The Blog is Moving to a new adress : www.africangrooves.fr !

Hello everyone ! 

Just a little word to inform you that this blog "African Grooves" is moving to a new adress !! This post is my last post on blogspot !

I have my own official Website now, the adress is : http://africangrooves.fr/category/blog/ !!

It's easier than with blogspot, you will know find a search tool bar to find articles easily (for instance, you'll just have to write "Cameroon" in the Search Tool Bar to find all the articles related with !).

More, you'll find appart from the blog section a special mix section, a label version (for my new "Nanga Boko Record" record label), a interview / video section and a shop section, to buy new releases or original records taken from my own collection !

See you there, and many thanks for all your support !

Armand de Preseau

www.africangrooves.fr

https://nangabokorecords.bandcamp.com/

www.facebook.com/nangabokorecords

Nkotti François - De Bonaberi A Douala !!

The repress is approved by Nkotti François himself, so proud !!!

You too, grab your copy on the links below :

Official Bandcamp : nangabokorecords.bandcamp.com

Official Website : www.africangrooves.fr

Official Youtube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/user/armand0de0preseau

#NkottiFrançois #BlackStyls #DeBonaBeriADouala #CamerounPartout #SoProud #Official #Limited #NangabokoRecords #Africangrooves #ThankYou

Nkotti Francois and The Black Styl 77 - De Bonaberi A Douala (Cameroun, 2017, Nanga Boko Records)

Nkotti François And The Black Styls 77 - De Bonaberi A Douala

OUT NOW ON MY NEW LABEL : Nanga Boko Records !!!!

40 years after the original release, Nangaboko Records is very proud to present you the official reissue of the first album from the Cameroonian musician Nkotti Francois and his band, « The Black Styl », one of the best albums from there.

High quality remastered sound.

Reissued by Armand de Preseau.

A very detailled biography in both English and French langages with exclusive pictures come with the record, for a better comprehension of the work of the musician.

Each vinyl includes a voucher to download the album in a HD digital format for free.

Available in LP vinyl record and HQ digital format.

Approuved by the artist himself, 100 % legit, all 8 tracks are under exclusive license of Nanga Boko Records.

Limited edition.

You can grab your copy on the links below :

Official Website : www.africangrooves.fr
Official Bandcamp : nangabokorecords.bandcamp.com
Official Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/nangabokorecords
Official Discogs Page : https://www.discogs.com/…/Nkotti-Fran%C3%A…/release/10812365

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A l’occasion des 40 ans de la date de sortie de l’album original, Nangaboko Records est fier de vous présenter la réédition officielle du premier album de l’artiste Camerounais Nkotti François et de son groupe, « Les Black Styl », un des meilleurs albums enregistrés à l'époque dans le pays.

L’ensemble des morceaux de l’album a été soigneusement re-masterisé, dans le souci d’apporter aux auditeurs un son de très haute qualité.

Une biographie détaillée de l’artiste en anglais et en français ainsi que des photos inédites du groupe accompagnent le disque, pour une plus grande compréhension et appréciation de l’œuvre du musicien.

Chaque disque vinyle est accompagné d’une carte de téléchargement permettant de télécharger l’album en haute qualité audio.

Disponible au format vinyle 33 tours et en téléchargement en haute qualité audio !

Réédition approuvée par l’artiste lui-même !

Edition limitée.

L’ensemble des 8 titres de l’album est sous la licence exclusive de Nanga boko Records.

Vous pouvez acheter votre exemplaire en cliquant sur l'un des liens ci-dessous :

Site officiel : www.africangrooves.fr
Bandcamp officiel : nangabokorecords.bandcamp.com
Page Facebook Officielle : www.facebook.com/nangabokorecords
Page Discogs de la réédition : https://www.discogs.com/…/Nkotti-Fran%C3%A…/release/10812365

Coulibaly Tidiani - Sie Koumgolo (Burkina Faso, 1979, Sacodis)

 

Coulibaly Tidiani, born on the 31th of December 1941 in Kankala town, was one of the most famous  singer from Burkina Faso (former Upper Volta) in the 70's, as well as Amadou Balake.

He began his carrer in the 60's playing with the Volta Jazz Orchestra, and founded his own band in the 70's, the "Orchestre Dafra Star de Bobo-Dioulasso", one of the most popular band at the time in the country.

