El Rego, El Rego, Daptone

I had never heard of singer/guitarist/bandleader Theophile Do Rego, aka El Rego,* until a few weeks ago, but I came across a complimentary review of this record, and knew I needed it in my life. My music collection is woefully short on Afrobeat albums, and this retrospective represents as good a place to start as any.

According to the informative interview included with the release, El Rego was born in the sub-Saharan nation of Benin in 1938 (then called Dahomey) and raised in Senegal. As a professional musician, he also lived and worked in Niger and Burkina Faso, drawing from traditional, jazz, blues, and Latin influences.

* Some tracks feature vocals from Eddie Black Power, but the liner notes neglect specifics.

Critics tend to compare most African funk acts to James Brown and Fela Kuti, and it's understandable, but it gets old, i.e. if these titans already exist, then what's the point in following players who walk a similar, but less distinctive path?

Well, El Rego doesn't sound much like either one, though he gets in a good grunt on occasion. Further, he does acknowledge the influence of Brown, Kuti, and Otis Redding, though he was already playing for a decade before he discovered their work. Instead, the eight-piece Ses Commandos buffet his gentle yet insistent voice with skittering rhythms, bright guitars, and joyful harmonies. Their grooves are lighter on their feet than that of the aforementioned trio. The selections are concise, though I'd imagine that they gave live versions more breathing room.

Excerpt from El Rego's description of the song "Dis-Moi Oui" ("Anne Marie"):

Anne Marie resumes her way and the man is overjoyed while seeing her walk away—the way she walks, the shape of her butt—everything that could appeal...he is in a state of total bliss.

I've been spinning this disc for awhile now, and if I have a complaint it's that the CD is pretty short for a retrospective (though the hardcover packaging and photo-packed booklet are first-rate). They don't all need to be two-disc sets, but you'd expect an hour's worth of material—if not more—rather than 41 minutes, but it's all good. Better a tight set than a few singles surrounded by filler and outtakes.

The more I listen, the more I love the easygoing vibe of El Rego, a sharp-dressed cat who's been performing for 55 years now. Respect to Daptone Records for adding this release to their roster, alongside Charles Bradley, the Budos Band, and other kindred spirits. Next on my African music docket: Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou's The 1st Album (1973) and ROB's Funky Rob Way (1977), both on Analog Africa. According to this NPR profile,* "Poly Rythmo bandleader Melome Clement cites [El Rego] as a direct influence on his ensemble's sound."

* Egon (Stone's Throw, Now-Again) wrote the piece and shares his favorite tracks.