LE SAPHIR D’OR – An Evening With Mr. Mohamed Vall (Mauritanian Vinyl Collector Interview

Very special post today, with a video interview of ๐Œ๐จ๐ก๐š๐ฆ๐ž๐ ๐•๐š๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐Ž๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐’๐ข๐๐ข ๐€๐ก๐ฆ๐ž๐, who was the historical ๐›๐ข๐ ๐ ๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ ๐Œ๐š๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐š๐ง๐ข๐š๐ง ๐•๐ข๐ง๐ฒ๐ฅ ๐‘๐ž๐œ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐œ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ & owner of the very well legendary local record store “๐‹๐ž ๐’๐š๐ฉ๐ก๐ข๐ซ ๐’๐Ž๐ซ” (which was actually the only one of the country !).

I shot this interview back in June 2017 in ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐š๐ค๐œ๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐ญ (Mauritania) during one of my ๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ฒ๐ฅ ๐ซ๐ž๐œ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฌ there, when I had the great chance to meet him & spend with him several days at his home welcomed as his own son, talking about him & his story, record collecting & dealing, past & present & future musical scene in Mauritania.. and, of course, sharing some good mint teas !

There are special encounters in life that change you forever, and so it was for this one – Hope you’ll enjoy this precious musical moment !

๐Ÿ…พ๏ธ ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐›๐ž ๐‹๐ข๐ง๐ค ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐ž๐ฐ (๐…๐ซ๐ž๐ง๐œ๐ก, ๐„๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐›๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ฅ๐ž๐ฌ) : https://youtu.be/B0MqYUPHVfs

๐˜๐˜ฏ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜บ ๐˜ฐ๐˜ง ๐˜”๐˜ฐ๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ ๐˜๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜–๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ ๐˜š๐˜ช๐˜ฅ๐˜ช ๐˜ˆ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ. ๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฌ ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ ๐˜ด๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ถ๐˜ค๐˜ฉ ๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ณ ๐˜ฌ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ด, ๐˜’๐˜ท๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ฃ๐˜ต ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ต ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ซ๐˜ฐ๐˜บ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ช๐˜ค ๐˜ถ๐˜ฑ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ !

For more African, Caribbean, Middle-Eastern and others World Grooves feel free to go on my Soundcloud account : ๐Ÿ”ธ – http://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : ๐Ÿž – https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau

Armand de Preseau

Okoi Seka Athanase – Mambo Marie Madeleine Houi Bin

( Ivory Coast , 1977 , Disco 2000 )

posted on 09 / 04 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you โ€œMambo Marie Madeleine Houi Binโ€œ, a mind-blowing deep melancholic Afro Soul Jazz track with gorgeous horns & Latin flavors, taken from one of the first albums recorded by the Ivorian composer Okoi Seka Athanase in 1977.

This album includes the following musicians (any further informations are welcomed) :

Okoi Seka Athanaseย : Lead Vocals ;

Lรฉo : Bass Guitar ;

Christophe : Drums ;

Nโ€™Da Joย : Guitar ;

Bouadou Ernestย : Solo Guitarย ;

P. Lucien Dyย : Percussionย ;

Bader : Saxophone ;

Ahmed, Beugrรฉ Edouard : Trumpet ;

Assy Lucien, Lucien Achipo : Vocalsย ;

Really beautiful song, that reminds some of the best Afro Latin tracks by legendary Congolese bands & musicians (Tabu Ley Rochereau & Lโ€™Orchestre Afrisa International, Franco & his T.P. OK Jazz, Dr Nico, โ€ฆ). Enjoy !

Okoi Seka Athanase โ€“ Mambo Marie Madeleine Houi Bin (Ivory Coast, 1977, Disco 2000)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/juaERMT69iI

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Max Cilla – Balade Dans La Foret D'Ajoupa Bouillon

( Martinique , 1981 , Apia )

posted on 06 / 03 / 2024

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you for today โ€œBalade Dans La Foret Dโ€™Ajoupa Bouillonโ€œ, an incredible bewitching Soul Jazz Folk track with deep percussions from Martinique (French West Indies), taken from the first LP from the legendary flutist & poet Max Cilla recorded in 1981 on the French label โ€œApiaโ€œ.

