Trio Bydoli – Longoka

( Democratic Republic of Congo , 1980s , Editions Sodogil )

posted on 11 / 01 / 2026

Following this former article, I wanted to share with your for today “Longoka“, a sweet Funky Afro Soukous Fusion Soul track from the Democratic Republic of the Congo with deep psychedelic Synth parts, taken from the 2nd & last LP of the “Trio Bydoli“, recorded in the early 80s in Ivory Coast on the legendary local label “Editions Sodogil”.

This band was composed with a bunch of three musicians (Bhy Gao, Domingo Salsero & Lea Lignanzi, who used the first syllables of their names for “Bydoli”) from Bangui (Central African Republic), but who quickly left their hometown to play & tour with several mythical Congolese musicians & groups, as Henri Bowane, Sam Mangwana, Orchestre Veve & Trio Madjesi.

Highly recommended & hard to find LP, full of great tracks in all kind of genres from Afrobeat to Blues – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Trio Bydoli – Longoka (Central African Republic / Democratic Republic of Congo, 1980s, Sodogil Editions)

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

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

Sharhabil Ahmed / شرحبيل أحمد – Ghazal / غزال

( Sudan , 1977 )

posted on 28 / 12 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Ghazal” (“غزال” in Arabic or “Antelope” in English), an awesome uptempo 70s Afro Garage Twist Soul Jerk track from Sudan, taken from the first K7 tape recorded in 1977 by the legendary Sudanese composer & musician Sharhabil Ahmed (“شرحبيل أحمد” in Arabic) and released on the mythical Egyptian record label “Sono Cairo“.

Born in 1935, Sharhabil is the founder of the Sudanese Jazz scene, who dedicated his life to modernize Sudanese music, merging Surf, Rock & Funk occidental influences with Congolese music and East African harmonies (Ethiopian & Sudanese traditional rhythms) & instrumentations.

He’s also known as “The King Of Sudanese Jazz” as he won a national Jazz contest in the early 70s among with mythical Sudanese bands as The Scorpions leaded by Saif Abu Bakr (سيف أبو بكر).

Really hard to find tape nowadays, testimony of the past & piece of Sudanese heritage – Enjoy !

Sharhabil Ahmed – Ghazal (Soudan, 1977, Sono Cairo) شرحبيل أحمد – غزال

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

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

Orchestre Baobab Gouygui De Dakar – Pot Pourrit De Guajira

( Senegal , 1979 , Discafrique / Discafrique Records )

posted on 23 / 11 / 2025

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you for today “Pot Pourrit De Guajira“, a gorgeous 70s Afro Cuban Latin Soul Fusion track from Senegal, taken from one of the several albums recorded by the mythical Senegalese Band “Orchestra Baobab” (spelt here “Orchestre Baobab Gouygui De Dakar”), formed in the early 1970 and famous for merging Cuban Music with traditional West African Wolof Griot culture and the Mandinga musical traditions of the Casamance in an Afro Cuban, Afro Latin & Afro Pachanga style.

Still touring today, the band features the following musicians :

Barthelemy Attisso : Guitar, Arrangements ;

Medoune Diallo : Lead Vocals, Maracas, Arrangements ;

Charles Antoine N’Diaye : Bass Guitar ;

Peter Udo : Clarinet, Alto Saxophone ;

Mountaga Koite : Congas (Tumbas), Drums ;

Papa Ba : Guitar ;

Issa Cissoko : Leader, Tenor Saxophone ;

Balla Sidibe : Timbales, Vocals ;

N’Diouga Dieng, Rudolphe « Rudy » Gomis : Vocals, Percussion ;

The album presented today is one of my favorite from the band, nice exampled of their ability to merge all styles – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Orchestre Baobab Gouygui De Dakar – Pot Pourrit De Guajira (Senegal, 1979, Discafrique Records)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/QSHhLs6XAWM

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

Enco Ti Tac – Yo Te Di Moin

( Martinique , 1983 , Touloulou )

posted on 16 / 11 / 2025

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

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

Bruno Agbo Vikass – Fin Vacances

( Benin , 1980s , Les Editions A.B.V. )

posted on 09 / 11 / 2025

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

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