Phany Agboton Et Ses Satellitles - Allabiaboukata (Benin, 1977, Satel Records)

Hi dear readers !

For this time, let's travel to Benin Again, with a great psychedelic Afrobeat mental track, with huge organ parts, by Phany Agboton accompanied by "Les Satellites" Orchestra !

Phany Agboton et Les Satellites - Allabiaboukata

Merci,

Armand

Smail Chaoui - Ya Habib (Algeria, 197?, Oasis)

Smail Salhi, aka Smail Chaoui, is an Algerian singer, born in 1946 in Ain M'lila.

He began his musical career very early, and released a couple of 7 inches on Oasis, the great Algerian record label.

Later, he decided to quit music, and made a successful career in hotels and tourism.

Smail Chaoui - Ya Habib

 

Sincerely yours,

Armand

Le Kene Star de Sikasso - Fitiriwale (Mali, 1977, Mali Kunkan)

 

Le Kene Star de Sikasso was one of the regional Malian Orchestras (such as "L'Orchestre Kanaga de Mopti" or "L'Orchestre Sidi Yassa des Kayes") back in the 70's.

The group was composed, among others, by François Ballo, Mamadou Touré, Mamadou Diakité and Cheick Sadibou Diabaté, former members of "L'Orchestre Regional de Sikasso", who released one album in 1970.

The track I've selected, Fitiriwale, is taken from their 1977 album, released in France thanks to the mythical "Kiosque d'Orphée" label.

This song is about wedding, and the ingratitude of the husbands towards their former wife and the good things they did for them.

Le Kene Star de Sikasso - Fitiriwale

 

If you're into Malian sound, you can check here (and download !) a Malian selection I did in 2013 !

Have a really nice sunday,

Armand

David Calvet et les Elus (Congo, 1978, Pathé EMI)

 

Nice Afro Latin Fusion track from Congo (Brazzaville), with fresh and fuzzy electric guitars to begin this sunny saturday !

"Les Elus" was a Congolese band, lead by David Calvet Voutoukoulou, a guitarist who recorded 3 albums and who also played with the "Les Ombres de Brazzaville" and "Bayembi" in the early 70's.

David Calvet et les Elus - Mea Katu

Enjoy,

Armand

Elias Rahbani - Dance Of Maria (Lebanon, 1972, Parlophone Voix de L'Orient Series)

 

Elias Rahbani, from Lebanon, is the youngest of the three Rahbani Brothers, well known for their contribution to the Lebanese - and more, Oriental - music scene.

His two older brothers, Assi and Mansour Rahbani, also known as "The Rahbani Brothers" (which Elias wasn't be part of) were composers and songwriters, famous for their work with the Lebanese Diva, Faiyrouz (which was the wife of Assi).

Elias composed of over 700 songs, both in Eastern and Western styles.

This album, "Mosaic of The Orient", is considered by many as Elias best album, a very eclectic instrumental record, with some psychedelic organ and bouzouk parts, oriental jazz and hip hoppy beats.

The cover art is designed by Nabil Mourani, who designed my favourite Oriental record covers (Remember Babylon Mood by Munir Bachir ? That was him also !).

Elias Rahbani - Dance Of Maria

Have a nice monday,

Armand

Belles Combo - Misik A Nou (Dominica, 1977, A3 Productions)

 

First album of this band from the Dominica Island in the Carribean, this record is full of winner tracks in many genre, as specified on the cover (Candence, Calypso, Reggae..).

"Misik A Nou" is a killer Cadence track, with killer horns and drums.

Serve yourself a glass of punch, put on your best shirt, and enjoy the party !

Belles Combo - Misik A Nou

Prince Nico Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz - Sickness (Nigeria, 1978, Roger All Stars)

 

Nicolas "Prince Nico" Mbarga, with his Nigerian band the Rocafil Jazz, was one of most famous African musicians (or THE most), who released more than 20 albums.

Prince Nico, children born in 1950 of a Cameroonese father and a Nigerian mother, became a PanAfrican celebrity in 1976 with his interplanetary hit "Sweet Mother".

His music, easy identifiable, is a mixture of Highlife, Slow Afrobeat and Congolese Rhumba.

Nicolas left music in the early 80's, became a businessman and died of a bike accident in 1997 in Nigeria.

I decided to present you tonight "Sickness", an Afrobeat song with very sweets guitar parts in it - Enjoy !

Prince Nico Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz - Sickness

Thank you,

Armand

Bongos Ikwue and The Groovies - Woman Made The Devil (Nigeria, 1977, EMI NIGERIA)

 

Mixture of American folk music and Nigerian roots, this track - by the very prolific Nigerian singer and guitarist Bongos Ikwue (his last album came out in 2012 !) - is perfect for this hot monday summer !

Close your eyes, and relax..

Bongos Ikwue And The Groovies - Woman Made The Devil

 

Take care of you all,

Armand

Ikenga Super Stars of Africa - Soffry Soffry Catchy Monkey (Nigeria, 1977, Roger All Stars)

Coming from Nigeria, the Ikenga Super Stars of Africa was one of the very popular band in the country back in the 70's, who got their start as members of highlife superstar Osita Osadebe's backing band.

They played mostly Highlife music, recorded more than 15 albumsand have tourned in many African countries, but also in Europe (London).

The track presented here, "Soffry Soffry Catchy Monkey", is taken from their one and only Afrobeat record, out in 1977 on the famous "Roger All Stars" (or R.A.S.) record label (this record was also issued in France on the DECCA record label).

Ikenga Super Stars of Africa - Soffry Soffry Catchy Monkey

Sincerely yours,

Armand

Gnonnas Pedro - La Musica En Verite (Benin, 1980, Ledoux Records)

 

 Awesome slow deep Afrobeat / Pachanga track from the Beninese King of Salsa, Mister Gnonnan Sossou Pierre Kouassivi, alias "Gnonnas Pedro"!

This track is taken from the original "La Musica En Verite" LP, out in 1980 on the great "Ledoux Records" Label, owned by Abou Sylla Ledoux, one of the greatest Producer in african music history.

Gnonnas Pedro et Ses Dadjes - La Musica En Verite

All the best,

Armand

This track is dedicated to my cousin Jean. I will never forget those good times, listening to this record together, again and again and again.. Miss you, little brother.