RELEASED 29th Oct 2021

On 18th April, 1980, after decades of anti colonial struggle, the Zimbabweian flag was finally raised at midnight at the Rufaro Stadium in Harare. Not long after, the words "Ladies and Gentlemen, Bob Marley and The Wailers!" rang out, and Zimbabwe's independent future began.

In the years that followed, Africa was to produce it's own reggae superstars, as the likes of Alpha Blondy, Majek Fashek and Lucky Dube swept across the continent and beyond, and there's no doubting Bob Marley's explosive impact on this particular narrative.

Marley's unswerving commitment to liberation and unity ranged from the sweeping spiritual sentiments of iconic hits such One Love and Redemption Song to the galvanising, focused tone of 1979's 'Zimbabwe', and his status as global superstar ensured that his (self funded) part in the countries' epochal celebrations meant that the history of reggae in Africa would always be viewed through the prism of his influence ( Wiki/African Reggae : "In 1980, world-famous Jamaican reggae musician Bob Marley performed in Harare, Zimbabwe, and that concert is often credited as marking the beginning of reggae in Africa")

But in fact, the recorded history of reggae produced in Africa stretches back over a decade before Marley's arrival on the continent, and showcases broad pan - diasporic interflows between the Carribean and Africa, with the UK and the US communities playing influential supporting roles, all helping shape the evolution and development of the genre in Africa from late 60's inception to Marley's arrival in 1980, and then well beyond.

Reggae Africa : Roots and Culture, 1972 - 1981 tries to capture a sense of that evolution, starting in 1972 as Mebussa's ultra rare 'Good Bye Friends' effortlessly captures triangular, transatlantic cultural interflows, with the short lived Nigerian group's bitter sweet chords echoing classic US soul, but laid over a gritty, skanking Jimmy Cliff - esque proto reggae rhythm.

Trying to work out the precise provenance of Black Reggae's 'Darling I'm So Proud of You' (1975) isn't easy, but involves Paris based / African focused label Fiesta, some proper OG co-branding exercise with Bols Brandy ( "Bols Brandy presents Black Reggae") - and deeply infectious, lilting Rocksteady.

By 1976, glorious Nigerian sister duo Lijadu Sisters are echoing the chunky roots of a Dennis Brown or U Roy on 'Bobby', and in 1977, bespoke Nigerian drummer Georges Happi is introing 'Hello Friends' with the soon to be universal signature reggae tom roll intro, before veering leftfield with snatches of spoken Afro - English vocal in between the hooky choruses.

Nigerian giant Chrissy Essien's 'I'll Be You Man' (1979) combines floaty Lovers vibes with catchy ska shuffle, and in the same year, Cameroonian afro-funk/disco heavyweight Pasteur Lappe' drifts seamlessly into skanking, Lovers infected reggae on 'Babbette D.O. ( Rastawoman )' (before a sprawling electric guitar solo reminds us how unselfconsiously eclectic so much African music of the era was.)

And finally bookending the compilation, in chronological terms, fellow Cameroonian Tala AM also swaps his funk and soul for the rootsy and infectious 'Hop Sy Trong' (1981), again highlighting the diverse and eclectic approach to this timeless Caribbean musical genre taken by African musicians in the years before that Bob Marley year zero event in Zimbabwe.

Reggae Africa (Roots & Culture 1972-1988)

Welcome aboard for the 4th instalment of Africa Airways,  fasten your seat belts and enjoy the trip.

It's just over 3 years since we launched the Africa Seven label in Paris and London.  Our first release back then (Airways One) is still our best seller and had to be repressed 4 times so far.  Forty or so releases later it is time to take to the clouds again.  Being the unimaginative bunch we are, the fourth installment of our African sky filled musical cornucopia is called African Airways Four (Disco Funk Touchdown - 1976 - 1983).  This time around all tunes have the Disco flavour.  As ever it's all about the music...  the skies are wide and funky and the air is filled with musical goodness.  Your flight is about to leave.

