Syphax - 70s Kabyle Disco 7"

7" Vinyl - SR0002

We are delighted to present you with this wonderful 7-inch featuring two irresistible disco gems that set the dancefloor on fire while channeling a kaleidoscope of psychedelic textures and North African Amazigh spirit. 



After Algerian independence, Amazigh culture was at risk of fading into the shadows under the strength of a new Arab national identity. But a firm resistance against this homogeneity was emerging. Musicians from both within the Kabylie region and the diaspora were working against the grain, and among them stood one band in particular: Syphax. Taking their name from a legendary Berber king, they fused Kabyle oral tradition and ancestral poetry to celebrate their culture and protect it from slipping into obscurity. 


This wasn't just a cultural preservation project; it was a bold reimagining. It’s the 1970s, and Syphax was creating music unlike anything ever heard before from the Kabyle region. Drawing inspiration from across the contemporary landscape, tones reminiscent of French chanson icons blend with Pink Floyd’s psychedelia and The Beatles’ pop mania. Beneath all this, layers of Kabyle lyricism and musical richness merge together to form something of a brave new cultural language; one of memory, imagination, and resistance. 


The tracks on this reissue have been chosen to highlight the joyous essence of Syphax’s musical intentions. Thamghra (meaning “party” in Amazigh) is all about celebration, self-expression, and cherishing your loved ones. Skatedance shows off their pioneering edge; with this track, Syphax tapped into ’70s skate culture before it had even really taken off. At this time, it was a bold move for these musicians to blend Amazigh culture with such uninhibited themes.


We hope that with this reissue you feel not only this divisive spirit but also the joy and togetherness that flows through their music. 



Condition:

Media: Mint (M)

Sleeve: Mint (M)

Track List: 

A. Thamghra "Party" 3:07
B. Skate Dance 3:04