The original plan was to wait a bit in between the volumes
and do some regular albums but I could not resist. So, not
too fast, just the No.2 and we’ll take a break okay ?

tracks;

1 Pambou Tchicaya Tchico – Tam-tam d’Afrique
2 Franco et l’O.K. Jazz – Colonel Bangala
3 Zaïko Langa Langa – C’est la verité
4 Rumbanella Band – l’Age et l’amour
5 Johnny Bokelo & l’Orchestre Conga 68 – Tambola na mokili
6 Orchestre Afrisa International – Mose-Konzo
7 Mose Se Sengo ‘Fan Fan’ – Julie la petite
8 Docteur Nico & African Fiesta – Pauline
9 Orchestre Vévé – Zonga andowe
10 Tiers Monde Cooperation – Tiers monde
11 Verckys – N’dia
12 Sam Mangwana – Georgette Eckins
13 Camille Feruzi – Kahagwe
14 Tabu Ley – Mimi Ley

During the past few weeks I have been going through
my Congolese files to pick out the most beautiful songs.
A proces that takes a lot of time and I ended quite some
evenings almost sleeping behind my PC. Today I am ready
to present you the first compilation. I have named them
‘Congo, Tours de Force’ and this is volume 1. A collection
of my very favourite tracks, hand picked for you, hope U like.
More volumes are about to follow.

tracks;

1 Franco & le Tout Puissant OK Jazz – Ku kisantu kikwenda ko
2 Orchestre Conga 68 de Jonny – F.C. Dragon
3 Verckys – Nakomitunaka
4 Trio Madjesi – Photo Madjesi
5 Vicky et OK Jazz – En memoire de Bayon
6 Bavon Marie Marie & Négros Succés – Libangana libumu
7 Fantastic Tchico – Mieux vaut tard que jamais
8 Orquestre Maquis du Zaïre – Na tango ya zala
9 Empere Bakuba – Numero Empire
10 Franco & Le Tout Puissant OK Jazz – Siluwangi wapi accordeon
11 Likembe Géant – Bika nzanga

Mike Ejeagha’s highlife is just what we need on a quiet
sunday afternoon. The rhythm is so mellow, it almost brings
one in a kind of trance, going on and on, hypnotising 1983
West African minimal sound.

tracks;

1 Onye ori utaba
2 Ka esi le onye isi oche

Some Merengue from it’s origination for you today.
Alberto Beltrán was one of the Dominicans who made
this music big. Great stuff for lovers of accordeon music
‘like me’ said the nutcase. Master voice, master sound.
This LP contains the song that gave Alberto his nickname,
‘El negrito del Batey’. A fast saturdaynight dance album, enjoy.

tracks;

1 Caña brava
2 La empaliza
3 La yuca
4 El hombre marinero
5 A bailar
6 Compadre Pedro Juan
7 El negrito del Batey
8 A lo oscuro
9 Siña Juanica
10 La cruz de palo bonito
11 La maricutana
12 El sancocho prieto

Some Orchestre Baobab always brings comfort when
you long for summer times and warm evenings. From the
1978 Paris sessions, volume 1. Six songs that will make
you happy instantly and forget about winter, open up.

tracks;

1 On verra ça
2 Mi son
3 Sibam
4 Wane ma maguiss
5 El son te llama
6 Thiossane

Every song was written by another member of the group.
Next to the brothers Pierre and Kosmos Moutouari, this
band had some excelent writers. Fidèle Samba, Jean-Pierre
Mapounga, Daniel Fouilou, Jaques Kimbembé, Alphonse
Bahouka, Luc Kounkou, Anatole Bokasso, Gabriel Dianzolo
and Hyacinte Malonga. Beautiful names, great music, listen.

tracks;

1 Basi-bakeseny
2 Samba-mirita
3 Mamy-giro
4 Bakento
5 Qui vivra verra
6 Waba-kandi-tetoka
7 Doudou
8 Tchy-tchy
9 Loutina
10 Mouboyo

On Ambassador Records, this is LPAM 029. An album of
Ghanaian highlife by Atakora Manu. You might have heard
that track 11 on my recently made highlife compilation.
I found out about Atakora not so long ago but the more I hear,
the more I like his music. These three songs from an unknown
release-year are very much worth listening to, hope U enjoy.

tracks;

1 Palm wine seller
2 Self contention
3 Obiaa ne mre beba

How sweet was the sound of Fania in the early seventies ?
Larry Harlow produced this spicey slice of salsa vinyl and
I think he did very well. Sparkling Fania recording with some
great songs by Justo Betancourt, smooth voice. To break the
routine it don’t hurt to have us some salsa, I should
do it more often, move your feet and wiggle your
hips to the latin beat, ..azucar..
Especially for my old buddie ‘Baldrick’.
Makes me think of café de Kroeg ?

tracks;

1 Pa bravo yo
2 Psicologia
3 Guajira sentimental
4 Una audiencia muerta
5 Caracas tiene su guaguanco
6 Oyeme cantar
7 Lagrimas y tristezas
8 Guaguanco ‘ta moderno
9 Adios felicidad
10 Catano

tracks;

1 Nya asem hwe
2 Nko nngya m’akyir
3 Osu a meresu
4 Ofie nipa see wo a
5 Akutiabo
6 Ankwanoma dede
7 Baabi dehyee
8 Nko besie

I’m gonna tell you straight away, posting this album is a kind
of compromise. It contains a few things I would not post when
standing on it’s own. Nigerian reggae for instance, I think reggae
should be from Jamaica. And how about rock and roll sung in
wolof from Senegal. As a whole however I think it’s kind of funny.
The collector also contains some typical African styles, like on
the b-side, sweet benga by Victoria King’s Jazz for instance.
It’s a 1978 selection made by Blaise Fayette Mikano who used
to do a great job for Pathé Marconi. I think this LP with songs from
1975, 1977 and 1978 gives us a unique view on Africa’s taste
during the late seventies, listen and tell me what you think.

tracks;

1 Sonny Okosun – Rain
2 Konn-Konn – Sagak-sagak
3 Abeti Masikini – Mwana muke wa miso
4 M’baye Abdoul – Soko bouge
5 M’baye Abdoul – Douces douces filles
6 Victoria King’s Jazz – Rieko Magftich
7 Trio Ce.Pa.Kos – No title
8 Kouka Celestin – Veve na linga
9 Pamelo Mounk’a – Mabeyey