Rough and ready: Percussion tracks, dubs, a syndrum and a tape echo.
A sunny afternoon at Joie Noire studios, 93.

Tracks:
Gwo Ka intro
MMM - Casio Dub
Al Campbell - Teaser (Version)
Owiny Sigoma Band - Owiny Techno
Ti Mal - Nan Pwent la Vie
Tiger - Rap pon Version
Rhythim is Rhythim - The Dance
Superstars - New Sound (Sofrito Edit)
El Todd - El Todd
La Reine - Carnaval avec La Reine
Albinos - Baka Tribe
Gwakasonné - Atmosphere

Republic of Sofrito // A Siwo Taster mix // Hugo Mendez

12" vinyl available from www.sofrito.co.uk

A1: Dionisio Maio – Corpim Sabe (Alma Negra Edit)
B1: Bulimundo – Santo Antòni La Belèm (Hide & Smile Edit)
B2: Os Kings – Minino Na Tchora

Musical collisions in the Atlantic!
Sofrito kicks off the new Island Series with a celebration of the vital dancefloor sounds of Cape Verde – a mixture of local Funana and Coladeira rhythms, Batuque percussion and psychedelic disco synths.

Musical collisions in the Atlantic!
Sofrito kicks off the new Island Series with a celebration of the vital dancefloor sounds of Cape Verde – a mixture of local Funana and Coladeira rhythms, Batuque percussion and psychedelic disco synths.

Hailing from the island of Sao Vicente and originally released in the early 80s, Dionisio Maio’s anthemic Corpim Sabe is stretched into a 12” mix by the Alma Negra collective – bringing the thumping bassline to the fore and tweaking the piano-led groove into a slice of cosmic Coladeira-disco perfection.

On the flip the dynamic Hide & Smile duo (aka Frankie Francis & Miles Cleret) splice an early track from trailblazing Santiago-based group Bulimundo into a percussive workout that prefigures the sounds of Kuduro and Coupé Decalé.
Os Kings (from the island of Sao Vicente) complete the EP with an ode to struggling youth, anchored by sweet guitars and a slick bassline.

Fact fans:
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island chain situated 500 km off the coast of Senegal. Uninhabited before Portuguese colonization in the 15th century, the country was a staging post for the transatlantic slave trade and occupies a unique cultural position between Africa, Europe and the Caribbean.
There are large Cape Verdean communities in Paris, Lisbon, Rotterdam and Boston and as a result the music of the French Caribbean (in particualr zouk) is extremely influential.
Extra fact:
One of the most popular drinks in Cape Verde is a pint of gin and tonic.

Sofrito Island Series: Sound of Cape Verde // O Som de Cabo Verde EP

Claudette & Ti Pierre’s 1979 version of the folk song ‘Zanmi Camarade’ jumps straight out of leftfield. Haunting vocals are accompanied by a heavy drum machine and arpeggiated synth backing for a Kraftwerk-in-Port-au-Prince vibe. 

Stockholm's Tropical Treats crew give the track the subtle edit treatment, bringing out the bass and rounding off the sound.


Claudette and her husband, the blind keyboard player Ti Pierre were – and still are- household names in Haiti. Touring a stripped-down synth/drum machine and vocal combo they recorded a string of hit records in the 70s and 80s that, although classics in Haiti, are little known outside.



Order Haiti Direct: Big Band, Mini Jazz & Twoubadou Sounds, 1960-1978, out now Strut:
<a href="http://georiot.co/5oB">iTunes • <a href="http://georiot.co/3ZL">Amazon</a> • <a href="http://bit.ly/HaitiDirect_StrutStore">Strut Store</a>

More from Sofrito:
<a href="http://www.sofrito.co.uk/">Home Page</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/sofritosound">Twitter</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/sofritosound">Facebook</a>

More from Strut:
<a href="http://www.strut-records.com">Home Page</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Strut-Records/20359830443">Facebook</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/strutrecords">YouTube</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/strutrecords">Twitter</a>

Claudette & Ti Pierre - Zanmi Camarade (Tropical Treats Edit) Excerpt

Rara is traditional Haitian carnival music that uses the long, single-note 'Vaksin' bamboo flute - nature's very own sub-bass.
Ti Marcel’s rugged, hypnotic 'Nan point la vie' comes to life with Siwo’s one-take drum machine update, a sure-fire jump-up carnival mover. 
Additional production by Blackjoy.

