Tag: west africa

Guelewar Band Of Banjul – Yaye Boul Ma Bayi (Gambia, 1979, Valerie)

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you “Yaye Boul Ma Bayi“, an outstanding deep Psychedelic 70s Afro Mbalax Fusion Soul Jazz track, taken from the first album from the legendary Gambian band “Guelewar Band Of Banjul” recorded in 1979.

Leaded by the Gambian composer & musician Laaye N’Gom, the group included many mythical Gambian & Senegalese musicians such :

Leader, Vocals, Keyboards, Conductor, Liner Notes : Laaye N’Gom ;

Vocals : Moussa N’Gom ;

Alto Saxophone : Bas Lo Fara Biram ;

Bass : Njok Malick Mike Njie ;

Drums : Oussou Ndiaye ;

Guitar : Moussa Njobdi Njie ;

Percussion : Adu Salla, Alive Badara Cham N’Gom, Koto Suno Icoto N’Gom ;

Tenor Saxophone : Laaye Sallah Ombor ;

One of the best Gambian ever recorded, really hard to find nowadays, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Guelewar Band Of Banjul – Yaye Boul Ma Bayi (Gambia, 1979, Valerie)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/_c3PTiVgBNY

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

The Funkees – Ole (Nigeria, 1979, Grandstar Records)

For today, I wanted to share with you “Ole“, a 70s psychedelic Afro Rock Funk with Afrobeat flavors, taken from “Dancing In The Nude” the first album of the mythical Nigerian band “The Funkees“, initially recorded in 1974 in London, and repressed in 1979 (the version presented here).

Originating as an army band after the Nigerian Civil War (Biafran War), it contributed to the outpouring of upbeat music produced by young people in Nigeria in response to the darkness of the recently concluded civil conflict.

The band was composed with :

Lead Vocals, Percussion : Mohammed Ahidjo ;

Guitar [Lead], Organ, Piano, Vocals, Percussion [Miscellaneous] : Jake Sollo ;

Guitar [2nd], Vocals, Percussion [Miscellaneous] : Harry Mosco ;

Lead Vocals, Percussion : Mohammed Ahidjo ;

Bongos, Percussion : Roli Paterson ;

Congas, Vocals : Sonny Akpabio ;

Design, Painting : R. A. Sule ;

Drums, Vocals : Chyke Madu ;

Electric Bass [Fender], Vocals, Percussion : Danny Heibs ;

Killer album from start to finish, hope you’ll enjoy it !

The Funkees – Ole (Nigeria, 1979, Grandstar Records)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/NuwzP1JxlS8

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Wednesday, see you on next Sunday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Gregoire Lawani – Africa Land Of Soul (Togo, 1977, BBZ Productions)

For today, I wanted to share with you “Africa Land Of Soul“, an instant catchy Afro Disco Funk Soul track, taken from the only album from the Togolese composer & musician Gregoire Lawani, recorded in 1977 in Paris and composed and produced by the mythical legendary French composer Andre Charles “Slim” Pezin.

One of my personal favorite of the genre with flavors that always reminds me the international hit “Soul Makossa” by the Cameroonian King Emmanuel N’Djoké “Manu” Dibango, and always perfect to rock a dance floor – Enjoy !

Gregoire Lawani – African Land Of Soul (Togo, 1977, BBZ Productions)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/4QR_7adpx0c

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

N.S.T. Cophie’s – Elle (Ivory Coast, 1983, N.S.T. Cophie’s Self-Released)

For today, I wanted to share with you “Elle“, a catchy 80s Afro Electro Boogie Funk Synth Balearic stepper, taken from the 2nd album self-produced & recorded in 1983 by the Ivorian composer & musician Ernest Kouadio Koffi, better known as “N.S.T. Cophie’s“, part of the well-known west african band Bozambo, and who was also the half brother of the legendary musician Alpha Blondy (Seydou Koné) from Ivory Coast.

