Afrobeat Vinyl 135 Items

Official Mr Bongo reissue of the ultra-rare album by ‘Super Elcados’. A fusion of heavyweight Nigerian funk, soul & disco, originally released by EMI Nigeria in 1976.
The ‘Super Elcados’ (and ’Elcados’ on other recordings) recorded three albums in the mid and late-70’s, this is their first. It was followed by ‘This World Is Full Of Injustice’ and ‘What Ever You Need’.
Licensed from Geoffrey Johnson (Elcados), courtesy of PMG, with special thanks to Dave Hill for his help!

Rare and in High demand Afro digital Soul EP, recorded in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) in 1981.
Originally from Martinique, Clem Marise Voltine aka Mac Gregor moved to Abidjan in 1979 searching for, what she called, her “negritude quest”. She sang about her love for her adoptive city until her death in April 2004 at CHU of Abidjan, Trechville Hospital.
A visionary composer, poet and singer, mixing Creole, French and Nouchi, she made a brilliant musical bridge between the West-Indies and Ivory Coast, backed by a soulful group of top Ivorian musicians such as the great Houon Pierre.
This unique and must have record is a pure dancefloor killer and will definitely be the next Afro Tropical Hit of the next decade!
Fully Licensed in Abidjan, remastered at Carvery Studio on a 12inch vinyl (45 RPM).

One of the most pivotal figures in the history of Malian music is Sorry Bamba. His work spans five decades and his music bridges the gap between Mali's cultural traditions and new the music which arose from the musical cross overs which occurred in Mali's post-Colonial period. Bamba was born in 1938 in Mopti. This is dissected by both the Niger and Bani rivers and known for its rich cultural diversity. Bamba's father was a distinguished veteran of Emperor Samory Toure's military and a nobleman in Malian society, however, this meant young Sorry was forbidden to make music, as under the nation's caste system, music was an art form reserved for the Griots.

At the age of 10, Sorry's parents died and in traumatic times that followed the young teen found solace in music. He first taught himself to play am African six-holed flute. As he progressed he began to absorbed the rich tapestry of music of his surroundings, traditional Malian music, highlife from Ghana, local accordion master Toumani Toure, European singers and musicians. In 1957 Sorry formed his first band, Group Goumbe, named after a popular Ivory Coast dance style. In 1960 Mali gained independence from France, Bamba and his group benefited from a new openness toward local music on the state-run radio network Radio Mali. Sorry then went on to form two award-winning, further collectives Bani Jazz and later the Kanaga Orchestra. They fused Latin jazz, Western R&B, Psychedelic and funk, and traditional Malian styles made them a favourite in Mali and beyond.

Official reissue of one of the hardest to find albums by the Afro Soul maestro, a pure Afro Funk spiritual grail from 1978!
Born in 1943 in Ikole-Ekiti in Ondo State, Nigeria, Orlando Julius Ekemode (“Orlando was really a nickname, taken from the Nigerian actor, Orlando Martins“) had started in music from an early age, becoming the school drummer and learning flute, bugle and other instruments at St Peters Anglican School in Ikole-Ekiti. Nigerian musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, he is credited as one of the first musicians to fuse US R&B into traditional highlife music, creating his own influential Afrobeat sound during the mid-‘60s.
From his time playing in the USA during the 1970s onwards, he is credited with bringing African music to a broader audience and famously co-composed the song “Going Back To My Roots” with Lamont Dozier. In 1978, Orlando Julius Ekemode decided to produce himself this amazing session, originally recorded between Maryland and West Virginia (USA) and released in limited quantity in Nigeria by the obscure label Jungle Records. 6 stunning Afro-Funk monster tracks, recorded by 8 musicians based in Oakland.
Fully licensed with the artist and remastered by The Carvery. Essential!

SJOB Movement's “Friendship Train” was the second LP by the group and one which saw the group rise to new heights. It's a masterpiece of African music with it's fluid afro beat grooves and spaced out Moog synthesizer sounds. Here is an excerpt from the liner notes written and researched by Uchenna Ikonne: ""Prince Bola Agbana might hardly be the most immediately recognizable name in the constellation of Nigerian music stars, but for a significant portion of the last half-century he labored in the shadows, dutifully serving as one of the key movers in its development: An in-demand session musician. An early and respected exponent of funk. A catalyst in the retrofit of juju into a modern pop genre. Most of all, though, he is recognized as the founder, leader, drummer and principal vocalist of the SJOB Movement. SJOB: Sam, Johnnie, Ottah, Bola. For a moment in the mid-1970s, they were le dernier cri in modern Nigerian music, representing the next step in the evolution of afro rhythms, and a new paradigm for the band economy. Their first album, 1976’s “A Move in the Right Direction”, was a minor sensation and was swiftly followed by “Friendship Train” in 1977. Then it appeared that the movement stopped moving, and SJOB disappeared from the scene.

