Tag: afrosoul

The Smockers – Zeny Izy (Madagascar, 1970s, Discomad)

For today, I wanted to share with you “Zeny Izy“, a very interesting & groovy deep track from Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, really nice blend of Psychedelic Soul, Reggae, Pop, Rock, Folk & Fusion influences that only that specific geographical area has the secret.

This song is taken from the first single recorded by the band “The Smockers“, leaded by the composer & musician Roger Georges, and out on the mythical Madagascan record label “Discomad” in the late 70s – Enjoy !

The Smockers – Zeny Izy (Madagascar, 1970s, Discomad)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/4iNJfeeautw

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

Lady Isa – Tabou Ya Afrika (Democratic Republic Of The Congo, 1980s, Espera)

For today, I wanted to share with you “Tabou Ya Afrika“, an instant catchy balearic 80s Afro Electro Boogie Funk Synth track with insane drum machines backing, taken from the 2nd album of the Congolese Diva Isabelle “Lady Isa” Kozonga, recorded in the late 80s in Belgium with the help of the producer & musician Emmanuel “Manu” Lima.

This track is taken from a record that has another pressing, with different versions & arrangements of the songs. The one presented here is my favorite, with musical flavors that reminds me a bit of the African anthem “Let Me Love You” composer in 1979 by the Sierra Leonean musician “Bunny Mack” (Cecil Bunting MacCormack).

Devastating dance floor weapon, this record never leaves my DJ Bag when I’m invited to play records in parties & clubs – Enjoy !

Lady Isa – Tabou Ya Afrika (Democratic Republic Of The Congo, 1980s, Espera)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/7cuxwnTJmKI

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 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

Nicodème “Tjap’s” Tjap Oum – Oa (Cameroun, 1980s, OUM 001)

For today, I wanted to share with you “Oa“, an instant catchy Afro Boogie Funk Soul Synth track with Cosmic Makossa grooves, taken from the first single self-produced & recorded in Paris in the 80s by the Cameroonian artist Nicodème “Tjap’s” Trap Oum, native from Nkongsamba in the West region of the country, and who recorded several local hits such as “Tina miñem minan … inyu bonge” & “Tamboura” before slowing down his career due to a lung disease.

This track includes the following musicians :

Bass Guitar : Abou Bass ;

Chorus : Medy Dayas, Michele, Ngo Bavoï Charlotte (Ngo Nkol), Tonye Jackson ;

Guitar : Yves N’Djock ;

Keyboards : Jean Charles Jarrel ;

Saxophone : Charly Bokher ;

Trumpet : Jean-Claude Leandre ;

Always a nice track to warm up a dance floor, hope you’ll like it !

Tjap’s – Oa (Cameroun, 1980s, OUM 001)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/ijp6sVxpeIA

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

Gregoire Lawani – Africa Land Of Soul (Togo, 1977, BBZ Productions)

For today, I wanted to share with you “Africa Land Of Soul“, an instant catchy Afro Disco Funk Soul track, taken from the only album from the Togolese composer & musician Gregoire Lawani, recorded in 1977 in Paris and composed and produced by the mythical legendary French composer Andre Charles “Slim” Pezin.

One of my personal favorite of the genre with flavors that always reminds me the international hit “Soul Makossa” by the Cameroonian King Emmanuel N’Djoké “Manu” Dibango, and always perfect to rock a dance floor – Enjoy !

Gregoire Lawani – African Land Of Soul (Togo, 1977, BBZ Productions)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/4QR_7adpx0c

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

N.S.T. Cophie’s – Elle (Ivory Coast, 1983, N.S.T. Cophie’s Self-Released)

For today, I wanted to share with you “Elle“, a catchy 80s Afro Electro Boogie Funk Synth Balearic stepper, taken from the 2nd album self-produced & recorded in 1983 by the Ivorian composer & musician Ernest Kouadio Koffi, better known as “N.S.T. Cophie’s“, part of the well-known west african band Bozambo, and who was also the half brother of the legendary musician Alpha Blondy (Seydou Koné) from Ivory Coast.

