Etubom Rex Williams & His Nato Funky Stars – Disco Baby

( Nigeria , 1981 , Nato Records )

posted on 22 / 02 / 2026

Following this previous article, I’d like to share with you for today “Disco Baby“, an monster dance floor friendly Cosmic Afro Disco Boogie Funk track with awesome bass line & synth parts, recorded in 1981 by the mythical Nigerian composer & trumpetist Etubom Rex Williams, who recorded dozen of albums & singles.

On this late privately pressed album, Etubom Rex Williams – known to be one of the masters of the Highlife musical genre – tries himself to the Disco Boogie genre, unusual but successful experience for him !

Under the name “Nato Funky Stars” band, this album includes the following musicians :

Etubom Rex Williams : Composition ;

Moses James Obot : Lead Guitar ;

Asuquo Udoh :  Percussion ;

Felix Nsango : Drums ;

Willy Roy : Keyboards ;

Ultra hard to find album, one of my favorite of the genre when I’m invited to play some records in parties – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Etubom Rex Williams & his Nato Funky Stars – Disco Baby (Nigeria, 1981, Nato Records)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/Q1UqVAoyzTw

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Les Loups Noirs – Pele Rein

( Haiti , 1970 , Ibo Records )

posted on 15 / 02 / 2026

For today, I’d like to share with you “Pele Rein“, an explosive deep 70s Island Cadence Compas Soul track from Haiti (West Indies) with nervous guitar parts & biguine flavors, taken from the first LP recorded in the early 70s by the legendary Haitian band “Les Loups Noirs” (“The Black Wolves”) on the mythical local label “Ibo Records“.

Led by Gardner Lalanne, the band included some Haitian great figures as Bob Jasmin & Joël Benoit under the orchestration of Oge Longueforce.

Really hard to find nowadays, this LP is always a Tropical sure shot every time I play it it clubs !

Hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

 Les Loups Noirs – Pele Rein (Haiti, 1970, Ibo Records)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/mbmJ7vBwVrw

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Peter Kalumba Chisala – Mutete

( Zambia , 1988 , Kariba )

posted on 08 / 02 / 2026

For today, I wanted to share with you “Mutete”, a mind-blowing Afro Soul Soukous Kaluinda track from Zambia with catchy synth parts & Afrobeat flavors, taken from the 1st album of Zambia’s composer & musician superstar Peter Kalumba “P.K.” Chisala, recorded in 1988 in DB Studio in Lusaka (Zambia’s capital) and released on the local label “Kariba”, active between 1985 & 1990 & subdivision of the mythical label Teal Record Company Ltd. Zambia.

On this album, P K Chisala is backed by the Uweka stars, composed with :

Shadrack Chalishika : Drums, Percussion ;

Daniel Chishala (P K Chisala’s cousin) ;

Joseph Chibwe : Bass Guitar ;

Steve Ndalama : Lead Guitar ;

Really unusual & highly recommended album, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Peter Kalumba Chisala – Mutete (Zambia, 1988, Kariba)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/2798yle7IzQ

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

 

PSK – Spell Bound

( Nigeria , 1980 , Jeantos Enter )

posted on 25 / 01 / 2026

For today, I wanted to share with you “Spell Bound“, an awesome Afro Disco Soul track from Nigeria & Cameroun with crazy Synth sounds, taken from “Disco Season”, the sole LP of Nigerian / Cameroonian band “PSK” recorded between Nigerian (Godiac Studios of Enugu city) & Jamaïca (at the mythical Treasure Isle Studios)  in 1980 on the private record label “Jeantos Inter“.

The group included some of the best Nigerian & Cameroonian of that era, such as Willy Nfor amongst others as :

Terry “Kiss Disco” Stone : Co-producer, Vocals, Effects, Guitar ;

Jones “Coakly” Ogbonna Jr. : Lead Guitar, Vocals ;

Danny C. Black, Michael Byyon : Keyboards ;

Austine Rigar : Drums, Vocals, Percussion ;

Willie Nfor : Bass Guitar, Percussion ;

Pius Nasoso : Congas, Percussion ;

Papa Nfon Joe : Guitar.

