Chuwanaga proudly presents Jasual Cazz's inaugural album Memory Guard. Delving into the heart of jazz fusion, the French trio bridges the nostalgia of bygone years and the avant-garde essence of tomorrow.

https://chuwanaga.bandcamp.com/album/memory-guard

Memory Guard surely brings some flavours of the seventies and eighties era with their vintage synthesizers. "Better Before", the joyful "Double Comète" or even "Tell Tale" re-enact this legacy while keeping it always groovy and thoughtful. 

But, as if plucked from the ethereal realm of dreams, "Tell Tale", "Mèches" or "Libellule" sound like hidden places, mysterious pieces of music and time where the memory moves forwards.

In the meantime, "Temple", "Jungle Meat" or "L'Arche" venture into modern sonic realms, embracing post-jungle influences that propel jazz into uncharted territories. Body and mind can now synchronize.

Painting an auditory landscape that unfolds in a myriad of hues and forms, Memory Guard really follows the inventiveness of the actual jazz scene but with the emotional intelligence of the French jazz-funk heritage.

Jasual Cazz is the brainchild of Theo Boero on bass, Pierre-Louis Vanier on keys, and Japhet Boristhene on drums, hailing from the vibrant city of Lyon, France.


-------
JASUAL CAZZ
Fender Rhodes, Sequential Prophet-6, Minimoog Model D, Oberheim Matrix 6, Logan / Hohner String Melody II, Roland Juno-106: Pierre-Louis Varnier
Bass: Théo Boero
Drums: Japhet Boristhene

Percussions: Pedro Barrios
Flute (on "Double Comète"): Adrien "Dridri" Duterte
Backing Vocals (on "Double Comète"): Margot Lafage, Théo Boero, Pierre-Louis Varnier, Japhet Boristhene, Maxence Robinet
Synth Programming: LeMatoux, Maxence Robinet, Jasual Cazz & Greita
Additional Synthetizers: Greita (on "Temple"), LeMatoux (on "Double Comète")

Recorded and mixed by David Cukier at Studio Delta, Paris, France
Assistant: Marin Gibert
Mastered by Benjamin Joubert at Biduloscope Mastering, Paris, France

All tracks composed by Jasual Cazz except "Libellule" composed by Jasual Cazz & Eddy Tcheurekdjan.
All tracks produced by Jasual Cazz, Le Matoux & Maxence Robinet

Illustrations & Artwork: Elisa Garnero
Executive Producers: Clémentine Lefebvre, Maxence Robinet & LeMatoux

Manufactured and distributed by The Pusher Distribution
(P) 2023 Chuwanaga

Jasual Cazz - Memory Guard (CHUWANAGA012)

Parisian label Chuwanaga proudly presents his first collaboration with Alina. On the double single I Don’t Belong Here / Breathe you’ll discover the unique flavor of Paris based Romanian singer’s first release, produced by label co-founder Saint-James. Available as Digital only on May 7th 2021.

https://chuwanaga.bandcamp.com/album/i-dont-belong-here-breathe

On the funky sing along tune "I Don’t Belong Here", Alina tells her own personal story with a lot of sweetness, genuinely describing her inner travel from her hopes and dreams of the Parisian life to the frustrating impression of not finding her place. A universal feeling conveyed by Alina’s sultry vocals in a beautiful song with strong energy, backed up by a solid production and its thumping Moog bassline.

On "Breathe", Alina puts her sweet voice on top of a 808 Loose Ends kind of beat with a Juno 60 bass which might remind you of the cream of the Latin Freestyle era and its charismatic diva singers. In this song about artificial paradises, as Alina takes us higher and higher, between two clouds of smoke you’ll inhale a fresh gasp of groove and end up in a daze.

Alina comes from Timisoara in Romania where she studied piano and classic guitar before moving to Bucharest conservatory to learn pop & jazz composition, then to Paris. Usually influenced by singers like Amy Winehouse, Eliza, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill or Donny Hathaway, she’s experimenting something different on these two songs composed by the eclectic deejay Saint-James.