Including the mythical Cameroonian musician Emmanuel N’Djoké “Manu” Dibango on the chorus, this album was backed by great musicians :

N.S.T. Cophies : Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer, Computer, Vocoder, Piano, Percussion, Music Director ;

Charly Bokher : Alto Saxophone ;

Emile Kangue : Bass ;

Manu Dibango, Florence Titty Dimbeng, Genie Helo, Kanda Bongo Man, Sissy Dipoko : Chorus ;

Paco Sery : Drums, Bass ;

Jimmy Mvondo Mvele : Tenor Saxophone ;

Jerry Manga : Trumpet ;

N.S.T. Cophie’s – Elle (Ivory Coast, 1983, N.S.T. Cophie’s Self-Released)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/3d1BCJp_Wys

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

Edikanfo – Nka Bom (Ghana, 1981, Editions EG)


For today, I wanted to share with you “Nka Bom“, a devastating Afrobeat Funk Soul track with killers horns & synth parts, taken from the only album recorded in 1981 in Ghana at the mythical Studio One (Napoleon Club, Osu) of Accra by the Ghanaian band Edikanfo, formed in 1980.

Produced by the legendary British composer & musician Brian Eno in Ghana, this album features :

Paa Akrashie (Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flugelhorn, Percussion, Vocals) ;

Gilbert Amartey (Bass, Percussion, Vocals) ;

Albert Williams (Congas, Talking Drum, Vocals) ;

George Afriyie-Siaw (Design) ;

George Williams (Drums, Lead Vocals) ;

Osei Tutu (Trumpet, Percussion, Vocals) ;

Kwesi Okran (Lead Guitar, Vocals) ;

William Quist (Percussion, Drums, Vocals) ;

Ishmael Odai (Piano, Synthesizer, Ensemble, Vocals) ;

Brian Eno (Producer, Engineer) ;

Faisal Helwani (Executive-Producer, Arranger) ;

Sami Helwani (Assistant engineer) ;

Jacob Serdro (Engineer) ;

Instant dance floor stormer here, enjoy !

Edikanfo – Nka Bom (Ghana, 1981, Editions EG)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/MQAZq5gg7B0

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

Bill Loko – Ndolo (Cameroun, 1981, Bill Loko Self-Released)

For today, I wanted to share with you “Ndolo“, a stormer Afro Disco Synth Soul Makossa track, taken from an album recorded at studio Synthésis in Paris (France) & self-released by the mythical Cameroonian composer & musician Bill Loko, with the help of another great Cameroonian figure, the legendary composer & arranger Dhin Ndjocke-Ebongue, better known as “Michot Dinh” (on music, keyboards, guitar, bass guitar & percussion).

This album also features great Paris-living musicians of that era, such as : Joseph “Jo” Dikongue Jr., Mony Dhin, Sissy Dipoko, Brigitte Sarrus, Christine Poussy & Claude Vamur for the drums.

Instant dance floor anthem here, hope you’ll like it !

Bill Loko – Ndolo (Cameroun, 1981, Bill Loko Self-Released)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/61N0DWvEUYs

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 – O Papillon “Djessouwe” (Benin, 1983, Albarika Store)

Following this previous post, I wanted to share with you today “O Papillon “Djessouwe”“, an instant catchy deep Afro Soul Reggae Dub Synth track by the “Tout Puissant Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou“, the mythical Beninese band founded in 1968 by the legendary musician Melome Clement (“Meloclem“) that released more than 300 songs and is still touring today.

Composed by Melome Clement, this song was recorded in tribute to the deceased great band guitarist Bernard Zoundegnon, better known under the nickname “Papillon” (“Butterfly” in English), one of the founders of the group, who died on the 27 of October 1982.

To note : the group mainly recorded soukous, blues, folk or soul titles, so upper class & unusual African Reggae like the one presented here are more than appreciated – Enjoy !

T.P. Orchestre Poly Rythmo – O Papillon “Djessouwe” (Benin, 1983, Albarika Store)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/9z_0cQmL6dw

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