This is a brief moment mixtape focusing on the works of salsa pianist Mark ”Markolino” Dimond.

Dimond, b.1950 - d.1986 from Manhattan New York, was part of Willie Colons bands gangster years of late 1960’s and early 1970’s, and became known in the US salsa world as promising new pianist. He released ”Brujeria” his debut album as a leader in 1971 and got his biggest breakthrough with Hector Lavoe with his 1974 release ”La Voz”.
Dimond battled all his professional life with drug addiction and it shows in his sparse discography. Dimond released his second and final album ”Beethoven’s V” in 1975 and never recorded after that. He died all but forgotten in Florida in 1986. His music is still alive though and lives through his extraordinary piano playing to this day.

Tracklist: 

Willie Colon - The Hustler
Mark Dimond - Brujeria
Markolino Dimond & Frankie Dante - Los Rumbero
Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe - Te Estan Buscando
Mark Dimond - El Barrio

"Brujeria" Brief moment of salsa witchcraft with Mark Dimond.

”Cookout”
This mix is a compilation of calypsos retrieved from Emory Cooks adventures in Trinidad 1957 - 1962.

For many years now I’ve been fascinated by the story of US inventor, audio engineer, record producer, label owner and calypso enthusiast Emory Cook b.1913 - d.2002. 
Cook is definitely one of those little known key figures in the whole history of recorded music. Because of his inspiring story and influence on the calypso music that I cherish, he deserves a closer look.

Cook, one of the inventors of Hi-FI and modern stereo sound recordings was known for his love for calypso and Caribbean island of Trinidad. Armed with his self-made and invented recording equipment, he traveled the island in the 1950’s and early 1960’s and recorded calypsos in tents and in other settings available. Many of the greatest calypsos of the era and the performances of the various calypsonians and accompanying bands would have not made it to record without Cook’s calypso adventures.

Among other things Cook invented his own vinyl press and a manufacturing process which he called microfusion, where cold vinyl dust was used in a waffle-iron like press to produce records cheaply and easily and with minimum effort and staff.
In microfusion, Cook wanted to democratise record pressing and make it available to anyone. His plant in Port Of Spain, Trinidad pressed the records in very small batches on-demand to be delivered to shops around Trinidad and in the US. This alone is inspiring, and emphasises the fact that all Cook microfusion records are truly special. Some sound superb, some not so and its part of the charm.

All records used in this mix are original 7” Cook microfusion records and show the vibrancy of Trinidadian calypso scene in the late 1950’s to early 1960’s leading to the independence of Trinidad & Tobago from United Kingdom in 1962 when Cook calypso adventures were all but over. 
To this mixtape I have as usual chosen records and tracks that have no or little exposure on the online world.

Cultural importance of calypso and its influence to so many modern music genres is a subject that has to be noted. Calypso with the witty, flowing and often almost rapped lyrics ranging from humour to sex to politics criticising the colonial rule makes it de-facto forefather to all modern rap, soca, dancehall and pop music drawing from these influences today.  
 
-DJ IJJ

Tracklist :
Fitz Vaughan Bryan And His Orchestra - Shango Experience
Mighty Spoiler Acc. John Buddy Williams Orchestra - Twin Brother
King Solomon with Cook Calypso Combo - Malic Wedding Scandal
King Striker Acc. Cyril Diaz and his Orchestra - West Indians In England
Lord Melody Acc. Frankie Francis and His Orchestra - Who Is Melody?
Lord Melody Acc. Cyril Diaz and His Orchestra - Kilgour
Lord Melody Acc. Cyril Diaz and His Orchestra - Mister Melody
King Fighter with Young Brigade Calypso Tent Orchestra - Smart Woman
Lord Commander with Cyril Diaz Orchestra - No Crime No Law
King Striker with Cyril Diaz and His Orchestra - Unity Is Strength
Lord Commander with Cyril Diaz Orchestra - You Can’t Finish Pleasing People
Lord Inventor Acc. The Sovereigns - Indo Law Na Say So
Fitz Vaughan Bryan And His Orchestra - Cooks Cooking

