Based in Cotonou, Benin, which at the time was referred to as Dahomey, Albarika Records was founded by the French-born, Benin-based producer and entrepreneur, Emmanuel "Manu" Dibango, who had a significant influence on the local music scene. The label was instrumental in releasing records from some of the region's most prominent musicians during the golden age of African music.
Many of the artists signed to Albarika Records were known for blending indigenous African rhythms with Western jazz, funk, and soul influences. This made their sound distinctive and part of a broader movement across West Africa during the 60s and 70s, as music became a form of social and political expression.
Toshiki Ohta is now a co-host on NTS’s Sacred Pools show alongside DJ October and Faso. Toshiki is known for mixing between textures, genres, tempos and styles, underground and overground, with a love for pitched down jungle, pitched up breakbeat rave, EBM, dark balearic and acid rollers.
Toshiki Ohta is now a co-host on NTS’s Sacred Pools show alongside DJ October and Faso. Toshiki is known for mixing between textures, genres, tempos and styles, underground and overground, with a love for pitched down jungle, pitched up breakbeat rave, EBM, dark balearic and acid rollers.