Following this previous article (https://africangrooves.fr/song/lala-tibki/), I wanted to share with you for today “Alech“, an instant catchy uptempo balearic Disco Soul Funk track with bewitching killer saxophone parts, taken from the sole single self-produced & released by Tunisian band “Dalton“, a quintet formed around 1968 when most of the members where still studying together at the University of Tunis. Very active on the local scene, they played one-of-a-kind music that merged American soul influences with regional traditional Tunisian music.

Leaded by Fawzi Chekili, the band included the following musicians :

Guitar, Piano, Vocals : Fawzi Chekili ;

Trumpet, Percussion, Vocals : Sadok Gharbi ;

Bass Guitar : Ridha Kouhen ;

Drums, Vocals : Skander Almi ;

Saxophone, Percussion : Mustapha Rehouma ;

In the early 70s, the band got a regular gig at a beach hotel called Sahara Beach Resort on the coastline of Tunisia. With the money they earned, they managed to travel to Rome and cut their only single,  “Alech/Soul Brother“, presented here – Enjoy !

Dalton – Alech (Tunisia, 1978, DA-01)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/wq07OS0Edx4

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

 

For today, I wanted to share with you “Zonga Vonvon“, a sweet Congolese Rumba that quickly turns to an insane Psychedelic Afro Soul Funk track with killer horn parts, taken from an ultra hard to find single recorded in 1971 by the mythical Congolese producer & musician Georges Kiamuangana “Verckys” Mateta, and backed by his legendary “Orchestre Veve“, founded after he left the “Tout-Puissant OK Jazz” Orchestra, and that included : Aladji Nguendi, Beya Maduma, Bovick Shamar, Diatho Lukoki, Domingo Salsero, Fukiau Pepito and, of course, Verckys.

Funfact : Verckys took his nickname after being impressed with the American sax player “King Curtis“, whom he heard the name “Curtis” as “Verckys.”

One of my personal tropical dance floor scorcher of the genre when I play as a DJ in clubs, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Vercys & l’Orchestre Veve – Zonga Vonvon (Democratic Republic of The Congo, 1971, Editions Veve)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/wq07OS0Edx4

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Mind Searcher“, a deep Psychedelic Afro Rock Soul Funk track with mesmerizing horns & organ parts, taken from the 5th and last album of the Nigerian band “One World“.

Produced by the legendary Orion Iruoje, recorded by the famous engineers Kayode Salami & Monday Oki and released in 1978 on the mythical Nigerian record label “EMI Nigeria“, this album includes the following musicians :

Acoustic Guitar, Lead Guitar : Anii Hofnar Umebuani ;

Bass Guitar : Samuel Ifeanyi Eze McKing ;

Congas : Tony Francis ;

Drums : Geoffrey Omodhebo ;

Engineer : Emmanuel Odenusi ;

Guitar : McPharson Aguta ;

Liner Notes : Tony Amadi ;

Organ : Clement Amaechi ;

Percussion, Vocals : Samuel Nkem Mathews ;

Vocals : Gab Chuma Ozani ;

One of my personal favorite band from that era & country, quite hard to find nowadays in decent – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

One World – Mind Searcher (Nigeria, 1978, EMI Nigeria)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/YvyuLrfx9_k

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

 

For today, I wanted to share with you “This Hustling World“, an incredible bouncy Afro Soul Funk with Afrobeat flavors, taken from the 1st album of the legendary Ghanaian composer & musician Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, that used to play with the finest orchestras & band of the country such Uhuru Dance Band, C.K. Mann Big Band & Apagya Show Band. It was produced by Deroy Ebow “Ebo” Taylor, another Ghanaian legend (the two artists are still touring today !).

Recorded in 1977 on the mythical record label “Essiebons” founded in the 60s by Dick Essilfie-Bondzie, the his album features some of the greatest Ghanaian artists of that era, such :

Composition, Production, Arrangements, Lead Vocals : Gyedu-Blay Ambolley ;

Producer : Ebow Taylor ;

Backing Band : The Super “C” Sounds ;

Bass Guitar, Vocals : Ralph Karikari ;

Claves, Vocals : Tony Mensah ;

Congas, Vocals : Willie Sam ;

Cowbell : Paul Willie ;

Drums : Sammy Essilfie ;

Lead Guitar : Frank Wireko ;

Maracas : Joe Ghansah ;

Organ : Nana Yaw Boakye I ;

Rhythm Guitar : Paul Kumi ;

Saxophone, Flute : Bobby Asiamah ;

Trumpet : Kofi Acheampong ;

One of the best albums out from that decade in Ghana, ultra hard to find holy grail record nowadays especially in that decent condition, and that comes with super cult cover art – Enjoy !

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley – This Husting World (Ghana, 1975, Essiebons)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/0totRwKwIyM

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Avia Hilalao“, a super sweet Pop Soul Jazzy Folk track from Madagascar (Indian Ocean), taken from a single recorded in 1958 by the Madagascan duet “Les Barijaona“, composed by Barijaona & O’Suzy (Odette Suzana).

While they were giving some concerts in France in the early 60s, this song was plagiarized by Frank Sinatra‘s entourage, the composer & producer Clarence Carson Parks. Lawsuits took place, but the artists lost, and the song “Something Stupid” was released shortly after by Carson Parks in 1966 (credited as its original writer & composer !), and then released again the following year by Frank Sinatra & his daughter Nancy, and became an international hit.

One of a kind jewel from the Red Island, another historical & musical testimony of the wealth of this island – Enjoy !