"Cookout" Calypso bombs of the old mixtape

Tracklist: 
Unohda Eila - Kolmas Maailma
Liz & The Lizards - P.A Ska
Fabrics - Johnny’s Dancing
Jomi Halla Trio - Rastapipo
Pilsner - Viikonloppu
Pelle Miljoona OY - Viesti
The Clap - Tutankhamon
Maukka Perusjätkä - SKA2
Hyvönen - Ainoain
Reflexband - Reggae ja Rock
Model - Miks Ei Äitis Nuku Jo
Ratsia - Rudi’s Reggae
SE - Onnellisten Tähtien Alla
Kumma Heppu - Eilen
Tuomari Nurmio & Viides Kolonna - Kurjuuden Kuningas
Wrum - Takapihojen Rocktähdet

"Cold Feet SKAnk"- Just Some 1980's Finnish Ska Revival and Underground Reggae mixtape

I was requested to upload this old mix and managed to found it so here it is. All original vinyl. I will add tracklist and hopefully the original description text with history and meaning of hula later on.

"Old Hawaii Hula" - DJ IJJ original vinyl mix

Nana Kwame Ampadu (b.1945 - d.2021) and his band The African Brothers were by definition royals of Ghana highlife music and Nana is considered one of the main characters of the whole genre. Spanning a amazing career from 1960's to almost this day, over 800 songs and countless albums under his name it's almost impossible to capture the man and his music in a mixtape. For this reason I chose to this mix just a few of my favourite deep highlife gems from early 1980's and his own brand of "space reggae" ventures that atm regularly spin in my household. 
Please dig deeper to Nana's/African Brothers discography if you are at all interested in highlife I know you won't be disappointed. All original vinyl.

Tracklist:
D.K Nyarko
Mother
Mene Wo Ara
Me Nyame Beba
Kyeremirekuku

"THE African Brother"  - Chilling with Nana Ampadu minimix

Mini-sequel for my old mix "Indo-Jamaican Moment" 
https://soundcloud.com/dj-ijj/indo-jamaican-moment-7-minimix
Jamaican Indian music by the great Johnny Mykoo and Azim Beharrie. All tracks previously unavailable online. 

Tracklist: 
Johnny Mykoo - Bharat
Johnny Mykoo - Raam Latan
Johnny Mykoo - Gopal
Azim Beharrie - Raja Ke Baita (instrumental)

Another Indo-Jamaican Moment - 7" minimix

Hypnotic and unique Isoko Cha-Cha-Cha from unknown record by Nigerian highlife/native group. First one I have ever encountered that mentions this style. Deep. U.P.Records. 1976. Nigeria.

Eveready Dance Band Of Ozoro - Egwolo Avu Uyoyo

Rare piece of Finnish 1980's reggae action from the pioneer group Makeat Varpaankynnet. Lifted from the self released 1989 7", test press.

Makeat Varpaankynnet - Would You Take/Long Time

Obscure Finnish reggae from Wornas. Taken from the Dirumba LP released in Sweden. 1979.

Wornas - En Jää

There are few artist that I always find myself coming back to year after year. Ghanaian guitarist and master of highlife and afrobeat Ebo Taylor b. 1936 is definitely one of them. Well known worldwide by his afrobeat endeavours, Taylor was a key player in pushing highlife music to new audiences and places outside Ghana and West-Africa. 
Here I have split this mix in two parts, Part one is dedicated to collaborations with Taylor and his often-times partner, another highlife legend singer Pat Thomas. Expect upbeat, cool and funky highlife with great guitar work by Taylor. 
Again I have included tracks here that have been previously unavailable online before.
Part two is maybe a little less heard side of Taylor and is purely spiritual music designed to lift up the spirit of the listener. Its gospel and spiritual-tinge highlife with Ebow (like he's many times spelled in record sleeves) playing alongside the likes of Jewel Ackah, C.K Mann and Saltpond Barkers Choir. All original vinyl. 

Part one: Ebo & Pat
Skin Pain
Isu A Murusu
Mpaebo
Wompea, Obi Pe Me
Gyae Su
Hiani Sui Efiri A Oyi Abebrese
Ene Nyame Nam A, Mensuro

Part Two: Spiritual music
Ewuradze Nye Mo Guanhwefo
Twer Nyame
Etuei
Azom Dzii Da Me Do
Kanea A Yedze Hwe Kwan Mu

"Gospel Of Ebo" Ebo Taylor Highlife & Gospel mix

Cool, laid back and jazzy highlife in afrobeat vein by the "Golden Voice of Africa"  Pat Thomas. One of the rarest from Pat's 1970's endeavours. I have always enjoyed and been intrigued by these one side long tracks/jams. 1977. Gapophone Records. Ghana.