Composed, Arranged & Produced by Maxence Robinet aka Saint-James.
Lyrics & Melodies by Alina Iuga.
Mixed & Mastered by David Cukier (Greita) at Studio Delta, Pantin.
Artwork by William James Thurman.
(P) 2021 Chuwanaga

ALINA - I Don't Belong Here / Breathe (Snippets) - CHUWANAGA009

“Monte La Musique” is the first single of Margot et Max, a new French Disco Boogie project with singer Margot Lafage (part of 100 Voices Of Gospel) and producer @saint-james(Discomatin / Chuwanaga)


Inspired by Bibi Flash, Agathe (Regrets) and even Paul Hardcastle, Margot et Max embrace their French Boogie heritage with this exciting song.

With funny lyrics, groovy synths, early electro beat, “Monte La Musique” is an ode to the clubbing scene and its dancers. With the sanitary crisis, what was born from frustration evolved into a joyful cry of love! Monte la Musique!

Lead Vocals by Margot Lafage.
Chorus by Maxence Robinet.
Backing Vocals by Floriane Ferreira, Marius Niollet & Ludovic Castillo.
Special Verse Bassline by Fat-Mat

Composed, Produced and Arranged by Maxence Robinet at Studio D (Villette 45). Lyrics by Margot Lafage & Maxence Robinet.

Additional Production, Vocals Recording & Mix by David Greita at Studio Delta.
Mastering by Benjamin Joubert at Biduloscope Mastering (Paris).
Executive Producers: Clémentine Lefebvre & Maxence Robinet @ Chuwanaga

https://chuwanaga.bandcamp.com/album/monte-la-musique-2
(P) 2022 Chuwanaga

Margot Et Max - Monte La Musique (CHUWANAGA014)

https://chuwanaga.bandcamp.com/album/venom
Release date: November 7th 2022

If you're into the classic sound of the best releases from the seventies and eighties era Jazz-Funk or Fusion with a slightly modern and exciting touch, you don’t want to miss out on Fusion Affair’s first album: Venom! Proudly presented by Parisian label Chuwanaga, Venom is filled with sharp synths, electrifying basslines, serious guitar licks, amazing themes, in-the-pocket drums grooves and true excitement all over the six tracks of the album.Fender Rhodes, Prophet-5, Minimoog Model D, Arp Odissey, Matrix 6: Mathieu Guillot
Guitars: Théo Michel
Bass: Sofian El Mabrouk
Drums: Tao Ehrlich
Percussion: Erwan Loeffel
Additional Synthesizers (Prophet-6): LeMatoux
Synth Programming: LeMatoux, Mathieu Guillot & Greita

Recorded and mixed by David Cukier at Studio Delta, Paris, France.
Assistant: Bertrand Härdi
Mastered by Benjamin Joubert at Biduloscope Mastering, Paris, France.

Fusion Affair - Venom (Snippets) - CHUWANAGA011

Jasual Cazz - Double Comète

Jasual Cazz - Temple

Jasual Cazz - L'Arche

Jasual Cazz - Libellule

Jasual Cazz - Double Comète

Jasual Cazz - Jungle Meat

Jasual Cazz - Liberty City

Jasual Cazz - Better Before

Jasual Cazz - Mèches

Jasual Cazz - Tell Tale

LP/Compilation: IN THE RED / Cat Nr: CHUWANAGA001
The finest Britfunk (1980-1983), selected by @saint-james. Available on November 6th 2017 as vinyl LP with Linernotes on Chuwanaga. Available as Digital as well. 

TRACKLIST:
A1. Equa – In The Red 
A2. Congress – Something That You Got (Real Hot) 
A3. Potion – Catch The Feelin’ (Showstopper) 
B1. Inch By Inch – If It’s Magic (We Don’t Want It) 
B2. Index – Starlight (The Break)
B3. Spookey - Friends

Between the end of the 70's and the early 80's, a new sound appeared in London and its surroundings, a unique mix of Funk, Jazz-Funk and Disco labelled as Britfunk. Characterized by its raw energy that can put the needle In The Red, this up-tempo sound was a match for the UK's dancers and Jazz-Funk clubs.

