For today, I wanted to share with you “Zonga Vonvon“, a sweet Congolese Rumba that quickly turns to an insane Psychedelic Afro Soul Funk track with killer horn parts, taken from an ultra hard to find single recorded in 1971 by the mythical Congolese producer & musician Georges Kiamuangana “Verckys” Mateta, and backed by his legendary “Orchestre Veve“, founded after he left the “Tout-Puissant OK Jazz” Orchestra, and that included : Aladji Nguendi, Beya Maduma, Bovick Shamar, Diatho Lukoki, Domingo Salsero, Fukiau Pepito and, of course, Verckys.

Funfact : Verckys took his nickname after being impressed with the American sax player “King Curtis“, whom he heard the name “Curtis” as “Verckys.”

One of my personal tropical dance floor scorcher of the genre when I play as a DJ in clubs, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Vercys & l’Orchestre Veve – Zonga Vonvon (Democratic Republic of The Congo, 1971, Editions Veve)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/wq07OS0Edx4

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Mind Searcher“, a deep Psychedelic Afro Rock Soul Funk track with mesmerizing horns & organ parts, taken from the 5th and last album of the Nigerian band “One World“.

Produced by the legendary Orion Iruoje, recorded by the famous engineers Kayode Salami & Monday Oki and released in 1978 on the mythical Nigerian record label “EMI Nigeria“, this album includes the following musicians :

Acoustic Guitar, Lead Guitar : Anii Hofnar Umebuani ;

Bass Guitar : Samuel Ifeanyi Eze McKing ;

Congas : Tony Francis ;

Drums : Geoffrey Omodhebo ;

Engineer : Emmanuel Odenusi ;

Guitar : McPharson Aguta ;

Liner Notes : Tony Amadi ;

Organ : Clement Amaechi ;

Percussion, Vocals : Samuel Nkem Mathews ;

Vocals : Gab Chuma Ozani ;

One of my personal favorite band from that era & country, quite hard to find nowadays in decent – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

One World – Mind Searcher (Nigeria, 1978, EMI Nigeria)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/YvyuLrfx9_k

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

 

For today, I wanted to share with you “This Hustling World“, an incredible bouncy Afro Soul Funk with Afrobeat flavors, taken from the 1st album of the legendary Ghanaian composer & musician Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, that used to play with the finest orchestras & band of the country such Uhuru Dance Band, C.K. Mann Big Band & Apagya Show Band. It was produced by Deroy Ebow “Ebo” Taylor, another Ghanaian legend (the two artists are still touring today !).

Recorded in 1977 on the mythical record label “Essiebons” founded in the 60s by Dick Essilfie-Bondzie, the his album features some of the greatest Ghanaian artists of that era, such :

Composition, Production, Arrangements, Lead Vocals : Gyedu-Blay Ambolley ;

Producer : Ebow Taylor ;

Backing Band : The Super “C” Sounds ;

Bass Guitar, Vocals : Ralph Karikari ;

Claves, Vocals : Tony Mensah ;

Congas, Vocals : Willie Sam ;

Cowbell : Paul Willie ;

Drums : Sammy Essilfie ;

Lead Guitar : Frank Wireko ;

Maracas : Joe Ghansah ;

Organ : Nana Yaw Boakye I ;

Rhythm Guitar : Paul Kumi ;

Saxophone, Flute : Bobby Asiamah ;

Trumpet : Kofi Acheampong ;

One of the best albums out from that decade in Ghana, ultra hard to find holy grail record nowadays especially in that decent condition, and that comes with super cult cover art – Enjoy !

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley – This Husting World (Ghana, 1975, Essiebons)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/0totRwKwIyM

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Orem’Iniva“, a instant catchy bouncy bewitching 80s Afro Digital Funk Soul with killer Synths with Zouk flavors, taken from the sole album of the Gabonese composer & musician Benoit Aleka, privately released and that includes the greatest African & French West Indian musicians of that era such :

Music, Lyrics,: Benoît Aleka ;

Synths : Jean-Claude Naimro, André Manga, Alain Yomba, Serge Damas ;

Guitar : Moustick Ambassa ;

Bass : Jean-Yves Messan, Moustick Ambassa ;

Digital Drums : Jean-Yves Messan ;

Percussion : Deba Sungu ;

Timpani : Amara Toure ;

Obaka, Ngoma : Aleka Victor Aurelien ;

Orega : Azizet Ngondo Honorine ;

Horns : Beugre Amore, André Manga, Moustick Ambassa ;

Chorus : Regine Mvoundi, Dalila, Benoit Aleka ;

Really hard to find LP, highly recommended from start to finish, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Benoit Aleka – Orem’Iniva (Gabon, 1980s, L’Amitié) :

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/xMxIkHM8ab4

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Osiman“, a dope bouncy balearic 80s Afro Synth Electro Soukous with Zouk flavors, taken from the 2nd album of the composer, musician & politician Martiniano Abaga Ele Ndoho better known as “Maélé“, self-produced & released in 1987 and that features some of the best musicians of that era as :

Vocals, Drums, Acoustic Guitar : Maele ;

Arrangements : Jean-Yves Messan, Maele, Ambassa Moustik, Alain Yomba, Toto Guillaume ;

Synths : Jean-Yves Messan, Alain Yomba ;

Guitars : Ambassa Moustick ;

Drum Machines : Jean-Pierre Kohn ;

Sax Alto : Jean-Marie Tang ;

Sax Tenor: Amores Beugre ;

Trombone & Flûte : S. T. Kossi ;

Trumpet : Jean-Christian Mbadinga ;

Chorus : Georges Seba, Marilou ;

Violins : F. Dubois, P. Defay, J. Gaunet, R. Berthier ;

Killer LP, one of my personal Tropical weapon when I play as a DJ, set everytime the dance floor on fire !

