Francis Bebey – Trésor Magnétique (Africa Seven ASVN076, 2025)
Trésor Magnétique presents a carefully curated collection of rare and previously unreleased material from the archives of Cameroonian artist Francis Bebey. The 20-track compilation includes alternate versions, demos, and forgotten recordings sourced from over thirty reel-to-reel tapes held by Bebey’s family. Digitized at Abbey Road Studios, the recordings, many untouched for decades, highlight the breadth of Bebey’s genre-defying creativity and reaffirm his influential role in the development of African electronic and experimental music.
Francis Bebey (1929–2001) was a composer, writer, musicologist, and broadcaster whose work consistently challenged and redefined boundaries. Born in Duala, Cameroon, and educated in Paris, he brought a scholarly approach to the interplay between African traditions and modern musical technologies. Throughout his career, Bebey brilliantly combined Cameroonian rhythms and instrumentation with electronic tools such as synthesizers, tape loops, and drum machines. His world fusion work, supported enthusiastically by the world music community, resisted conventional genre classifications, bridging folk, classical, pop, and avant-garde with an exploratory spirit.
Trésor Magnétique (French for “Magnetic Treasure”) refers both to the analog format of the original tapes and to the compelling nature of the material itself. The compilation reveals Bebey’s dual identity as both cultural preservationist and a musical futurist.
On tracks like the spellbinding “Forest Nativity (Extended Version),” traditional instruments such as kalimba (thumb piano) are layered with electronic and captivating spoken word, illustrating Bebey’s commitment to musical hybridity.
Elsewhere, tracks such as “La Condition Masculine (English Version)” and “Dash, Baksheesh & Matabish” presents his ability to deliver incisive social commentary through wit and groove.
More intimate moments appear in “Immigration Amoureuse‘ and ‘Where Are You? I Love You,” where themes of longing and displacement reflect the personal dimension of migration narratives.
Bebey’s forward-thinking philosophy has proven prescient. Today’s flourishing African electronic scenes, from Amapiano and Gqom to Afro-House, echo his legacy of innovation. His practice of integrating African musical heritage with global production tools laid conceptual and aesthetic groundwork that younger artists continue to build upon.
All songs written and composed by Francis Bebey.
Musicians: Francis Bebey on vocals, guitar, kalimba, percussion, flute; Patrick Bebey on keyboards; Jean-Claude Ebongue on electric bass; Brice Wouassi on drums and percussion; and Dominique Luro on keyboards.
Project curation by Romek Boyer and Nahida Tarbaoui. Sleeve notes by Dare Balogun.
Artwork by Pau Pahana.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.