Full of awesome tracks, that invisble record that has now reached the holygrail status as its almost impossible to find, especially in that pretty good condition – hope you’ll like, enjoy !

PSK – Spellbound (Beware of Magic Charms) (Nigeria, 1980, Jeantos Enter)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/ZovVeAhztOg

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Toffo-Houssou Miguelito – Yemakpego Dragons

( Benin , 1984 , Albarika Store )

posted on 18 / 01 / 2026

For today, I wanted to share with you “Yemakpego Dragons”, an outstanding 15min Afro Latin Salsa Pachanga Soul track from Benin, taken from the sole LP recorded in 1984 by the Beninese composer & musician Toffo Houssou “Miguelito” Gilles and released on the mythical local label “Albarika Store” founded in 1964 by Adissa Seidou.

On this album, Toffo-Houssou Miguelito is backed by the famous band “Les Volcans de la capitale” founded in 1962 under the name “Orchestre de la Gendarmerie Nationale du Benin” & composed with members of the national police orchestra.

Huge dancefloor burner in the genre, always a sure shot when I play it in my DJ sets – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Toffo-Houssou Miguelito – Yemakpego Dragons (Benin, 1984, Albarika Store)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/q_BhtY_JTN4

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Betty Padget – Gypsy of Love

( United States / Nigeria , 1977 , alwa / Tabansi )

posted on 04 / 01 / 2026

For today, I wanted to share with you “Gypsy of Love“, a deep Soul track from Miami (United States) with Caribbean & Reggae flavors and driven by a bewitching synth, taken from the 1st album of the singer & musician Betty Padgett, recorded in 1975 only one evening the local ‘Criteria Studios” and really hard to find nowadays.

Born in Newport (New Jersey) in the late 50s, she moved to Miami (Florida) during her high school. There, as a talented teenage singer, she joined her 1st band “Joey Gilmore and the T.C.B Express”. After a gig at the Elks Club (Fort Lauderdale), she was approached by soul legend Milton Wright (responsible for the rare groove classics “Keep It Up” and “You Don’t Even Know Me.”) to record her first album, released on the mythical Miami-based record label “Alwa” (subdivision of “Ultra”, label known for its Caribbean Soul & Funk releases – remember Frankie Zhivago Young’s ones ?).

Shortly after the release, some of the tracks from of her album created quite a buzz & became hits, such as “Sugar Daddy” or “Gypsy of Love“.

The years after, she recorded tracks for TV/radio ads, released several albums until 2013 and toured a lot sharing the scene with great figures as Little Beaver, Gwen & George McCrae, K.C. & The Sunshine Band, Latimore & Jackie Moore.

Here is the Nigerian release of her debut album, out in 1979 on the legendary Nigerian label “Tabansi“, as a proof of its interplanetary success – Enjoy !

Betty Padgett – Gypsy of Love (United States/Nigeria, 1979, Tabansi)

 

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/bKE51s_A998

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Ray Grammont – Dis Merci Ton Papa

( La Reunion , 1977 , Disques Jackman )

posted on 21 / 12 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Dis Merci Ton Papa “, a deep syncopated 70s Island Sega Synth Soul track from La Reunion (Indian Ocean), taken from the second (and last) single recorded in 1977 by the Reunionese musician & performer Ray Grammont, and composed by Camille “Jacky” Lechat, another great figure from the island.

Ray Grammont was backed on that recording by “Le Club Rythmique”, a local music band formed in 1968 and leaded by the composer & musician Jean-Jacques Cladère, who was also the creator of the Disques Jackman record company (as the single presented here), and owner of the first professional recording studio of the island that welcomed by time a big part of the artists of the island (Jacqueline Farreyrol, Maxime Laope, Jacky Lechat, Marie-Armande Moutou, Pierrette Payet or Michel Adélaïde, who was also part of the band).

Funfact : Ray Grammont was the father of the French Reggae, Soul, Ragamuffin and Gwoka musician & singer David “Tonton David” Grammont, one of the best French figures of the 90s era !

Hope you’ll like this daily rediscovery, enjoy !

