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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Yo Te Di Moin“, a sublime catchy Caribbean Gwoka Belè Biguine Jazz from Martinique (French West Indies) with gorgeous piano & flute parts, taken from the 1st album of the band “Enco-Ti-Tac” (that could be translated by “more” in Creole language) recorded in 1983 and out on the French West Indian label “Touloulou“.

The band was leaded by Robert “Bob” Medas, and featured :

Robert Medas : Drums, Vocals, Producer ;

Eddy Marc : Flute, Vocals, Drum (Tambour) ;

Tony Lemony : Drums (Tambour, Ti Bois), Vocals ;

Georgy Bourdy, Patrick Sorrente : Drums (Tambour), Vocals ;

José Lancry (who also designed the album cover !) : Piano ;

Jean-Michel Edouard : Chak’chas, Vocals ;

Vocals : Gina Bourdy ;

Fred Claire : Bass ;

Highly recommended & now hard to find album as the three ones of the band, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Enco Ti Tac – Yo Te Di Moin (Martinique, 1983, Touloulou)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/CW4ZoW9kmSs

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

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you for today “Fin Vacances“, an obscure laid back minimal Afro Synth Electronic Soul track from Togo a la William Onyeabor, taken from the only album recorded in the early 80s by the Beninese musician “Agbo Bruno Vikass“, that includes the following musicians :

Agbo Bruno Vikass : Composition, Vocals, Producer, Rhythm Guitar ;

Noel Houmbiye (from the band “Noel & Mathilde” I talked about here https://youtu.be/5hTXPVLZ5mQ) : Lead Guitar ;

John Migan : Drums, Arrangements ;

Camice : Bass Guitar ;

Tomi : Organ ;

Really deep & usunual track, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Agbo Bruno Vikass – Fin Vacances (Benin, 1980s, Les Editions A.B.V)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/s1ZToYLBBPg

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Mawu Lolo“, an instant catchy 70s Afro Soul Funk from Togo, take from the sole single recorded by the mysterious composer & singer Telema Sandihoma in 1977 (any more informations welcome !) on the mythical French record label “Sonafric“.

This song is backed by the legendary Ghanaian orchestra “Vis-A-Vis“, in a groovy vein that reminds me the bests songs from the Ghanaian musician De Frank Kakrah & his “Professionals” – hope you like it, enjoy !

Telema Sandihoma & l’Orchestre Vis-A-Vis – Mawu Lolo (Togo, 1977, Sonafric)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/Lkeu8O0-7vY

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Kpalanuma“, a mind-blowing 70s Highlife Soul track from Nigeria with Afrobeat influences & instant catchy horn & synth parts, taken from one of the several albums composed by the very prolific Nigerian composer & musician St. Augustine Anwunzia backed by his “Rovers International“, recorded in 1978 on the Nigerian branch of the mythical label “Polydor”.

St Augustine’s albums are known to be upper-class Highlife, but that one remains my favorite, blending many genres as it contains outstanding Afrobeat, Highlife but also Reggae tracks.

More, it features some of the greatest Nigerian & Cameroonian composers of that era, as :

St. Augustine Anwunzia : Lead Vocals, Composition, Arrangements ;

Tony Bonny Wailer, Johnny Woode : Drums ;

Frankie Ntoh Song : Guitar Synthesizer ;

Fred Fisher Atalobhor  : Trombone ;

Willie Nfor : Bass Guitar ;

Joe Chiejina : Maracas ;

Andrew Kisito : Vocals ;

Abi John : Lead Guitar ;

Jossy Egele : Congas ;

Sharp Mike : Trumpet ;

Killer album from start to finish, hope you’ll like it – enjoy !

St. Augustine & The Rovers International – Kpalanuma (Nigeria, 1978, Polydor Nigeria)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/Hq69T1vH96w

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

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you “Djamban“, an incredible mesmerizing 70s Afro Mandingo Jazz Soul track from Mali with gorgeous horn & guitar parts, taken from one of the first albums recorded in 1975 by the mythical Malian band “Rail Band” (also known as “Orchestre Rail Band” or “Orchestre du Buffet Hotel de la Gare de Bamako” because the band played there twice a week) leaded by the legendary Malian composer & saxophonist Tidiani Kone (who also played for with Beninese kings from the “Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou”).

Pressed in Nigeria, this album is part of the very well known “Rail Band Series” (this one is the 4th volume), and features some of the bests Malian & West African musicians (Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, …) from that era as :

Tidiani Kone : Leader, Saxophone ;

Djelimady Sissoko : Vocals ;

Djelimady Tounkara : Lead Guitar ;

Cheick Traoré : Bass Guitar ;

Moussa Koné : Bongos, Trumpet ;

Abdouramane Koumané : Congas ;

Mamadou “Pacheco” Bagayoko : Drums ;

Dielly Moussa Kouyaté : Guitar ;

Mory Kanté : Lead Vocals ;

Alfred Coulibaly : Organ ;

Maitre Lédy Youla : Sopranino Saxophone ;

Really hard to find album nowadays, that I found a few years ago during a record digging trip in Nouakchott (Mauritania). I had the great honor to got it from Mr Mohamed Vall, one of the very few record collectors from the country, who used to run “Le Saphir D’Or”, the only record store in Mauritania opened in the 1979 until the early 2000s (for more informations, I interviewed him here).

And cherry on the cake : this sublime artwork – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Rail Band – Djamban (Mali, 1975, RCAM)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/PhCD9gPmtm8

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