He recorded three albums, and a few 7 inches records.

The song I wanted to present you today, "Sie Koumgolo", an uplifting melancholic ballad with psychedelic guitars and wild piano parts, is taken from his last LP, recorded in 1979 in Ivory Coast.

Coulibaly Tidiani - Sie Koumgolo

You can also listen to it on my Youtube channel : https://youtu.be/LQXeB6PsIUs

Have a nice week,

Armand

Ali Farka Toure - Radio Mali (Mali, 1976, Sonafric)

Following to this former post, I decided to make you (re)discover one of my favourite Malian artists, Ali Farka Touré, with "Radio Mali", a short but very nice deep desert blues song - Enjoy !

Ali Farka Touré - Radio Mali

You can also listen to it on my Youtube channel : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYsSq2LNOdQ&t=28s

 

Have a nice week,

Armand

Kojo N'dah and Soundz Connection - Ewule Ma Mbawu La (Ghana, 1981, Kojo N'dah)

This week, I decided to share with you one of my favourite Highlife record from Ghana, very obscure (the record is a private pressing), from Kojo N'dah, an artist who used to live in Ivory Coast and who recorded a few LP.

The track presented here, "Ewule Ma Mbawu La", is an awesome percussive and bouncing dancefloor highlife track, with rhodes keys and synths in Vis-a-Vis Orchestra vein - Enjoy !

Kojo N'dah and Soundz Connection - Ewule Ma Mbawu La

You can also listen to it on my youtube channel here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7NkWNNYIGw&t=144s

Have a nice weekend,

Armand

Mongo Ndouan - Okala Le Cri de La Rigueur (Cameroon, 1980, Tam Tam d'Afrique)

This week, I wanted to share with you one of my favourite Cameroonian tracks for a long time (and one of my secret weapons !) taken on this record from Mongo Ndouan from Cameroon, the one and only LP he recorded on a private local record label before totally disappearing.

The track I wanted to share with you, "Okala Le Cri de La Rigueur", is a full of energy 8 min afrobeat track, with crazy synth parts and nervous syncoped drums - Enjoy !

Mongo Ndouan - Okala Le Cri de La Rigueur

You can also listen to this track on my Youtube channel here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DffhkGagJ2E&t=199s

Have a nice weekend,

Armand

New Selection - Au Pays des Merveilles

Hello everyone !

 

Here is a Soundcloud link to a PanAfrican vinyl only selection I did with my mate Adrien Michel for our Macabo Crew !

 

A 1h30 musical travel through the African dust - Enjoy !

Armand de Preseau & Adrius - Au Pays des Merveilles

Tracklist :

1 : Union de Douala - Champion 1976 (Cameroun)

2 : Joey Etondey - Africa (Vocal Version) (Cameroun)

3 : Mike Kounou - Klos Bivindi (Cameroun)

4 : Sweet Mary - Congossa (Cameroun)

5 : Mongo Ndouan - Okala Le Cri de La Rigueur (Cameroun)

6 : Eskill et Vicky - Ecoute Ma Melodie (Benin)

7 : Manuel Guysso - Bot Bua (Cameroun)

8 : Clement Djimogne - Africa (Cameroun/Nigeria)

9 : Los Camaroes - Boo A Nun Muna (Cameroun)

10 : Tjaps - O a (Cameroun)

11 : Esa - A Muto (Cameroun)

12 : Sweet Breeze - Igbaraka Bilum (Nigeria)

13 : Bongos Ikwue - Woman Made The Devil (Nigeria)

14 : Stora Stora - Stora Stora (Cap Vert)

15 : La Maison des Merengues - Abandon (Martinique)

16 : Africa Tentaçao - Fantaisia Do Tchingange (Angola)

17 : Anne Marie Nzie - Yeh Ye (Cameroun)

18 : Ziskakan - Zordi La Pli (La Réunion)

19 : Patrick Victor - Emmanuelle (Les Seychelles)

20 : Mary Afi Usuah - Ima Mma Uyem (Nigeria)

21 : Ahmed Malek - Omar Gatlato (Algerie)

22 : Alain Peters - Rest La Maloya (La Réunion)

All the best,

Armand

Jerry Ella and The Sparklings - Why Can't You Party Down (Nigeria, 1985, Acn Ltd)

Jerry Ella was an obscure musician from Nigeria, who released only one album in 1985 with his band "The Sparklings", composed of Nigerian and Cameroonian musicians - No more infos on this one, sorry !

