Ray Grammont – Dis Merci Ton Papa

( La Reunion , 1977 , Disques Jackman )

posted on 21 / 12 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Dis Merci Ton Papa “, a deep syncopated 70s Island Sega Synth Soul track from La Reunion (Indian Ocean), taken from the second (and last) single recorded in 1977 by the Reunionese musician & performer Ray Grammont, and composed by Camille “Jacky” Lechat, another great figure from the island.

Ray Grammont was backed on that recording by “Le Club Rythmique”, a local music band formed in 1968 and leaded by the composer & musician Jean-Jacques Cladère, who was also the creator of the Disques Jackman record company (as the single presented here), and owner of the first professional recording studio of the island that welcomed by time a big part of the artists of the island (Jacqueline Farreyrol, Maxime Laope, Jacky Lechat, Marie-Armande Moutou, Pierrette Payet or Michel Adélaïde, who was also part of the band).

Funfact : Ray Grammont was the father of the French Reggae, Soul, Ragamuffin and Gwoka musician & singer David “Tonton David” Grammont, one of the best French figures of the 90s era !

Hope you’ll like this daily rediscovery, enjoy !

Ray Grammont – Dis Merci Ton Papa (La Reunion, 1977, Disques Jackman)

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

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Ensemble Tropicana – Amor En Cha Cha Cha

( Martinique , 1967 , Disques Antibo )

posted on 14 / 12 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Amor En Cha Cha Cha“, a storming Caribbean Cha Cha Cha Latin Guaguanco Soul track, taken from the first LP of the band “Ensemble Tropicana“, that begun as the live band of Michel Colas’ club “La Cocoteraie” in Martinique (French West Indies), formed in 1964 by the mythical Haitian composer & musician Felix Guignard.

Shortly after, the band moved to Guadeloupe (French West Indies) to play at Georges Brival’s club “La Bananeraie” under the name “Ensemble Tropicana de La Martinique”.

Recorded a few years later in 1967, this LP includes legendary musician from the French West Indies, such as Michel Desgrottes (arrangements) and Gary French & Joseph “Jo” Lavaud on the vocals.

Splendid LP from start to finish, a great example of the musical blend of musical genres in the Antilles during this era, especially the strong Cuban/Latin influences – Enjoy !

Ensemble Tropicana – Amor En Cha Cha Cha (Martinique, 1967, Disques Antibo)

 

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/8SrVKs2wlnU

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Bazare D Pablo & Le Nassima Orchestra – Nassima

( Ivory Coast , 1980s , Sodogil Editions )

posted on 07 / 12 / 2025

For today, I’d like to share with you “Nassima“, a deep bouncy minimal syncopated 70s Afro Soukous Soul Synth track from Ivory Coast, taken from the only LP recorded in the early 80s by the mysterious Ivorian composer Bazaré D. Pablo (any informations welcome, as he seemed to be a mysterious character) on the famous record label “Sodogil Eidtions“, and produced by the legendary Beninese composer & musician Gilbert Dossou (better known as “Prince Dgib’s” or just “Dbib’s), who released a couple of crazy rare singles.

Super underground release that deserves to be better & widely more known, so hope you’ll like it – enjoy !

Bazaré D. Pablo & Le Nassima Orchestra – Nassima (Ivory Coast, 1980s, Sodogil Editions)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/rW2TGTJuZoQ

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Ousmane Kouyate – N'Ny

( Guinea , 1982 , Sacodis )

posted on 30 / 11 / 2025

Following this former post, I would like to share you for today “N’Ny”, an instant catchy Afro Boogie Soul Funk track from Guinea with gorgeous guitar & powerful horn parts, taken from the first album recorded in 1982 by the Guinean composer, arranger and musician (balafon and guitar player) Ousmane Kouyaté, born in 1950 in Dabola (Guinea Conakry).

He released 5 albums, and played with many mythical musicians & bands, such as Salif Keïta, Kante Manfila, Cheikh Tidiane Seck or Mory Kante (he played the guitar on the African hit “Mandjou” with the Malian band “Les Ambassadeurs”) and played in the very well known “Le Rail Band De Bamako” & “Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux” among with Salif Keïta (Mali) and Kante Manfila (Guinea Conakry).

This album features some of the best west african musicians of that era such :

Ousmane Kouyate : Writing, Composition, Arrangements, Lead Guitar, Vocals ;

Deyin Kassila, Mamadi Diabate : Vocals ;

Mamadou “Pacheko” Bagayoko : Bells ;

Moussa Cissoko : Tenor Saxophone ;

Doh Albert, Tom Diakité : Chorus ;

Traore Kabine “Tagus” : Trumpet ;

Djeli Moridjan Kouyaté : Balafon ;

Souleymane Doumbia : Drums ;

Banthini Koita : Rhythm Guitar ;

Cheick Tidiane Seck : Organ ;

Sekou Diabaté : Bass Guitar ;

Benjamin Diabaté : Congas ;

Released on the legendary Ivorian label “Sacodis“, this album is good from start to finish, but unfortunately too hard to find album nowadays (especially in that condition) – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Ousmane Kouyate – N’Ny (Guinea, 1982, Sacodis)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/taX-e7lDJhg

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Enco Ti Tac – Yo Te Di Moin

( Martinique , 1983 , Touloulou )

posted on 16 / 11 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Yo Te Di Moin“, a sublime catchy Caribbean Gwoka Belè Biguine Jazz from Martinique (French West Indies) with gorgeous piano & flute parts, taken from the 1st album of the band “Enco-Ti-Tac” (that could be translated by “more” in Creole language) recorded in 1983 and out on the French West Indian label “Touloulou“.

