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

Orchestre Gorom - Yen Djigue Gni (Senegal, 1977, Sonafric)

 

 Hi !

Today a quick post, just wanted to make you (re)discover one track from a Senegalese Orchestra, l'Orchestre Gorom, taken from their unique LP called : Senegal "Authentic1977".

That record, out on the famous Sonafric label, has 6 tracks, all winners !

The track that you will hear in a few seconds, "Yen Djigue Gni" is the first track of the record, an incredible afro fusion song- Enjoy !

Orchestre Gorom - Yen Djigue Gni

Sincerely yours,

Armand

Blo - Don't Pull The Form Under Me (Nigerian Afro funk, 1975, Afrodisia)

Hi !

Today, I decided to present you a Nigerian Afro Rock & Funk classic band, B.L.O.

B for Berkely "Ike" Jones, on the guitar and vocals

L for Laolu "Akins" Akintobi, on the drums

O for Mike "Gbenga" Odumosu

Blo was formed by 3 musicians that used to be very prolific on the Nigerian musical scene of the 70's.

They released 6 records, and played with some great Nigerian musicians, such as Segun Bucknor (Pianist), Tunde Williams (Trumpetist) or Joni Haastrup (Organist).

Here is an extract of their 3rd LP, hope you'll like it !

BLO - Don't Pull The Form Under Me

Best regards,

Armand

New Selection - African All Stars (feat. Volta Jazz, Menelik Wossenachew, MBT, Ndo Clement..)

Hi dear readers !

Here comes the new selection I've prepared for you !

This week I take you with me on a ride for a musical Journey through 9 songs, taken from 9 7 inches from 9 African countries (is 9 your favourite number ?)

This selection took me a long time to prepare, hope you'll like it !!

Armand de Preseau - African All Stars

 

You can download the selection here (as always, right clic and "Save as")

Tracklist :

     - Kenya : The New Sunshine Band - Honey Baby
     - Guinea (Conakry) : Balla et Ses Balladins - Moi Ca Ma Fout
     - Congo : The MBT's - MBT's Sound
     - Benin : Phany Agboton - Allabiaboukata
     - Nigeria : Demono Rock Group : I'll Loose you Girl
     - Ethiopia : Menelik Wossenachew - Chereka
     - Central African Republic : Orchestre Typical Fiesta - Papa Got A Brand New Bag
     - Burkina Faso : Volta Jazz - Moussoko Robatike
     - Cameroon : Ndo Clement et Les Titans - Nkul Wo Nlon

See you very soon, and don't hesitate to leave some comments if you liked the selection, or if you have any questions !

Sincerely yours,

Armand

Freedom Family - Africa My Fathers Land

 

Happy New Year my dear reader reader !!!

To begin this new new year 2015, here is a little track taken from the second LP from the "Freedom Family" Band, a Nigerian Disco Funk group based in Lagos back from the 70's.

Their First LP, "Ayentsoo", was recorded in 1974 and has been reissued, you can find it easily at your favourite record store.

I decided to make you discover a track taken from their second LP, more obscure, out in 1979.

Hope you'll like it !

Freedom Family - Africa My Fathers Land

Sincerely yours, all the best for 2015,

Armand

Francis The Great Mbarga - Ravissante Baby (Cameroonese Afro Disco Fusion)

Hi Everyone !

This week I decided to make a very special article on a Cameroonese artist, Francis "The Great" Mbarga, who released two Afro Disco records in 1977 ("Ravissante Baby") and in 1978 ("Crazy Tube"), at the age of 7.

Those two records were released on his father's label, "Cinafric Contacts", when the Mbarga family lived in Paris (France).

I decided to make you (re)discover one song taken from his first record, "Look Up In The Sky", an epic 13 minutes long afro disco track sung in English and French by the Mbarga kid, with some pychedelic synth moments - Enjoy !!

Francis The Great - Look Up In The Sky

 

Also, I had the greeeat chance to meet Mr. Mbarga ! So, as a BIG Bonus, here is the 45min long interview (sorry, it's in French..) I had with this great, interesting, nice, funny, natural and sincere man.

Thanks for all !!

Armand

Clement Melome et l'Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou - Nous Avons Gagné

Hi !

Today we stay in the beautiful country of Benin, with a veeeery well known band, l'Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou, with a slow Afro rock track, "Nous avons gagné" ("we won"), out on the "Polydisco" label (actually the shop werecame out exclusively the records of the band at the time).

Not  a common track track but one of my favorite, because it's not "another jerk thing", its a track about love and evil..

Clement Melome et l'Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou - Nous Avons Gagné

Have a good sunday, take care of you,

Armand