Tag: afro rock

The Funkees – Ole (Nigeria, 1979, Grandstar Records)

For today, I wanted to share with you “Ole“, a 70s psychedelic Afro Rock Funk with Afrobeat flavors, taken from “Dancing In The Nude” the first album of the mythical Nigerian band “The Funkees“, initially recorded in 1974 in London, and repressed in 1979 (the version presented here).

Originating as an army band after the Nigerian Civil War (Biafran War), it contributed to the outpouring of upbeat music produced by young people in Nigeria in response to the darkness of the recently concluded civil conflict.

The band was composed with :

Lead Vocals, Percussion : Mohammed Ahidjo ;

Guitar [Lead], Organ, Piano, Vocals, Percussion [Miscellaneous] : Jake Sollo ;

Guitar [2nd], Vocals, Percussion [Miscellaneous] : Harry Mosco ;

Lead Vocals, Percussion : Mohammed Ahidjo ;

Bongos, Percussion : Roli Paterson ;

Congas, Vocals : Sonny Akpabio ;

Design, Painting : R. A. Sule ;

Drums, Vocals : Chyke Madu ;

Electric Bass [Fender], Vocals, Percussion : Danny Heibs ;

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

The Funkees – Ole (Nigeria, 1979, Grandstar Records)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/NuwzP1JxlS8

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

Salim “Sal Davis” Abdallah Salim – Unchain My Heart (Kenya, 1963, Teeny Records)

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you for today “Unchain My Heart“, an outstanding cover of the interplanetary hit originally recorded by the American singer Otis Williams in 1960, reinterpreted here in a frantic Twist Jerk Soul Rock way by the Kenya composer & singer Salim “Sal Davis” Abdallah Salim and recorded in Belgium in 1963.

This version – my favorite by far – is quite similar to the one sung by the legendary singer & pianist Ray Charles, but is slightly different, faster, warmer and soulful – Enjoy !

Salim “Sal Davis” Abdallah Salim – Unchain My Heart (Kenya, 1963, Teeny Records)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/1DRIOPSCKBw

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

Orchestre Rail Band De Bamako – Mouodilo (Mali, 1970s, EMI – His Master’s Voice)

Following this previous article, I wanted to share with you “Mouodilo“, a devastating furious Afro Soul Jerk Funk track from West Africa, recorded in Bamako (Mali) in the early 70s by the mythical Malian band “Orchestre Rail Band” originally founded and led at this time by the legendary saxophonist Tidiani Kone, an outstanding musician that was also a griot (a kind of religious leader/ influent personality).

Largely responsible for the birth of modern Mandingo music from Mali, the group was also called “Orchestre du Buffet Hotel de la Gare de Bamako” because it played there twice a week.

Pressed in Nigeria on the local branch famous label “EMI – His Master’s Voice“, the track presented here (my favorite !) is an early rough version of the 1973 “Moko Diolo“, also included in their second blue album – Enjoy !

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/dU1f69jJkJo

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

T.P. Orchestre Poly Rythmo De Cotonou – Aiha Ni Kpe We (Bénin, 1978, Albarika Store)

For today, I wanted to share with you “Aiha Ni Kpe We“, a devastating powerful Afrobeat Funk Soul track with crazy horn & organ parts, taken from one of my favorite albums of the band, recorded in 1978 at the mythical EMI Studios in Lagos (Nigeria), with the help of the legendary sound engineer Monday Oki, and released in Benin on the famous local record label “Albarika Store” – Enjoy !

T.P. Orchestre Poly Rythmo De Cotonou – Aiha Ni Kpe We

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

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

The Regimental Band Of The Rhodesian African Rifles – Hippy Girl (Ex-Rhodesia / Zimbabwe, 1970s, Teal)

For today, I wanted to share with you “Hippy Girl“, a psychedelic bouncy Afro Rock Funk Fuzzy Soul track, composed by the South African Saxophone player Kippie “Morolong” Moeketsi, a member of the Jazz Epistles, along with his students Abdullah Ibrahim (Adolph Johannes Brand, better known as “Dollar Brand“), Jonas Gwangwa and Hugh Masekela

This song is taken from a really obscure EP, recorded in the 70s by the Regimental Band Of The Rhodesian African Rifles (R.A.R.), a national military brass band from Zimbabwe (former Rhodesia) – Enjoy !