Including the mythical Cameroonian musician Emmanuel N’Djoké “Manu” Dibango on the chorus, this album was backed by great musicians :

N.S.T. Cophies : Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer, Computer, Vocoder, Piano, Percussion, Music Director ;

Charly Bokher : Alto Saxophone ;

Emile Kangue : Bass ;

Manu Dibango, Florence Titty Dimbeng, Genie Helo, Kanda Bongo Man, Sissy Dipoko : Chorus ;

Paco Sery : Drums, Bass ;

Jimmy Mvondo Mvele : Tenor Saxophone ;

Jerry Manga : Trumpet ;

N.S.T. Cophie’s – Elle (Ivory Coast, 1983, N.S.T. Cophie’s Self-Released)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/3d1BCJp_Wys

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Le Sahel – Caridad (Senegal, 1975, Musiclub)

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you for today “Caridad“, an incredible beautiful Afro Latin Mbalax Soul track, taken from the only album by “L’Orchestre Du Sahel“, house band of the night club “Le Sahel” in Dakar (Senegal) owned by the businessman Ndiouga Kobe and founded in 1972 by the composer and musician Cheikh Tidiane Tall.

Open to various musical styles, le Sahel offered a music mixing African sounds (Mbalax, Pulaar Fulani music, Mandingo music), and included legendary Senegalese musicians, former members of the mythical band “Xalam” founded in 1965 by Sakhir Thiam, such :

Cheikh Tidiane Tall (Bandleader, Guitar, Organ) ;

Willy Sakho (Bass) ;

Alassane N’Doye (Congas) ;

Diguy Diabate (Drums) ;

Thierno Koité (Flute, Saxophone) ;

Seydina Insa Wade (Guitar) ;

Emmanuel Batta (Trombone) ;

Jean N’Diaye (Trumpet) ;

Idrissa Diop, René Cabral (Vocals) ;

Pape Djiby Ba (Vocals, Guiro) ;

Really hard to find album & magical song, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Le Sahel – Caridad (Senegal, 1975, Musiclub)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/Jpc5qzWlhi4

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Les Ambassadeurs Du Motel De Bamako – Mali Denou (Mali, 1977, Sonafric)

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you for today “Mali Denou”, an mesmerizing 70s Afro Synth Soul Funk track with awesome organ parts, taken from an album recorded in 1977 by the mythical Malian band “Les Ambassadeurs Du Motel De Bamako” that included the finest Malian musicians such as Salif KeitaAmadou BagayokoOusmane KouyatéMoussa Doumbia & Idrissa Soumaoro and out on the legendary french label Sonafric.

This band was one of the two main malian orchestras with “L’Orchestre Rail Band Du Buffet Hotel De La Gare De Bamako” in which Salif Keita (who wrote the song presented here) used to sing before joining “Les Ambassadeurs” – Enjoy !

Les Ambassadeurs Du Motel De Bamako – Mali Denou (Mali, 1977, Sonafric)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/99yuuConXNg

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

The Jets – With Love Everything Is Easy (Nigeria, 1976, Anodisc Records)

For today, I wanted to share with you “With Love Everything Is Easy“, a killer Psychedelic 70s Afro Soul Funk track with mind-blowing synth & fuzzy guitars, taken from the only album recorded in 1976 by the Nigerian band “The Jets” on the legendary record label “Anodisc Records“, leaded and composed by Maxcy Chuku and that was composed with :

Macxy Ludwig (Lead Vocals, Tambourine, Percussion, Tom Tom) ;

Jimi Henshaw (Bass Guitar & Multi Bass, Backing Vocals) ;

Simeon “Sim” Anaba (Congas, Bongos, Gong, Bells, Backing Vocals) ;

Charlie Eze (Drums, Percussion, Bongos) ;

Beni “Ben” Tudumey (Keyboards, Synthesizer, Piano, Backing Vocals) ;

Ken Okogbue (Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Pedalboard) ;

Really hard to find album in the same vein as the Nigerian band “Black Children Sledge Funk Band“, hope you’ll like it !