Backing Max Cilla, this album features many mythical musicians :

– Christian Bartouche : Bass ;

– Marie-Jo Prajet : Congas, Percussion [Ti Bois] ;

– Claude Vamur : Drums ;

– Sully Cally : Percussion [Tambour Bel Air] ;

– Michel Cilla ; Percussion [Tambour Di Bass] ;

– Patrick Theodose : Percussion [Tambour Ka] ;

– Eric Fleriag : Percussion [Ti Bois] ;

– Georges-Edouard Nouel : Piano ;

Cherry on the cake : the cover is designed by another great Martinican legend : the musician & poet Joby Bernabe โ€“ Enjoy !

Max Cilla โ€“ Balade Dans La Foret Dโ€™Ajoupa Bouillon (Martinique, 1981, Apia)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here :ย https://youtu.be/LiD5PTajzi8

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Gary French & The Tropical Sextet – Lo Siento

( Haiti , 1970s , A.H.A. Records )

For today, I wanted to share with you โ€œLo Sientoโ€œ, an outstanding Guaracha Latin Soul Jazz track, taken from the second album recorded by the Haitian composer & musicien Gary French and his โ€œTropical Sextetโ€ band, that included the following musicians :

– Carlos Ramirez : Organ & Piano ;

– Jean Thomas Donnay : Saxophone ;

– Emmanuel โ€œMannoโ€ Mathieu : Bass ;

– Michel Corvington : Guitar ;

– Patrick โ€œPatโ€ Coby : Percussions ;

– Jacques Succes : Drummer ;

One of my favorite album from Haรฏti, full of many solid tracks of different musical genres โ€“ Enjoy !

Gary French & The Tropical Sextet โ€“ Lo Siento (Haiti, 1970s, A.H.A. Records)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here :ย https://youtu.be/0AuIQJ2Q-Bg

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Henri Guedon – Karma

( Martinique , 1975 , La Voix Du Globe )

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you for today โ€œKarmaโ€œ, an outstanding blend of Cadence Soul Funk Latin Synth Jazz & Fusion influences, taken from the 3rd album recorded in 1975 by the mythical musician, painter, sculptor and ceramist Henri Guedon from Martinique, considered by most as the grandfather of modern music from French West Indies.

This album includes :

– Henri Guedon : Leader, Lead Vocals, Agogรด, Cowbell, Kalimba, Spoons, Helicon, Skratjie, Percussion, Handclaps, Guimbarde, Bombo, Balafon ;

– Fabien Bannet : Backing Vocals, Guiro, Maracas, Claves ;

– Alain Delos : Congas, Percussion, Wood Block ;

– Claude Vamur : Percussion (Tambou Ka, Latigo), Drums, Timbales, Bongos ;

– Alfred Varasse : Percussion [Tiboi], Drums, Bata, Cowbell ;

– Michel Pacquit : Piano, Piano, Electric Piano (Fender Piano) ;

– Jacky Bernard : Synthesizer, Bass, Organ, Vibraphone ;

Pure dance floor heater here, hope youโ€™ll like it โ€“ Enjoy !

Henri Guedon โ€“ Karma (Martinique, 1975, La Voix Du Globe)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/TWrWbGqSD0s

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Le Sahel – Caridad

( Senegal , 1975 , Musiclub )

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you for today โ€œCaridadโ€œ, an incredible beautiful Afro Latin Mbalax Soul track, taken from the only album by โ€œLโ€™Orchestre Du Sahelโ€œ, house band of the night club โ€œLe Sahelโ€ in Dakar (Senegal) owned by the businessman Ndiouga Kobe and founded in 1972 by the composer and musician Cheikh Tidiane Tall.

Open to various musical styles, le Sahel offered a music mixing African sounds (Mbalax, Pulaar Fulani music, Mandingo music), and included legendary Senegalese musicians, former members of the mythical band โ€œXalamโ€ founded in 1965 by Sakhir Thiam, such :

– Cheikh Tidiane Tall (Bandleader, Guitar, Organ) ;

– Willy Sakho (Bass) ;

– Alassane Nโ€™Doye (Congas) ;

– Diguy Diabate (Drums) ;

– Thierno Koitรฉ (Flute, Saxophone) ;

– Seydina Insa Wade (Guitar) ;

– Emmanuel Batta (Trombone) ;

– Jean Nโ€™Diaye (Trumpet) ;

– Idrissa Diop, Renรฉ Cabral (Vocals) ;

– Pape Djiby Ba (Vocals, Guiro) ;

Really hard to find album & magical song, hope youโ€™ll like it โ€“ Enjoy !