Your flight opens with a punchy disco funk assault from Paris based Cameroonian Tala AM. Here with his drive bass and guitar funk riff 1981 stomper "Get Up Tchmassi".  Next up and staying with the Cameroonian connection is Eko with "Bowaa Mba Ngebe".  The lyrics talk of accomplishing the things in life for your family and yourself. The sweeping strings and gloriously uplifting music matching the sentiments of the words perfectly.    Uta Bella began singing in the 60's and by the time disco hit in the 70's she was already established a singer in her native Cameroon, here the locked on groove of "Nassa Nassa" is a perfect snapshot of the sound and the African disco times.  

Charly Kingson (cousin of Manu Dibango) is next with his "Nimele Bolo".  Recorded in Germany with the cream of Munich's session musicians the bass synth is out in force on this one.  Punchy brass, rock solid grooves and jazzy Rhodes add all the right ingredients for a fine disco synth excursion.   Next is the musical heavyweight from Cameroon cousin Manu with his 1978 Disco, jazz funk masterpiece "Sun Explosion".  

Side two opens with a blast of Elvis Kemayo and his piano and guitar funk bomb "Biram". Next Momo Joseph gives us "Africain".  Best known in France as an actor, this disco funk groover was released on his self pressed LP "War For Ground" in 1983.  A true gem indeed. Nigerian, ex Funkees member Jake Sollo is next with "Tinni Yanana".  Recorded in the UK in 83 its slick and smooth with a hint of "at the car wash" groove. Pierre Didy Tchakounte follows on with his soul funk 'golden years' style groover "Soul Magabe".  Produced by one of our favourite Parisian producers Slim Pezin.  We close off our journey with the tribal chant disco-funk special from the Monstars "Funny Saga".

Ladies and Gentleman, we have landed at your destination, please remain seated until the aircraft has reached the terminal. We look forward to welcoming you aboard Africa Airways again soon.

Africa Airways Four (Disco Funk Touchdown 1976-1983) [PREVIEW]

B.G & Fibre - Drunken Driver [CLIP]

Pasteur Lappe - Babette D O. (Rastawoman) [CLIP]

Carlos & Miki - All This Nonsense [CLIP]

Essama Bikoula - I'll Cry [CLIP]

Tala Andre Marie - Hop Sy Trong [CLIP]

Christy Essien - I'll Be Your Man [CLIP]

Black Reggae - Darling I M So Proud Of You [CLIP]

Georges Happi - Hello Friends [CLIP]

The Mebusas - Good Bye Friends [CLIP]

C1 - Francis Bebey - Agatha (Alternate version) CTOR-MAST_20241128

C5 - Francis Bebey - Funky Maringa CTOR-MAST2_20241209

D4 - Francis bebey - Asma (Alternative Instrumental Version) CTOR-MAST_20241128

C3 - Francis Bebey - Ndolo CTOR-MAST_20241128

D3 - Francis Bebey - Kitibanga CTOR-MAST_20241210

C4 - Francis Bebey - Chant D'Amour Pygmee CTOR-MAST_20241210

D1 - Francis Bebey - Crocodile - Crocodile - Crocodile CTOR-MAST2_20241209

D2 - Francis Bebey - L'Ile De Djerba CTOR-MAST2_20241209

VINYL RELEASE DATE: 25th May 2015

BUY HERE: http://www.africaseven.com/asvn005.php

Our hero, Jo Tongo (born Joseph Ekambi Tongo Mpondo) was born and raised in Douala  Cameroon.  In 1964 he headed off to Paris to begin Pharmaceutical studies.   Somewhere along the way the music in his soul eventually won out and he embarked on a life of music. In 1968 his first single “Dig It Babe” released under his Jojo L'Explosif alias.  A few more singles followed, as did regular appearances, contributions and productions with (fellow Camerounian) Manu Dibango, Tala AM, Manfred Ebanda and others throughout the 70s.