Order Haiti Direct: Big Band, Mini Jazz & Twoubadou Sounds, 1960-1978, out now Strut:
<a href="http://georiot.co/5oB">iTunes • <a href="http://georiot.co/3ZL">Amazon</a> • <a href="http://bit.ly/HaitiDirect_StrutStore">Strut Store</a>

More from Sofrito:
<a href="http://www.sofrito.co.uk/">Home Page</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/sofritosound">Twitter</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/sofritosound">Facebook</a>

More from Strut:
<a href="http://www.strut-records.com">Home Page</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Strut-Records/20359830443">Facebook</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/strutrecords">YouTube</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/strutrecords">Twitter</a>

Ti Marcel - Nan Point La Vie (Siwo Version)

Ibo Combo - Mateau

Sofrito Super Singles 003 
B Side
Money Make Man Mad (Sofrito Disco Dub)
Release Date: end of May 2010


Money make man mad (Sofrito disco dub)

7" available now from www.sofrito.co.uk

Originally from the island of Boa Vista, Abel Lima was part of a large wave of Cape Verdean migration to Europe in the late 60s – fleeing the political turmoil that accompanied the end of Portuguese colonial rule. Settling in Paris, he recorded several albums with ‘Les Sofas’ a multinational group featuring musicians from France, Senegal, Cameroon, Angola and Guadeloupe.

Arranged by Camerounian star Eko Roosevelt Louis, Corre Riba Corre Baxo (what goes up must come down) is taken from the 1977 album ‘Cantam nos Bida‘ and combines a rock-solid bassline with a hypnotic guitar riff.

Nos Maos – arranged by Guadeloupean pianist Roland Louis – has more of a Caribbean feel, bringing elements of Cadence in to the mix. The politically-charged lyrics – half in French and half in Portuguese – deal with European complicity in economic and social problems in the developing world

Combining the Morna and Coladera styles of Cape Verde with Jazz, Cadence, disco and West African styles, Abel Lima’s output reflected the rich mixture of musical styles and cultures that was (and still is) present in Paris. Both tracks are dancefloor classics.


Sofrito Island Series // Abel Lima e les Sofas 7" // Cape Verde

***Vinyl release date 12th August***
Guadeloupe meets Detroit!
Esnard Boisdur is one of the great voices of Gwo Ka - the folkloric rhythm of Guadeloupe.
On the A Side Frankie Francis & Simbad flip hIs 1991 track 'Soufwans' (Sufferance) into a groove that combines hypnotic percussion and mournful vocals with Detroit-inspired synths and a rolling bassline. The B side stretches out for a deep deep dub.
Trust us this one is a monster on the dancefloor!

Soufwans EP (Excerpts) // Frankie Francis & Simbad

More rough and ready sounds from the Republic of Sofrito, inspired by a session with Simbad at Red Bull Studios Paris in February. 
Taking in new Sofrito releases from Simbad & Frankie Francis, a recent track from the Haiti Direct EP, Gwo Ka percussion and some 80s flavours from Jamaica and Guadeloupe, with a syndrum and a tape echo to accompany.


Republic of Sofrito // Hugo Mendez Mix for Red Bull Studios Paris

Massive thanks to all the dancers that came down and created such a great vibe!
A snapshot of the Republic of Sofrito Session @ Shapes, Hackney, 19 June 2015 - 
Featuring the Sofrito family and friends - London/Paris/Manchester/Venezuela connections:

Hugo Mendez // Frankie Francis
Emile Omar // DJ ORL Muzzicaltrips
MC Kwasi // Luzmira Zerpa
Jack Yglesias (Percussion)

Check the Sofrito site for more sessions and releases:
http://bit.ly/1BRnmhG



SOFRITO SUMMER SESSION // LIVE RECORDING // SHAPES // LONDON // 19TH JUNE 2015

A double shot of vital Soukous / Coupé Décalé hybrids out of Abidjan & Paris.
12" vinyl available here:
http://shop.sofrito.co.uk/product/super-single-ivoire-promotion-ep

Atalaku 8 - a Paris-based Ivoirien/Congolese group operating out of the legendary Kos studio - lay down a seriously funky house-tempo Coupé Décalé track, topped off with a Siwo dub.

Africa (Original & Siwo Dub Excerpts) // Atalaku 8

A double shot of vital Soukous / Coupé Décalé hybrids out of Abidjan & Paris.
12" vinyl available here:
http://shop.sofrito.co.uk/product/super-single-ivoire-promotion-ep

“Nassima” is a deep hybrid of Soukous and Highlife, recorded in Abidjan in 1975 by the mysterious Bazaré D. Pablo. Thumping percussion, intricate guitar, ethereal vocals and a solid bassline add up to a perennial Sofrito classic that never fails.

Nassima (excerpt) // Bazaré D. Pablo et Orchestre Nassima

The Sofrito Island series continues with a 7" single featuring two heavy-hitting 70s cadence rarities from Martinique.