Le Sahel โ€“ Caridad (Senegal, 1975, Musiclub)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/Jpc5qzWlhi4

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Fairuz – Habbeytak Bessayf / ุญุจูŠุชูƒ ุจุงู„ุตูŠู

( Lebanon , 1973 , Parlophone / Voix De L'Orient )

Following to this former article, I wanted to share with you for today โ€œHabbeytak Bessayfโ€ (โ€œุญุจูŠุชูƒ ุจุงู„ุตูŠูโ€œ, what could be translated by โ€œI loved you since the summerโ€ย in Lebanese Arabic langage), a mesmerizing & bewitchingย Oriental Arabic Jazz trackย withย Latinย vibes & beautiful piano parts, one of the most iconic & famous song from the Lebanese Diva Nuhad แธคaddad (betterly known as โ€œFairuzโ€œ) taken from the play โ€œYaโ€™icheโ€ฆ Yaโ€™icheโ€ฆโ€ (โ€œHe livesโ€ฆ He livesโ€).

This track was recorded in 1973 and composed by the mythical Assi & Mansour Rahbani Brothers, and released on the mythical โ€œEMI โ€“ Parlophoneโ€ record label (โ€œVoix De Lโ€™Orientโ€ series).

Cherry on the cake : this gorgeous picture of the Diva, taken live by the Lebanese photographer Varoujan Setian, who was the appointed photographer of the Rahbani Brothersโ€™ theatrical company โ€“ Enjoy !

Fairuz โ€“ Habbeytak Bessayf (Lebanon, 1973, Parlophone โ€“ Voix De Lโ€™Orient Series) / ููŠุฑูˆุฒ โ€“ ุญุจูŠุชูƒ ุจุงู„ุตูŠู

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

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Lord Cobra And Panafro – Colon Colon

( Panama , 1979 , tamayo )

posted on 05 / 03 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you โ€œColon Colonโ€œ, a gorgeous melancholic Tropical Latin Calypso Soul track with sweet Island Reggae flavors & bewitching guitar parts, recorded on the 30 of November 1970 by the mythical Panamanian producer, composer & musician Wilfred Methusiel Berry Gonin better known as โ€œLord Cobraโ€œ, one of the most important calypsonians, not only in Panamabut throughout the Caribbean, standing out as a troubadour and as a composer.

Among dozens of pieces he composed, we can mention โ€œBananaโ€, โ€œThe Man with the Big Suitcaseโ€ and the famous โ€œBaptismโ€.

This track (my favorite from this artist by far !) was released on the mythical owned by the legendary producer Rodrigo De Jesรบs Escobar Tamayo โ€“ Hope youโ€™ll like it, enjoy !

Lord Cobra And Panafro โ€“ Colon Colon (Panama, 1979, Tamayo)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here :ย https://youtu.be/YwVvLbQ97Ic

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Fitz Vaughn Bryan And His Orchestra – Moonbeam Serenade

( Trinidad & Tobago , 1958 , Kay )

For today, I wanted to share with you โ€œMoonbeam Serenadeโ€œ, an astonishing uptempo Island Calypso Latin Soul Mambo track, one of the very first recordings (1958, maybe the 3rd one) of the legendary Trinidadian musician, composer, arranger Fitzroy Vaughan Bryan, leader of the band โ€œFitz Vaughan Bryan Orchestraโ€ that he formed in 1955 and that was composed with :

– Fitzroy Vaughan Bryan (Leader, Arrangements) ;

– Daniel Albert (Bongos) ;

– Frank Pollard (Congas, Tumbas) ;

– Anderson Perraud (Percussion) ;

– Samuel Reid (Piano) ;

– Annie Haynes, The Strollers (Vocals) ;

Terrific dance floor burner of the genre, hope youโ€™ll like it โ€“ Enjoy !

Fitz Vaughn Bryan And His Orchestra – Moonbeam Serenade (Trinidad & Tobago, 1958, Kay)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here :ย https://youtu.be/aBQNsgb3tXA

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents :ย 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