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

Messi Martin & Los Camaroes – Ndeg Meyok

( Cameroon , 1970s , Chic Sound / Editions Chic Sound )

posted on 25 / 05 / 2025

Following this former post, I wanted to share with you “Ndeg Meyok“, a bouncy syncopated psychedelic 70s Afro Soukous Soul track from Cameroon with furious Balafon (drums) & guitar parts, taken from an ultra hard to find single recorded in the late 70s by the mythical Cameroonian musician Messi Martin & backed by his legendary band “Los Camaroes” formed in the 60s in the city of Maroua, in the extreme north region of Cameroon.

It included some of the finest musicians of that era : Jean Gabari, Johnny Cosmos, Sala Bekono, Mpoudi Emmanuel, Jean-Marie Ngoembang, Kwanga Roger or Paul Bingue.

If you’d like to know more about the band, don’t hesitate to (re)discover “Los Camaroes – A Journey Into Cameroonian Music“, the compilation (digital + vinyl) I released in 2019 that includes a very detailed story of the group, exclusive pictures and 10 of the best tracks of the group :

Los Camaroes – A Journey Into Cameroonian Music

Instant tropical stormer, always a banger when I play it in clubs – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Messi Martin & Los Camaroes – Ndeg Meyok (Cameroon, 1970s, Editions Chic Sound)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/SXSVHv58KZw

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

Verckys & L'Orchestre Veve – Oui Verckys

( Congo , 1970 , African )

posted on 18 / 05 / 2025

Following this former post, I wanted to share with you today “Oui Verckys“, an insane crazy 70s Afro Organ Funk Soul Mod instrumental track from Congo with catchy Organ parts & powerful horns, taken from an ultra hard to find single recorded in the early 70s by the legendary Congolese composer & musician Georges Kiamuangana Mateta aka “Verckys”, and backed by the almighty Orchestre Veve.

One of the heaviest & funkiest instrumental from Congo (and really hard to find too, unfortunately..), and one of my favorite track from the band, so hope you’ll like – Enjoy !

Verckys & L’Orchestre Veve – Oui Verckys (Democratic Republic Of Congo, 1970, African)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/HAvyfH6UwGI

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

Uhuru Dance Band – I Know My Mission

( Ghana , 1975 , Agoro Records )

posted on 04 / 05 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “I Know My Mission“, a wonderful funky 70s Afro Soul Jazz Rnb from Ghana with Highlife reminiscences & great trumpet parts, taken from the 2nd LP of the mythical Ghanian band “Uhuru Dance Band” formed in the late 60s by former members of Broadway Dance Band, whom the trumpeter Sammy Obot.

With the time, the group featured some of the finest Ghanaian musicians of that era such as Ebo Taylor, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Joe Mensah & George Danquah not forgetting the Diva Charlotte Dada.

Ultra cool track driven by super catchy drums and – cherry on the cake, an awesome album art (so sad the artist wasn’t credited, any infos are welcome !) – Hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Uhuru Dance Band – I know my mission (Ghana, 1975, Agoro Records)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/6BnS0pbQ-qE

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

SJOB Movement – Love Affair

( Nigeria , 1977 , EMI / EMI Nigeria / NEMI )

posted on 27 / 04 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Love Affair“, an explosive Afro Soul Funk Boogie track from Nigeria with devastating horns, taken from the 2nd album recorded by the Nigerian Band “SJOB Movement” (or “SJOB“), recorded in 1977 on the mythical Nigeria record label “EMI Nigeria” by the mythical Nigerian sound engineers Kayode Salami & Monday Oki and produced by the famous Odion Iruoje.

The band took the name “SJOB” after taking the first letter of the name of its founding members :

Samuel Abiloye (Spark) : Guitar, Vocals ;

Johnnie Woode Olima : Keyboards, Vocals ;

Ottay Imah Blackie : Fender Bass, Percussions ;

Bolla Prince Agua : Lead vocals, Drums, Percussions.

Some of the greatest nigerian musicians of that era are also included on that album, such as Ignace de Souza (Trumpetist, leader of the legendary beninese band “The Black Santiagos”), Fred Fisher (Trombone), Akin Nathan (Vocals) & Friday Pozo (Congas).

One of my favorite record of the genre, always a dance floor burner, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

SJOB Movement – Love Affair (Nigeria, 1977, EMI Nigeria)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/SswUYJhqBl4

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

Amadou Bagayoko & Mariam Doumbia – A Chacun Son Problème (1996 Version)

( Mali , 1996 , Mali K7 SA )

posted on 13 / 04 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “A Chacun Son Problème “, an outstanding deep Afro Soul Synth Blues track from Mali with nice Reggae flavors, taken from the 5th album of the legendary Malian blind Duet “Amadou & Mariam“, composed with the spouses Mariam Doumbia & Amadou Bagayoko.

This album was composed by :

Amadou Bagayoko : Solo Guitar, Vocals ;

Mariam Doumbia : Vocals, Chorus ;

Mamany Keita : Chorus ;

Hawa Timbo : Chorus ;

Alain Tako : Bass, Synth

Jean Philippe Rikyel : Organ ;

Ahmed Sylla : Drums ;

Walde Baba Sissoko : N’Taman ;

Programming : Alain Tako.

