Les Ya Toupas du Zaire – Mbandaka

( Democratic Republic of Congo , 1978 , Songhoï )

posted on 04 / 10 / 2026

Following this former article, I’d like to share with you for today “Mbandaka“, a breezing deep 70s Fusion Soul Folk Organ instrumental track from Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaïre), taken from the 1st album the mythical congolese band “Les Ya Toupas du Zaïre“.

Recorded in Kinshasa (country’s capital) with the help of the famous Togolese producer Gerard Akueson, this album was released in France in 1978 on “Songhoï“, subdivision of the legendary Sonodisc/Sonafric record label.

It included some of the finest musicians of the country of that time as :

Raymond « Ray » Lema A’nsi Nzinga : Guitar, Piano, Organ, Percussion, Vocals ;

Félix Pedro « Manuaku Waku” : Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar ;

Nzimbi, Pamsu-Dimbani Waza-Kesho : Vocals, Percussion ;

Zoe Matondo “Nzuani” : Congas, Percussion ;

Paul « Bopol » Mansiamina Mfoko : Bass ;

Kadinga : Drums, Percussion ;

Nkoy Bizico : Percussion ;

Cherry on the cake : this gorgeous cover art by the French Caribbean composer & producer Gilles Sala (also responsible for the line notes on the back cover !), who used to run “Songhoï” publishing house in the late 70s.

Really beautiful album from start to finish, invisible nowadays unfortunately – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Les Ya Toupas Du Zaïre – Mbandaka (Democratic Republic of Congo, 1978, Songhoï)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/S6kMCW7kV-s

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/

Feel free to support my action to preserve musical heritage & buy my vinyl & digital reissues here : https://nangabokorecords.bandcamp.com

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

Armand de Preseau

Khalid Al Reghi – Zannik / ظنّك

( Libya , 1980s , 97 )

posted on 27 / 09 / 2026

For today, I’d like to share with you “ظنّك” (“Zannik“, that could be translated as “Your Thoughts“), an awesome obscure Libyan cover of Pink Floyd’s interplanetary hit “Another Brick In The Wall“, reinterpreted here in a deep dark slow Boogie Synth Soul way by famous Libyan TV music composer & musician “خالد الرقيعي” (Khalid Al Reghi) & his brother “عبد الرحمن الرقيعي” (Abdelrahim Al Reghi) and lyrics adaptated to turn the song into a love song by “صلاح عباس” (Salah Abbas).

This song is taken from Khalid Al Reghi’s first album, only released as tape format in the late 80s in Libya in very small quantities and quite impossible to find nowadays unfortunately, that explain my will of sharing it with you today.

Probably my favorite cover of this classic, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Khalid Al Reghi – Zannik (Libya, 1980s, 97) / خالد الرقيعي – ظنّك

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

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/

Feel free to support my action to preserve musical heritage & buy my vinyl & digital reissues here : https://nangabokorecords.bandcamp.com

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

Armand de Preseau

Marcel Lollia – Pastorelle (4ème figure)

( Guadeloupe , 1968 , Aux Ondes / Celini / Celini Disques )

posted on 20 / 09 / 2026

For today, I’d like to share with you “Pastorelle (4ème figure)“, a deep bewitching bland of traditional Antillean Folklore, Gwoka & Soul track from Guadeloupe (French West Indies), taken from the 1st album of the Guadeloupean legendary Gwoka player, drummer & composer Marcel Lollia (better known as “Vélo“) recorded in 1968 on the mythical French Antillean label “Celini Disques – Aux Ondes”

Gwoka (also known as Gwo-Ka or Gros-ka) is a traditional musical genre, dance, and cultural practice of Guadeloupe combining ka drums, Creole singing and dance.

Velo is considered by the most as a Gwo-ka Master, and recorded with the bests French West Indian artists of that era such as Alain Jean- Marie, Robert Loyson, Paul Blamar, Emilien Antile,  Jean-François Fabiano, Guy Conquette & Artheme Boisbant.

One of my favorite track of the genre, always nice to see people dancing on it when I play it during my DJ set or radio show – Enjoy !

