The Black Beats – Tsutsu Tsosemo
Bob Tarte of the Miami New Times described this song as “a rather dippy tune that easily crosses the fun threshold”.
The Black Beats
Tag: africa
Kemayo & K. System – Bami Bami
Kemayo & K. System – Bami Bami
(Tam Tam Song, 1978)
Recorded in France by the part-time Cameroonian guitarist & full-time wardrobe stylist.
Uta Bella – Enyin
Uta Bella – Enyin (Nassa Nassa, 1980)
“What gives this Cameroonian the strength to continue despite the difficulties? It’s her first motivation: to help her continent Africa fight against famine, diseases and extreme poverty. She feels that she has a mission on earth, a mission that God entrusted her.”
Rato Venance – True Love
Rato Venance – True Love
(Mobio, 1978)
During the sixties Rato sang in teen bands all over West Africa. In 1973 he left the Ivory Coast for Europe and became the founding member of Bozambo, one of the hottest African groups in Europe in the 1970s. Later in France he initiated a movement that led to the establishment of the Centre Paco Rabanne, the foremost place in Paris for African music and culture.
Tony Okoroji – Onyinye Chukwu
Tony Okoroji – Onyinye Chukwu (Mama & Papa, 1982)
Recorded at Oregun Rd. studios in Lagos, Nigeria, with production, arrangements, guitars and keyboards by Tony Okoroji.
Jovino – African People
Jovino – African People (1975)
A native of the Cape Verde islands off western Africa, Jovino Dos Santos enlisted the help of Voz De Caboverde and his pal Luis Morais to record this politically-charged album dealing with the plight of the the former Portuguese colonies. It includes a sarcastic ‘ballad’ to Henry Kissinger in which he asks “Tell me Henry Kissinger, you’re the peacemaker, you’re the man of words and spirit, what can you do?”. (We now know the tragic answer to that question).
Cloud “7” – My Baby
Cloud “7” – My Baby (1976)
Cloud One was already taken, Cloud 9 was overcrowded, and Mick Jagger kicked them off of Cloud 8. So the Nigerian lads had to settle for Cloud 7.
Vewonyi DD – Agbemenyawo
Vewonyi DD – Agbemenyawo
(La Nouvelle Etoile, 1981)
Recorded in Togo and produced by A.A. Maikano, who later produced Amadour & Mariam’s 1999 album “Se Te Djon Ye”.
Sonny Okuson – Living Music
Sonny Okuson – Living Music (Ozziddi, 1977)
Hailing from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Sonny served several years under the tutelage of Victor Uwaifo before starting his own band, Ozziddi, in 1972.
Georges Diby & Les Mewlessell – La Marche Du Belier
Georges Diby & Les Mewlessell – La Marche Du Belier