So late on this, but Sofrito delivers so hard. Big up from Seattle!

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

The word is out, the first move has been made, Piri Piri inprint is a fact. Debuting with the first release Piri Piri 001: A collection of four dance floor heaters in different African styles. 

Free Download

Sam Mapangala & Orchestre Virguna - Malako (Umoja Edit)

heavy groove from Trinidad - record found in Columbia ! 

Trini groove - Brother Superior

After the success of their previous albums Owiny Sigoma Band’s forthcoming long player “Nyanza" continues to bring eclectic and intriguing musical ideas to the table.

Following from the release of "Changaa Attack", Owiny Sigoma Band bring fresh perspectives to cross-cultural collaborations. To make this record, master Luo musicians Joseph Nyamungu and Charles Owoko, invited the London contingent of the band to the Nyanza province of Kenya in the heart of a region called Luoland, to discover the roots of Luo Music. Travelling with a suitcase full of recording equipment the band set up studios on the fly. Louis Hackett the bands bass player produced this hypnotic response after a 12 hour changaa fueled session of hard Nyatiti soundclash. Utilising Owoko’s fierce Nyiduongue drumming and a one take vocal workout from Nyamungu, “Luo Land" is another wayward dancefloor workout for the late night freaks. 

Luo Land and Changaa Attack are available now as instant downloads with pre-orders on “Nyanza” which gets a full release on the 28th August. 

pre-order link
smarturl.it/owinynyanza

Owiny Sigoma Band - Luo Land

Teranga Beat’s aim since the beginning of the label is to release lost and unreleased recordings of both famous groups and formerly unknown artists of West Africa. While going through several archives of the region, what thrilled me the most was the feeling of unexpected, especially when I stumbled upon a terrific recording from a totally unknown group. Discovering music that nobody has ever listened to before. I guess it has something to do with the psychology of the collector, always searching for that record nobody has. 

My favourite discovery up to date is the Dieuf-Dieul de Thiès, a band that did not manage to release any of its recordings. I had previously heard their name in Thiès, but to my ears it sounded like an urban legend. People involved in music would rate it as the best group in the city, but nobody had ever seen a record from them, let alone a cassette. I thought it was one of these stories of gross exaggeration, so common in West Africa. However, when I fell upon their recordings and listened to them I realised it was all true.

In 2013 Teranga Beat released the first volume of Dieuf-Dieul's recordings. Today, on this vol. 2 album we proudly present the rest of their recorded tracks. On Vol.1 the tracks were well divided among three singers: Assane Camara with his unique style, an  Afro-Manding hybrid, which he acquired through years of performing in the South region of Senegal, but also by virtue of being a Sosseh (that is, of Gambian origin) himself; the great Griot Gora Mbaye with his strong voice and deep wolof lyrics, displaying his strong links to the tradition of the country; and finally, the then young and talented Bassirou Sarr with his great singing skills. 

Five out of seven overall tracks of Volume 2 feature Bassirou Sarr, a truly exceptional singer. Whether in a ballad or some explosive Mbalax, Bassirou's voice is always full of emotion. But if I had to pick out one song, that would definitely be "Raki". When Bassirou got the chance to finally listen to the song (30 years after its initial recording!), he told me the following story: one night, while performing singing "Raki" in Kolda, he noticed a man weeping right in front of the stage. Suddenly, the man turned to Bassirou and said: "Now listen here, you're not going nowhere! You're staying here and play this song all night long!". 

One of the two remaining tunes, "Rumba Para Parejas", is a great latin cover sung by Assane Camara (Camou Yande). Although in his interview Bassirou admitted that Latin music was not their strong point, this track shows how good performers Dieuf-Dieul actually were. Besides, it is somehow ironic that, after the band broke up, all of its members gradually became Salsa musicians.

Having said all that, I am delighted to announce that Dieuf-Dieul are back together after 32 years, preparing for their first international tour! I sincerely hope this record will contribute to the international recognition Dieuf-Dieul fully deserve.

DIEUF - DIEUL de Thiès - Nianky (Short Edit Version)

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)

Soundway's at it again! This time with a brand new album from South London's Huw Bennet under his newly established Susso alias. The New Keira LP features music which is inspired by (and directly samples) the magnificent sounds of the Mandinka people, which he recorded during a recent trip to Gambia.

The tracks are composed entirely from original source material, field recordings and Huw’s talents as a multi-instrumentalist; performing tuned percussion from the region including the Mandinka Balafon, Kutiringding drum, as well as drawing on his skill as a professional upright / electric bassist. One of the tracks which best exemplifies his contemporary electronic sound, whilst still paying homage to a traditional Gambian aesthetic has to be Ansumana. It's definitely been a shop favourite ever since the good guys at Soundway sent it over and we can't wait to get our hands on this beautiful release when it arrives next month. Reserve your copy now ahead of the official release next month: j.mp/KeiraLP

Keira

BUY VINYL

Phonica Premieres: Susso - Ansumana [SOUNDWAY]

Fiesta Angola - Frankie Francis & Simbad

◉  PREORDER NOW  https://lesdisquesbongojoe.bandcamp.com/album/onye-kata-obia ◉

◉ General Franco Lee Ezute And His Harmony International Band  / Onye Kata Obia ‎ | BJR0023 | October 5, 2018 ◉ 

LP & Digital album available on : https://lesdisquesbongojoe.bandcamp.com
Our Record Store & Label : http://www.bongojoe.ch
Stay in touch with our latest releases and info on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/BongoJoeLabel/
We’re also on youtube : www.youtube.com/channel/UC1y_EAPWeDV36TpQbRFKoEA


It’s an enormously exciting event to have this album reissued in a gorgeous, remastered edition, which will bring the music of this master artist to a new audience, and hopefully ignite a new interest in the exhilarating Ukwuani sound of the 1970s and 80s. If you’re about to listen to this music for the first time, you’re definitely in for a treat. 

Franco Lee Ezute died in 2013 at the age of 64, but thanks to this record his harmony will continue to reign supreme.

General Franco Lee Ezute And His Harmony International Band  - Onye Kata Obia

Our First 7inch single comes from Benin City in Nigeria. Solo Hit an Obscure artist with a very twisted and funky sound, discovered and produced by the legendary musician Victor Uwaifo. The record comes in a beautiful cover made in Thailand, hand stamped and numbered. Strictly limited to 1500 copies. Price 7,50€ - You can pre-order your copy directly with us at montanez@analogafrica.com or info@analogafrica.com. Release date is end of February. Thanks for your support!

Solo Hit - Imoikeme (Limited to 1500 copies)

Available on Analog Africa No.13 - The Skeletal Essences of Afro Funk
Release date: April 30th

Ecoute ma Melodie - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou

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

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

Sofrito

Recent comments

Inertia

DCTCR

Henri Maitre

CleS

Related tracks