From his studio in central Bobo-Dioulasso, West African photographer Sory Sanl documented a nation’s transformation from colonial foothold to cosmopolitan oasis. Captured on on 6×6 medium format Rolleiflex SL66, Sanls keen eye provides an intimate look into the landlocked nations pop culture explosion of the 1970s, through changing hair and fashion, hats and sunglasses, swords and boomboxes, motorcycles and cars, the traditional and modern. A melange of community elders and emboldened youth spill from the brightly lit confines of Sanls Volta Photo into the dimly lit nightclubs of Upper Volta’s cultural capital, all compiled in a 120-page hardbound book. Bookending this coffee table worthy black and white monograph are multiple essays, 28 battered sleeves, and a complete pre-revolution discography. Draped in colorful Voltaic patterns are three accompanying discs, with dozens of rare and evocative recordings by Bobo-Dioulassos musical titans: Volta Jazz, Dafra Star, Echo Del Africa, Coulibaly Tidiane, and Les Imbattables Lopards, all darting in and out of Afro-funk, French yeye, and American R&B while still maintaining a grip on their pre-colonial heritage.

TRACK LIST

1. Volta JazzAir Volta
2. Volta JazzBi Kameleou
3. Volta JazzFitri Mawaly
4. Volta JazzDjougou Toro
5. Volta JazzBB Peyrissac
6. Volta JazzMama Soukous
7. Volta JazzFintalabo
8. Volta JazzWr Wr Magne
9. Volta JazzNg Fla
10. Volta JazzMousso Koroba Tike
11. Volta JazzDounya Te Soy
12. Volta JazzBeni Djarabi
13. Volta JazzChrie Nawa
14. Volta JazzMa Douce Ledy
15. Volta JazzDjougou Malola
16. Volta JazzNa Dalo
17. Coulibaly Tidiane & Dafra StarDe Nwolo
18. Coulibaly Tidiane & Dafra StarSie Koumgolo
19. Coulibaly Tidiane & Dafra StarDounian
20. Coulibaly Tidiane & Dafra StarSi Tu Maime
21. Coulibaly Tidiane & Dafra StarTjiranama
22. Coulibaly Tidiane & Dafra StarYafamma
23. Coulibaly Tidiane & Dafra StarFoli
24. Coulibaly Tidiane & Dafra StarRam Passomay
25. Coulibaly Tidiane & Dafra StarBombossi
26. Coulibaly Tidiane & Dafra StarSondja Magni
27. Coulibaly Tidiane & Dafra StarLimaniya
28. Echo Del AfricaGentlemen Doromina
29. Les Imbattables LopardsBissongo Lebguinw
30. Les Imbattables LopardsDja Tigui Kie
31. Les Imbattables LopardsMilaoba
32. Echo Del AfricaYiri Wah
33. Les Imbattables LopardsNn
34. Ouedraogo YoussefHe Ya Wannan
35. Idy OldrissaArindo
36. Les Imbattables LopardsNe Toumd
37. Les Imbattables LopardsBoudou Nyida