Photo Credit: Wilfried Good Eyes
Following on from his self-titled 2022 debut, Togolese singer and guitarist Dogo du Togo introduces his new Lomé-based Alagaa Beat Band with the album Avoudé Recorded in less than 48 hours with help from renowned engineer Patrick Jauneaud (Elton John, Kate Bush, Queen), Avoudé represents a new evolution of Togolese music and makes a powerful cultural statement: hard-hitting psychedelic Afro-rock that builds upon the country’s musical traditions while creating a new sound to energise its future. It will be released on November 8 on LP/CD/Digital.
The album’s opener and title track Avoudé is what Dogo describes as “alagaa par excellence.” That’s the beat, all the way through, no messing about – a way to kick down the doors and get the energy flowing immediately. The song encourages its listeners to work hard and strive for the life they want: “Nothing is easy. Life is not a game, it is a hustle.”