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.

Menelik Wossenachew and the Venus Band - Menew Bacher Kere (Ethiopia, 1973, AMHA)

 

Following to my former Ethiopian Selection (here), I wanted to make you discover a perfect track for this sunday evening !

Menelik Wossenachew - Menew Bacher Kere

Take care,

Armand

Roger Damawuzan - Wait For Me (Togo, 1970's, Disques Aziza)

 

Classic track tonight with "Wait for Me", crazy afro funk track by Mister Roger Damahouzan, the Togolese James Brown, who also played with "L'Orchestre Les As du Benin" (listen here) - Enjoy !!

More, this compilation, pressed in Ghana, is full of treasures by the greatests figures of the Togolese musical scene (Julie Akoussah, le Super Boboto, Bella Bellow..).. Recommended !

All the best,

Armand

The Identicals - Akwa Kayi Ji Bia Nuwa (Nigeria, 1977 , EMI NIGERIA)

The Identicals was a Nigerian band composed by two twins brothers, Peter (Bass) and Paul (Guitar), who played around Lagos clubs and studios (as backing members for other musicians) back in the 70's.

The song presented here, "Akwa Kayi Ji Bia Nuwa" is taken from their one and only album, "Rock Exponent".

The title of this song could be translated (in Igbo language) as "We Come Into This World Crying" - Enjoy !

The Identicals - Akwa Kayi Ji Bia Nuwa

Sincerely yours,

Armand