For today, I wanted to share with you “Mawu Lolo“, an instant catchy 70s Afro Soul Funk from Togo, take from the sole single recorded by the mysterious composer & singer Telema Sandihoma in 1977 (any more informations welcome !) on the mythical French record label “Sonafric“.
This song is backed by the legendary Ghanaian orchestra “Vis-A-Vis“, in a groovy vein that reminds me the bests songs from the Ghanaian musician De Frank Kakrah & his “Professionals” – hope you like it, enjoy !
Following to this former post, I wanted to share with you for today “Yumbeye“,  a deep bouncy 70s West African Psychedelic Mbalax Fusion Jazz Funk track from Senegal with crazy organ parts, taken from the first album of the Senegalese band “đđ đđđ„đđŠ” founded in 1965 by the songwriter & guitarist Sakhir Thiam.
Recorded live in June 1975 at “Le Sangomar” night club in the city of Thies, you can really feel you can really feel a special energy emanating from this beautiful album.
And we didn’t mention this gorgeous cover !
Highly recommended album from start to finish, hope you’ll like it, enjoy !
Following this former article, I wanted to share with you “Djamban“, an incredible mesmerizing 70s Afro Mandingo Jazz Soul track from Mali with gorgeous horn & guitar parts, taken from one of the first albums recorded in 1975 by the mythical Malian band “Rail Band” (also known as “Orchestre Rail Band” or “Orchestre du Buffet Hotel de la Gare de Bamako” because the band played there twice a week) leaded by the legendary Malian composer & saxophonist Tidiani Kone (who also played for with Beninese kings from the “Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou”).
Pressed in Nigeria, this album is part of the very well known “Rail Band Series” (this one is the 4th volume), and features some of the bests Malian & West African musicians (Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, …) from that era as :
Really hard to find album nowadays, that I found a few years ago during a record digging trip in Nouakchott (Mauritania). I had the great honor to got it from Mr Mohamed Vall, one of the very few record collectors from the country, who used to run “Le Saphir D’Or”, the only record store in Mauritania opened in the 1979 until the early 2000s (for more informations, I interviewed him here).
And cherry on the cake : this sublime artwork – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !
For today, I wanted to share with you “Maze (Part 2)“, an instant feel-good Afro Soul Funky Soukous Masterpiece from Democratic Republic of The Congo (former ZaĂŻre) with frantic guitar, taken from a compilation of previously released singles out in the early 80s (in Kenya & Nigeria) and recorded by the mythical Congolese composer & musician Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi Tabu, better known as “Tabu Ley Rochereau“.
He started his career in the 60s, playing alongside with legends as “Dr Nico” (Nicolas Kasanda Wa Mikalayi) in famous band such as l’African Jazz, l’Afrisa International & l’Orchestre African Fiesta.
Tabu Ley is famous for having pioneered Soukous music, and to have internationalized Congolese music by mixing elements of Congolese folk music with Cuban, Caribbean, and Latin American rumba. He’s considered by one of the giants of Congolese & more widely, African music.
For today, I wanted to share with you “Keep On Dancing“, an instant killer Afro Disco Boogie track from Ghana, recorded in 1979 by the composer & musician Kofi “Kiki’ Kwarko Gyan, keyboardist of the legendary band Osibisa that was popular in the 1970’s.
Multi-instrumentist Kiki Gyan recorded three albums and a couple of singles between 1979 & 1983, and was considered by many as Africa’s answer to Stevie Wonder.
For today, I’m glad to share with you this instant feel-good song, that will set any dance floor on fire. Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !
Kiki Gyan – Keep On Dancing (Ghana, 1979, Boom Records)
For today, I wanted to share with you “I Know My Mission“, a wonderful funky 70s Afro Soul Jazz Rnb from Ghana with Highlife reminiscences & great trumpet parts, taken from the 2nd LP of the mythical Ghanian band “Uhuru Dance Band” formed in the late 60s by former members of Broadway Dance Band, whom the trumpeter Sammy Obot.
With the time, the group featured some of the finest Ghanaian musicians of that era such as Ebo Taylor, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Joe Mensah & George Danquah not forgetting the Diva Charlotte Dada.
Ultra cool track driven by super catchy drums and – cherry on the cake, an awesome album art (so sad the artist wasn’t credited, any infos are welcome !) – Hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !
Uhuru Dance Band – I know my mission (Ghana, 1975, Agoro Records)
For today, I wanted to share with you “Love Affair“, an explosive Afro Soul Funk Boogie track from Nigeria with devastating horns, taken from the 2nd album recorded by the Nigerian Band “SJOB Movement” (or “SJOB“), recorded in 1977 on the mythical Nigeria record label “EMI Nigeria” by the mythical Nigerian sound engineers Kayode Salami & Monday Oki and produced by the famous Odion Iruoje.
The band took the name “SJOB” after taking the first letter of the name of its founding members :
Samuel Abiloye (Spark) : Guitar, Vocals ;
Johnnie Woode Olima : Keyboards, Vocals ;
Ottay Imah Blackie : Fender Bass, Percussions ;
Bolla Prince Agua : Lead vocals, Drums, Percussions.
Some of the greatest nigerian musicians of that era are also included on that album, such as Ignace de Souza (Trumpetist, leader of the legendary beninese band “The Black Santiagos”), Fred Fisher (Trombone), Akin Nathan (Vocals) & Friday Pozo (Congas).
One of my favorite record of the genre, always a dance floor burner, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !
SJOB Movement – Love Affair (Nigeria, 1977, EMI Nigeria)
For today, I wanted to share with you “A Chacun Son ProblĂšme “, an outstanding deep Afro Soul Synth Blues track from Mali with nice Reggae flavors, taken from the 5th album of the legendary Malian blind Duet “Amadou & Mariam“, composed with the spouses Mariam Doumbia & Amadou Bagayoko.
This album was composed by :
Amadou Bagayoko : Solo Guitar, Vocals ;
Mariam Doumbia : Vocals, Chorus ;
Mamany Keita : Chorus ;
Hawa Timbo : Chorus ;
Alain Tako : Bass, Synth
Jean Philippe Rikyel : Organ ;
Ahmed Sylla : Drums ;
Walde Baba Sissoko : NâTaman ;
Programming : Alain Tako.
The song presented here is a reinterpretation of one of their early songs, re arranged here in a catchy Synth way and taken from a now really hard to find K7 tape manufactured in Bamako in 1996 – Hope you’ll like it !
I’ve decided to share that precious gem in memory of Amadou Bagayoko, who past away last 4th of April in Bamako. Thanks for everything Amadou !
Amadou Bagayoko & Mariam Doumbia – A Chacun Son ProblĂšme (1996 Version) (Mali, 1996, Mali K7 SA)