In 1977 Jo’s the stars in Jo’s timeline all aligned when he produced and recorded his debut self titled “Jo Tongo” for the Fiesta label.  Recorded in both French and his native Duala language, it is a perfect example of 70s funk meeting afrobeat with African folk styles and flavors.  Produced with legendary Parisian funk / disco / afro soundman Slim Pezin the album oozes style, quality, fine musicianship and is full of instantly memorable songs.

The album opens up with stunningly catchy Jangolo.  It’s a prefect introduction to Jo’s awesomely funky bass guitar.  Slim adds layers of percussive “jangly” guitar and the track is underpinned by African drums, funky stabs and 70s nascent synthesiser string machines. Tracks such as a “Kiele” and “Boso Bongo” highlight Jos Cameroonian roots. While dancefloor stompers such as “Piani” and “A’Muna” sounds more relavent and current today than possibly they did in 1977.  The album also includes plenty of swagger with the boogie-style afro swingers “Ewande” and “Muasa Loko”.   

 The Jangolo track was a highlight of the recent Africa Seven debut release “African Airways Volume 1: (Funk Connection 1972-1979). To Follow that up Africa Seven are proud to repress the debut Jo Tongo album in its full glory.

Jo now spends his time between Paris and New York.  He is a social media and Internet wizard (buzz him up!) and is currently working on new material. 

Jo Tongo - Piani

VINYL AVAILABLE NOW: http://bit.ly/1IUAD60


Jake Sollo was one of the most prolific innovative musicians from Nigeria in the 70s and 80s.  His talents as a rhythm guitar player saw him through much of his career where he played with several Nigerian bands of varying styles. After a stint in the beat group the Hykkers (which he formed whilst studying at the University of Nigeria in Nsukka) then went on to wider recognition as a member of the Funkees.  Sollo then went on to play with famed Afro-rock group Osibisa. His stint working alongside group leader Teddy Osei.  The Funkees had become very popular, not just in Nigeria where a rough demo of the track “Akula Owu Onyeara” was on constant rotation at the East-Central State Broadcasting Service, but the track was went on to be picked up by the BBC DJ John Peel.

After successes in bands, Sollo went solo and found a steady stream of work in London as a session musician and a producer. He returned to Nigeria in 1981 where he produced “bouncy, high gloss boogie” which was incredibly in demand. He had a distinctive playing and producing style and was incredibly popular. He utilized synthesizers which were uncommon in Nigeria at the time

The 1979 "Jake Sollo" self titled album was produced for Pye / Disques Esperance in London.   Touches of pop, plenty of African groove, moments of psychedelica... all bound together with Jakes distinctive guitar playing and sleek production.  These are sounds that are reminiscent of African music lovers contemporary of Sollo such as David Byrne and Talking Heads, and Paul Simon in Graceland, but with a glittering grooviness that is all Jake Sollo.

Sadly Jakes career was cut short when he tragically died in a car accident in 1985.  Depriving the world of no doubt what would have been decades of more innovative and creative music. 

Jake Sollo - African Gypsy [CLIP]

RELEASED 28th August 2015
Format: CD

At Africa Seven we are proud to present the third in our series of Manu Dibango re-issues. For your delight this time is 'Home Made', a 4 tracker of epic African musicianship.  Recorded in 1979 the albums bedrock of Rhythms was recorded in Nigeria.  This creates an infectious and addictive afrobeat groove for the album.  Overdubs and mix downs were then carried out in Paris adding layers of sheen and expansive jazz groove.    As the sleeve notes themselves note  'This album is dedicated to all brothers for a better vibration'.

“Manu Dibango is a restless spirit and refuses to rest on his considerable laurels. His new album made in Nigeria is here to prove that Manu is now making an important turning point in his career. His inner curiosity which demands investigations continues to stretch barriers and break new grounds. As he likes saying: 'Communication is the key'.

He is probably one of the most sophisticated of the African musicians; and also one of those who have really made it in the international music scene. He's certainly gone places, but thinks there's nothing left to do but bring the music back to where it belongs.

His recent tour of Nigeria is a revelation. It was his first appearance in this great African nation, where he performed and recorded with local musicians.