Pat Thomas - Asawa Do

Disco style mixes were cool and peculiar records produced in Jamaica for a short period in late 1970's and early 1980's. Never intended for normal markets only they were made for soundmen ja DJ's and especially for sound system use. Pressed in 12" vinyl and played in 45rpm. All releases were different, some with blank labels and included everything from bass-heavy or uptempo remixes of rocksteady and ska tunes, tabletop dubs, instrumental jams on classic riddims and dancehall toasting on top of old tracks played anew by the Studio One house band under different names. Here i have chosen some of my own favourite disco style treasures from 13 Brentford Road, Kingston Jamaica. All original vinyl. 
If you ever come across these 12" records just grab them, you wont be disappointed.

Tracklist:
Heptones - Got To Fight On
Brentford Disco Set - Heavenless
Alton Ellis - Ain't That Loving You
Alton Ellis - Hurting Me
Heptones & Jah Buzz & Freddie Mcgregor - Equal Rights
Windel Haye - Flood Victim
Heptones - Tripe Girl
Patsy Wallace - Moonlight Lover
Carlton And His Shoes & Studio One All Stars  - Let Me Love You

"Disco In Brentford Road" Studio One Disco Style Mixtape

In the early 1980's in the most unexpected place something rebellious was happening. We are of course talking about the small city of Kerava in Finland. Rockabilly was truly the sound of the time when everywhere else it was the past and deep underground. Small indie label Rebel was pushing out real rebel rock like no one else that would echo in time to this day. Rockabilly and in a larger context the "1950's craze" was a short and peculiar time in Finnish music history and it inspired me to put together this mix. I've included tracks by many of the main players of the scene, all published by one of the coolest labels of the era Rebel. The 1950's inspired rock 'n' roll, rockabilly and country sound is wicked and as real and authentic as it gets. 

TRACKLIST:
Teddy Guitar & Buck Jones - Hard Hard Man
Boppin Pete Trio - Jitterbop Baby
Buck Jones - Boogie Woogie Mama
Teddy Guitar & Buck Jones - Swamp Fox
Falcons - Trouble Ain't Nothin' But Blues
Falcons - Flamin'
Boppin Pete Trio - Rainin' & Stormin'
Rock-Ola - Gonna Shake This Shack
Mystery Train - Rockin' Rollin' Stone
Buck Jones - I'm Gonna Leave You
Lonestars - Low Road

DJ IJJ - "Rainin' & Stormin'" Real Rebel Rock 'n' Roll Mixtape

Deep Afro-Latin music from West-Africa.  All original vinyl.

Tracklist:

1. Les Volcans - Oya Ka Jojo
2. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou- Guanteque Campesino
3. Bentho Gustave Titiou & L'International Poly-Rythmo - Agnon Djidjo
4. Amara Toure & Son Ensemble Black & White - Cuando Llegare
5. Toffo-Hossou "Miguelito" - Yemakpego Dragons
6. Honore Avolonto & Black Santiago - Bonne Annee
7. Frantz Dugue - Marchan Bijou
8. Amara Toure - Lamento Cubano
9. Gnonnas Pedro and His Dadjes Band - La Musica En Verite

TICKS AND CLICKS VOL. 1: Afro-Latin Mix

Obscure, hot and messy afrobeat from Benin. Probably late night live recorded sometime during the early 1970's with one or two mics. Original vinyl.


Ahehehinnou Vincent & Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou - Kou Te Hou We

From the birth of Roots Reggae and chanting down the babylon in the mind and soul of The Burning Spear, through the inspirational lesson from The Interns, toward the story of never forgetting your real roots from the little-known Skull, to the suffering cry for help from the mighty Abyssinians the messages of conscious roots can still be heard as clear and sound as if these songs were recorded today. All original vinyl.

