would love the track names - this is gold!

Haitian Dances

Suite No. 1: Petro

“Zooming In” is a mix series focusing on African countries that the world seldom hears from and listens to. The selection is mostly composed of songs that haven’t been commercially released and float around in ephemeral online libraries.

♬ ♬ ♬

The rich and gorgeous music of the landlocked Central African Republic is little-known outside of its borders, and much of it has to do with decades of authoritarian rule and the ongoing civil war plaguing the country since the beginning of the 21st century: state support for the arts comes last when infrastructures crumble under the weight of war. 

Things haven't always been this grim though. The country was host to a vibrant scene in the 60’s and 70’s following its independence from France in 1958. Local legends such as prolific songwriters and bandleaders Prosper Mayélé (Tropical Jazz, Vibro Succès) and Thierry Yézo (Formidable Muziki, Tropical Fiesta) would play Bangui’s celebrated clubs like the Rex, Ciel d’Afrique and the Dragon Rouge and often hit the regional road with success.

Beyond crafting its own flavours of Rumba and Soukous due to the overbearing influence of two neighboring Congos during this "golden age", Centrafrique has nurtured its own fascinating set of musical roots due to its dozen of ethnical groups such as the Ak(k)a Pygmies living in the equatorial rainforest and the Oubanguins ("gens du fleuve") who dwell on the river edge and speak Sango, a language creolized with French and the country's other official language.
 
Nowadays, while some mimic other African or occidental trends, many Centrafrican musicians strive to keep their uniqueness alive. They pay the price by being overlooked in favor of domineering neighbours such as Cameroon and the D.R.C., which benefit from older and stronger musical ecosystems. When scouring the web, one finds a dizzying amount of low-quality uploads of high-quality tracks with frantic beats, intricate polyrhythms and mesmerizing polyphonies such as the yodel-sounding singing stemming from the Ak(k)a Pygmies. Dance and trance-inducing rhythms such as the Montè Nguènè ("pleasure" in Mbati) also derive from a celebrated Ngbaka Pygmy tradition from the Lobaye and were popularized by the band Zokela in the 80’s. The multi-layered genre has become the poster child for Centrafrique’s own musical identity on both rural und urban dancefloors.

Special thanks go to active YouTube uploaders such as Fred Yapande and Paul Cyriaque Sémaporo ("Sous Le Manguier"), as well as producer Didace Sabone ("Shogi Productions"). The digital store "Jowice Music" led by Guy Thierry Alima has also been a formidable source of songs.

♬ ♬ ♬

00:00 ·  Super Stars - Quartier Consigné
00:26 · Zokela de Centrafrique - Nostalgie de zokela
03:17 · Canon Star - The Yankata
04:17 · M Wanawa - Ceci-cela
07:19 · Formidable Musiki - Ti laso a ounzi awe
09:28 · JMC Quartier libre - Quartier libre
10:16 · Abakinlin de Bangassou - Gbèlin mando
12:26 · Ndaï Ndaï - Intrépide
15:31 · Francis Gon - Caresse des Les
20:21 · Gbadora - Gombana Bororo
22:28 · Vey-Zo - Ya Soso
25:04 · Losseba Ngoutiwa - Mensonge (Nvènè)
28:35 · Ozaguin - ?
31:54 · ? - ?
35:24 · Laskino Ngomateke - Soifa Tene
37:48 · Williano - Wambangana
39:30 · Zokela - Injection
42:39 · Les Yakuza de Centrafrique - Gbadouma
45:10 · Marina Reason - Ye ti kekereke
48:16 · Majora - Wa Vrin
50:31 · Canon Stars - Cousin
52:25 · Ashem & Senat Or Fée - Centro love
54:39 · Sultan Zembellat - Rebecca
58:42 · Centrafrican Jazz - Promesse
1:00:53 · Orchestre Vibro Succès - Dounia
1:04:42 · ? - Dikoboda Sombe

Zooming In, Vol. 3 · Central African Republic

(Scroll for tracklist with timecodes)

One of the go-to terms for anything “tropical” nowadays, Zouk is a music genre born in the late 70’s in the French Antillean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. Zouk's first iteration was crafted by the band Kassav’ when bandleaders Desvarieux and Décimus longed for a local "Disco-type music”, thus proudly proposing their own homegrown brand of pop. Carved around the foundation of an infectious pattern carried by hi-hat cymbals, Zouk was created as a weapon to elevate the status of frowned-upon Antillean cultural practices. It was a powerful response to the musical and political domination of France and other regions of the Caribbean. Kassav' paved the way for the groundbreaking genre to become both culturally relevant and commercially viable beyond the Antilles, reaching a career high in 1985 with a global hit in which they cheekily claim that Zouk is "the only medicine they need".