Marcel Lollia dit “Vélo” – Pastorelle (4ème figure) (Guadeloupe, 1968, Aux Ondes)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/FdlnZT59cn0

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/

Feel free to support my action to preserve musical heritage & buy my vinyl & digital reissues here : https://nangabokorecords.bandcamp.com

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

Armand de Preseau

Les Jeunes Espoirs – Ntchizenguè

( Gabon , 1981 , Zika Production )

posted on 13 / 09 / 2026

For today, I’d like to share with you “Ntchizenguè”, a mellow balearic 80s Cosmic Synth Soul track from Gabon taken from an obscure LP recorded in 1981 in Libreville (country’s capital) an produced by the famous Gabonese composer & musician Jean-Yves Messan in order to promote the sole recordings of 5 young talents (Jean-Louis Evoung, Douma Dominique, Jean-Claude Boutoto, Gnanga Moukoula Dominique & Pépé-Ngalet).

Out on the label “Zika Production” (on which were released some great albums by the Congolese superstar Abeti Masikini), the song presented here is my favorite from this album – sad the artist didn’t released more material after that (any more informations on this release + artists would be warmly welcomed !).

Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Pepe-Ngalet & Les Jeunes Espoirs – Ntchizenguè (Gabon, 1981, Zika Production)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/S-LIjk-Ag-o

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/

Feel free to support my action to preserve musical heritage & buy my vinyl & digital reissues here : https://nangabokorecords.bandcamp.com

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

Armand de Preseau

Bahta Gebre Hiwot – Gizie

( Ethiopia , 1973 , Amha / Amha Records )

posted on 30 / 08 / 2026

Following this former post, I’d like to share with you for today “Gizie“, a sweet 70s Ethio Soul Folk Jazz track with bewitching piano & guitar parts, taken from the 1st single of the Ethiopian composer & singer Bahta Gebre Hiwot, with the help from Gebreab Tefera (words) & Girma Beyene (musical arrangements).

It was released in 1973 on “Amha Records“, prominent & legendary record label owned by Amha Eshete and that released more than a hundred of Ethiopian singles and dozen albums between 1969 & 1975, including some by mythical musicians Mahmoud Ahmed or Mulatu Astatke.

Those Ethio gems are getting harder & harder to find nowadays, especially in such clean condition, so hope you’ll like it Enjoy !

Bahta Gebre Hiwot – Gizie (Ethiopia, 1973, Amha Records)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/aAoxbvuorM8

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/

Feel free to support my action to preserve musical heritage & buy my vinyl & digital reissues here : https://nangabokorecords.bandcamp.com

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

Armand de Preseau

The Lijadu Sisters – Life's Gone Down Low

( Nigeria , 1976 , Afrodisia )

posted on 23 / 08 / 2026

Following this former post, I’d like to share with for today “Life’s Gone Down Low“, a gorgeous hybrid slow 70s Afro Soul Reggae Funk track from Nigeria with catchy organ parts, composed by the Nigerian twin sisters Kehinde & Taiwo Lijadu better known as “The Lijadu Sisters”.

This song is taken from their 2nd album, recorded at the legendary “DECCA Studios” in Lagos city, and released in 1976 on the mythical Nigerian record label “Afrodisia“.

It includes the following musicians :

Kehinde & Taiwo Lijadu aka The Lijadu Sisters : Writtings, Arrangelments, Lead Vocals ;

Biddy Wright : Lead Guitar, Tenor Saxophone, Percussion, Bass Guitar, Producer ;

Felix Shittu : Alto Saxophone ;

Johnny Woode : Keyboards ;

Ade Jolaoso : Bass Guitar ;

Cherry on the cake : this beautiful artwork by the mysterious “Ideas Organisation” !

One of my favorite Reggae Soul track from the African continent, discovered though the excellent Afro Rock compilation “The World Ends: Afro Rock & Psychedelia in 1970s, Nigeria” released in 2010 by the renowned reissue label “Soundway”.

I’ve been lucky enough to find an original copy in pristine condition during one of my several record digging trop in Cameroon the same year, but that’s another story..

Hope you’ll like this song as I do, enjoy !