Vinyl Available here:
http://sofrito.bigcartel.com/product/island-series-martinique-7

The curiously-named Hamsters jump straight out of the starting blocks with a  ferocious carnival-style Cadence that never fails to get things moving. Thumping bass, insistent drums and a heavy dose of Haitian-influenced guitars add up to sure-fire party starter.



Island Series // Les Hamsters // Hamsters Frappé (Excerpt)

The Sofrito Island series continues with a 7" single featuring two heavy-hitting 70s cadence rarities from Martinique.
7" Vinyl Available Here:
http://sofrito.bigcartel.com/product/island-series-martinique-7


Nothing if not well-travelled, Michel Bagoe spent his early years moving between Senegal and Martinique prior to moving to Paris in the early 70s. From there he decamped to Cote D'Ivoire to become the resident vocalist at the famous "Canne a Sucre" nightclub in Abidjan.
"Oulé Collé" is taken from a session recorded by a who's who of Martiniquan musicians in Paris in 1976.

BUY 7" VINYL

Island Series // Michel Bagoé // Oulé Collé (Excerpt)

London-based producer DrumTalk flips the Asiko rhythms of Ghana’s Mpese Mpese Band - bridging the gap between Hackney and Accra.

The original track came out in NIgeria in 1986.



MPESE MPESE BAND - MPESE MPESE THEME (DRUMTALK REMIX)

Bassline highlife originally released in 1982

CANADOES DANCE BAND - FINE WOMAN (SOFRITO EDIT)

Taken from the Promo 12" for the Sofrito: Tropical Discotheque album on Strut Records

Sweet Music (Sofrito Soundsystem Edit)

Old-ish (2008) Sofrito Soundsystem dubplate intro - Afro-Colombian beats with Cuban singer and percussionist Rene Alvarez (Sur Caribe) with some Latin freestyle...

Sofrito Dubplate intro feat. Rene Alvarez (2008)

SSS015 SIDE 2 - SWINGIN STARS // JAM JAM (Excerpt)

The next installment in the Sofrito Island Series: Foundation Cadence-Lypso from the Swinging Stars of Dominica

Buy 7" Vinyl

SSS015 SWINGING STARS OF DOMINICA - LAS MAL PARLE (excerpt)

SSS016 ISLAND SERIES: GORDON HENDERSON // HARD WORLD (excerpt)

Boogie classic from the father of Cadence-Lypso, available on 7" vinyl on Sofrito.

SSS016 ISLAND SERIES: GORDON HENDERSON // THE HIGHEST BIDDER (EXCERPT)

"Fully remastered percussion and drum machine workouts from late 80s and early 90s Guadeloupe".
The second installment in the Sofrito Percussions Series: an EP showcasing tracks from pivotal Guadeloupean singer and percussionist Erick Cosaque and his group Voltage 8, combining virtuoso percussion ane drum machine experiments.

Format: 12" Vinyl
Release date: early September 2017


SSS017 Kaloukera Percussions EP

Erick Cosaque & Voltage 8 // Bazouka (B2)

Erick Cosaque & Voltage 8 // Kowidow Man'm Boé (B1)

Erick Cosaque & Voltage 8 // Banbou La (A2)

Erick Cosaque & Voltage 8 // Flan'm Cho (A1)

Eusebe Jaojaby – the king of Salegy - is one of the biggest stars of Malagasy music. Taratasy Maitso was originally released in 1987 and adds a lilting flute to the insistent 6/8 rhythm - a dancefloor sure shot.

The Madagascar installment of the Island Series is produced in conjunction with La Basse Tropicale, aka DJs Natty Ho and Konsole, a DJ and digging duo from Réunion in the Indian Ocean also responsible for the excellent Soul Sok Sega compilation on Strut Records.

Jaojoby // Taratasy Maitso (Sofrito Island Series: Madagascar SSS018)

Vetson Androy // Mavandeza (Sofrito Island Series: Madagascar SSS018)

Forthcoming on the "Soweto Disco" EP - a slightly edited cut of the mythical Afro-Disco-Jive track "Highway Sporo Disco" by the Nzimande Allstars - late '70s/early '80s disco styles from South Africa - all fully licensed!

HIGHWAY SPORO DISCO (EDIT) - NZIMANDE ALLSTARS

Sofrito Mixes

Hugo Mendez // After Hours Percussions Mix

Kognokoura
Daphni's Part 2 edit
Additional production by Daphni
Flute by Rob Piilonen
Courtesy of Niama Makalou

Niama Makalou et African Soul Band - Kognokoura (Daphni's Part 2 Edit)

Niama Makalou et African Soul Band - Kognokoura (Original 12" Mix)

A simple slice of bumping Cadence Disco sounds for a happy dancefloor - a hit at recent Sofrito sessions...

Fanatik - Sofrito Cadence Disco Edit

Sofrito Super Singles // Island Series // Percussions  // DJ mixes & sessions

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