Crammed Discs has just reissued Noir et Blanc, a timeless and influential masterpiece by Zazou Bikaye CY1. First recorded and released in 1983, the album displays the extraordinary talents and visionary spirit of Algerian-born French composer, producer and journalist Hector Zazou, Congolese singer Bony Bikaye and Guillaume Loizillon and Claude Micheli aka CY1. Remastered from original analogue tapes, the reissue of this trailblazing Afro-cosmic-synth-funk record includes several bonus tracks and comes with a booklet with notes. With Zazou on direction, Loizillon and Micheli manipulating their wall-sized analog synths and Bikayed layering vocals, Noir et Blanc also counts with special guests including Chris Joris formerly of Aksak Maboul on percussion, Vincent Kenis on guitars and Fred Frith on violin and guitar, and Gilles Martin and Marc Hollander on recording and engineering duties.
Noir et Blanc is a record everybody needs to have in their life. Here’s a couple of spectacular tracks from it, ‘Dju Ya Feza’ and ‘Lamuka’.