Africa has been torn into pieces; but the experience has proved that the people are still there. No matter what language they speak.

This album is dedicated to all brothers for a better vibration.”

- Louise Edimo.

Manu Dibango - Sun Explosion [CLIP]

RELEASE DATE:

Vinyl: 25th Sept 2015

Jo Bisso was born and raised in Yaoundé, the political capital Cameroon.  He grew up being a fan of American soul music such as Otis Reading and Wilson picket.   In 1971 he left Cameroun to pursue his musical career.  Beginning an 8 year stint of Paris to New York jet trips the young ambitious man forged his musical career on his own terms;   Staring off with the minor hit “Flying To The Land Of Soul” which he signed to Decca and moving on to produce, finance, write and create several albums released under his own name and other artsits such as Sookie and Venise.  

In 1975 Jo created his genre blended debut album “Jo Tongo” on the Paris based Disques Esperance label.  Sung in English and his native language it was way ahead of its time for the day, blending Jazz, Funk, Soul, afro rhythms and the sounds that were at the time being come to be known as Disco.  The album was produced by Jo who plays a wide variety of the instruements and contributes his baritone “Barry White” tinged spoken vocals about life and love. 

The album opens up with the title track “Dance To It”, A slice of groovy lounge-funk.   Part 1 is all about the driving catchy groove which is layered with a downtown funk saxophone lead line.  Part 2 brings in Jo’s spoken vocals in his native language and English, setting the tone of the album to come.   “Disco Madonna” introduces a Latin flavour with Spanish vocals, a rumba groove and darting percussion.  “Ramaya” melds a playful, summery, euro melody with Jo’s throaty, fun-loving vocals and a nascent use of synthesizers.  

“Lets Keep It Together” is a song in two parts. The first half builds the groove over washy guitar, and chords before breaking into a solid soul riff with bass, Rhodes and guitar. Over this Jo layers the catchy, soulful vocals, summer-breeze guitars and jazzy keys. A real treat.    Flip over to the Vinyl B side for what is probably the albums most “getting down” moment. The driving funk of “Give It Up”. Stabby brass, whirling organ and tight bass which is all wrapped up in a one tight arrangement.  Add in doses of Jo’s sulty vocal and that is a recipe for a real winner. 

“Don’t Fight The Feeling” again furthers into real deep funk territory.  Jo opening up with a sermon on “love and sex”. The album closes with the swinging soul of the pensive Jo and his thoughts on life, “Odwa”.  What is going down? 

The Give It Up track was a highlight of the recent Africa Seven debut release “African Airways Volume 1: (Funk Connection 1972-1979). To Follow that up Africa Seven are proud to repress the debut Jo Bisso album in its full glory. 

Jo moved back from the US in 1981.  From 1981 to 1989 his lived in Cote D’Ivoire.  He now lives in Paris and although he sometimes “finds it hard to listen to his albums”, he does thinks it great that people love his music and his debut album is getting a re-release all these years later. 

Jo Bisso - Dance To It (Part 1) [CLIP]

VINYL RELEASED 23rd Oct 2015

We are more than ten releases in here at Africa Seven. It has been a wild ride... It was eight months ago that we launched our label and released our debut release the Compilation “Africa Airways 01: Funk Connection”.  It did better than we ever imagined and we had to repress the darned thing twice... So predictably for a follow up we humbly present you with “Africa Airways 02: Funk Departures 1973-1982”.  We have unashamedly stuck to the formula of our debut; keeping the funk deep and the groove pan-African.  Heading straight for the afrobeat, dance-funk jugular.  

We open up Volume Two with an absolute corker... “Na Real Sekele Fo Ya” from Cameroonian-in-Paris Pasteur Lappe.  Produced by Jacob Desvarieux of Kassav fame,  this track is an instant grabber;  Think of the Blockheads “Rhythm Stick” goes Afro chant with deep, soulful moog grooves and on-point brass stabs.  Next up is M’Bamina an Italian / Ivory Coast band who swing things heavy with “Kilowi Kilowi”.  Sweeting strings, funky bass lines wrapped around a late 70s style disco groove.  

