Les Ya Toupas Du Zaïre – Je Ne Bois Pas Beaucoup

( Democratic Republic of The Congo , 1976 , MY )

posted on 17 / 07 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you “Je Ne Bois Pas Beaucoup“, an instant catchy 9min Afro Soukous Soul Funk track with killer horns, taken from the 1st album recorded in 1976 by the legendary Congolese band “Orchestre Les Ya Toupas Du Zaïre“, that included the best country’s composers & musicians of that era, such :

Arrangements : Henry Bowane, Samuel “Sam” Mangwana ;

Vocals, Composed by : Baba Ley Assaka, Samuel “Samy” Bumba.

Pure tropical heat there, always a Dance Floor burner when I play that track in my DJ Sets, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Les Ya Toupas Du Zaïre – Je Ne Bois Pas Beaucoup (Democratic Republic of Congo, 1976, MY)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/TBHiEOekna4

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

Oby Onyioha – Enjoy Your Life

( Nigeria , 1981 , Time )

posted on 07 / 07 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you “Enjoy Your Life“, a fresh instant catchy Afro Disco Boogie Soul track, taken from the 1st album of the Nigerian composer & musician “Oby Onyioha” recorded in 1981, out on the short-lived record label “Time” and produced & arranged by the legendary Nigerian composer Lemmy Jackson.

It features some of the finest musicians of the country & the UK :

Lead Vocals : Oby Onyioha ;

Arrangements, Producer, Keyboards, Percussion : Lemmy Jackson ;

Acoustic Guitar : Bunny Mack ;

Trumpet : Luke Tunney ;

Backing Vocals : Dan Ian, Jane James, Keni St. George, Lemmy Jackson, Ray Shell, Simeon Catlyn ;

Backing Vocals, Guitar : Morris Michael ;

Bass : Sol Oshijo ;

Bass Guitar : Basil Barap ;

Drums : Laolu Akins, Paul Sokeng ;

Guitar : Eugene Ndema, George Achini ;

Percussion : Francis Igboke, Igwe Ede, Keni St. George ;

Saxophone : Gary Barnacle ;

Strings : The Locrian String ;

Trombone : Annie Whitehead ;

Always a sure shot to make people dance when I play it in my Tropical DJ – Enjoy !

Oby Onyioha – Enjoy Your Life (Nigeria, 1981, Time)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/WGvh7py8dIs

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

Bada Damas – Come On Now Hou... Hou

( Cameroun , 1970s , Goyave )

posted on 05 / 06 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you “Come On Now Hou… Hou“, a killer Afro Jazz Funk Soul Fusion track with ultra cool Fender Rhodes & Horns parts, taken from a very obscure album recorded in the 1970s in Paris by the Cameroonian (presumed) musician Bada Damas and backed by his “Damas Swing” band, who composed together a fistful albums & singles.

Any additional infos about this artist/album would be greatly appreciated, so don’t hesitate !

A true collector & highly wanted record for the connoisseurs, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Bada Damas (Cameroun/France, 1970s, Goyave)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/bfbeVQ-kqi0

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

Professional Uhuru Dance Band – Mumude

( Ghana , 1970 , Decca )

posted on 26 / 05 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you “Mumude“, a timeless Afro Highlife standard classic track from the Ghanian musical repertoire, interpreted in 1970 an explosive joyful Soul Jazz Funk way with Afrobeat flavors by the mythical Ghanaian band “Professional Uhuru Dance Band“, formed by former members of the “Broadway Dance Band” & who release 4 albums & plenty of singles in the 60s & 70s.

Nana Kobina Nketsia Essikadohene, gave the band the name Uhuru (“Freedom” in Swahili langage), which re-echoed the feeling on the 1957 gained independency of Ghana.

Not too long after the formation of Uhuru, Sammy Obot left for Nigeria and Stan Plange became the leader.

The band also included : Bob Yoko, George Amissah, Max Hammond, Loughty Lasisi Amao, Duke Duker, Tom Addo, Kpakpo Addo, Darko ‘Patato’ Adams, Mac Tontoh and lady vocalist Charlotte Dada.

An anthem that will turn any dance floor on fire – Enjoy !

