Afro

Rob "Roy" Raindorf, born on the 13th of May 1949 in Accra, is definitely one of the most enigmatic artists to come out of Ghana. He appeared from nowhere with a unique and twisted sound. An admirer of American artists Otis Reading, James Brown, Wilson Pickett and Ray Charles, Rob began his trade by learning the piano at a music school in Cotonou, Benin.When his education ended, he ventured out to make what money he could by getting gigs with the movers and shakers of the Beninese music scene, namely Orchestre Poly-Rythmo as well as the Black Santiagos. Absorbing and learning the intricacies of music composition, Rob returned to Ghana where he began to write his own songs and eventually sought the backing of a band, specifically one which possessed horns.In 1977, a young Rob travelled to the city of Takoradi in western Ghana to approach an army band named Mag-2 whom he had seen perform in Accra. Mag-2 had an entire section of its ensemble dedicated to horns and some of the sophisticated music equipment available in Ghana at the time - Hofner guitars, Yamaha keyboards and the like.Belonging to the "magnificient" second battalion of the Takoradi-based army unit, original founder Amponsah Rockson decided to aptly name the band "Mag-2." Joining the army during the 1970s was often an easy decision, particularly for musicians, since the army provided not only good music equipment but basic services such as food and medical care.Mag-2 was essentially filled with the best elements of "The Parrots," a highlife band in which Amponsah was the lead guitarist. Their primary task was to entertain soldiers and with the army tour bus, perform from town to town as well as in reputable venues in the captial. Enticed by the style of music Rob had proposed, Mag-2 backed the Ghanaian sensation on two of his most astonishing records - his first and second albums -"Funky Rob Way" and "Make it Fast, Make it Slow," both of which were recorded at Essiebons studios in Accra.Despite Rob's training and musical education, Amponsah was responsible for the vast majority of the compositions, such as building the chord progression and arranging the horns that Rob craved. Rob would even wait for the Mag-2 maestro's cue to begin singing. Despite early successes, a once-unflinching interest in Afrobeat began to wane by the early 1980s and Disco Boogie rapidly became the vogue style around which label owners and music producers sought to capitalize upon. The style Rob had shaped his career around was in decline and an adequate income consequently became a major concern, forcing him to travel to Hamburg, Germany in search of a financial backer.

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.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.

BBE present the lost private press album Rim Arrives / International Funk from Rim Kwaku Obeng / Rim and The Believers officially the first release under BBE Africa. A new and exciting cultural and lifestyle outlet focusing on the arts across the continent. Includes the tracks of International Funk a 12” recorded by Rim Kwaku Obeng later as Rim And The Believers, with drum machines and synths in full 1980s effect. Also includes a MP3 download code.

The second 12” off Bosq’s upcoming sophomore full-length takes on a darker and more agressive tone, enlisting the help of frequent collaborator Kaleta to get their powerful message across. The A-side features the familiar pairing of Bosq and Benin born & Nigerian raised singer Kaleta (formerly of Fela’s Egypt 80) on their heaviest collaboration to date. Kaleta laments the struggle of the common man on the first half of the song before both the music and the lyrics strike back urging a “take over” of those oppressive systems. The incessant rhythm and driving groove laying the perfect foundation, echoing Fela’s “Music Is The Weapon Of The Future” mantra. The B-side is another heavy slab of dense percussion and an afrobeat style horn section with a groove that falls somewhere between afro-latin, dancehall, and house. Horn genius Evan Laflamme handles the entirety of the section as well as ripping a Baritone solo that anchors the track in the middle and perfectly walks the line between musicality and groove. The 12” was envisioned and carried out during a time of immense frustration for the very politically minded Bosq and that emotion colors the sound of the record through both tracks.

