(Credits: Far Out / Hot Casa Records)
Funk and soul music is often attributed to mid-century musicians operating in North America. However, the roots of that musical style originated, far from the dance clubs of Detroit or New Orleans, within the traditional tribal tunes of sub-Saharan Africa. One of the groups keeping those old-school rhythms alive is Vaudou Game.
Hailing from Aného-Glidji in the West African nation of Togo, Vaudou Game combines 1970s Afro-funk with the voodoo traditions that are commonplace within much of West Africa. There are many different forms of the voodoo religion. However, the religion has been plagued by misrepresentation within the Western world, thanks to the influence of mediocre horror films and deeply ingrained racist attitudes.
Aného-Glidji is the birthplace of the Guin tribe and remains a haven for West African voodoo – usually referred to as vodun or vaudou. At the forefront of Vaudou Game is the composer Peter Solo, who was raised with traditional vodun values within his home nation of Togo. Due to the tribal history of Western Africa, the vodun traditions of the Guin tribe differ from those in the surrounding areas. The lines used by the Guin tribe within Vodun rituals are unique to their own specific culture.
Solo integrates those unique vodun lines and chants, which honour the deities, with his love for 1970s Afro-funk to create some of the most exciting and unique music in the current funk and soul scene. Celebrating the spiritual and musical heritage of West Africa, Vaudou Game have been releasing stunningly original dancefloor fillers since 2014. Although the musical mind of Peter Solo is at the helm of the group, it is the incredible horn section made up of Jerôme Bartolome and Guilhem Parguel that gives the band their signature funk sound.
With four studio albums under their belt, all released on Parisian independent label Hot Casa Records, Vaudou Game have repeatedly shown their ability to keep the golden age of Afro-funk alive, keeping it fresh with the influence of Guin vodun. Perhaps their finest work came with debut single ‘Pas Contente’, a Togolese funk classic featuring vodun scales and a heavy influence of American funk musicians like James Brown or Otis Redding.
Reaffirming their commitment to the history of West African funk music, ‘Pas Contente’ features vocals from Roger Damawuzan, a pioneer of the Togolese funk scene during the 1970s. Damawuzan, who also happens to be the uncle of frontman Peter Solo, brings his infallible old-school funk tendencies to the track, creating an intensely catchy dancefloor filler.
While Vaudou Game have been fairly quiet since the release of Noussin back in 2021, it seems unlikely that the vivid musical flame of Peter Solo has been burnt out. Whether he continues with the unique musical menagerie of Vaudou Game or brings his voodoo-funk voice to new projects, such as the writing credits he received on last year’s Roger Damawuzan album Seda, Solo will continue to be a defiantly unique voice within West African music.