Tracklist:

The Burning Spears - Door Peep Shall Not Enter
Sonya Spence - Give Thanks
The Interns - Nothing Is Impossible
Wailing Soul - Don’t Fight It
Joy White - Dread Out De
Burning Spear - Weeping And Wailing
Wailing Souls - Bredda Gravalicious
Skull - Bondage
Joe White - People Are Changing
Cornell Campbell - Brothers Killing Brothers
Abyssinians - Forward Jah


Nothing Is Impossible - Deep Roots Reggae Mix With Message

The mysterious soulman Lee Moses with his monstrous voice soars to his own heights when singing about women and heartache. Here is a little showcase mix showing five 7" cuts by the Deep Soul legend from 1967 to early 1970’s singing his heart out about love. As good as it gets. All original vinyl.

Tracklist:

Lee Moses - She’s a Bad Girl
Lee Moses - If Loving You Is a Crime
Lee Moses - Never In My Life
Lee Moses - I’m Sad About It
Lee Moses - Dark End Of The Street


She's a Bad Girl - Lee Moses Heartache Showcase Mix

TICKS AND CLICKS VOL. 9 : J’ouvert Barrio – Calypso, Mento and Chutney in West Indies Mix. All original vinyl.


Tracklist:

Roaring Lion – Carnival Long Ago
Lord Cristo – Jonathan
Lloyd Simmons & Esso Steel Band of Bermuda – Weed
Count Lasher – Font Hill Duppy
Big Souls – Jamaican Girls
Laurel Aitken – West Indian Cricket Test
Lord Kitchener - Jamaican Woman
Mighty Sparrow – Witch Doctor
Lennox Picou - Indrani
Sundar Popo – Scorpion Gyal
Lord Cobra – Negro Heart



Calypso, Mento and Chutney get often overshadowed by Reggae and Soca when thinking about islands sounds. This volume of Ticks And Clicks brings forward some awesome lesser-known music from West-Indies.

The mix starts with Rafael De Leon’s AKA Roaring Lion’s Long Ago Carnival, a Trinidad classic which he recorded first time in the late 1930’s under the name J’ouvert Barrio. This version is from 1976 and it tells about carnival in Trinidad. Amazing stuff.

Next there is two late 1950’s calypsos, Lord Cristo’s Jonathan, a crazy story about a guy faking his own death and Lloyd Simmons and Esso Steel Band’s Weed, a song about botanicals seller featuring steel-pans, instruments native to Trinidad and Tobago. During the time oil-drums were usually stolen to create these instruments so to stop that the oil companies started to sponsor the bands with empty barrels so they had bands with name of oil companies. Both songs are from Cook record label by legendary inventor and soundman Emory Cook. Cook created his own portable record presses and recording technologies and traveled Trinidad archiving the music he loved. Recordings are ruff but without him these sounds would have probably never been heard outside the islands.

Next the mix moves to Jamaica and Mento sound of Count Lasher with Font Hill Duppy where Lasher combines his Mento style singing with reggae beat telling a story about the famous foul-mouthed duppy of Font Hill. Big Souls’s Jamaican Girls is a rare single by Albert Moonahset with the cool country style Mento vibe.

Mix stays in Jamaica with Laurel Aitkens relaxed calypso-ode to cricket from 1964. Rudeboy for life Aitken did ska, r’n’b, rock and roll, reggae, soul and calypso in Jamaica and later went to UK and became a skinhead reggae boss and a legend.  Next comes Trinidadian Lord Kitchener, one of the grand chiefs of Calypso and his 60’s hit Jamaican Woman. Mighty Sparrow, master lyricist and Calypso heavyweight is presented here with his 1976 dancefloor Soca/Calypso monster Witch Doctor which tells about the Obeah voodoo of the islands.

Next some Chutney sounds. Chutney being a Soca subgenre with strong East-Indian influences. About 35% of the population of Trinidad and Tobago can trace their ancestry to Indian immigrant workers. Lennox Picou’s mad Indrani is obscure 7” single covering Lord Shorty’s classic tune. Sundar Popo was honored as the king of Chutney and here in his 1974 single he sings about his love for scorpion gyal. Massive.