Nine unreleased and rare tracks from the amazing Roger Damawuzan also known as the “James Brown from Lomé”, backed by the tremendous “Les As du Benin” orchestra, and recorded between 1972 and 1981. Deluxe 2LP in Gatefold Tip-On Jacket. TIP!!! Born in 1952 in Aneho (Togo), “The king of Gazo” (a traditional rhythm) is one of the most popular singer of his native country. He started his career in 1968 with the “Ricker’s” but his first record was released in 1972 with his now classic hit “Wait For Me”. From 1972 to the early 80s alongside “Les As du Benin”, they worked more than 5 days a week at the Hotel Tropicana in front of the sea with many tourists around and it was a very good exercise to work and create a perfect Afro-Soul sound. During this period they also recorded many tracks, sometime in Ghana at the famous Philips studio, sometime during live session for big events in the “Palais des Congres de Lomé” and studio Otodi in Lomé, always live and analog. Today Roger Damawuzan lives in Lomé; in 2014 he was the featuring singer on the smash hit “Pas Contente” by Vaudou Game and performed with the band in different European big festivals. Roger Damawuzan & Les As Du Benin can be considered as one of the biggest figure of the African Funk scene from the 70s: A must have record!

Two steaming Afro Funk rollers from Togo .. TIP!Hailing from the capital city, the Togo All Stars display a vigorous rhythm section and three sturdy voices deeply rooted within the afropop traditions stemming from the independence era, be it high-life, afrobeat, funk, reggae or even gospel music.A passionate man with a cause, Serge Amiano has been living in Lomé for a few years now. Thanks to his musical vision, he’s the mastermind behind Togo All Stars’ meeting of two generations. He confronts younger musicians playing in the shadows with older voices long thought to be tarnished under elusive limelight. Tireless talent scout and energy catalyst, Amiano paved the way for the Togo All Stars to happen; in the same manner he did it for Fanga, a celebrated French afrobeat collective in the last decade. Korbo, Fanga’s singer is featured on the Togo All Stars’ first album to be released this spring, under Kindred spirits record label. Nested behind its sea front lined with tentative palm trees, Lomé is an unsung Atlantic Africa city. The city mixes the energy of a restless youth with displays of genuine emotions that were once the soundtrack of the country’s independence, from April 27th 1960 to this day.Set in a country where cultural preservation is almost pointless, Serge Amiano had the idea to bring together rough voices from the past with the supreme rhythms of young lions dedicated to any kind of repertoire they lay their hands on. A true electric shock between generations, the Togo All Stars combine dignified and vintage singers with youthful musicians, exuberant rhythm section, liquid guitars and devastating horns.Genuine Togolese afro funk pioneer, charming Napo de mi Amor brings his solid vocal experience to the front of the orchestra. Aguey Cudjoe is Amiano’s true discovery. He stumbled upon this veteran singer doing high-life numbers in one of Lomé’s rare clubs. He became effortlessly one of the All Stars main voices, also adding sweet percussive touches in the distance.Experienced and mature, Dama Damawuzan learnt his trade within As du Bénin, the great and main Togolese orchestra from the 1970’s. He confronts his vocal prowesses to his own percussions but also to young drummer Gbetoglo Efoevi’s fierce groove. On this album, each of the All Stars’ eight musicians joins in for vocal harmonies. Legendary Otodi Studio was reopened for the sole recording of this first Togo All Stars album, giving exquisite analog warmth to the songs.Unappreciated for the time being, these gathered stars from Togo set bridges between the past, the present and the future of an always moving afro music. Fresh and raw energy combined with vintage singers, the Togo All Stars’s music embodies a true international musical elegance, looming large over the Atlantic and giving Togo its first big band since the 1970’s.

Rare funk & Avant-Garde soul from a seven years old kid singer featuring the best of French and Cameroonian musicians diaspora, recorded in Paris in 1977. Deluxe LP in tip-on jacket + linernote. Tip!The album contains two nicely dramatic tracks:“Look Up in the sky (Negro nature)” is a stretched funk groove with psyche synth by Michel Morose, bubbling bassline by the great Victor Edimo, the famous Toto Guillaume on guitar, and a brilliant poetic song by Francis The Great, who at that time studied in Menilmontant (Paris).“Ravissante Baby (Negro Phasing)” is a long hypnotic funky soukous track with a tremendous lead guitar and a long spoken-word and soulful kid vocal about the beauty of nature.Originally produced by his father, a great impresario of African artists in Paris during the 70s, and coordinated by his mother, this album is unique, fresh and out of genre in a way! It’s universal Funk!