Les Asselars – Kourounougnon Watoro

( Mali , 1983 , Sacko Production )

posted on 08 / 06 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Kourounougnon Watoro“, a mesmerizing balearic 80s Afro Mandingo Soul Boogie Funk Synth track from Mali with Afrobeat flavors, taken from the 2nd album of the band “Les Asselars“, recorded in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) in 1983 and composed with 4 musicians from Mali & Burkina Faso (formerly “Upper Volta”) :

Jacob Souleiba : Guitar, Vocals ;

Cheick Tidiane Seck : Organ, Piano, Strings, Clarinet, Vocals ;

Alhassane Soumano : Rhythm Guitar, Vocals ;

Mahamane Tandina : Bass Guitar, Alto Saxophone, Vocals :
Some great African musician are hosted on that album, such as the Ivorian Divas Chantal Taïba & Nayanka Bell and the mythical trumpetist Kabiné Traoré “Tagus” from the legendary Malian band “Les Ambassadeurs”.
The album presented today is really hard to find now, so it was important for me to share it with you to preserve them from oblivion, as those kind of songs are unfortunately not available on digital format (not digitized at the time), so hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Les Asselars – Kourounougnon Watoro (Mali, 1983, Sacko Production)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/YygGiNMSgW4

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 (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Jeanne Bylon-Héloïse – Crépuscule Insolite

( Haiti , 1985 , Joel Héloïse Records )

posted on 01 / 06 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Crépuscule Insolite“, an epic bouncy digital Island Boogie Synth Funk Disco-ish instrumental track from Haïti (Ayiti, in the West Indies) with dreamy synth parts that sounds like an 80s video game soundtrack.

This song is taken from the sole album of the Haitian composer & musician Jeanne Bylon-Héloïse, wife of the composer Joel Héloïse, who both were part of the Haitian band “Fregate“, alongside with some of the greatest Haitian musicians from that era such : Hervé Martiny, Joël Gourtaud, Michel Bambou, Mickaël Boe & Romuald Sainte-Rose.

This album includes the following musicians :

Jeanne Bylon-Heloïse : Keyboards, Mix ;

Joel Heloise : Drum Programming, Mix, Producer ;

Claude Rodap : Mix ;

Joël Gourtaud : Drums ;

Jean-Marc Albicy : Bass Guitar ;

 Raymond Ragot : Timbales ;

Dominique Durepaire, Jean-Pierre Bullot : Drum Programming ;

Very unique sound from the West Indies of that time, where French Caribbean musicians were searching for their own sound, mixing Gwo-Ka, Bel Air, Biguine, Folk with funk, boogie & synthetic sounds – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Jeanne Bylon-Héloïse – Crépuscule Insolite (Haïti, 1985, Joel Héloïse Records) 

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/Psls_HuHu80

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 (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Choc Stars Du Zaïre – Nakombe Nga

( Democratic Republic of The Congo , 1989 , Espera )

posted on 26 / 01 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Nakombe Nga“, a killer Afro Synth Soul Funk track from Congo with proto House Music flavors, taken from an album recorded in Belgium in the late 80s by the legendary Congolese band “Les Choc Stars du Zaire” founded in 1983 by the composer & musician Ben Nyamabo and that recored dozen & dozen of albums & singles.

This album includes some of the bests Congolese musicians, such :

Bass : Bolenge Djo Mali, Jerry Lema ;

Drums : Djudjuchet Luvengoka ;

Lead Guitar – Roxy Tshimpaka, Sos Watondo ;

Rhythm Guitar : Carrol Makhamba, Sos Watondo ;

Synth : Maika Munan ;

Vocals : Ben Nyamabo, Charles Ndombasi Lassa, Debaba Mbaki, Defao, Djuna Djanana, Zemano Germain Kanza, Nzaya Nzayadio, Petit Prince, Ditulala ;

One of my personal tropical dance floor scorcher of the genre when I play as a DJ in clubs, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Choc Stars Du Zaire – Nakombe Nga (Democratic Republic of The Congo, 1989, Espera)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/_z6H3nZBpSg

