Toffo-Houssou Miguelito – Yemakpego Dragons

( Benin , 1984 , Albarika Store )

posted on 18 / 01 / 2026

For today, I wanted to share with you “Yemakpego Dragons”, an outstanding 15min Afro Latin Salsa Pachanga Soul track from Benin, taken from the sole LP recorded in 1984 by the Beninese composer & musician Toffo Houssou “Miguelito” Gilles and released on the mythical local label “Albarika Store” founded in 1964 by Adissa Seidou.

On this album, Toffo-Houssou Miguelito is backed by the famous band “Les Volcans de la capitale” founded in 1962 under the name “Orchestre de la Gendarmerie Nationale du Benin” & composed with members of the national police orchestra.

Huge dancefloor burner in the genre, always a sure shot when I play it in my DJ sets – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Toffo-Houssou Miguelito – Yemakpego Dragons (Benin, 1984, Albarika Store)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/q_BhtY_JTN4

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

Orchestre Baobab Gouygui De Dakar – Pot Pourrit De Guajira

( Senegal , 1979 , Discafrique / Discafrique Records )

posted on 23 / 11 / 2025

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you for today “Pot Pourrit De Guajira“, a gorgeous 70s Afro Cuban Latin Soul Fusion track from Senegal, taken from one of the several albums recorded by the mythical Senegalese Band “Orchestra Baobab” (spelt here “Orchestre Baobab Gouygui De Dakar”), formed in the early 1970 and famous for merging Cuban Music with traditional West African Wolof Griot culture and the Mandinga musical traditions of the Casamance in an Afro Cuban, Afro Latin & Afro Pachanga style.

Still touring today, the band features the following musicians :

Barthelemy Attisso : Guitar, Arrangements ;

Medoune Diallo : Lead Vocals, Maracas, Arrangements ;

Charles Antoine N’Diaye : Bass Guitar ;

Peter Udo : Clarinet, Alto Saxophone ;

Mountaga Koite : Congas (Tumbas), Drums ;

Papa Ba : Guitar ;

Issa Cissoko : Leader, Tenor Saxophone ;

Balla Sidibe : Timbales, Vocals ;

N’Diouga Dieng, Rudolphe « Rudy » Gomis : Vocals, Percussion ;

The album presented today is one of my favorite from the band, nice exampled of their ability to merge all styles – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Orchestre Baobab Gouygui De Dakar – Pot Pourrit De Guajira (Senegal, 1979, Discafrique Records)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/QSHhLs6XAWM

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

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

I Nottuni – Mi Bigote

( Lebanon , 1970s , I Notturni Self-Released )

posted on 31 / 08 / 2025

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you for today “Mi Bigote“, a Latin Mambo Jazz gem from Lebanon with catchy horns & organ parts, very unusual one-of-its kind track sung in spanish (maybe the first from that country ?) taken from the one-and-only super hard to find EP by the Lebanese band “I Notturni”, recorded in the 70s (I think, any informations are welcomed…), leaded by the composer & musician Khaled Choughari, that used to play in several night clubs of Lebanon (it was the resident band of “Casino Du Liban” for some times), Iran & Egypt.

This band was composed with :

Khaled Choughari : Music, Band leading ;

Ermanno Riccordi : Lyrics ;

Conductor : Tony Akkawi ;

Super obscure & hard to find record, one of the hardest to find Lebanese treasures, hope you’ll like it !

I Notturni – Mi Bigote (Lebanon, 1970s, I Notturni Self-Released)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/MLOycy1U7dw

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

Amadou Balaké – Migoussia

( Burkina Faso , 1978 , Sacodis )

posted on 17 / 08 / 2025

Following this previous post, I wanted to share with you for today “Migoussia“, an outstanding Afro Mandingo Blues Soul Latin track from Burkina-Faso sung in Spanish with killer syncopated horns & deep lyrics, taken from the 2nd album of the legendary Burkinabe composer & musician Amadou “Balaké” Traoré, former member of the legendary African Latin band “Africando“, who included some of the mythical African singers such as Gnonnas Pedro, Boncana Maïga, Pape Seck, Thione Seck, Sekouba Bambino or Koffi Olomide.

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 – Migoussia (Burkina Faso, 1978, Sacodis)

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

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 rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Orchestre De Bouake – Ewo Fiessou

( Ivory Coast , 1960s , Philips / Safie Deen )

posted on 16 / 03 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Ewo Fiessou“, a beautiful deep Afro Latin Soul Jazz track from Ivory Coast with sweet Calypso & Highlife flavors, taken from an early single recorded at the end of the 60s/early 70s by the Ivorian band “Orchestre De Bouaké” on the legendary record label “Safie Deen“,

This orchestra was originally founded by Djibo Sounkalo (former mayor of the city of Bouaké) in the 60s, composed by 12 talented musicians and leaded by the composer & musician Louis Pierre.

Really Sweet EP from start to finish, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Orchestre De Bouake – Ewo Fiessou (Ivory Coast, 1960s, Safie Deen / Philips)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/RmvjZhDj7sY

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 (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Colleen Grant – Latin Parang

( Barbados , 1980 , RH Productions )

posted on 24 / 11 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you “Latin Parang“, a sweet balearic Island Latin Soul Funk track backed with bewitching voices, one of its kind blend of Calypso, Soca, Disco & Folk flavors, taken from a very hard to find double sider recorded in 1980 by the mysterious composer & musician Colleen Grant (any infos are welcome !).

This title is referring to Parang music, a style of Folk music from Venezuelan and Colombian immigrants that came to the Caribbean, and evolved to include elements of Latin music, Disco and Soca. Although traditionally used to be played during the festive season in Trinidad and Tobago, Parang Music continues to heat up dancefloors all year round.

Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Colleen Parang – Latin Parang (Barbados, 1980, RH Productions)

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

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

– Caramba

( )

posted on 11 / 09 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you “Caramba“, a storming Tropical Cadence Latin track, recorded in the 70s by the Haitian band “Les Masterful d’Haiti” and only available on a compilation released on the legendary Guadeloupean record label “Disques Debs” (French West Indies).

Leaded by the composer & musician Pierre François Belony, the band included many great artists such as :

Leader, Bass : Pierre François Belony ;

Saxophone : Ernest Napoléon ;

Solo Guitar : Daniel Acloque ;

Rhythm Guitar : Sylfrid Roche ;

Organ, Vocal : Garçonnet Syllas ;

Drums : Sylvain Roche ;

Tambour : Yves Touzin ;

Gong, Vocal : Hugues Neconte ;

Vocals : Henry Demant ;

Cherry on the cake : this ultra cute cover art – Enjoy !

Les Masterful d’Haïti – Caramba (Haïti, 1970s, Disques Debs International)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/caSVCP54uow

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

Amadou Balake – Wayisjelequeyele

( Burkina Faso , 1978 , Sacodis )

posted on 25 / 08 / 2024

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

African Grooves

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