The Apostles were disciples of a heavy kind of psychedelic soul/rock fusion. After The Funkees left for London, they stepped into the breach to become the champions of East Nigeria’s flourishing post-war music scene. Based in Aba, and led by guitarist and charismatic chancer Walton Arungwa, they laid down a couple of singles with the city’s newly-formed BEN label. EMI liked what they heard and in 1976 whisked the band to Lagos to record The Apostles with the legendary Emmanual Odenusi at the controls. A heavy mix of wailing guitar, swirling organ and James Brown-style vocals, it became a fixture in every east Nigerian home. ‘Never Too Late’ sets the stage with a scorching lead break that most believe was played by guitar-slinger-for-hire, Felix ‘Feladay’ Odey. Drummer Joel Madubuike and bass player Henry Tandu lay down the rock solid groove for Benji Davidson’s righteous organ lines in ‘Inflation’ and ‘Highway to Success.’ And each is invested with an urgency from battle-hardened vocals of Chyke Fussion, a vetran of the Biafra war. Don’t be fooled by the angelic white outfits worn on the cover of The Apostles. These guys were BAD. And ‘Never Too Late’ could well be the best Afro Rock song ever recorded.

By the mid 1970s in Nigeria, the Biafran War was a distant memory and the music scene in the eastern city of Aba was booming again. Bands such as The Funkees, The Wings and The Apostles grabbed the headlines, but the more interesting stuff was coming from smaller groups like the Friimen. The Friimen, or the Friimen Musik Company to use their official name, were influenced as much by pre-'Saturday Night Fever' Bee Gees as Jimi Hendrix and James Brown. Their album 'We Can Get it On' is a hybrid of West Coast ballads and dancefloor chuggers.

Reissue of an ultra-rare Afro-Funk album by KENI OKULOLO.

First and rare album from the famous bass player and band leader of MONOMONO Nigerian band. 3 amazing tracks recorded in 1974 at EMI studio, taken from his ultra-rare and so hard to find Talkin' bass experience masterpiece album plus an extra track that we decided with the artist to include here. His funky gem “Funky People” was produced during the famous “Mixed Grill” sessions in Lagos.

Fully Licenced with one of a few living Nigerian musicians with roots in both traditional village music and funky West-African popular genres, five times voted Nigeria's best bassist by the Nigerian Association of Music journalists. The original album is so hard to find and cost more than thousand euros, so don’t hesitate to listen to this remastered Afro-Soul gem.

A reissue of the 1979 Afro-funk LP by a dynamic artist from Nigeria, originally issued by the well know Afrodisia label.
'Village Boogie!' really deserves the status of a legendary rarity and holy grail for fans of afro funk music. The original album is incredibly rare today and fetches prices of $800! On this unique album Steve Black presents a new version of the smasher 'Brand New Wayo', originally played by the band Mixed Grill, in which Steve Black was also the singer. Along with that hit 'Village Boogie!' gives us six other groovers and movers that make your hips shake like you were hit by an earthquake, and in fact this is an earthquake of ever pulsating polyrhythmic drum and percussion patterns, as solid platform for lush horn arrangements and swinging bass lines. A little bit of guitar and other instrumentation adds color to the whole wild steaming funky sound and on top we find the utterly distinctive voice of Mr. Steve Black.

This Incredible afro-soul album was recorded in Italy in 1974 by the two Nigerians Ezy Hart and Isaac Olashugba. Ezy is known for his vocals while Isaac for playing saxophone. They are ex-members of Fela Kuti’s band, The Koola Lobitos and The Don Ezekiel Combination. After doing amazing collaborations together, recording a few Christian-Funk albums, and touring West Africa, these two finally settled in Italy. The Funky Fella, a group of 12 top Italian musicians such as Maestro Leoni from Rifi records, produced three albums with Ezy and Isaac. The first one is called Soul Rock and is considered as a Soul masterpiece. It contains the bomb track called “Bawagbe” ; This track is very tuff, hypnotic afro-soul groove with ruff Yoruba chants, smacking congas, afro horns, funky breaks and a wicked percussion breakdown of rattling cowbells. It`s a very unique collectors’ item for the afro-funk lovers and more. Hot Casa Records also included a bonus track called “I’m Ready For you”, coming from the rare funky 7inch released in 1976.