Borrowing elements from the neighboring islands - such as Cadence-lypso from Dominica and Compas from Haiti - Zouk’s signature sound was also shaped by the tools from the burgeoning digital age, as musicians and producers embraced the MIDI technology with its promise of fun through loop-programming. Many of these eager pioneers jumped head in and didn't shy from manufacturing anvil-sounding snare drums, wacky vocal modulations, epic horns, saturated bass and sexy synths... all of it duly drenched in reverb!

Perceived right away by some stiff necks as low-brow entertainment inducing lewd motions of the hips, Zouk was actually the result of incredibly sophisticated recording technology and visionary talent. Although derided in the distant French “métropole” - with hits from bands such as “La Compagnie Créole” and “Zouk Machine” relegated to camping and carnival DJ playlists - Zouk invaded the African continent within a decade. The familiarity of Zouk’s underlying rhythm spoke to many through the deep and complex web of pre-slavery roots connecting Africa to the Caribbean.

Whereas most white French music snobs disregarded Zouk as a synonym for bad taste and cheesy regionalism - sometimes with the racist tinge of colonial contempt - African listeners loved it for what it was: a kick-ass beat to sweat to, especially while dancing close to a partner. Since the early 80’s, African musicians have been paying homage to the couple-friendly genre, quoting words from the creole lexicon (“Doudou”) and blending in their own territorial twists: be it in francophone (Makossa, Rumba, Soukous) or lusophone countries (Tarraxinha, Kizomba, Coladeira). A lot of Afro Zouk legends actually met, hung out and worked in recording studios and DJ booths of the cosmopolitan city of Paris, which has been acting as the cross-pollinating hub of French-speaking black diasporas since the 70's.

00:00 · Kibwe - La Nuit des Noces (D.R.C.)
05:08 · Angelina Tezanou - Poison (Cameroon)
07:29 · Tunis de Lálá - Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde )
10:02 · Sekouba Bambino - Irréprochable (Guinea)
12:51 · Zo Gang International - Bébé Bonbon (Ivory Coast)
15:11 · Petit Tchadien - Pauvret (C.A.R.)
19:04 · Saluky System - Silvia (Guinea Bissau)
21:47 · Elvis Kemayo · Les Divorcés (Cameroon)
24:47 · Projecto Universo - Zouk Love (Ivory Coast)
27:39 · Kanda Bongo Man - Nzambe (D.R.C.)
30:24 · Americo Gomes - Indijan (Guinea Bissau)
33:14 · Júlio Silva Band - Mozambique a Xonguile (Angola)
35:48 · La Diva Samra - Yenaladha (Comoros)
38:28 · Idi Sarki - Rouwan Zouma (Niger)
41:07 · Shakira Shakiraa - Teriba (Uganda)
43:01 · Nimon Toki Lala - Fous Moi Le Camp (Togo)
45:18 · Bétika - Je l'aime (Ivory Coast)
47:13 · Boy Ge Mendes - Kompa Semba (Cabo Verde)
50:40 · Keke Kassiry - Bakwonon Zo Gnimadere (Ivory Coast)
52:22 · Kumbi Saleh - Eku Egbemi (Ghana)
56:42 · Tchico Tchicaya - Escale aux antilles (D.R.C.)
1:00:22 · Woya - Êwê (Ivory Coast)
1:02:53 · Lady Isa - Kuteleza Si Kwanguka (D.R.C.)

Afro Zouk, Vol. 2 • Bonded By Beat

We are very proud to reveal a mixed soundclip of our new OFFICIAL fully licensed compilation  "KOUTÉ JAZZ" to be released on Heavenly sweetness​ ! 

Official Release date : 25/09/2015 

You can pre order the record here :
(Liens de pré commande)
Itunes : http://apple.co/1EQIV2W
CD / Vinyl : http://bit.ly/1M7Fms4
Deezer : http://bit.ly/1Ou19r6


I particulary want to thanks the great artist  Michel Buret​ who designed  35 years ago the cover of the Synchro Eclectic Music Language : Lambi by Louis Xavier. We loved so much this Lambi artwork that we asked Michel to paint the cover of our new release ! Many thanks for this beautiful painting ! 