Mix ends with one of my very favourite calypsos of all time with Panamanian Lord Cobra’s stunning Negro Heart, a deep black anthem and a calypso commentary on interracial organ transplanting. Record is rare as hell and the song includes awesome ukulele solo.

TICKS AND CLICKS VOL. 9 : J'ouvert Barrio - Calypso, Mento and Chutney from West-Indies Mix

Im starting to up some of my long-buried African records that get shamefully little play. Afro Overflow is all about little-known b-sides, obscurities and scratchy, muddy and forgotten records that nobody plays anymore. 

First on the series we have great Ghana Highlife by one of the more better-known Highlife groups Yamoah's Band with Libi Libi Laba Laba. Very chill and relaxing sounds here. I would date this to somewhere in late 1960's to early 1970's.

DJ IJJ'S AFRO OVERFLOW: Yamoah's Band - Libi Libi Laba Laba

Im starting to up some of my long-buried African records that get shamefully little play. Afro Overflow is all about little-known b-sides, obscurities and scratchy, muddy and forgotten records that nobody plays anymore.

Unsung Afro-Rumba by the Guinean masters Bembeya Jazz National. Laidback sound and great guitar solo in the end. Only released in this scarce 7" on Editions Syliphone Conakry. B-side of the incredible psychedelic anthem Armee Guineenne. 1968.

DJ IJJ'S AFRO OVERFLOW: Bembeya Jazz National - Net A Sec

Im starting to up some of my long-buried African records that get shamefully little play. Afro Overflow is all about little-known b-sides, obscurities and scratchy, muddy and forgotten records that nobody plays anymore.

Wicked uptempo Benga from little-known Kenyan group Moko African Boys. Pressed in Nigeria for Agu Iroko Sound. I like the lion on the label a lot. 1975.

DJ IJJ'S AFRO OVERFLOW: Moko African Boys - Naftal Ogana

Im starting to up some of my long-buried African records that get shamefully little play. Afro Overflow is all about little-known b-sides, obscurities and scratchy, muddy and forgotten records that nobody plays anymore.

Beautiful piece of chilled Highlife goodness from Ghanaian group Ramblers Dance Band. Ramblers led by saxophonist Jerry Hansen were huge at their time and they are one of the groups that pioneered the Ghana Highlife sound. Hardly seen Decca 7" from late 1960's.

DJ IJJ'S AFRO OVERFLOW: Ramblers Dance Band - Afutusem

Im starting to up some of my long-buried African records that get shamefully little play. Afro Overflow is all about little-known b-sides, obscurities and scratchy, muddy and forgotten records that nobody plays anymore.

Nicely rolling Igbo-Highlife by the Oriental Brothers International. Debut 7" single of the group that was part of defining the Nigerian highlife sound and helped rising the bandleader Sir Warrior to a Nigerian music legend. Afrodisia label. 1974.

DJ IJJ'S AFRO OVERFLOW: Oriental Brothers International - Uwa Atualamujo

Dope mix of nowadays almost impossible to find Finnish underground Hip Hop and Downtempo. This is Suomihiphop at it's rawest and dreamiest form. Mostly self-published Lo-Fi tracks from the early years of 2000's. This mix is an ode and a nod to the culture, all the players out there worldwide, all the cassetteheads, DIY people, 4-track entrepreneurs, indie labels, home DJ's, producers and MC's. Comment if you like it and share.

Tracklist:
Kaliyuga Pro - Untitled
Ameba - Sit Back & Relax
Didier & Iwere - Anda
Neveready - Suljen Korvani
Murmurecordings - Sohva
Kaliyuga Pro <> DJ IJJ 
Payperwork - Untitled Demo
PetteTuomoTK - 4 Kaunista
Lost Cause - Hiekkamummo
Kiltit Ihmiset - TSI
Ameba - Piece Of Life

Homebound Mixtape - Dreamy Underground Hip Hop and Lo-Fi Killers

Indian culture as a whole has had a deep impact on many Caribbean nations notably Trinidad and Surinam but Jamaica makes no exception. Look no further than dreadlocks, Kali-weed and curried foods to spot the influences. Indian music in Jamaica was and is traditional Hindustani sound with its own distinct island flavour. All Indo-Jamaican records are now very rare finds and online presence is minimal. I would date all these tracks to 1970's. 