Ekambi Briallant is next up with his floor tappingly catchy afro soul “Aboki (Mon Copain)”, produced by one of our favorite producers Slim Pezin.   To round off the A-side of the vinyl we present the first outing from the Makeba family. Here the (sadly prematurely departed) Bongi Makeba, daughter of “Mama Africa” Myriam Makeba, shows the world just what an amazing artist she would have developed into.  Bongi wrote a fair number of her mother’s tracks in her later years and “Don’t Do It” shows us what true talent for the song she was blessed with.  The track her powers along with wah-wah guitar and masterful alto sax.  A real treat. 

Friend of Africa Seven and Cameroonian native Jo Tongo opens thing up on Side B.  Jo now lives in New York but back in the 70s he was part of the Fiesta label collective who were cranking out great records in Paris. “Piani” is his purest dancefloor moment, here again in full glory. 	Next up we bend our African remit ever-so slightly and head off to Holland for a James Brown style fuelled funk stomper “Relax.. Before Doing Sex” from Oscar Harris and his crew.  Its big, its bold, its brassy…..  It’s fun.
 
The power trio of Bozambo are next up. Between them they have released over 12 solo LPs and here together with “Get it On The Music” they power through with a keyboard/synyh driven afro-funk groove years ahead of its time… made in 1978 but sounding like 1984.   Misse Ngoh is one great guitarist and a masterful adaptor of the Makossa rhythms of his native Cameroun.  The title track from his Esperance 1979 LP “Tata Ngoh” mixes in his trademark rhythms and grooves with slap bass and striking brass lines. One heck of a catchy song too. 

We round off the compilation with the Queen of Queens, Myriam Makeba.  Possibly / probably the most influential female musician to come out of Africa… ever.  “Mama Africa’s” biography is awe-inspiring and vast, but very hard to summarize in a few sentences... so please check it out for yourself.   From breaking the African sound in the West, to the obsessively catchy “Pata Pata” to the influential, focal role she played in helping bring an end to Apartheid in her native South Africa.  There are many tracks to feature from Myriam but we aren’t about hits here at Africa Seven.  Being the crate diggers we are,  we thought the best way we could honour the lady was to dig the crate even deeper and go with the most obscure Myriam track we could find. “Toyota Fantasy” was recorded during her exile years spent in Guinea with the Esperance team as a one off promotional 7” single giveaway release. Be aspirational, as the lady says. 	  

We hope you enjoy your flight with African Airways 02.  We hope to be fuelling up an aircraft with some psychedelic propellant for volume 3 sometime in 2016... at a vinyl store near you. 

M'Bamina - Kilowi-Kilowi [CLIP]

Pasteur Lappe - Na Real Sekele Fo Ya [CLIP]

RELEASE DATE 13th Nov 2015

Tala AM (or Tala Andre Marie to give him his full and proper name) was born in Bandjoun in Cameroun in 1950.  Talas life initially wasn't easy, he becomes blind at an early age and has lost both his mother and father by the age of 12.  He then went on to make his first guitar by hand and form his first band "The Rock Boys" by the age of 17. Shortly after he meets the powerhouse of Camerounian music at the time Manu Dibango, a pivotal moment.   With help, he re-locates to Paris and signs a contract with Fiesta Records.  The first fruit of those labours is his debut album "Hot Koki".


The lead track (and highlight of this compilation) is "Hot Koki" it is a powerhouse of funk guitar, soul and infectious afro rhythms.  Fast forward to 1974 and the famous "Rumble In The Jungle" fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.  The story goes a little something like this... At an accompanying musical event we find James Brown and Tala AM.  JB Hears Hot Koki and creates a remarkably similar sounding track "The Hustle" (check it out side by side if you have the time). Tala sued.. and won. 
 