I decided to present you the track "Why Can't You Party Down", a perfect afro soul boogie stepper track to enjoy the beginning of this summer !

Jerry Ella and The Sparklings - Why Can't You Party Down

You can also listen to this track on my youtube channel here : https://youtu.be/8I8RO47ddXE

Take care,

Armand

Super Ensemble Nemours Jean Baptiste - Haiti Cumbia (Haiti, 1970, Marc Records)

Born on the 2 of February 1918 in Port-Au-Prince (Haiti), Jean-Baptiste Nemours was one of the most important figures of the Haitian musical scene.

He was member of many Haitian orchestra's (Jazz Guignard, Trio Atomique..) before founding his own in 1953, the "Ensemble aux Calebasses" (he will change the name of the orchestra later in 1958 for "Ensemble Nemours Jean-Baptiste" and in 1963 for "Super Ensemble Nemours Jean-Baptiste").

With his Ensemble, they are supposed to have invented the "Kompa Dirèk", later shortened to "Kompa" (compas) musical style.

Jean-Baptiste Nemours died the 18 of May 1985 in Port-Au-Prince.

I decided to present you "Haiti Cumbia", a latin song played with a lovely Haitian touch and Biguine reminiscences - Enjoy !

Super Ensemble Nemours Jean Baptiste - Haiti Cumbia

You can also listen to this song on my new Youtube channel here : https://youtu.be/R41IkgUQeDQ

Have a nice week,

Armand.

Liza Ngwa - Alima (Cameroun, 1980, Editions Drums)

Liza Ngwa was a folk singer and guitar player from Yaoundé (Cameroon), who released 2 albums in the 70's.

She was also involved into different forms of art (sculpture, dress-making, sport..) and cultural performances (theater performances, concerts..).

I decided to make you (re)discover "Alima", a very unique UFO-esque folk song with psychedelic bikutsi and cadence reminiscences, taken from her second album recorded in 1980.

Liza Ngwa - Alima

 

You can also listen to this track on my Youtube channel : https://youtu.be/stPKdmR2kyQ

Have a nice week,

Armand

Erick Cosaque et Les Voltages 8 - L'Heureux Noir (Guadeloupe, 1980, Franck R Records)

Following to this article, I wanted for this week to make you (re)discover another track from Erick Cosaque, one of my favourite musician from French Guadeloupe Island who is still active today.

"L'Heureux Noir", the track presented here, is a perfect example of early Cosaque's work, mixing perfectly Jazz and traditional Guadeloupean Gwo Ka percussions - Enjoy !

Erick Cosaque et Les Voltages 8 - L'Heureux Noir

 

Best regards,

Armand

Martin Brothers - The World Of Music (Nigeria, 1978, Hobby Records)

The Martins Brothers were a musical band from Port Harcourt (Nigeria), who released 4 albums in 70's and a few singles.

The track presented here, "The World Of Music", is taken from my favourite album from them - What an amazing sleeve design, isn't it ?

Martin Brothers - The World Of Music

 

Best regards,

Armand

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

Alain Peters - Rest' La Maloya (La Reunion, unreleased)

Following to this article about Alain Peters, the poet and musician from La Réunion island, I decided to share with you an alternate studio take of "Rest' La Maloya", one of my favourite song from him, slighty different and deeper than the one you should know !

Alain Peters - Rest' La Maloya (unreleased alternate vocal take)

Have a really nice week,

Armand

Admiral Dele Abiodun and his top Hitters Band - 1000 Miles (Nigeria, 1982, Adawa Super Records)

Dele Abiodun is one of the most important figures of the Juju scene, a musical genre from Nigeria between Jazz, Highlife and Traditionnal music.

He was born in 1948 in Sobe (Nigeria), a town on the boundary between West and Mid-West Nigeria.

He made his first steps in music as a drummer in his school band, and studied music has a teenager in Accra (Ghana) at the Young Pioneer School of Music.

In 1970, he founded his band, Prince Admiral Dele Abiodun and His Top Hitters Band (influenced by musicians such as Cardinal Rex Lawson or I.K. Dairo), and recorded more than 20 albums from the 70's to the 90's.

He stills lives and performs in Nigeria today and he's the president of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria.