Maele – Osiman (Equatorial Guinea, 1982, Maele Self-Released)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/Xl6CnC2iiVI

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

Following this previous article, I would like to share with you for today “Hombre Mysteriously”, a killer uplifting Afro Latin Soul Salsa Fusion Mbalax Jazz track, recorded in 1978 by the legendary Senegalese Orchestra “Etoile de Dakar” that included great names as the mythical musician & composer Youssou Madjiguène Ndour (this album was his first ever credited appearance as a singer !).

This track was originally composed by the Dominican musician Cuco Valoy and his brother Martin as “Los Ahijados“.

This album, as many of the greatest early Senegalese ones (such as Orchestra Baobab ones), was recorded at the well-known Jandeer Night Club in Dakar(Senegal), one of the only few places musicians could lent at the times all the musical instruments & equipments they didn’t have themselves – Enjoy !

Etoile de Dakar – Hombre Mysteriosoy (Sénégal, 1978, M. Diaw)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/uzQ7BwuGD_w

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Xede Nge“, a beautiful deep melancholic Afro Soul Jazz Ballad with gorgeous acoustic guitar parts, first recording of the mythical Togolese composer & musician Roger Damawuzan, taken from the only compilation of the in demand Togolese/Congolese/Beninse label “Disques Aziza“, pressed in Ghana and intended to promote the first releases of some artists of the label.

Composed by Vincent Agbodo, this song was initially released as the A-Side of the first single recorded in Nigeria by Roger and out on Gerard Akueson‘s label “Akue“, with his famous Afro Jerk Garage track “Wait For Me” on the B-Side, that I’ll post a bit later !).

Cherry on the cake : this amazing cover art – Enjoy !

Roger Damawuzan – Xede Nge (Togo, 1970s, Disques Aziza)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/cyR0r-CSChQ

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Centipede“, a devastating Psychedelic Afro Rock Soul from Nigeria with killer fuzzy guitar parts, taken from the 2nd album of the Nigerian band “Aktion” (also known as “The Action 13“, recorded in 1977 in Nigeria and out on the collectible label “Clover Sound“, known for its cult Nigerian 70s & 80s Afro Rock albums.

This album includes some of the best musicians of that era, like :

Vocals : Essien Akpabio ;

Bass Guitar : Renny Pearl Nwosa ;

Congas : Frank Abayomi ;

Drums : Geoffrey Omodehbo, Ben B. S. Alaska ;

Guitar : Jimmy Lee Adams ;

Percussion : Lemmy Faith Nwani ;

Synthesizer, Organ, Piano : Zeaky M. George ;

Instant stormer, taken from a really hard to find LP nowadays – Enjoy !

Aktion – Centepede (Nigeria, 1977, Clover Sound)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/_LJe3sUKGBs

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

Following this previous post, I wanted to share with you for today “Wayisjelequeyele“, an outstanding Afro Mandingo Blues Soul track with killer syncopated horns, taken from the 2nd album of the legendary Burkinabe composer & musician Amadou Traoré dit Balaké, former member of “African“, the legendary Afro Latin band African from West Africa.

Recorded in Ibadan (Nigeria) and out on the mythical West African record label “Sacodis” based in Ivory Coast, this magical would blow your mind far away – Enjoy !

Amadou Balaké – Wayisjelequeyele (Burkina Faso, 1978, Sacodis)

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

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Africa Vi“, an outstanding deep psychedelic Afro Soul Funk track with splendid breezing guitar solos, taken from the sole album of the obscure Beninese band “Aziza Joymakers de Porto-Novo” leaded by the Beninese composer & musician Bonheur Gangbo.

Recorded in the 70s at the legendary recording studio “Satel” located in Cotonou and out on the label “Oloruntola” (maybe the only release of the label ?) it was composed by the following musicians :

Leader, Vocals : Bonheur Gangbo ;

Acoustic Guitar, Vocals : Cossy Vignikin ;

Bass Guitar : Bokelo J. Apithy ;

Drums : Epiphane Zinsou, Latifou Agboton ;

Lead Guitar : Guy Léoncio Zannou ;

Organ : Camille Zannou ;

Percussion : Anafi Boke, Olivier Boke ;

Vocals – Isaac Dossou ;

To notice : most of the members of that band were actually the same than the band “Les Sympathics de Porto-Novo” presented in that previous article here .

Mesmerizing tune, one of my favorite of the genre – hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Aziza Joymakers de Porto-Novo – Africa Vi (Benin, 1970s, Oloruntola)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/i9JgZ3hfho0

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