I have always enjoyed Johnny Mykoo's sound especially and his story is extraordinary. As a young man he moved from Jamaica to Leeds UK to run a barbershop/record store. In late 1960's Mykoo had a vision/dream where a sahdu appeared to him and told him to return to Jamaica and play Indian music there. Johnny returned in 1969 and eventually bacame a household name and a leading figure of Indian music there. He founded the influential Raja Sarengie Group and continued to play music until his death in 1990. 

Tracklist:

Johnny Mykoo - Madu Banko
Charlie Hourie - Motoa Man
Azim Beharrie - Jaane Re
Wally Byroo - Milliana

Indo-Jamaican Moment - 7"  Minimix

Orchestre Negros Star De Dakar has to be one of the most well kept secrets in the world of Afro-Cuban music. Basically no information is available of this Senegalese/Ivorian group and not a single track has been available online before. All their now absolutely scarce 7" records were made in Ivory Coast and the group backed talents like Papa Seck and Charly-Charly.

This mix is combination of two EP's released in Ivorian label Safie Deen in late 1960's to early 1970's and they are both straight Afro-Cuban magic. The recent interest in Afro-Cuban music in general and the likes of Amara Toure, Orchestre Baobab and Super Star De Dakar has brought this music to new audiences and I have been amazed that this group has remained practically hidden for this long. Enjoy and comment/share if you like what you hear.

Tracklist:

Charly-Charly & Les Negros Star De Dakar - S.C. Carlos
Orchestre Negros Star De Dakar - El Manisero
Orchestre Negros Star De Dakar - Yo Say Sonero
Charly-Charly & Les Negros Star De Dakar - Quitale Et Chaqueton
Charly-Charly & Les Negros Star De Dakar - Vive L'OCAMM
Orchestre Negros Star De Dakar - Super Carretero

"Super Carretero" - Afro-Cuban Magic Of Negros Star De Dakar

Amara Toure & Massako 84 - Fatou/Temedy

I’m excited to bring you all these two special tracks which are essential listening to all lovers of African music and music in general. Guinean singer and percussionist Amara Toure has been in recent years re-discovered by lot of people and these two unknown and unheard tracks shine new light to his fascinating story.

When Analog Africa in 2015 released their compilation album of Toure's then known discography of 10 tracks total a frantic search begun to find out more about the mysterious man and the music he left behind. Two tracks have emerged after that, a version of latin standard ”El Carretero” which Analog Africa again released in their ”Senegal 70” compilation and ”Gnekelhe Mohi” with Gabonese Orchestre Massako in their scarcely seen LP ”En Verve”.

These two tracks, both new versions of Toure’s classic singles with Cameroon based Ensemble Black & White come from Gabon and were both recorded with Orchestre Massako’s incarnation Massako 84. They were released on their own label MAS PRO sometime mid 1980’s when Toure’s story had already moved into unknown waters.
”Fatou” is lifted from the totally invisible and impossible to find ungooglable LP ”En Orbite” and ”Temedy” from the now somewhat surfaced LP ”Decollage Imminent”.

Here you can find Amara Toure like you’ve never heard him before. Its Toure’s signature Afro-Latin-Psych smashed together with deep danceable Soukous vibes with his unique voice that cannot be replicated. These tracks are both pure fire so enjoy and share if you like, you won’t be hearing these two tracks anywhere else.

Amara Toure & Massako 84 - Fatou/Temedy

AFRO OVERFLOW series continues with this beautiful piece of slow and melancholic semba from Angolan Carlos Burity & Grupo Semba. 
N'Gola label 7" from 1975. Angola.

Carlos Burity - Memoria De Nelito

Story of this mixtape begun from my wish to bring much deserved attention to one of the hidden heroes of Ghana and African highlife scene Atakora Manu. Man of various talents Manu b.1940 - d.2015 was a composer, vocalist, guitarist, arranger and studio sound engineer. Manu’s uniquely funky and minimal highlife sound with laid back cosmic reggae and electronic sounds mixed in with drops of afrobeat has always intrigued me and I have loved his approach to highlife music from the very first hearings. 

Manu, originating from Ashanti region of Ghana started his music career with Princess Trio in 1960’s and then went on to become the lead guitarist in Kakaiku’s no.2 band.  After enjoying some success and hit singles with Kakaiku’s Manu engineered and recorded more traditional highlife with various bands throughout the 1970’s also dipping his toes to religious/gospel styles. 
Starting from early 1980’s his signature sound started to really come together and would develop with the help of added synths, funky instrumentations and reggae vibes to one of the greatest examples of Ghana highlife of the era. 

Manu’s discography is moderately known for deep-end afroheads, but theres holes, ”unknown” records still appear and lots of his music is totally unaccessible. His later works released in tiny labels in US and Ghana especially are very hard to come by and are rare sights. In this mix I have intentionally included tracks from his hard to catch LP’s that have not been available online to bring light to his vision and these little known gems on wax.  Almost totally lost in time and still very much under the radar I think that Manu’s irresistible music has lots to offer for fans of African and highlife music not forgetting tropical DJ’s and their audiences all around the world. 
-DJ IJJ

Tracklist:

Atakora Manu’s Band - Opon Hini Me
Atakora Manu - Super Odo Bebo Menkomo
Atakora Manu’s Band - Sunkwa
Atakora Manu - Koo Mensa
Atakora Manu & His Sound Engineers - Monye Yie
Atakora Manu And His Sound Engineers Band - Oyefo
Atakora Manu’s Band - Pim No Bi
Atakora Manu’s Band - Ese Me Abese Wie
Atakora Manu - Asante Kotoko

”OMINIMINIMIN” - Cosmic Highlife of Atakora Manu

Superb and little known deep highlife chiller from the Ghanaian master.
Very cool  7" released in unknown year by Executive.
Album containnig the flip "Mo Tan Me" was released in 1985, but I think this is earlier.

K. Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas - Mo Awie Meyo

Deep Memphis sounds from the 1990's. Perfect for the special occasions. Originally released on cassette. 

Tracklist:
Kingpin Skinny Pimp - Mack Of The Year 
Tommy Wright III - Chrome Thang
 DJ Fela - Lookin' For The Suckin' 
Criminal "E" & Underground Sam - Straight It Out 
S.P.V. Click - Time To Hit The Dope, Hoe! 
Carmike & Lil Noid - Let’s Run A Train 
8ball & MJG - Mr Big 
Snubnoze Click - Guice & Eli In This Bitch! 
Gangsta Blac - Tire Shop 
South Memphis Gangstas - No Dollars No Cents 
Shawty Pimp & DJ Ace Ft. MC Spade - Can't Slip 
Lord Infamous & Skinny Pimp - It Was a Good Day 1,2,3

Thuggish Birds Mixtape - 90's Memphis Rap For Special Occasions

”The Highlife Doctor” - 7” minimix with Dr. K. Gyasi and His Noble Kings

Continuing on my exploration to the depths African highlife music this minimix showcases one of the greatest highlife bandleaders and guitarists to date Doctor K. Gyasi and his band The Noble Kings from Ghana. One of the true pioneers of highlife and guitar music in general Kwame Gyasi b.1929 - d.2012 started recording in the 1950’s and had major success in Ghana during the 1960’s and 1970’s and many of his records are considered all-time classics. Gyasi is credited to being one of the first ones that introduced electric organs and horns to highlife bands and creating the Sikyi-highlife style based on the old native rhythms and dance of same name. 
This minimix includes some of my favourite tracks lifted from his 7” singles out of Ghana ranging in styles of deep and chilled highlife to charachara released in the bands prime in 1970’s. 
These songs came out when Gyasi & Noble Kings were one the biggest acts in whole of Ghana and toured the country with their own theatre group performing their signature grand ”highlife opera” to full venues for people to enjoy. 

Tracklist: 
Dankwama
Abrabo
Odo Odo Ye Wu
Nsem Keka Dooso
Maye Nsusan
Mebowua Minnim
Yebere Ma Owuo

"The Highlife Doctor" - 7" minimix with Dr. K. Gyasi And His Noble Kings

Rare sounds of the world from my personal collection. Vinyl archeology with focus on Finland, Africa, Caribbean and odd elsewhere. Deep love for original vinyl. 
Helsinki Finland.
Contact through message. More music here ---> https://soundcloud.com/user-524348142

DJ IJJ

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