For today, I decided to presend you "1000 Miles", an incredible track showing that Juju music can sometimes be as bouncing as Afrobeat does - Enjoy !

Admiral Dele Abiodun and his top Hitters Band - 1000 Miles

See you soon,

Armand

Dany Play - Le Noir (Guyana, 1970s, Disques Dan's)

 

To close this sunday, a track from Dany "Play" Sinai, a famous musician from Guyana who recorded several albums and singles from the 60's.

"Le Noir" - the track presented here - is taken from a very obscure and very hard to find compilation out on the 70's on a private label and recorded in one session in the Eldorado cinema (Cayenne, Guyana).

Dany Sinai is still active today in the musical fields, owns the "Polina" nightclub (Matoury, Guyana) and also a haulage firm.

Dany Play - Le Noir

Have a nice sunday,

Armand

Ziskakan - Ral Si Ton Koukoune (1981, La Reunion, Editions Reunion Ocean Indien)

Let's travel to the Reunion Island, with a song from Ziskakan, a band founded in 1979 by Gilbert Pounia.

This very prolific band has released several album through the years, and is still touring today.

I decided to make you discover "Ral Si Ton Koukoune", a track taken from the first album of the band.

Ziskakan - Ral Si Ton Koukoune

See you,

Armand

Gnonnas Pedro and his Dadjes Band - Les Comediens (Benin, 1980, World Wide Music)

 

Following to this former article, I decided to make you (re)discover a cover of the classic French song "Les Comediens" (sung by the great singer Charles Aznavour) by my favourite Beninese singer Gnonnas Pedro, who was also a huge fan of Charles Aznavour !

Two of my heroes linked with the same song, hope you'll like it !

Gnonnas Pedro and his Dadjes Band - Les Comediens

Best regards,

Armand

Atangana Pascal et Les Supers Volcans - Amayang Wom (Cameroun, 197?, Disques Cousin)

Debut album from the Cameroonian musician Atangana Pascal, released at the end of the 70's, personal favourite Bikutsi album, no weak tracks !

Atangana Pascal et Les Supers Volcans - Amayang Wom

Happy Easter,

Armand

Theadora Ifudu - Four In A Tangle (Nigeria, 1980, Theagart Records)

Splendid Afro Soul track to finish this beautiful sunday by the Nigerian Diva Theadora Ifudu - Enjoy !!

Theaodra Ifudu - Four In A Tangle

See you next week,

Armand

Zao - Ancien Combattant (Republic of Congo, 1984, Black Music)

One of the biggest African Anthems by the Congolese Artist Casimir "Zao" Zoba, taken from his first album.

This version is actualy an adaptation from "Petit Imprudent", a song written and composed in 1969 by the guitarist and singer Idrissa Soumaoro, but Idrissa never succeded in his claim.

There is also another cover of this song, recorded in 1973 by the Guinean band Balla Et Ses Balladins.

Zao - Ancien Combattant

 

Best regards,

Guillaume

Ebo Taylor and Uhuru Yenzu - You Need Love (Ghana, 1980, Essiebons)

Instant feel good track by Ebo Taylor, one of the most important and prolific musician, arranger, composer from Ghana.

He relased dozens and dozens of singles and albums with Ghanaian bands and by himself, from the 60's up to now, and is still touring today all over the world and releasing albums and compilations.

This track "You Need Love", is taken from his 5th album, "Conflict Nkru", which is my personnal favourite.

Ebo Taylor and Uhuru Yenzu - You Need Love

 

Have a nice sunday evening,

Armand

Samba Mascott - Mwana Angola (Congo, 1976, Sonafric)

Joseph Samba "Mascott" Mayanguila was a Congolese singer, born the 15 of August 1943 in the country of Loumou (Republic of Congo).

He played in several famous national orchestras such as "Les Bantous de la Capitale" (former musicians from Orchestre TP OK Jazz and Orchestre Rock-a-Mambo) or "Orchestre National du Congo" (read this article for more informations), and also released a few singles and albums by himself.

He died the 10 of April 1991 in Brazzaville, at the age of 48.

I selected for you "Mwana Angola", a deep acoustic track track he released in 1976 on a Congolese compilation destinate to promote the Samay record Edition.