Fast forward another 40 years. Time to take a look back on the funkier moments of Tala.  This is not a "best of" Tala, that has already been done. Want to get into Tala's famous Tchamassi sound or do some "bend skin" beats... well check out the other compilations.  Here at Africa Seven (and in this case) we are headed for destination funk.  The musical topic inevitably leads us to the 70's and we borrow our super slick source material mainly from the albums Tala made for Fiesta Records from 1973 to 1978.

 

We open up the bombastic brass, swinging basslines and all out groove of Hot Koki (well after a little intro ditty gem). Then its on to the one of the highlights of "Arabia" album "Black Gold". This track swoons groove.  Layers of picked and choppy guitar and on point drumming. "Sugar Lump" is next which sticks to the formula of the previous track but adds in catchy vocals.  


Mining into the cave of delights that is the 1978 "Black Woman" album we then follow up with the driving afro beat grooves and stabby brass of "Gotam" and the boogie flowing grooves of "Black Woman" and the frenetic and driving grooves of "Ma Ka La".   We round things off with the stabby clavi-funk of "Nom Te Ma" and the ultimate groovy funk-riff closer (and ear worm) Tcham Tcham.


So there you some slices of pure funk from a master.   Tala's role of awards and achievements is long and impressive (check his Wikipedia), Knight of Valour of Cameroun, SACEM awards and his opening of a music school in Douala... However.. we feel these musical masterpieces are right up there with his finest achievements.. A true man of music.

Tala AM - Tcham Tcham [CLIP]

Release Date:  8th Jan 2016

Tala AM (or Tala Andre Marie to give him his full and proper name) was born in Bandjoun in Cameroun in 1950.  Tala's life initially wasn't easy, he becomes blind at an early age and has lost both his mother and father by the age of 12.  He then went on to make his first guitar by hand and form his first band "The Rock Boys" by the age of 17. Shortly after he meets the powerhouse of Camerounian music at the time Manu Dibango, a pivotal moment.   With help, he re-locates to Paris and signs a contract with Fiesta Records.  The first fruit of those labours is his debut album "Hot Koki".

Fast forward to 1974 and the famous "Rumble In The Jungle" fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.  The story goes a little something like this... At an accompanying musical event we find James Brown and Tala AM.  JB Hears Hot Koki and creates a remarkably similar sounding track "The Hustle" (check it out side by side if you have the time). Tala sued... and won.

And so to the remixes... The package is spearheaded by the title track  is "Hot Koki" ;  a powerhouse of funk guitar, soul and infectious afro rhythms. 

First up on the remix treatment we take a sly trip to the NYC where white-hot talent J Kriv is on the edit tip.  J Kriv recently was voted number 7  Nu Disco talent by Resident Advisor.  JKriv (aka Jason Kriveloff) strips back thing back to the groove for destination dancefloor, a real treat.    Next up we set sail to London for hot new electronic and broken beat talent EVM128 and his quirky alternate version.  Luke EVM adds left field stabs, jazzy percussion and his custom sound to the bombastic brass, swinging basslines and all out groove of Hot Koki of the original .

We stay in London for Ben Hauke who takes things on a house groove tip before heading to Leeds (UK) for Peza who beefs up the bass and groove to "Black Gold".  Layers of picked and choppy guitar and bags of big swinging bass. 

To round off the package we also (and quite rightly so) add the all important original from 1974. 

Interested in finding some more about Tala AM... then check out the LP "African Funk Experimentals 1975 to 1978" out on Africa Seven.

Tala AM - Black Gold (Peza Rework) (CLIP)

Tala AM - Hot Koki (JKriv Edit) (CLIP)

We are pleased to welcome you once more aboard Africa Airways.  For your third flight your pilot has informed us of some particularly adverse turbulence en-route.  Your trip may be multi-coloured, the winds may be swirling and the clouds may be kaleidoscopic.  Ladies and Gentlemen, please fasten your seat belts for your mind-expanding journey through the Afro-Psych skies.