This first release by French label Chuwanaga features some of the most exciting, rare and powerful tracks from that era compiled by the Parisian DJ and activist Saint-James, with bands such as Equa, Potion, Inch by Inch, Congress, Index and Spookey. It features also an insert with an in-depth focus on this musical era.

These young British musicians were equally inspired by the American Jazz-Funk productions and by Dub music and Reggae pushed by the Afro-Caribbean community who were at the heart of Britfunk’s development. They gave Funk a unique British flavor. However, more than just a music genre or an enclosed expression of black Britishness, it was part of a genuine musical and social movement with its own dedicated labels, fashion sense and most importantly its own set of values that fueled the whole scene. Britfunk built itself within a multicultural evolution: black people, white people, straight and queer, all dancing in the same room to the same loud sound.

Available now at The Pusher Distribution / info@thepusher.fr www.thepusher.fr/thepusherdistribution.html

In The Red - A compilation of the finest Britfunk by Saint-James - SNIPPETS (CHUWANAGA001)

Release date : February 4th 2018
Pre-order now : https://chuwanaga.bandcamp.com/album/incognito-ep

Sometimes there’s a huge talent out there and you desperately want the whole universe to discover it. That’s pretty much the story of parisian label Chuwanaga with young french artist Koji Ono, composer and producer of these four precisely crafted gems, recording everything by himself. Brilliantly mixed by Greita from Disques Flegon, his first EP Incognito is the product of a lot of influences, from Metro Area vibes to the original Britfunk sound. With an inner sense of elegance in the arrangements - something we may link to his japanese heritage ? - the whole EP brings musicality back on the dancefloor. We believe this could be the beginning of a great story for this talented musician, Koji Ono emerging from the incognito shadow to the whole light of the world. Don’t miss out !

Available on 12" and digital end of January
Distribution via The Pusher (FR)

Tracklist : 

A1 - So High
A2 - Inner Rhythms
B1 - Odoru
B2 - Momoshima

Koji Ono - Incognito EP (CHUWANAGA002)

We are so excited to present to your our next release! ☀️
Kalima - (Where Is The) Sunshine on 7"
Release date : June 6th
Pre-order yours on Bandcamp: https://chuwanaga.bandcamp.com/album/where-is-the-sunshine

For its third release, Chuwanaga goes back to the past with the reissue of “(Where Is The) Sunshine” by Kalima, a really rare 7” originally released in 1981 and produced in Baltimore (Maryland) by African-American pianist and producer Derrick Amin. Part I on the A side and part II on the B side form a real journey, a beauty in its own style fusing jazz, soul and spirituality as well as political values.

Back in the mid seventies Derrick Amin brought together young and talented musicians from his African-American Muslim community in Baltimore. He tells us: “all black music in America is a response to racism and slavery” and “(Where Is The) Sunshine” was their own answer, “a plaintiff query of one immerse in darkness. The darkness of lies, lies that deny the humanity, justice, and equality of people. It’s the impetus of this song”. He adds: “Kalima means « Word » or « Langage » in Arabic. The name was inspired by a quote from Imam W.D. Mohammad (the late Muslim American leader and erstwhile successor to Nation of Islam founder, Elijah Muhammad) who once said: “Words make people””.

With its splendid vocal parts - thanks to lead vocalist Sabreen Shareef, a unique major-to-minor chord progression, subtil synthetiser melodies in the chorus and amazing electric piano and sax solos, it really is a very special release. It’s been discovered in a @Motor Motor City Drum Ensemble jazz set with Gilles Peterson at the JAW Family Reunion in Berlin back in 2016 where he played it as the closing track of a wonderful musical journey through black music – which was the right occasion for a classic Gilles rewind and the occasion of a shared epiphany. Still, one must not forget its yet poetic still political message now shared once again with the world. The question asked by Kalima sadly still remains as relevant in 2018: Where is the sunshine ?

Don't miss!