Samba Mascott - Mwana Angola

 

 Have a nice sunday evening, 

Armand

Itadi - Ayala (Togo, 1977, Sonafric)

Itadi K. Bonney was a singer and guitarist, born in Anonoe village (Togo) in 1948.

This track, Ayala, is a pure gem of afrosoul, taken from his first album, recorded live in Ghana in 1977.

In the early 1990's, he has to flee Togo for the United States because of a song he recorded, "Mayi Africa", that was against the political situation in Togo.

He recorded there several albums on his own record label "Bonney I. Productions", and toured in the United States, West Africa and Europe.

He died in 2013 in Washington DC.

Itadi - Ayala

Have a nice sunday,

Armand

New Selection - Gwoka Sonné (Spiritual Drums from Guadeloupe and Martinique islands)

Hello dear readers !

After months and months, lets travel together to the French Antilles for my brand new 33th selection, through those 8 Spiritual Gwoka (a unique drum from Guadeloupe island) Jazz tracks that I've selected for you - Enjoy !

Armand de Preseau - Gwoka Sonné

You can download this selection here (right clic, "save as")

TRACKLIST : 

1 - Guy Konket - Kimbe Red
2 - Ka Leve - Tou Le Maten
3 - Eugene Mona - Grodillo
4 - Thibaud Freydy Ahimsa Doressamy - O Fon A Ke An Nou
5 - Pakatak - Palkata
6 - Zepiss - Pou Mizik La
7 - Gwakasonne - Algerie 62
8 - Fabriano Fuzion - Kosmos

Have a nice week,

Armand

Jalil Bennis Et Les Golden Hands - Mirza (Morocco, 1967, Barclay)

60's cover of the French singer Nino Ferrer from this band from Morroco leaded by Jalil Bennis, sung in Arabic, different style but always on the groove !

Jalil Bennis Et Les Golden Hands - Mirza

 

Regards,

Armand

Sebastien Marini - Fatou Bolingo (Congo, 197?, Sonafric)

Sebastien Marini was born on the 20th of January 1950 at Pointe-Noire (Congo-Brazzaville).

During his childhood, he learnt how to play music with the great Cameroonian producer Tino Baroza in Yaounde (Cameroon), then after with Gracia, the former drummer of the great congolese band Ryco-Jazz.

Arrived in Paris in 1969, he decided to travel to the United States in 1970 to try his luck.

Fatou Bolingo, the track presented here, is an interesting funky track with good breaks and solo guitar parts, taken from the only single I know from him !

Sebastien Marini - Fatou Bolingo

Regards,

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

Segun Bucknor - The Price Of Your Love (Nigeria, 1975, Afrodisia)

Following to this article, I wanted to make you rediscover for this sunday another high level afrobeat track by the Nigerian master Segun Bucknor, who greatly influenced Fela Kuti at the time, but who was unfortunately less known.

Segun Buknor - The Price Of Your Love

All the best,

Armand

Joby Valente - Liberte Ce Plus Belle Pagaille (Martinique, 197?, A3)

 

Joby Valente was an actress and singer, born in 1939 in Fonds-Saint-Denis (Martinique)

She released 2 albums and a few singles between the 60's and the 80's, before devoting herself to cinema.

Joby Valente - Liberte Ce Plus Belle Pagaille

Sincerely yours,

Armand

Orchestre Super Mazembe - Samba (Kenya, 1982, Virgin)

The Orchestre Super Mazembe was a very popular band in Nairobi (Kenya) in the 80's, as known on the Lingala Kenyan scene as Les Mangelepa and Baba Gaston.

The band was formed in Zaire in 1967 by Mutonkole Longwa Didos, and was called "Super Vox" at the time, but changed its name to Orchestra Super Mazembe when the members moved to Nairobi in 1974.

 The members decided to split in 1985, after more than 5 albums and several singles recorded.

Orchestre Super Mazembe - Samba

 

Have a nice sunday,

Armand

Jean Guehi - Pantalon Craque (Ivory Coast, 1984, GD Productions)

 

Following to this New Year's Eve, I wanted to make you discover a track from Jean Gnamaka Guehi,  a singer from Ivory Coast.

"Pantalon craque" ("ripped pants"), the track presented here, is a kind of digital afrobeat with funny lyrics talking about used clothes - Enjoy !

Jean Guehi - Pantalon Craque

 

I wish you the best for 2017 !

Armand