The Regimental Band Of The Rhodesian African Rifles – Hippy Girl

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/8_yWZnWw06o

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

Blo – Make Your Body Dance (Armand de Préseau NYE 2023 Edit) (Nigeria, 1979, Afrodisia)

For today, and to festively close 2022, I wanted to share with you an edit I made of “Make Your Body Dance“, an instant feel-good & powerful dancefloor friendly Afro Disco Boogie track, taken from the fifth album of the band BLO, in reference to the initials of its founders :

Berkley “Ike” Jones (guitar)

Olaoluwa “Laolu Akins” Akintobi (drums) ;

Mike “Gbenga” Odumosu (bass) ;

Odumosu left the band later and was replaced by Lemmy “Otu” Udofa (also known as “Lemmy Jackson” in his 80s solo carrer !)

I wish you all the best for 2023, and sincerely hope that this forthcoming year will be as sweet as 2022 was for you, enjoy !

Blo – Make Your Body Dance (Armand de Préseau NYE 2023 Edit) (Nigeria, 1979, Afrodisia)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/FI9Q-g6U8B4

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

King Joe Dann – Soko Bougé (Senegal, 1977, Pathe Marconi)

For today, I wanted to share with you « Soko Bougé », a crazy catchy Afro Rock Jerk Soul Mod Twist track, taken from the only single recorded in 1977 by the mysterious Senegalese composer & musician King Joe Dann aka Abdoul M’Baye (any further informations about him are welcomed !) on the mythical French record label « Pathé Marconi » – Enjoy !

King Joe Dann – Soko Bougé

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/A2CTkrLjogo

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

Chris Smith & Funky Road – Do Your Thing (Mozambique, 1976, RCA Victor)

For today, I wanted to share  with you « Do Your Thing », a dope 10 min long Afro Funk Garage Fuzz Rock track, taken from the only LP recorded & issued in 1976 by the Mozambican composer & singer Chris Smith and his band « Funky Road », that was composed with :

Bass : John Bagwasi ;

Drums : Wilfred Sibumbe ;

Guitar : Ben Rhikot ;

Organ : Joseph Tshabalala ;

Tambourine : Patrick Dlamini ;

Vocals : C. S. Smith ;

This LP was produced by the legendary South African producer & saxophone player David Thekwane – Enjoy !

Chris Smith & Funky Road – Do Your Thing

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/PjhW1Mm4UMw

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

The Blackfoot – Sounds In My Sleep (Zambia, 1970s, Zambia Music Parlour)

For today, I wanted to share with you « Sounds In My Sleep », a cool breezing & catchy Zambian Afro Rock Soul-ish track, recorded in the 70s by the Blackfoot, an African Garage Rock band from Zambia who released two really hard to find albums & a few singles during the 70s & the 80s on the legendary local record label « Zambia Music Parlour Limited », Zambia’s most prolific independent record label during the 1970s and 1980s.

The Blackfoot was composed with :

Alfred Yabe

Garry Musopa

George Kabale

Ottiman Mpondzi

The song presented here is taken from a really hard to find single, hope you’ll like it !

The Blackfoot – Songs In My Sleep

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/yqbqAf5zHSU

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

Tony Grey & The Super 7 – Yem Efe (Nigeria, 1975, EMI Nigeria)

For today, I wanted to share with you “Yem Efe“, an awesome powerful Psychedelic Afro Rock Funk track with crazy fuzzy guitar parts & afrobeat flavors, taken from the 3rd album of the Nigerian musician & composer Tony Grey and backed by his “Super 7” band, issued in 1975 on the legendary label “EMI Nigeria” – Enjoy !

Tony Grey & The Super 7 – Yem Efe

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

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