The band was leaded by Robert “Bob” Medas, and featured :

Robert Medas : Drums, Vocals, Producer ;

Eddy Marc : Flute, Vocals, Drum (Tambour) ;

Tony Lemony : Drums (Tambour, Ti Bois), Vocals ;

Georgy Bourdy, Patrick Sorrente : Drums (Tambour), Vocals ;

José Lancry (who also designed the album cover !) : Piano ;

Jean-Michel Edouard : Chak’chas, Vocals ;

Vocals : Gina Bourdy ;

Fred Claire : Bass ;

Highly recommended & now hard to find album as the three ones of the band, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Enco Ti Tac – Yo Te Di Moin (Martinique, 1983, Touloulou)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/CW4ZoW9kmSs

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Bruno Agbo Vikass – Fin Vacances

( Benin , 1980s , Les Editions A.B.V. )

posted on 09 / 11 / 2025

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you for today “Fin Vacances“, an obscure laid back minimal Afro Synth Electronic Soul track from Togo a la William Onyeabor, taken from the only album recorded in the early 80s by the Beninese musician “Agbo Bruno Vikass“, that includes the following musicians :

Agbo Bruno Vikass : Composition, Vocals, Producer, Rhythm Guitar ;

Noel Houmbiye (from the band “Noel & Mathilde” I talked about here https://youtu.be/5hTXPVLZ5mQ) : Lead Guitar ;

John Migan : Drums, Arrangements ;

Camice : Bass Guitar ;

Tomi : Organ ;

Really deep & usunual track, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Agbo Bruno Vikass – Fin Vacances (Benin, 1980s, Les Editions A.B.V)

 

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/s1ZToYLBBPg

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Telema Sandihoma – Mawu Lolo

( Togo , 1977 , Sonafric )

posted on 02 / 11 / 2025

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 !

Telema Sandihoma & l’Orchestre Vis-A-Vis – Mawu Lolo (Togo, 1977, Sonafric)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/Lkeu8O0-7vY

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

St Augustine & The Rovers International – Kpalanuma

( Nigeria , 1978 , Polydor / Polydor Nigeria )

posted on 26 / 10 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Kpalanuma“, a mind-blowing 70s Highlife Soul track from Nigeria with Afrobeat influences & instant catchy horn & synth parts, taken from one of the several albums composed by the very prolific Nigerian composer & musician St. Augustine Anwunzia backed by his “Rovers International“, recorded in 1978 on the Nigerian branch of the mythical label “Polydor”.

St Augustine’s albums are known to be upper-class Highlife, but that one remains my favorite, blending many genres as it contains outstanding Afrobeat, Highlife but also Reggae tracks.

More, it features some of the greatest Nigerian & Cameroonian composers of that era, as :

St. Augustine Anwunzia : Lead Vocals, Composition, Arrangements ;

Tony Bonny Wailer, Johnny Woode : Drums ;

Frankie Ntoh Song : Guitar Synthesizer ;

Fred Fisher Atalobhor  : Trombone ;

Willie Nfor : Bass Guitar ;

Joe Chiejina : Maracas ;

Andrew Kisito : Vocals ;

Abi John : Lead Guitar ;

Jossy Egele : Congas ;

Sharp Mike : Trumpet ;

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

St. Augustine & The Rovers International – Kpalanuma (Nigeria, 1978, Polydor Nigeria)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/Hq69T1vH96w

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Le Xalam – Yumbeye

( Senegal , 1975 , Musiclub )

posted on 19 / 10 / 2025

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 “𝐋𝐞 𝐗𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦” founded in 1965 by the songwriter & guitarist Sakhir Thiam.

By the time, the members of the group have changed several times, including legendary artists as Idrissa Diop, Cheikh Tidiane Tall and Thierno Koité.

This LP includes the following musicians :

Georges Dieng (solo Guitar) ;

Sanoussi Sidibe (Rhythm Guitar) ;

Serge Alvez (Bass) ;

Henry Guillabert (Organ) ;

Moussa Diongue (Vocals) ;

Ibrahima Conudoul (Vocals) ;

Xalifa Cisse (Congas, Vocals) ;

Abdou Mboup (Percussion);

Prosper Niang (Drums) ;

Tonia Lo (Saxophone, Vocals) ;

Cheikh Diop (Trumpet) ;

Jean-Pierre Gandour (Guitar, Vocals) ;

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 !

Le Xalam – Yumbeye (Senegal, 1975, Musiclub)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/tLGH2C9hQdA

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Roland Louis – Deliver Me

( Guadeloupe , 1979 , Production RL )

posted on 05 / 10 / 2025

Following to this former article, I wanted to share with you for today, I wanted to share with you “Deliver Me“, a splendid bewitching Island Soul track from Guadeloupe (French West Indies) with Jazz flavors, taken from the first album of the Guadeloupean pianist, composer & arranger Roland Louis, and driven by Jocelyne Beroard’s angel voice (singer of the mythical West Indian band Kassav).

This now cult & ultra hard to find album includes some of the best musicians of that era from the French West Indies & France, such as :

Roland Louis : Keyboards ;

Jocelyne Beroard (from the band “Kassav”) : Vocals ;

Jean-Pierre Coco (from the band “Bozambo”) : Percussion ;

Serge Marne (from the band “Laser”) : Drums ;

Julien Tarquin : Bass, Vocals ;

Henry Bedin : Guitar ;

Cherry on the cake : this gorgeous artwork painted credited as from a mysterious “Joyce”… Maybe from Jocelyne Beroard herself ?

Hope you’ll like this new unearthed musical gem, Enjoy !

Roland Louis – Deliver Me (Guadeloupe, 1979, Productions RL)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/QNQtkJ_H7W4

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

African Grooves

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