Go to check his work on http://www.urban-graff.com/

KOUTÉ JAZZ - A COLLECTION OF JAZZ TRACKS FROM THE FRENCH WEST INDIES SELECTED BY DIGGER'S DIGEST

OUT ON BORN BAD RECORDS
more infos : http://www.bornbadrecords.net/releases/disque-la-raye-60s-french-west-indies-boo-boo-galoo/

MAURICE ALCINDOR - SEKIRITE SOCIALE ( from DISQUE LA RAYé comp)

Non Stop CABO VERDE - Funana & Coladeira from Cape Verde - (Selected by Sir Ramases)

Kompa guitar gems, 1969-2014

PLAYLIST
Fe'm Confiance (Tropical Treats Edit), Les Difficiles de Petion Ville (1984/2012)
Espoir/Composition X, Les Dificiles de Petion-Ville (1980s)
Haiti, Les Gypsies de Petion-Ville (1971)
Cafe Au Lait, Shleu-Shleu (1969)
Pere Manno, Dodof et Ses Amis (1979)
Compas 2, Les Gypsies de Petion-Ville (1971)
Pale Kréyol - Rodrigue Millien (1980)
Min Rat La, Coupe Cloue (1987)
Michel Martelly - ‎Konpa Foret Des Pins (1989)
Guest Stars Martino, Robert Martino (2010)
Platinum gerim (feat. Bann'D), DJ Platinum-D (2014)
Ou Pa Ka Fè Sa, DJ Platinum-D (2014)
Déchire kilot - Top Digital (2011)

RIAFC 010

Haitian Kompa (RIAFC 010)

Here is another selection/mix of our latest finds from Guadeloupe and Martinique that we wanted to share with you !

If you liked our Kouté Jazz compilation I guess you will enjoy this selection ... 

Includes : Beliz / Chungo / Gwakasonne / Victor Treffre / Lyannaj / Edmony Krater / Simenn Kontra / Christian Laviso / Balkouta / Iguane Sextet

Special thanks to Christophe Jenny - LeBananierBleu.fr

JAZZ & TRADITION - A Selection of French Caribbean Modern Music - Part.2

Listen to an exclusive mix for Cosmo Radio 
Order here David Walters "Soleil Kréyol" new album : 
• LP / CD / Stream : https://idol.lnk.to/Soleil_Kreyol
• Heavenly Shop : http://bit.ly/2kmcM0d
• Bandcamp : http://bit.ly/2PwCSub

David Walters - Exclusive Mix for Cosmo Radio (Germany)

Chaque samedi, PAM Club vous invite à danser chez vous en vous proposant les mixes de ses amis DJ. Cette semaine c'est Franck Descollonges qui passe derrière les platines avec une sélection biguine et jazz créole de haut vol. Grand collectionneur de vinyles, il nous fait l'honneur de sortir ses plus belles perles de jazz créole et biguine antillaise.

Article : https://pan-african-music.com/pam-club-1-franck-descollonges/

TRACKLIST
Robert Mavounzy – Serpent maigre
Gerard Copet – la fête gondeau
Pierre Rassin – ti William
Serge Christophe – la sicrier
Geno exilie – tou ti crab derho
Casimir letang – travail z’enfants
Paul Émile Haliard
Maurice Alcindor
Lotus jazz – an nou allé courir vidé
Josy Masse – appiye
Ti Celeste – moin envie dansé belle biguine
Mahy – Antilles méchant bateau
Alain Jean marie – Mi belle journée
Francisco – Ban moin en Tibo
Guadeloupe Reflexions – Eduardo soprano latino
Solon Goncalves – biguine créole

PAM Club : Franck Descollonges - Biguine & Creole Jazz

Given the recent violent upheaval and ongoing strife in Mali, those of us deeply entranced by Malian culture, and, in particular, the immense hypnotic beauty of Malian music, have put together a selection of songs encompassing the diverse rhythmic grandeur from across the country.  This is a concerted global effort to showcase the most vital cornerstone of Malian culture in an attempt to preserve its reputation in the face of its current, grim reality. We hope our highlights of Mali's rich history of musical innovation will serve as a starting point for reclaiming an image tainted by unnecessary conflict. May peace and music return to Mali soon. 

Selectors: 

Philippe Noël (Canicuale Tropicale, Montreal) | www.caniculetropicale.com 

Adam Isbell (Racubah, London)  | https://soundcloud.com/the-man-from-timbuktu

Gregoire de Villanova (Oriki, Paris) | http://gregdevillanova.com/orikimusic | www.diasporarecords.com  

Rickard Masip (Tropical Treats, Stockholm) 

Hidehito Morimoto (Soul Bonanza, Tokyo) | www.soulbonanza.com

Vik Sohonie (Ostinato, East Indies) | www.ostinatorecords.com

Artwork by: 
Hidehito Morimoto & Vik Sohonie

Sound Equalizing by: 
Hidehito Morimoto

Original Photo: 
Joe Penney, Reuters

PAM Club : Franck Descollonges - Biguine & Creole Jazz

Pan African Music

Recent comments

tomschoem

Quiproquos

Heavenly Sweetness

Related tracks