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/EVINkZ1_GjA

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 )

posted on 06 / 03 / 2024

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 ;

– Bongos, Percussion : Roli Paterson ;

– Congas, Vocals : Sonny Akpabio ;

– 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

Edikanfo – Nka Bom

( Ghana , 1981 , Editions EG )

posted on 05 / 03 / 2024

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

Afrika Wanda – God's Time's Best

( Cameroun , 1992 , Essimo'oh Productions )

posted on 08 / 11 / 2023

Following to this former article, I wanted to share with you for today “God’s Time’s Best“, a mesmerizing Afro Soul Funk track with catchy synths & folk flavors, taken from the only album of the Cameroonian band “Afrika Wanda“, recorded in 1992 in Nigeria at the legendary “EMI” studios by the mythical Nigerian sound engineers Pal Akalonu and Monday Oki, and out on the small local label “Essimo’oh” from Douala.

Really hard to find LP nowadays, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Afrika Wanda – God’s Time’s Best (Cameroun, 1992, Essimo’oh Productions)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/zLzW6UAurB4

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

Guehi Jean – Didi Kowo

( Ivory Coast , 1980s , GTK Production )

posted on 01 / 10 / 2023

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you for today “Didi Kowo“, a powerful psychedelic Afro Psych Soul Funk track with killer organ parts & 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐤𝐨𝐮𝐬 flavors, recorded in the 80s by the Ivorian musician & composer Jean Gnamaka Guéhi, recorded in the 80s on the only maxi single from on the obscure local label “GTK Production“.

This album features the following musicians :

Marcellus Fender (Marcel Wazi) ;

Georges “Happy” Deulemkam ;

Bamba Moussa Yang ;

Kassaby Déhé ;

Jean Gnamaka Guéhi ;

Clémente Lozano ;

Guillermo Fellove ;

Guehi Jean – Didi Kowo (Ivory Coast, 1980s, GTK Production)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here :https://youtu.be/GJaeUM-hEz4

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

Pasteur Lappé – Ashiko, Sekele, etc...

( Cameroon , 1981 , Disques Espérance )

posted on 20 / 09 / 2023

For today, I wanted to share with you “Ashiko, Sekele, etc…“, an instant killer Afro Disco Soul Funk track, taken from the third & last LP recorded in 1981 in Paris by the legendary Cameroonian composer & musician Nicolas Pasteur Lappé.

Native of the city of Douala, he began his musical career very young, becoming a local sensation at the age of 19 thanks to his songs broadcasted on “Radio Adele“, a local radio station. In the late 70s, after moving to Paris originally to study journalism, he settled into a new life of music where he befriends African music legends such as Fela Kuti, André-Marie Tala, Joe Mboule or Jacob Desvarieux from the mythical French West Indian Band “Kassav“.

Pasteur Lappé is known to have created the “Sekele Movement“, a blend of Funk, Disco, Afrobeat, Reggae, Soul and RnB.

His most prolific years were from 1979 to 1981, years he made his three flagship albums.

The album features the following musicians :

Bass, Producer : Christophe Zadire ;

Chorus : Maryse Lappé, Sylvie Draï ;

Album direction : Jean-Marie Ahanda ; Zulu Gang ;

Drums, Percussions : Philippe Draï ;

Sound engineering, Guitar, Synthesizers : Jacob Desvarieux ;

Keyboards, Pianos, Synthesizers : Douglas Mbida, Robert Benjamin ;

Lead Vocals – Pasteur Lappé, Mehdi Dayas (B2) ;

Saxophone : Alain Hatot, Jimmy Mvondo ;

Trombone : Alex Perdigon, Jacques Bolognesi ;

Trumpet : Jacques “Cake” Bessot, Antoine “Tony” Rousseau ;

Pasteur Lappé – Ashiko, Sekele, etc… (Cameroun, 1981, Disques Espérance)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/_71jymOEnxA

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

Orchestre Rail Band De Bamako – Mouodilo

( Mali , 1970's , EMI - His Master's Voice )

posted on 30 / 07 / 2023

Following this previous article, I wanted to share with you “Mouodilo“, a devastating furious Afro Soul Jerk Funk track from West Africa, recorded in Bamako (Mali) in the early 70s by the mythical Malian band “Orchestre Rail Band” originally founded and led at this time by the legendary saxophonist Tidiani Kone, an outstanding musician that was also a griot (a kind of religious leader/ influent personality).

Largely responsible for the birth of modern Mandingo music from Mali, the group was also called “Orchestre du Buffet Hotel de la Gare de Bamako” because it played there twice a week.

Pressed in Nigeria on the local branch famous label “EMI – His Master’s Voice“, the track presented here (my favorite !) is an early rough version of the 1973 “Moko Diolo“, also included in their second blue album – Enjoy !

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/dU1f69jJkJo

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

African Grooves

A Time & Space Journey in the African & West Indies Countries