Kalima - (Where Is The) Sunshine Pt. II SNIPPET

Kalima - (Where Is The) Sunshine Pt. I SNIPPET

REF : CHUWANAGA004
Label : CHUWANAGA
Artist : SUNPALACE
Title : THE LOST SONGS 1982-1984
Format : 12’’ 

Tracklist : 

A1 - Dancing The Night Away
A2 - Love, Love, Love
B1 - If You Wanna Be A Beggar
B2 - Somebody’s Watching

Pre-order : https://chuwanaga.bandcamp.com/album/the-lost-songs-1982-1984

You may know of « Rude Movements », an early dance music classic produced by SunPalace (Mike Collins and Keith O’Connell) back in 1983 that brought together proto-house, balearic beats and funky vibes. In 1984, the tune quickly became an anthem that could regularly be heard at David Mancuso’s “The Loft” or at Larry Levan’s “Paradise Garage” for example. 

Thanks to Mike Collins, the studio veteran still in the business after more than 35 years and currently busy perpetuating the legacy of SunPalace, more material from the archives has been ‘surfacing’ over the past few years on UK-based record labels. After a very productive meeting earlier this year, Parisian label Chuwanaga is really proud to present four unreleased songs produced between 1982 and 1984! 

Co-written by Mike Collins from SunPalace and Breeze McKrieth, a founder member of Britfunk bands Light Of The World and Beggar & Co, these « Lost Songs » are the almost forgotten result of this seminal collaboration, an exclusive musical rendezvous between experienced studio music makers and funksters at the top of their game, including some of the finest Britfunk musicians. Bringing together eighties influences and futuristic sounds, the result covers a wide range of genres, from jazz-funk to new wave: it captured a unique moment in British musical history, a smooth transition to a more electronic sound. Definitely not one to be missed!

All tracks recorded and produced by Mike Collins for SunPalace between 1982 and 1984 in London.
All songs composed by Mike Collins and Breeze McKrieth.
Vocals: Breeze McKrieth 
Guitars: Mike Collins & Breeze McKrieth
Synthesisers, Keyboards and Drum Machines: Mike Collins
Additional Keyboards, Trumpet and Hand Percussions from our friends including the many fine UK Britfunk musicians associated with Incognito, Light of the World, Beggar & Co, and others. 
Artwork: William James Thurman
Executive Producer: Maxence Robinet
Photo Credits: Mike Collins
All tracks licensed from Mike Collins, remastered from tapes at The Carvery, London
(P) 2018 Chuwanaga

Buy on Bandcamp

SunPalace - The Lost Songs 1982-1984 - SNIPPETS (CHUWANAGA004)

SunPalace - The Lost Songs 1982-1984 on 12"
Release date : September 17th
Available worldwide and on our Bandcamp: https://chuwanaga.bandcamp.com/album/the-lost-songs-1982-1984


Tracklist : 
A1 - Dancing The Night Away 
A2 - Love, Love, Love 
B1 - If You Wanna Be A Beggar 
B2 - Somebody’s Watching

The Lost Songs 1982​-​1984

SunPalace - If You Wanna Be A Beggar (CHUWANAGA004)

SunPalace - Somebody's Watching (CHUWANAGA004)

Last July we (@clementine-fr & @saint-james) were invited by Danilo aka Motor City Drum Ensemble in his radioshow 'State Of Rhythm' on Worldwide FM to talk about Chuwanaga. Here is our mellow mix of the last hour of the show!

We also did an exclusive interview of Derick Amin, the man behind Kalima, check the full podcast -> wrldwd.fm/MCDE13

Clémentine & Saint-James - Guestmix State of Rhythm: Danilo Plessow (MCDE)

For this session of her radioshow Mellow Madness, @clementine-fr invites @saint-james for a Chuwanaga’s special one on @lyl_radio. 
First hour is a tribute to Mike Collins from SunPalace who sadly passed away few days ago and is filled with his own amazing productions and projects, from jazz-funk to proto-house. Second hour is filled with love songs as well as exclusive material from forthcoming UK jazz-funk compilation « In The Red Vol. 2 ».