Opening up proceedings are Afro National from Sierra Leone. Their progressive psyche-highlife foot-stomper setting down a marker for things to come.  Next it is Ifang Bondi who serves up a swirling concoction of powering afro rhythms, fuzz guitar, magic flute, fuzz organ, all underpinned with a driving powerful driving bass line.   Next stop is Mali where Sory Bamba serves up the highlight from his 1979 album "Kanaga 78".  An early use of psychedelic synthesizer paired cleverly with pulsating bass guitar and harsh choppy guitar.

We step forward in time a few years for the distorted guitar chords and over-stacked beats of "Nzango" by African Black.  Bunzu Soundz from Ghana close side A with their choppy, percussive,  "Zinabu".

Messi Jacques & Les Dissoumbas De Libreville open up side B with "Onga Ben Ma Na Mene Mebua", prepare for an onslaught of psych organ, crazed drumming and eeechho vocals to the max.  Decca West Africa, Nigerian favorites Ofo and The Black Company grind out the psych factor next with their conga driven fuzz fest "Allah Wakbarr".  The Damas Swing Orchestra slow proceedings down with their afro left-field swing micro epic "Odylife".   

We take a brief detour via Indonesia for the AKA and their dance floor mover "Shake Me". It’s a track of two halves. Psychedelic throughout but in the second half things swing fast and funky.   We close down with the master Manu Dibango.  Proving he can turn his hand to just about any genre of music, the Cameroonian legend delivers his pensive, xylo-driven, riff locked, soundtrack epic "Ceddo" to close out our journey.

Welcome to your destination. We hope you enjoyed your trip.

05 - Bunzu Soundz - Zinabu [CLIP]

03 - Sory Bamba - Kanaga 78 [CLIP]

02 - Ifang Bondi And The Afro Mandingue Sounds - Atis - A-Tis [CLIP]

01 - Afro National - Push Am Forward [CLIP]

RELEASED 27th Jan 2017

Ekambi Brillant was born in the village of Dibombari in Cameroon in 1948.   In 1962 he attended school in Yaoundé and learned his musical craft. In 1971 he heads off to the big city lights of Douala.  Here he finds himself in a French TV, music competition hosted at "Le Domino" nightclub. It is here where he brushes shoulders with other Cameroonian music legends such Manu Dibango and Francis Bebey. 

The music contest win gives him the break he needs and in 1972 and with the support of fellow troubadour JK Mandengué he finds himself with a record deal with Phonogram and his first hits in France.

Its in 1975 where we pick up this merry tale. Because it is in 1975 when things start to get a bit funky. Which is just how we like it here at Africa Seven.    In partnership with French producer, guitarist and all around hero, Slim Pezin he creates the "Africa Oumba" album.   He goes on in the two subsequent years to record the Soul Castle and Djambo's Djambo's albums also with Slim.

Our compilation focuses on the funkier end of Ekambi's music drawn mainly from the 1975 to 1978 period.  Things open up with our theme tune "Africa Africa" (of course). It's tribal twisted psych funk is the perfect start to any album.  We then move to "Aboki" possibly Ekambi's finest dance floor filler.  Next it's the choppy disco strings and slap bass of "Nyambe" and the swirling African swing of "N'Kondo" and the pulsing chop-funk "Ekila".

The flip side starts off with "Soul Castle" an ordinary day tale for our hero.  "Massoma" and its funk boogie get things bopping next up before "Machine Ma Bwindea" gives us some punchy brass and low slung funk grooves. "Mother Africa" shows us the songwriting power of Ekambi while also managing to have one of the funkiest flange basslines we have heard in a good while.  Things close off with swing-time of "Lambo Lena" and the uplifting "Awolo".

Ekambi Brillant would go on to become one of the big name legends of Cameroonian music with nearly 20 albums to his name. He has contributed to the emergence of several Cameroonian artists such as Marthe Zambo, Valéry Lobé, Aladji Touré and Africans.  He now spends his time in Cameroon and Washington DC.  Ekambi, we salute you sir.