The Lijadu Sisters – Life’s Gone Down Low (Nigeria, 1976, Afrodisia)

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

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/

Feel free to support my action to preserve musical heritage & buy my vinyl & digital reissues here : https://nangabokorecords.bandcamp.com

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

Armand de Preseau

Verckys & L'Orchestre Veve – Misere

( Democratic Republic of Congo , 1970s )

posted on 16 / 08 / 2026

Following this former post, I’d like to share with you for today “Misere“, an outstanding deep 70s Afro Soul Slow Funk track from Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaïre) driven by killer horns & organ parts, taken from one of the numerous singles recorded in the 70s by the legendary Congolese composer & musician Georges Kiamuangana Mateta aka “Verckys”, and backed by the almighty Orchestre Veve.

Sung in French, this song deals about African people suffering, poverty, exploitation & misfortunes, and which, sadly, still rings all too true today.

You can easily source American Soul music influences here, as it sounds like an Otis Redding song.

Quite invisible those days, glad to share it with you – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Verckys & L’Orchestre Veve – Misere (Democratic Republic of Congo, 1970s, Editions Veve)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/IBmiGhYuJn0

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/

Feel free to support my action to preserve musical heritage & buy my vinyl & digital reissues here : https://nangabokorecords.bandcamp.com

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

Armand de Preseau

Jimmy Hyacinthe – Yatchiminou

( Ivory Coast , 1979 , Discogram )

posted on 02 / 08 / 2026

For today, I’d like to share with you “Yatchiminou“, an uplifting catchy 70s Afro Synth Boogie track from Ivory Coast, taken from the first LP of the famous Ivorian composer & musician N’Goran Hyacinthe (known as Jimmy Hyacinthe in tribute to his idol Jimmy Hendrix, since N’Goran developed a string pinching technic of playing guitar) who modernized the Goly traditional Ivorian rhythm.

This album was produced & recorded between Paris (France) & Abidjan (Ivory Coast), at the same time he formed & leaded the Parisian band “Bozambo” composed with great Pan African musicians.

After recording several albums in the 70s & 80s, he returned to Ivory Coast in the mid 80s and became the artistic director of  the legendary local label “La Société Ivoirienne de l’Industrie du Son” (SID).

Dancefloor sure shot, instant feel-good summer track, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Jimmy Hyacinthe – Yatchiminou (Ivory Coast, 1979, Discogram)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/LHx8005Ay-M

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/

Feel free to support my action to preserve musical heritage & buy my vinyl & digital reissues here : https://nangabokorecords.bandcamp.com

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

Armand de Preseau

Les Sympathics de Porto-Novo – Ego-Ibo

( Benin , 1979 , Albarika Store )

posted on 26 / 07 / 2026

Following this former post, I’d like to share with you for today “Ego-Ibo“, a deep 70s Afro Psychedelic Soul syncopated track from Benin, taken from the 2nd LP recorded in 1979 by the Beninese band “Les Sympathics de Porto-Novo“, leaded by the composer & musician Happy Ruffin and that was very active as a studio backing band in the late 70s & early 80s and who played for big Beninese musicians & composers of that era.

This album was released on the mythical Beninese record label “Albarika Store“, and included the following musicians :

Happy Ruffin : Composition, Guitar, Lead Vocals, Writings ;

Jean-Louis Avognon : Backing Vocals, Guitar ;

Herman F. Laleye : Bass Guitar, Leader ;

Armand Pognon : Lead Guitar, Organ ;

Georges d’Assomption : Congas ;

Marcellin Laleye : Drums ;

Highly recommended LP, killer from start to finish – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Les Sympathics de Porto-Novo – Ego-Ibo (Benin, 1979, Albarika Store)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/dP67GYkWIGI

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/

Feel free to support my action to preserve musical heritage & buy my vinyl & digital reissues here : https://nangabokorecords.bandcamp.com

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

Armand de Preseau

Super Mambo Jazz – Marie

( Kenya , 1970s , A.I.T. Records )

posted on 19 / 07 / 2026

For today, I’d like to share with you “Marie“, a sweet 70s Afro Benga Soul track from Kenya with Latin flavors that turns into a great Soukous from the 2nd part of the song, taken from one of the numerous singles recorded in the 70s by the Kenyan band “Super Mambo Jazz“.

Deep & catchy gem from East African, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Super Mambo Jazz – Marie (Kenya, 1970s, A.I.T. Records)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/6aVZj0fnL5I

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/

Feel free to support my action to preserve musical heritage & buy my vinyl & digital reissues here : https://nangabokorecords.bandcamp.com

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