spotlight - Vaudou Game

Afro Beat with a twist from Lyon

Lyon based Afro Beat band Vaudou Game is fronted by Peter Solo, a man dedicated to bringing the sound of Togo all the way to France. One way he did this was by bringing in a legendary singer from there, Solo's uncle Roger Damawuzan as a guest artist on his albums. Another way he did it was to find local musicians, form his band and teach all the members about his home and its traditions. He has done a great job in this and developed a fun sound.

Pas Contente

I came across this video by accident while browsing the web, perhaps as a suggestion from a website, I don't actually remember where, what I do remember is that both the music and the video content were both clever and catchy, and I wanted to know more about the band. The guitar riff is very catchy and Roger Damawuzan's background vocals add just the right amount of funk to the mix. I recognized that part of France, and was intrigued by the imagery used in the video and immediately started sending the link to friends who I thought would dig it.

The album is named Apiafo and was put out by Hot Casa records in 2014.

La Vie C'est Bon

This song is from their second album, Kidayu and is a very upbeat number as the title "Life is good" would suggest. It's fun to dance to, and the video is clever with kid versions of the band members getting together to play toy instruments, interspersed with shots of the adult band, and seems to be shot in Lyon. I think the song is strong although not as addictive as "Pas Contente."

Cherie Nye

This song is also on Kidayu and while it has a similar tempo and energy, to "La Vie C'est Bon" it manages to sound quite different, and I especially like the call and response between the keyboard and the horn section in this one. The video is a departure from the previous ones and while I don't dislike it, it doesn't draw me in the same way.

Sens Interdit

This is off of their third album, Otodi and my French speaking friends know that the chorus is one of my favorite expressions. In my opinion the band is continuing to put out solid material that I enjoy quite a bit, but they still have not found a hook like "Pas Contente" which is no slight on them, those sorts of hooks are often once in a lifetime for a songwriter.

Zorromi

Between when I started writing this post and now, they have released a new album, Noussin!!! I haven't given it a deep listen, but it sounds good to me so far. Here's the first track, "Zorromi". So far after a couple of listens I like the synth bass line that plays off of the guitar a lot. I am hoping that the new album will lead to a tour and that I get to see them live.