The Jets – With Love Everything Is Easy (Nigeria, 1976, Anodisc Records)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/1jO0E7XT5rg

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Edikanfo – Nka Bom (Ghana, 1981, Editions EG)


For today, I wanted to share with you “Nka Bom“, a devastating Afrobeat Funk Soul track with killers horns & synth parts, taken from the only album recorded in 1981 in Ghana at the mythical Studio One (Napoleon Club, Osu) of Accra by the Ghanaian band Edikanfo, formed in 1980.

Produced by the legendary British composer & musician Brian Eno in Ghana, this album features :

Paa Akrashie (Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flugelhorn, Percussion, Vocals) ;

Gilbert Amartey (Bass, Percussion, Vocals) ;

Albert Williams (Congas, Talking Drum, Vocals) ;

George Afriyie-Siaw (Design) ;

George Williams (Drums, Lead Vocals) ;

Osei Tutu (Trumpet, Percussion, Vocals) ;

Kwesi Okran (Lead Guitar, Vocals) ;

William Quist (Percussion, Drums, Vocals) ;

Ishmael Odai (Piano, Synthesizer, Ensemble, Vocals) ;

Brian Eno (Producer, Engineer) ;

Faisal Helwani (Executive-Producer, Arranger) ;

Sami Helwani (Assistant engineer) ;

Jacob Serdro (Engineer) ;

Instant dance floor stormer here, enjoy !

Edikanfo – Nka Bom (Ghana, 1981, Editions EG)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/MQAZq5gg7B0

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Vincent Toko And Justin Naoussi – Fly No More (Nigeria, 1980s, Taretone)

For today, I wanted to share with you “Fly No More“, an obscure but catchy Afro Boogie Disco Synth track, taken from the only album recorded in 1980s by the Nigerian musicians Vincent Toko and Justin Naoussi, and produced by Jake Sollo, mythical figure of the Nigerian musical scene from the 70s to the 90s, and that includes many legendary figures from this era such as :

Vincent Toko (Arrangements & Composition, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Vocals ) ;

Justin Naoussi (Arrangements & Composition, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals) ;

Christine Odita, Julia Aggrey, Kate Cambell, Lade Kong Gbulie, Ngozi Oraelosi, Princess Bunmi Olajubu, Teddy “Mens” Mensah, Tina Onwudiwe (Backing Vocals) ;

Friday Pozo (Congas) ;

Emmanuel “Emma Betsen” Onyenga Ogbonna (Drums) ;

Dotun « Candido » Obajimi (Percussion) ;

Leslie Brunner (Piano) ;

Ossomba “Nicco” Nicholas (Saxophone Alto and Tenor) ;

Joe “King” Ugokwe (Trombone) ;

Kofi Adjololo, Ray Stephen Oche (Trumpet) ;

A solid song that will rock any dancefloor, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Vincent Toko And Justin Naoussi – Fly No More (Nigeria, 1980s, Taretone)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/U2no7JPZfhU

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

T.P. Orchestre Poly Rythmo – O Papillon “Djessouwe” (Benin, 1983, Albarika Store)

Following this previous post, I wanted to share with you today “O Papillon “Djessouwe”“, an instant catchy deep Afro Soul Reggae Dub Synth track by the “Tout Puissant Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou“, the mythical Beninese band founded in 1968 by the legendary musician Melome Clement (“Meloclem“) that released more than 300 songs and is still touring today.

Composed by Melome Clement, this song was recorded in tribute to the deceased great band guitarist Bernard Zoundegnon, better known under the nickname “Papillon” (“Butterfly” in English), one of the founders of the group, who died on the 27 of October 1982.

To note : the group mainly recorded soukous, blues, folk or soul titles, so upper class & unusual African Reggae like the one presented here are more than appreciated – Enjoy !

T.P. Orchestre Poly Rythmo – O Papillon “Djessouwe” (Benin, 1983, Albarika Store)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/9z_0cQmL6dw

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Wednesday, see you on next Sunday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau