Released as a 45 in 1972 on Polydor Records

The Don Isaac Ezekiel Combination - Amalinja

Retro Kings is an album like they use to make albums a long time ago,organic with lots of live instruments and livley grooves,from low tempo funk to up tempo afro pop,sinematic beautiful vibes alongside avantguard jazz,updated new soul to retro vintage sound

02.Found a Way

The very first title in our Africa 45’s series http://www.mrbongo.com/products/amazones-de-guinee-samba-moussa-doumbia-samba-7

Amazones de Guinee - Samba

Pure vibes to start our series. Live and direct, high energy African funk with a powerful vocal, recorded live in Paris in 1983.

Hailing from Guinea they were the countries first all female group, formed by members of Guinean army nonetheless. Their lead percussionist Kade Diallo was killed in a car crash just days after returning from a tour of France in the early 80’s. The group did not record again until 2008, but they continue to tour now, with a new generation of fans.

Taken from the sought after 1983 album ‘Au Coeur De Paris’, previously unreleased on 7”.

Moussa Doumbia - Samba

Malia born Moussa Doumbia and was a prolific saxophonist, composer and arranger, who lived in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

He fused African and Funk rhythms in his own unique style, comparable to the likes of Fela Kuti, Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou and Ebo Taylor. Moussa’s voice is strongly reminiscent of the almighty James Brown. 

Similarly to Fela and The Shrine, Moussa played at ‘Boule Noire’, a club in the cosmopolitan area of his town, Treichville. Every night they would play their own styles for hours to rich businessmen and locals.

‘Samba’ is taken from his 1980 LP ‘Lassissi Presente Moussa Doumbia’ released on Sacodis. Extremely hard to find.

Moussa Doumbia - Samba

Africa 45, number 8 www.mrbongo.com/products/honny-th…boofs-simigwado-7

Ghanaian group Honny & The Bee’s Band recorded ‘Psychedelic Woman’ for a release on Essiebons in 1973. Little is known about the group.

‘Psychedelic Woman’ is, as you would expect from the name, a psychedelic mid tempo groover. Punctuated with a hypnotic guitar line, percussion and a catchy sung chorus.

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley & The Steneboofs - Simigwado

Breaks and grooves, underpin this upbeat call-and-response JB-esque afro-funk gem, from Ghanaian legend Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and his group The Steneboofs.

Originally released on a Capeside 45 in 1973. Ambolley released the highly sought afer ‘Simigwa’ LP on Essiebons in the same year.

Buy vinyl

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley & The Steneboofs - Simigwado

Available from http://www.mrbongo.com/collections/ebo-taylor/products/ebo-taylor-my-love-and-music

Originally released in 1975 on Gapophone Records, George Prah’s label, hailing from Ghana. Only available in very limited quantity (reportedly 500 copies) due to the musical vacuum imposed by the military dictatorship in the country at the time.

Laid back, lush, highlife vibrations from start to finish, with noticeable reggae influences throughout.

Ebo Taylor - Maye Omama

Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra - Go Je Je

Sahara All Stars Band Jos - Enjoy Yourself

Twer nyame (excerpt) by Ebo Taylor taken from Soundway's critically acclaimed album, Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds, Ghanaian Blues 1968 - 1981. 

Moussa Doumbia - Samba

Mr Bongo