Guest post by Josh Permenter
Nkono Teles was a Cameroonian-born multi-instrumentalist and producer based in Nigeria. He worked under numerous pseudonyms on projects that spanned multiple genres, from disco and reggae, to work with huge artists like King Sunny Adé and Fela Kuti. Fiesta Dancin‘, his first solo record, stands alone as a superb African synth disco masterpiece, on which Teles was responsible for bass, drum machine, electric piano, organ, guitar, synth, lead vocals, production, and writing. Every song is bubblegum roller boogie perfection, guaranteed to fill any dance floor with irresistible electro joyfulness.
A note that this really suffers on laptop speakers, so save it for better speakers or headphones please!
Good stuff for sure, but the sound quality is absolutely horrid. It stands in the way of the enjoyment. Maybe there’s a better rip out there? Thanks anyway for waking my curiosity. Cheers!
No, there probably isn’t a better rip out there. This sort of sound issue is common in Nigerian records of the era; for an example see the following record, look at comments from voodoo-funk (Frank Gossner, reissuer):
https://www.discogs.com/Bayo-Damazio-Listen-To-The-Music/release/5392467
It’s unfortunate, but you won’t get a better sound unless somehow Teles’ family has kept the tapes all these years and they’re still playable despite the humidity.