For today, I wanted to share with you “Sobhi Al Jiz” (صبحي الجيز, in arabic), a dreamy mellow 70s Soul Jazz track from Lebanon driven with classy a piano, taken from the 1st LP of the Lebanese composer, singer & poet Khaled El Haber (خالد الهبر), who sings and plays the drums & guitar on that album.

Composed & arranged by the legendary Lebanese composer & musician Ziad Rahbani (“زياد الرحباني”), eldest son of the Diva Fairuz (فيروز), who plays the piano on it, this song is a tribute to Sobhi El Jeez, a sweeper who died during the Lebanese civil war (from 1975 to 1990) and, through him, to all the people who were killed only because of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Fairuz also recorded a cover of this track in 2002 (but this one remains my favorite).

This album was released in 1978 on the mythical 70s Lebanese record label “Zida“, label co-founded by Ziad Rahbani and the Lebanese-Armenian producer Khatchik Mardirian, on which where released albums that have became mythical in the Lebanese musical history, such as Fairuz’s “Wahdon” or Ferkat Al Ard “Oghneya”.

Cherry on the cake : this really beautiful painted gatefold cover – Enjoy !

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦-𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴. 𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘳 & 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱.

Khaled El Haber – Sobhi Al Jiz (Lebanon, 1978, Zida) / خالد الهبر – صبحي الجيز

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/jLp6MzKO-9g

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

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 ;

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

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

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

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Ourika” (“اوريكا” in Arabic language, that could be readed as “Eurêka !“), a bewitching 70s Psychedelic Synth Pop Mod Instrumental track from Morocco, taken from the first release (and sole vinyl release) of the underground mythical moroccan musician, composer, keyboardist and producer Abdou El Omari (عبده العماري) considered by many as a musical pioneer, who managed to merge modern musical styles with traditional Moroccan music.

This LP, considered by many as one of the hardest to find Moroccon record, was reissued a few years ago but excluding that song, so I’m really happy to share it with you today in its full length original version, as a musical testimony of the past & in tribute to awesome Abdou El Omari‘s work.

Hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Abdou El Omari – Ourika (Morocco, 1975, Disques GAM) / عبده العماري- اوريكا

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/LAh_Opr63tI

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

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

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Neg Souffran“, a killer uplifting Island Cadence Funk track from Martinique with deep Biguine Jazz flavors (listen at this awesome piano parts !), taken from the third and last album of the Martinican band “Super Sterne“, composed with the following musicians :

Denis Grambin ;

Eugène Sylvestre ;

Guillaume Lambert ;

Jean-Pierre Laigle ;

Pierre Sillon Loredon ;

Raymond Cinraul ;

Robert Sylvestre ;

Tropical stormer, always a great weapon when I play it in parties & clubs – Enjoy !

Super Sterne – Neg Souffran (Martinique, 1978, Disques Vacances)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/XwabB8fJsZg

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

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