RIP Mike Collins.

Mellow Madness : http://lyl.live/episode/mellow-madness

Mellow Madness - Clémentine & Saint-James II Tribute To Mike Collins (Lyl Radio)

Available on March 8th 2019 as vinyl LP with Linernotes, as Digital & as CD along Volume 1.
Preorder here: https://tinyurl.com/y9chbtzy

Tracklist: 
A1 - Stikki Stuff - School
A2 - Cruzial - Send Me Your Love
A3 - Potion - City Girls
B1 - The Breakfast Band - Funksters
B2 - Yeow Band - Energy
B3 - Scratch (Gonzalez) - Keep On Searching For Love

Parisian label Chuwanaga is really proud to present In The Red Volume 2, almost a year and a half after the first compilation being released. This second volume still focus on the Britfunk genre - or British Jazz-Funk - mainly produced in London between the end of the seventies and the eighties. It defines a unique mix of Jazz-Funk & Disco including Reggae & Dub techniques from Afro-Caribbean communities who were at the heart of the movement.

Parisian DJ, activist and producer @saint-james has again selected the most exciting, rare and powerful tracks from that era (1981-1988). Included in this compilation are Stikki Stuff, Cruzial, Potion, The Breakfast Band, Yeow Band and Scratch (better known as Gonzalez). Expect powerful synth solos, crazy slap bass grooves and lovely vocals on the top when the horn section is not busy doing its funky thing. 

Back in the days, these young musicians gave their music a unique British flavor and raw energy pushing the needle "In The Red". Almost four decades later on these powerful tracks are again ready to burn up dancefloors. 
The compilation features an insert with pictures and a few more words about the selection. The compilation is also available as digital download and CD along with Volume 1.

Pre-Order/Order on our bandcamp: https://chuwanaga.bandcamp.com/
Distribution via The Pusher Distribution / info@thepusher.fr

In The Red Volume 2 - A Britfunk Selection by Saint-James  - SNIPPETS (CHUWANAGA005)

REF: CHUWANAGA006
ARTIST: World Series
TITLE: Try it Out / Head Over Heels
FORMAT: Vinyl 7"
Release Date: July 1st 2019

Tracklist: 

A - Try It Out
B - Head Over Heels

Description: 

Parisian label Chuwanaga curated by Clémentine & Saint-James is really proud to announce his next release: the reissue of an almost forgotten 7" by Britfunk band World Series, bringing together jazz-funk, AOR and a really funky vibe. A perfect fit for summertime.

Like a good recipe, this little beauty actually got all great ingredients: great Rhodes parts, catchy vocals, solid basslines and lovely Moog-esque synthesizer melodies. "Try It Out" brings together a classy AOR-Funk/Soul vibe with a solide funky groove. On the other side, "Head Over Heels" looks more towards proper british Jazz-Funk territories with its uptempo beat and slapped bass.

Back in the days, World Series was a local live band around North London. They used to tour a lot around early 1980’s in and around London in places like the Bull and Gate in Kentish Town, the Production Village in Cricklewood, The Cricketers at the Oval and Dingwalls in Camden. On the same circuit were bands like Cayenne, Gonzalez, Morrissey Mullen and the Breakfast Band to name a few. In 1983, they recorded a session at Woodcray Manor Studios in Berkshirand release  "Try It Out / Head Over Heels" as a 7" single, financing themselves the pressing. They were actually delighted when one reviewer said they were a bit like Level 42 "but with decent vocals". 

Thanks to the original crew, Mike Frankel (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Keith Mawson (Bass), Richard Newell (Drums & Percussion) and Andy Park (Keyboards), Chuwanaga is proud to present you this single with a great artwork from William James Thurman, including also an insert with lyrics and pictures from the band. One not to miss!

