From the very first notes, the fast rolling subtle drums and the
more than funky guitars it becomes cristal clear ! This is one hell
of a juju record. Ever since the release of his hit album Eyi Yato
Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey followed this new way and focussed
on a younger public. Recorded in the Afrodisia Studio’s in Lagos,
this 1984 LP on the London Stern’s label stands out for it’s freshness.
A real treat for juju lovers that will surely rock Miami tonight.

tracks;

1 Gbebe mi
– Olupese
– Ma kuku sise
– Oluwa ni mo gbojule
2 To ba nwa i re
– Ibi ai ye feni de
– O dowo oluwa
– Kai ye ma bere pe olorun mi da
– Di ro mo
– WAI

“Alternating between the different rhythmic forms of the
Dagomba, the Ashiko and the Otofo, the Dzadzeloi ( ‘bards’ )
combine dexterous drumming and harmonious singing, using
epigrams and platitudes as the basis of their songs.”
( backsleeve )

“Another initiative came in the Ga Cultural Revival spearheaded
by the neotraditional cultural troupe ‘Wolumei’ ( Ga for ‘Fetish Priest’ )
– to encourage pop-minded young people “to forget foreign music
and do their own thing”, in the words of leader Nii Ashitei. They toured
with Kwaa Mensah and were soon followed by other Ga bands such as
Dzadzeloi, Blemabii, Abladei and Suku Troupe.”
( the Rough Guide on World Music )

tracks;

1 Two paddy follow one girl
2 Kotei
3 Mini mfe bo
4 Awie awie
5 Afolo yo
6 Wonshe hunu
7 Laye bi
8 Sweet Elizabeth
9 Gbele ngbe mi
10 Aye oshugya

here’s another scratchy old record, Admiral Dele Abiodun
and his Top Hitters Band Original Super 7. It’s a 1977 live
registration made in New York. Shame the quality is so poor,
fantastic to hear the crowd at the Manhattan Centre go
completely nuts.

tracks;

1 Alleluyah
– Opo enia
– Dami la re
– Aja oni gbagbe olore
– Salawe orokosu
– Egbe ogbomoso ( America )
2 Aringbere
– Are ije
– Kobiti kobiti
– Olowo la gba
– Alhaji Owolabi

A very popular Nigerian Highlife group is this one. We had two of
their albums before at the GG. The album cover aswell as the label
of this one speak of one track on the A side, I found two so I named
them A and B. Enjoy Super Negro Bantous’ 1977 album.

tracks;

1 People no fit understand A
2 People no fit understand B
3 Proudness
4 One suffer go finish

Mayaula Mayoni is one of the songwriters who worked with
Franco’s O.K. Jazz for some time. In fact this LP is made with
the orchestration of l’O.K. Jazz. Check out the musicians on this,
unfortunately, crackely record. To call a few names; Carlito Essou-
Doué, Malage de Lugendo, Ntesa Dalienst, Nana, Baniel, Dizzy
Mandjeku, Papa Noël Nedule and Empompo Loway. Not the least
as you can see. Although a bit noisy at some points, an album
that deserves a few spins. Enjoy it.

tracks;

1 Mizele
2 Poit carré
3 Chaty
4 Liwa

Today’s album raises some questions. As you can see,
the label of the album matches quite well with it’s cover.
It’s just that the titles on the backsleeve of this cover say
something different than the label does. So, I show you a
sleeve that does not belong to this LP. The artist is also
what we call nowadays; ‘ungooglable’. I can’t tell you anything
about the band, and album and cover don’t match,… have fun.
Oh, I almost forget, music is quite okay !

tracks;

1 Se bipale
2 Mayanou
3 Medisance
4 Mon amour est perdu

Manny Oquendo and Andy Gonzalez are the leaders of this great
salsa band. ‘A bailar, a gozar con el Conjunto Libre’. This is salsa
by musicians with love for their work. Great instrumentations and
vocal parts make this LP a masterwork. I love that baritone sax-
solo on track 5 by Ron Cuber. Great cover art by Walter Velez.
more_info_here.

tracks;

1 Lamento Borincano
2 Risque
3 Saoco
– Afterthought
4 No critiques
5 Donna Lee / A gozar y bailar
6 Bamboleate

Highly infectious is this Music From Zimbabwe. Jonah Moyo
and his Devera Ngwena are extremely popular in their
country. Very understandable if you hear this superb LP.
This is volume 10 of a series which I hope to bring to you
in the future. Most of them are still on my huntinglist.
Next month we’ll already have the next big recordfair
in Utrecht. I am already looking forward to it.
For now, listen and dance to this sweet piece of vinyl,

tracks;

1 Masvingo ne carpet
2 Huyai mose
3 Ngatishandei pamwe
4 Victoria falls
5 Unobuda nepi
6 Ndakatadza here
7 Uchaendepi
8 Ndochema naani

Now this is something really good. Guillermo Portabales is
a hero. I love his bright and dynamic music, Guillermo’s
guitarstrokes are so firm and sparkling, nothing can compare.
Where do you find such guitarist with such a voice ?
Absolute fantastic collection of his songs. I can even cope
with his version of Guantanamera, a song I use to avoid
like a toothache. One of Cuban’s biggest.

tracks;

1 Cumbiamba
2 De 1920
3 A la orilla del cauto
4 Nostalgia guajira
5 Asi es mi guajira
6 Tristeza guajira
7 Oye mi son
8 Guantanamera
9 Junto al rio
10 El arroyo que murmura
11 Cuando sali de Cuba
12 Yo te canto Puerto Rico

I am a little confused over some facts concerning this LP. Backsleeve
notes say; ‘Original recording by Editions Cefa, Zaïre (P) 1977. It looks
brandnew and has a barcode. It is probably a re-release but from when ?
The recordings sound older than 1977. I guess it was originally released
as african 360.096 in 1977 and already contained older recordings.
Some time later it must have been re-released. Anyway, Franco delivers
as always and wont make you regret this download, enjoy.

tracks;

1 Fuala nbombu ngulu kadia
2 Yaka nalongola yo botutu
3 Da da de tu amor
4 Linzanza ebongi na langi
5 Anny sukisa ngai bandoto
6 Ata mosika yoka mongongo na ngai
7 Telegramme maloba mokuse
8 Nani apedelaki te ?
9 Awa nazui likambo oyaki ?
10 Libongi lizongi
11 Accident ya cherie
12 Mbongo zi ya voni