Ekambi Brillant - Aboki (Mon Copain) [CLIP]

Momo Joseph - Africain [CLIP]

Charly Kingson - Nimele Bolo [CLIP]

Uta Bella - Nassa Nassa [CLIP]

Eko - Bowa A Mba Ngebe [CLIP]

Tala AM - Get Up Tchamassi [CLIP]

Africa Seven presents A7 Edits. The African reissue and compilation output slides over to the dancefloor with its new edits label, packing both holsters with edits alongside sought after originals, a combination you don’t see all that often. The man in charge of the first edition is Stefano Ritteri, who has seen recent releases on Freerange and Congoloid, has DJs like Axel Boman regularly playing his edits and has his own imprint Viaggio set to drop in 2019. Stefano is a producer where sampling is key to his creative process and unreleased edits of African and other worldly delights have made up a lot of his DJ sets of recent. 

With the A-side we see Stefano take on Ekambi Brillant’s 1976 Nyambe, originally released on BBZ productions and later featuring on our African Funk Experimentals series. Stefano takes the Cameroonian’s disco number, extends it, speeds it up and adds a whole lot of dancefloor energy, with a well-constructed break down and party-time drop. Stefano manages to create the perfect dancefloor weapon with this one, maintaining a lot of the original energy and reintroducing it into the 21st century.

On the B-side we have Stefano’s interpretation of one of the more psychedelic numbers that we have released on Africa Seven, with Zinabu from Bunzu Soundz, originally featured on their 1976 in demand Afrodisia album. This edit sees the Nigerian psychedelic highlife lift off into space, with trippy sound effects playing on top of chunky sampled drums and a well thought out bass line whilst the guitar solo competes against the vocals for lead position. 
A7 Edits offer with this release the opportunity to see how the artist has interpreted two original works on the same record. This being Volume 1, it goes without saying that we have others on the way.

A1 - Ekambi Brillant - Nyambe (Stefano Ritteri Edit)

RELEASE DATE : 22nd May 2020
PRE-ORDER / PRE-SAVE : https://ffm.to/milehighfunk

Once more we're ready to take flight on Africa Airways, for this sixth journey we're taking you above 5280 feet and laying on the funk.

The flight opens with the punchy horns, afro rhythms & groovy bass of Eko Roosevelt's "Ndolo Embe Mulema".  Keeping the tempo high we usher in fellow Cameroonians JM Tim & Foty for another punch of brass with the funky "More And More (Ye-Male)".  We stay in Cameroon with Ngalle Jojo, here he lays down another funktastic bass heavy stomper with "Ngigna Loko".  Jude Bondeze hails from Bangui, Central African Republic and is probably best known for his more traditional Tene Sango album... but his debut 1981 release saw him in a very funky mood indeed! Next up, Nigerian Vicky Edimo gets his thumb out and lays down some glorious slabs of deep funk... along with a rather splendid bass solo! JK Mandengue played bass off & on for the British Afrobeat band "Osibisa", playing on the uber funky "Super Fly TNT" Motion Picture Soundtrack album.. Certainly putting him on a path to the Wahahwah'tastic "Kosa Mba" taken from his 1979 self-titled album.  Slow percussive classic raw street funk from Nigeria's Akwassa, who's line up is the same as "Heads Funk Band", are up next. Another outing for Vicky Edimo on this 1978 beauty from Mike Kounou.  Also on guitar duties for Mike Kounou is Francois Amadou Corea, who's funky chops can be heard on "Ngigna Loko" & "Njonjo Mukambe". Hi-Octane funk from Airto Fogo, percussion, rhodes & horns aplenty on this 1974 instrumental cut "Black Soul".  As we prepare to start our decent Francois Misse Ngoh drops in some filth with this 1980 bass face monster "Njonjo Mukambe"... head nodding isn't essential, but it's best to brace yourself for impact.

Your next Africa Airways departure will be ready for boarding soon, so keep your passports at the ready!

Eko - Ndolo Embe Mulema [CLIP]

Africa Seven is a record label based in Paris and London.  Our mission is to re-release hard-to-find records with strong connections to the African Continent.  Full album re-issues and themed compilations are on the menu.

Africa Seven

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