B. World Series - Head Over Heels

A. World Series - Try It Out

CHUWANAGA007
ARTIST: @Ishkero
TITLE: Brume
Release Date: April 20th 2020
Distributed by The Pusher

Pre-order : https://chuwanaga.bandcamp.com/album/brume

Tracklist:

A1 - Triple B
A2 - Tonik Gin
B1 - Brume 
B2 - Gare de l'Ouest

Parisian label Chuwanaga curated by @Clementine-fr & @Saint-James is back in the production game with fresh music from @Ishkero, maybe the hottest Jazz-Fusion band of the capital city. Going from Jazz-Funk to Afrobeat through Prog and Psychedelic influences, Brume infuses together killer grooves, irresistible melodies and excellent musicianship. The 12inch, coming with its beautiful illustration, reveals a uniformly good yet diverse musical journey.

Behind Ishkero, you’ll find five young and gifted musicians with strong jazz knowledge: Tao Ehrlich (drums), Adrien « Dridri » Duterte (flute & percussion), Antoine Vidal (bass), Victor Gasq (guitar) and Arnaud Forestier (keys). With its strong evocation power fuelled by their youthful energy and creativity, Ishkero’s music is a one-of-a-kind variation on the Jazz genre. Fusion at its best potential! Expect intense rhythmic sections, virtuoso solos, lush FX sections and robust arrangements. Used to play a lot live, the musicians developed a vigorous connection that really shines on stage and during studio sessions.

Collectively with Saint-James as their co-producer, they recorded Brume in summer 2019 at Studio Delta (Paris) with sound engineer David Cukier aka Greita (Disques Flegon). The first track, "Triple B", is an ode to 70’s jazz-funk carried by Jeff Mercadié’s Sax performance. "Tonik Gin"’s mighty jazz-rock groove which comes afterwards brings the genre to its emotional climax. B side starts with the main track "Brume", bringing together long-tailed reverberated guitars and Mizell-like piano chords for a very warm and hazy effect. As the last track, "Gare De l’Ouest" is a nice jazz variation on the Afrobeat genre, again with Jeff Mercadié on Saxophone.

Ishkero - Brume (Snippets) - CHUWANAGA007

Parisian label Chuwanaga proudly presents the first opus of its new 12inch series, starting with the brand new EP of Koji Ono: Ricochet / Maloja Pass. Recorded during a short week-end in Paris, it is the result of a true collaboration by a team of musicians who wanted to bring a modern twist to a classic and timeless sound, staying true to the original late seventies/early eigthies dance music spirit and the passion of Chuwanaga for the original Britfunk.

Available on November 30th 202
Preorders: https://chuwanaga.bandcamp.com/album/ricochet-maloja-pass

On bass, you’ll hear Lester Batchelor aka LB from Atmosfear, the legendary British Jazz-Funk band best known for their En Transe LP and the classic track « Dancing In Outerspace ». Killing it on the drums, Roy Mistry is their 2020 official drummer. Recording together in Studio Delta, with Koji playing almost all the other instruments, from keys to guitars to percussions, they all had a blast collaborating on these two new tracks. Add a blazing Rhodes solo by Jean-Michel Bernard on « Maloja Pass », some precious magic from producers Seiji Ono & Saint-James, a great dose of savoir-faire by sound engineer David Cukier aka Greita (Disques Flegon)… And you end up with two killer tunes ready to blast their way through your speakers.

On both tracks, you’ll immediately recognize Koji Ono’s touch – as found on his previous Incognito EP : simple but uplifting melodies on synthetizers, sparkling guitars and a certain playfulness in the arrangements. On side A, « Ricochet » sounds like an irresistible mid-tempo boogie banger. On B side, the uptempo « Maloja Pass » is faster paced and bursts with energy, giving the listener an irresistible urge to travel endlessly through the night.

Koji Ono - Ricochet / Maloja Pass (Snippets) - CHUWANAGA008

Chuwanaga is a french label born in 2017 and based in Paris just like its two founders, parisian deejays @clementine-fr and @saint-james. From jazz-funk to mellow grooves, the label brings back musicality on the dancefloors. They release quality licenced and remastered reissues of lost or forgotten tunes but also new music from today’s talents. 

Contact : chuwanagarecords(at)gmail.com

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