Bonga - Ngila (Angola, 1982, Philips)

 

José - Bonga - Adelino Barceló de Carvalho, one the most famous musician from Angola, was born the 5th of September 1942 in Kpiri (Angola).

He has lived in Angola, Portugal and France, forced to regularly move in the 70's because of his commitment in struggle for the independence of Angola (former Portuguese colony).

He has released more than 30 albums (his last album was recorded in 2016), and he's still active today.

I decided to make you discover "Ngila", a raw and melancholic song taken from my favourite album (his 6th album), "Kualuka Kuetu".

Bonga - Ngila

 

Have a nice sunday,

Armand

The Sweet Talks - Eyi Su Ngaangaa (Ghana, 1976, Philips)

The Sweet Talks were one of the most famous band from Ghana, formed in December 15th 1973 by Jonathan Abraham, proprietor of the Talk Of The Town Hotel in the city of Tema.

They recorded more than fifteen albums, toured all over Africa but also in America (Los Angeles in 1978), where they recorded their biggest selling record, Party Time In Hollywood.

The track presented here, "Eyi Su Ngaanga", an outstanding afrobeat, is taken from their 2nd album from 1976.

The Sweet Talks - Eyi Su Ngaangaa

See you soon,

Armand

Etubom Rex Williams and his Nigerian Artistes - Satan Ke Mbiet Owo (Nigeria, 1974, Philips)

 

Born in Etinan, in Akwa Ibom State in the 1930's, Etubom Rex Williams is by far one of Nigeria's finest Highlife Trumpeters and bandleaders.

He started to play music in the early 1950's, playing the trumpet in the Salvation Army Band, and quickly began to perfom in hotels, leading Highlife bands, and quickly began to record his first albums.

From the early 70's to the late 80's, he have released more than 10 LP's and 7 inches.

The song presented here, Satan Ke Mbiet Owo, is a pure jewel, mixture of deep Highlife and slow Afrobeat music - Enjoy !

Etubom Rex Williams and his Nigerian Artistes - Satan Ke Mbiet Owo

 

Best regards,

Armand

Fadoul et Les Privilèges - Leilet Al Jadba (Morocco, 197?, Disque Fan El Hayat)

 

Known as the Moroccon "James Brown", Fadoul was a very famous singer back in the early 1970's, native of Casablanca.

With his band "Les Privilèges", he recorded 4 at least (as far as I know..) 7 inches, and gave a few live shows in his country.

Fadoul died in 1991.

Fadoul et Les Privilèges - Leilet Al Jadba

Fadoul et Les Privilèges in concert, courtesy of Habibi Funk Records

Sincerely yours,

Armand

Orchestre Les As du Benin feat Roger Damawuzan - Tropicana Souvenir (Benin, 1973, Philips West-African Records)

Hi !

Today let's hear a nice Afrobeat track taken from the first LP by L'Orchestre Les As du Bénin : Tropicana Souvenir.

Les As du Benin was a band that used to play at the Tropicana hotel, in Lome, Togo, and the band was composed by 7 musicians :

- Beaudouin Amegee on the lead guitar & vocals

- Georges Mensanh on the bass

- Kponton Venance on the second guitar

- Leon Awoumey on the Drums

- Celestin Eklou on the Organ & vocals

- Lucien Ayite on the Congas

- Roger Damawuzan on the Congas and vocals

You would notice that the last one, Roger (he will change his name later for Dama, because of politics), became later one of the most famous Togolese musicians (but this is another history..).

Orchestre Les As du Benin - Babaa Na Ayele

Have a good sunday,

Armand