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 (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Maele – Osiman

( Equatorial Guinea , 1987 )

posted on 09 / 10 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you “Osiman“, a dope bouncy balearic 80s Afro Synth Electro Soukous with Zouk flavors, taken from the 2nd album of the composer, musician & politician Martiniano Abaga Ele Ndoho better known as “Maélé“, self-produced & released in 1987 and that features some of the best musicians of that era as :

Vocals, Drums, Acoustic Guitar : Maele ;

Arrangements : Jean-Yves Messan, Maele, Ambassa Moustik, Alain Yomba, Toto Guillaume ;

Synths : Jean-Yves Messan, Alain Yomba ;

Guitars : Ambassa Moustick ;

Drum Machines : Jean-Pierre Kohn ;

Sax Alto : Jean-Marie Tang ;

Sax Tenor: Amores Beugre ;

Trombone & Flûte : S. T. Kossi ;

Trumpet : Jean-Christian Mbadinga ;

Chorus : Georges Seba, Marilou ;

Violins : F. Dubois, P. Defay, J. Gaunet, R. Berthier ;

Killer LP, one of my personal Tropical weapon when I play as a DJ, set everytime the dance floor on fire !

Maele – Osiman (Equatorial Guinea, 1982, Maele Self-Released)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/Xl6CnC2iiVI

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

Have a nice Wednesday, see you on next Sunday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Kaboré Dieudonné Parfait – Farafin'A

( Burkina Faso , 1980s , K Productions )

posted on 04 / 08 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you “Farafin’A“, a minimal deep bouncy trippy Afro Soul Funk Lo-Fi track with crazy Synth parts a la Onyeabor, taken from the sole & only album auto produced in the 80s by the Burkinabe composer & musician Kaboré Dieudonné Parfait, recorded & self-released in Paris (France) in the 80s.

Including the legendary Congolese musician Théo Blaise Kounkou, it also features :

Kaboré Dieudonné Parfait : Composition, Vocals, Arrangements, Effects, Rhythm Guitar ;

Gilbert Guillaume : Rhythm Guitar ;

Abdoulaye Soumaré : Percussion ;

Joe Harycot : Music Director, Piano, Synthesizer ;

Sylvain Laison : Bass Guitar ;

Highly recommended LP that includes plenty of great tracks, really hard to find – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Kaboré Dieudonné Parfait – Farafin’A (Burkina Faso/France, 1980s, K Productions)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/Bqn-KDcE7F0

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

TI-Fock – Berlioz And Fela

( La Reunion , 1985 , 102 Productions )

posted on 28 / 07 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you “Berlioz And Fela“, a mesmerizing Island Synth Soul Jazz Funk from Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean, named in tribute to Ti-Fock’s two major influences, Hector Berlioz & Fela Kuti and taken from the 1st album recorded in 1985 at Saint-Pierre (city of Reunion Island) by the composer & musician Jean-Michel Fock, better known as Ti-Fock. It was released on the local label “102 Productions“, founded by a free radio hosts group in the mid 80s in the south of the island.

Arrangements, Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar : Michael Fock ;

Backing Vocals : Betty Boristene, Josette Pagnes, Maggie Fock ;

Percussion : Joël Gonthier, Jean-Claude Quipandié ;

Synthesizer : Christian Moutoussamy ;

Keyboards : Pascal Raymond ;

Lead Guitar : Teddy Baptiste ;

Bass : Jean-Michel Pouzet ;

Drums : Bernard Filo ;

Cherry on the cake : this gorgeous cover art by Padie, that also exist in an alternate white & green version !

Really beautiful LP from start to finish, highly recommended – Enjoy !