The song presented here is a reinterpretation of one of their early songs, re arranged here in a catchy Synth way and taken from a now really hard to find K7 tape manufactured in Bamako in 1996 – Hope you’ll like it !

I’ve decided to share that precious gem in memory of Amadou Bagayoko, who past away last 4th of April in Bamako. Thanks for everything Amadou !

Amadou Bagayoko & Mariam Doumbia – A Chacun Son Problème (1996 Version) (Mali, 1996, Mali K7 SA)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/s_zJWjA28MY

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

Nya Soleil – Yaoundé By Night

( Cameroon , 1980s , MROL Production )

posted on 30 / 03 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Yaoundé By Night“, a instant catchy groovy 80s Afro Boogie Funk track from Cameroon with killer horns & synth, taken from the 1st album of the Cameroonian composer & musician Nya Soleil, recorded in Paris at “Johanna” recording studio during the 80s, and that includes some of the finest Cameroonian & French musicians of that era such :

Nya Soleil : Arrangements, Composition, Lead Guitar, Vocals ;

Jules Kamga : Rhythm Guitar, Sound Engineer ;

Michel Alibo : Bass Guitar ;

Valery Lobe : Drums ;

Joel Daroux : Alto Saxophone ;

Justin Tchounou : Keyboards ;

Jean-Marie Bolangassa : Percussion ;

Jimmy Mvondo Mvele : Tenor Saxophone ;

Fredo Tete : Trumpet ;

Philippe Brieghmann : Violin ;

One of my favorite DJ Tool when I play records during parties, excellent track to warm an ambiance – Enjoy !

Nya Soleil – Yaoundé By Night (Cameroon, 1980, MROL Production)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/ATxHODhVOh8

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

Orchestre De Bouake – Ewo Fiessou

( Ivory Coast , 1960s , Philips / Safie Deen )

posted on 16 / 03 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Ewo Fiessou“, a beautiful deep Afro Latin Soul Jazz track from Ivory Coast with sweet Calypso & Highlife flavors, taken from an early single recorded at the end of the 60s/early 70s by the Ivorian band “Orchestre De Bouaké” on the legendary record label “Safie Deen“,

This orchestra was originally founded by Djibo Sounkalo (former mayor of the city of Bouaké) in the 60s, composed by 12 talented musicians and leaded by the composer & musician Louis Pierre.

Really Sweet EP from start to finish, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Orchestre De Bouake – Ewo Fiessou (Ivory Coast, 1960s, Safie Deen / Philips)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/RmvjZhDj7sY

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

Rail Band – Bajala Malé

( Mali , 1973 , RCAM )

posted on 09 / 03 / 2025

Following this previous article, I wanted to share with you for today “Bajala Malé“, a mesmerizing beautiful 70s Afro Jazz Soul Folk gem from Mali with gorgeous horns, taken from the second album of the legendary Malian band “L’Orchestre Rail Band du Buffet Hotel de la Gare de Bamako” (also known under several names as “Rail Band de Bamako”, “Orchestre Rail Band”, “Rail Band” or “Orchestre du Buffet Hotel de la Gare”), recorded in 1973 on the local record label “RCAM” (Rail Culture Authentique Mali).

State-sponsored by the national railroad Malian Company (it explains the name of the band), Le Rail Band was the most powerful Malian orchestra, that released more than ten LP’s and many 7′ from the 70’s to the late 80’s.
The Rail Band’s leader was the great Tidiani Koné, an outstanding musician who was also a griot (a kind of religious leader/ influent personality), who decided to give his chance at this time to a young albino singer, Salif Keita, that would become world famous in the future.
Really beautiful song, my favorite from this holy grail masterpiece, ultra hard to find – Enjoy !

Rail Band – Bajala Malé (Mali, 1973, RCAM Rail Culture Authentique Mali)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/f5aUdmLkPPA

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

Mighty Flames – Metalik Funk

( Nigeria , 1977 , RTS )

posted on 02 / 03 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Metalik Funk“, an instant catchy downtempo 70s Afro Soul Boogie Funk Rock track from Nigeria with ultra groovy Synth parts, taken from the first album of the band “Mighty Flames“, formed on the nucleus of the former Port-Harcourt “Flames” band, and that recorded three albums in Nigeria in the 70s.

The band was composed with the best Nigerian & Cameroonian musicians of that era, as :

Willy Nfor : Bass Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Vocals ;

Vincent Ekedi : Drums, Congas ;

Didi Lead : Lead Guitar ;

George Achini : Lead Guitar, Vocals ;

Frankie Ntoh Song : Organ, Piano, Tambourine, Vocals ;

Emma “Wah-Wah” Baloka : Rhythm Guitar ;

Stormy Jimmy : Vocals, Percussion ;

One of my favorite song of the band, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Mighty Flames – Metalik Funk (Nigerią, 1977, RTS)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/WstDhiALvw8

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

African Grooves

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