Woya: Ivoirian Funk/Zouk

 A few weeks back I got a request for something by Woya from Ivory Coast and I'm happy to comply! The group was formed in 1984 and their fusion of funk, zouk and Ivoirian tradition became the rage of West Africa in 1986 with the release of the hit LP Kacou Ananzé (African 425.004).

The group broke up in the late '80s and has re-formed several times over the years but the core has always been Marcellin Yacé on keyboards and vocalist David Tayorault, who on their own have been major powers in the Ivoirian music scene. Today's offering, the cassette La Tradition en Mouvement (EMI W.CORP01), was released in 1992 during a brief revival of the group. Woya was resurrected again in 1998, but since Yacé was killed by a stray bullet during an attempted coup in 2002 it's doubtful that there will be another incarnation.

I have Kacou Ananzé also and will probably post it some time in the future. For now, enjoy La Tradition en Mouvement!

Woya - Yayaclo Lo

Woya - Ayo

Woya - Zikpê

Woya - Woya Solution

Woya - Vent de l'Est

Woya - Tcha Tchèr

Download La Tradition en Mouvement as a zipped file here.