Ti Fock – Berlioz And Fela (La Reunion, 1985, 102 Productions) :

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/036Is_DGLi8

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Orchestre de l'Université d'Abidjan – Problems

( Ivory Coast , 1986 )

posted on 14 / 07 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you “Problems“, an instant catchy deep Afro Reggae Soul track with killer synth parts, taken from the 2nd album of the Ivorian band Orchestre de l’Université d’Abidjan (also known as “O.U.A“), created to promote the importance of a college education, and that included many great musicians :

Bass Guitar : Joseph Kouadio, Richmond Sibailly ;

Chorus : Gaetan Fouabi, Marie Rose Borba ;

Drums : Mesmin Abaka ;

Guitar, Soloist : Bamba Ibrahim, Désiré Zama ;

Lead Vocals : Ibrahim Bamba, Ramses Kimon ;

Lead Vocals, Percussion : Ismael Diaby ;

Percussion : Sibailly Obrou ;

Rhythm Guitar : Emmanuel Bouaffo, Mesmer Zebeyou ;

Synthesizer : Diava Dagry ;

Cherry on the cake : this gorgeous cover art by A. Hilaires – Enjoy !

Orchestre de l’Université d’Abidjan – Problems (Ivory Coast, 1986, Polygram)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/OZ66WDKPIzY

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

José Manière – Syka

( Guadeloupe , 1980 , JMD )

posted on 10 / 07 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you “Syka“, an amazing uptempo catchy Island Soul Jazz Synth instrumental track with crazy synth, piano, horns parts, taken from the sole album privately recorded & released in 1980 by the composer & musician “José Manclière” (former drummer of the band “Les Kombass“), along with the finest musicians from the French West Indies :

Leader, Drums, Percussion, Electronic Drums, Vocals, Producer : José Mancliere ;

Alto Saxophone : Germain Cécé ;

Bass : Jocelyn Otto-Curier, Pierre-Édouard Décimus ;

Congas, Percussion : Jean-Robert ;

Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer : Ramon Pyrmé ;

Flugelhorn : Herbert “Happy” Lewis ;

Guitar : Gilbert Coco ;

Piano : Patrick Jean-Marie ;

Strings : Ramon Pyrmé ;

Synthesizer : Philippe Dambury ;

Tenor Saxophone : Roland Gallas ;

Trumpet, Bugle : Roger Coco ;

A really beautiful album from start to finish, hard to find gem nowadays, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

José Manclière – Syka (Guadeloupe, 1980, JMD)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/C4nOUFtPz8E

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Gharbi Sadok & Georges Garzia – Lala Tibki

( Tunisia , 1983 , Gharbi Sadok Self-Released )

posted on 30 / 06 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you “Lala Tibki“, a breezing & funky Tunisian Boogie Soul 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐭𝐡 Pop track taken from “Souar‘, the only album privately recorded & self-released by Sadok Gharbi, one of the major figures of the Funk scene from Tunisia such as Carthago, Dalton & Marhaba Band.

Really hard to find album, only pressed at small quantities with that generic cover… Hope that song will become your summer anthem – Enjoy !

Gharbi Sadok & Georges Garzia – Lala Tibki (Tunisa, 1983, Gharbi Sadok Self-Released)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/W5bVqNy92lI

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Eric Kol – My Lady Is A Star

( Nigeria , 1980 , Phonodisk / Phonodisk Nigeria )

posted on 16 / 06 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you “My Lady Is A Star“, a catchy Afro Synth Boogie Disco Soul track, taken from the 2nd album of the Nigeria composer & musician Eric Kol recorded in 1980 on the mythical Nigerian label “Phonodisk“.

This album was produced by the mythical Nigerian producer Odion Iruoje, and features some of the finest musicians of the country :

Backing Vocals : Oby Onyioha ;

Bass Guitar : Basil Barap ;

Drums, Percussion : Steve Black ;

Electric Piano, Clavinet, Synthesizer : Lemmy Jackson ;

Lead Guitar, Guitar : Effi Duke ;

Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar : Eugene Ndema ;

Sure dancefloor shaker, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Eric Kol – My Lady Is A Star (Nigeria, 1980, Phonodisk)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/gSkuX7WIhsg

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

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

African Grooves

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