Ray Grammont – Dis Merci Ton Papa (La Reunion, 1977, Disques Jackman)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/qzdWxjxCQDo

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Ensemble Tropicana – Amor En Cha Cha Cha

( Martinique , 1967 , Disques Antibo )

posted on 14 / 12 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Amor En Cha Cha Cha“, a storming Caribbean Cha Cha Cha Latin Guaguanco Soul track, taken from the first LP of the band “Ensemble Tropicana“, that begun as the live band of Michel Colas’ club “La Cocoteraie” in Martinique (French West Indies), formed in 1964 by the mythical Haitian composer & musician Felix Guignard.

Shortly after, the band moved to Guadeloupe (French West Indies) to play at Georges Brival’s club “La Bananeraie” under the name “Ensemble Tropicana de La Martinique”.

Recorded a few years later in 1967, this LP includes legendary musician from the French West Indies, such as Michel Desgrottes (arrangements) and Gary French & Joseph “Jo” Lavaud on the vocals.

Splendid LP from start to finish, a great example of the musical blend of musical genres in the Antilles during this era, especially the strong Cuban/Latin influences – Enjoy !

Ensemble Tropicana – Amor En Cha Cha Cha (Martinique, 1967, Disques Antibo)

 

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/8SrVKs2wlnU

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Bazare D Pablo & Le Nassima Orchestra – Nassima

( Ivory Coast , 1980s , Sodogil Editions )

posted on 07 / 12 / 2025

For today, I’d like to share with you “Nassima“, a deep bouncy minimal syncopated 70s Afro Soukous Soul Synth track from Ivory Coast, taken from the only LP recorded in the early 80s by the mysterious Ivorian composer Bazaré D. Pablo (any informations welcome, as he seemed to be a mysterious character) on the famous record label “Sodogil Eidtions“, and produced by the legendary Beninese composer & musician Gilbert Dossou (better known as “Prince Dgib’s” or just “Dbib’s), who released a couple of crazy rare singles.

Super underground release that deserves to be better & widely more known, so hope you’ll like it – enjoy !

Bazaré D. Pablo & Le Nassima Orchestra – Nassima (Ivory Coast, 1980s, Sodogil Editions)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/rW2TGTJuZoQ

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Ousmane Kouyate – N'Ny

( Guinea , 1982 , Sacodis )

posted on 30 / 11 / 2025

Following this former post, I would like to share you for today “N’Ny”, an instant catchy Afro Boogie Soul Funk track from Guinea with gorgeous guitar & powerful horn parts, taken from the first album recorded in 1982 by the Guinean composer, arranger and musician (balafon and guitar player) Ousmane Kouyaté, born in 1950 in Dabola (Guinea Conakry).

He released 5 albums, and played with many mythical musicians & bands, such as Salif Keïta, Kante Manfila, Cheikh Tidiane Seck or Mory Kante (he played the guitar on the African hit “Mandjou” with the Malian band “Les Ambassadeurs”) and played in the very well known “Le Rail Band De Bamako” & “Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux” among with Salif Keïta (Mali) and Kante Manfila (Guinea Conakry).

This album features some of the best west african musicians of that era such :

Ousmane Kouyate : Writing, Composition, Arrangements, Lead Guitar, Vocals ;

Deyin Kassila, Mamadi Diabate : Vocals ;

Mamadou “Pacheko” Bagayoko : Bells ;

Moussa Cissoko : Tenor Saxophone ;

Doh Albert, Tom Diakité : Chorus ;

Traore Kabine “Tagus” : Trumpet ;

Djeli Moridjan Kouyaté : Balafon ;

Souleymane Doumbia : Drums ;

Banthini Koita : Rhythm Guitar ;

Cheick Tidiane Seck : Organ ;

Sekou Diabaté : Bass Guitar ;

Benjamin Diabaté : Congas ;

Released on the legendary Ivorian label “Sacodis“, this album is good from start to finish, but unfortunately too hard to find album nowadays (especially in that condition) – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Ousmane Kouyate – N’Ny (Guinea, 1982, Sacodis)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/taX-e7lDJhg

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

African Grooves

A Time & Space Journey in the African & West Indies Countries