Avia Hilalao – Les Barijaona (Madagascar, 1958, Ossian)

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

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Orem’Iniva“, a instant catchy bouncy bewitching 80s Afro Digital Funk Soul with killer Synths with Zouk flavors, taken from the sole album of the Gabonese composer & musician Benoit Aleka, privately released and that includes the greatest African & French West Indian musicians of that era such :

Music, Lyrics,: Benoît Aleka ;

Synths : Jean-Claude Naimro, André Manga, Alain Yomba, Serge Damas ;

Guitar : Moustick Ambassa ;

Bass : Jean-Yves Messan, Moustick Ambassa ;

Digital Drums : Jean-Yves Messan ;

Percussion : Deba Sungu ;

Timpani : Amara Toure ;

Obaka, Ngoma : Aleka Victor Aurelien ;

Orega : Azizet Ngondo Honorine ;

Horns : Beugre Amore, André Manga, Moustick Ambassa ;

Chorus : Regine Mvoundi, Dalila, Benoit Aleka ;

Really hard to find LP, highly recommended from start to finish, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Benoit Aleka – Orem’Iniva (Gabon, 1980s, L’Amitié) :

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/xMxIkHM8ab4

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Osiman“, a dope bouncy balearic 80s Afro Synth Electro Soukous with Zouk flavors, taken from the 2nd album of the composer, musician & politician Martiniano Abaga Ele Ndoho better known as “Maélé“, self-produced & released in 1987 and that features some of the best musicians of that era as :

Vocals, Drums, Acoustic Guitar : Maele ;

Arrangements : Jean-Yves Messan, Maele, Ambassa Moustik, Alain Yomba, Toto Guillaume ;

Synths : Jean-Yves Messan, Alain Yomba ;

Guitars : Ambassa Moustick ;

Drum Machines : Jean-Pierre Kohn ;

Sax Alto : Jean-Marie Tang ;

Sax Tenor: Amores Beugre ;

Trombone & Flûte : S. T. Kossi ;

Trumpet : Jean-Christian Mbadinga ;

Chorus : Georges Seba, Marilou ;

Violins : F. Dubois, P. Defay, J. Gaunet, R. Berthier ;

Killer LP, one of my personal Tropical weapon when I play as a DJ, set everytime the dance floor on fire !

Maele – Osiman (Equatorial Guinea, 1982, Maele Self-Released)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/Xl6CnC2iiVI

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Kpulu Gene“, a mind-blowing psychedelic Afro Soul Rock track with deep organ & guitar solos, taken from the 2nd LP of the legendary Nigerian band “The Comrades” recorded in 1978 on the collectible label “Clover Sound” and produced by the mythical Ben Okonkwo.

Bass Guitar : Basil Cherri Udeh ;

Drums, Chorus : Ferdinand Ohans ;

Keyboards : Justline Akuata ;

Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Vocals, Chorus : Emma Tex Ikediashi ;

Vocals, Congas, Percussion, Chorus : Smart Lee Onwumere ;

This album is getting hard to find nowadays, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

The Comrades – Kpulu Gene (Nigeria, 1978, Clover Sound)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/DTl9TfeOMcQ

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

Following this previous article, I wanted to share with you for today “غيفارا غزة” (“Ghfyara Ghaza“, pun for “Che Guevara from Gaza” in tribute to Gaza’s resistance fighters in Palestine), a melancholic bewitching Middle-Eastern Soul Jazz track with Brazilian influences a la Arthur Verocai & beautiful flute parts, taken from the first album of the Lebanese band “Ferkat Al Ard” (فرقة الأرض) leaded by the guitar player Issam Hajali (عصام الحاج علي) and composed with :

Issam Hajali (عصام الحاج علي) : Vocals, Guitar ;

Toufic Farroukh (توفيق فرّوخ) : Flute, Saxophone ;

Elie Saba (ايليا سابا) : Bouzouki, Oud ;

This album, arranged by the legendary Lebanese composer, musician & producer Ziad Rahbani (زياد الرحباني) & produced by the Lebanese-Armenian producer Khatchik Mardirian (co-founder with Ziad Rahbani of the mythical 70s Lebanese record label “Zida“) is considered by many as one of the hardest to find holygrail Lebanese vinyl record album ever out.

This album as been reissued in 2022 by the German record label Habibi Funk but without this track, so now it’s available widely.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦-𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴. 𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘳 & 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱.

Ferkat Al Ard – Ghfyara Ghaza / فرقة الأرض – غيفارا غزة (Lebanon, 1979, Zida)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/BlHpQlps1CY 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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Choual Dam Ba Lad“, a fantastic deep rootsy frantic Cadence Folklore Biguine with a psychedelic swing, one of the multiple versions of the Haïtian Traditional song “Zanmi Camarade“, interpreted here by an Haitian Folkloric Troup leaded by Pierre Benedict Joseph, and recorded in 1974 during a trip of the band to Paris (France).

The band included :

Pierre Benedict Joseph : Leader, Flute, Saxophone ;

Louis Larose : Organ, Piano, Accordion ;

Dieujuste Dorlette : Bass Guitar ;

Ednor Cherisme (Percussions) ;

Mrs Louis Larose, Helene Joanis : Vocals, Chorus ;

Different & really hard to find beautiful LP from start to finish, hope you’ll like it !

Pierre Joseph & La Troupe d’Haïti – Choual Dam Ba Lad (Haïti, 1974, Song Records)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/P6yQwv0t8wM

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