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.

Afro-Soul Holy Grail by the “Soul Brother from Benin“, featuring the famous “Vis à Vis” band from Ghana and recorded in Kumasi in 1979.

This epic Afrobeat album contains just one eponymous track clocking in at just over 25 minutes in length, and beginning with a mysterious and psychedelic musical interplay between Fela on organ and Tony Allen on drums. As the song takes on a righteously funky groove, Fela evokes the chaos of Lagos, the multitude of regional dialects, the gnarly traffic jams, the absence of a policeman to take charge, as a metaphor for the larger problems of post-colonial Nigeria.

C.K. Mann made his name as a virtuous guitar player in Ghana when he played with Moses Kweku Oppong in the Kakaikus Guitar Band in the early 60s. He then became the leader of the band Ocean’s Strings until 1966. In 1968, he enjoyed a hit with the single ‘Edina Benya’. Mann was known for blending authentic African music with European influences. He was inspired by Latin American music and created a style all of his own. He became known as the ‘King of Highlife‘ in Ghana in the 70's, when he released the record ‘Nimpa Rebre’ featuring vocals from Pat Thomas and Kofi Yankwon. Funky Highlife came out of the Essiebons label run by Dick Essilfe Bondzie. According to Dick, this album could have been a massive hit in Ghana but the vinyl factories ran out of stock because of Ghana’s economic downturn, so the demand for the record could not be met. The album is a fusion of highlife and soul. The best-known track ‘Asafo beesuon’ is a multi-layered, drum heavy, funk medley and is over 13 minutes long.

180 gram vinyl!

High on everyones afro-jazz wishlist!

" Brand new vinyl reissue to celebrate the 40the anniversary of zouk pioneers Kassav’ .

Who hasn’t retained at least one memory of the group Kassav’ from their youth? For whether in concert, or onthe radio or TV, the image of Kassav’ remains vivid inthe minds of listeners and spectators.

The group,founded in 1979 by Jacob Desvarieux, Georges andPierre-Edouard Décimus, has become legendary, putting Guadeloupe and Martinique on the musicalmap of the world. Touring the world with zouk, amusical movement introduced and popularized by Kassav’, their albums have repeatedly been rewarded with both gold and platinum discs .A victim of Covid in 2021, the loss of Jacob Desvarieux leaves a huge void. The mix of Jacob Des varieux and George Decimus with Jocelyne Béroard, Jean-Philippe Marthély, Patrick Saint-Éloi and Jean-Claude Naimro has played soldout concerts in 82 countries. With texts recounting reallife in the Caribbean world their lively music draws on the rhythms of Guadeloupe’s gwo-ka and Martinique’sti-bwa. Transcending the well-defined codes of Caribbean music, they have turned the 1980s and all the succeeding decades into a fabulous ballroom.

They have been welcomed in Japan and the Ussr, where they became the first group of black musicians to tour. Forty years after the group’s creation, their timeless hits continue to resonate. "

When the U.S. State Department announced in the mid-1970s that they were sponsoring a South African tour for the Oklahoma-born, Paris-based saxophonist Hal Singer, producer Rashid Vally took note. Even though his nascent record label As-Shams/The Sun (established in 1974) was making waves on the local scene, the idea of commissioning a recording from an international artist was a ballsy idea. With a discography that stretched back to the 1950s, Hal Singer was already somewhat of a legacy artist by 1976. Vally was well-versed on Singer’s accomplishments and specifically enamoured by his composition “Blue Stompin’,” which appeared on a Prestige album from 1959 that had struck a chord in South Africa. With his irresistible charm, Vally managed to coax Singer into a studio in Johannesburg, South Africa, to record a new version of “Blue Stompin’” with South African sax star Kippie Moeketsi, which became the title track of a 1977 album by Moeketsi. The recording session also yielded an album’s worth of new material by Hal Singer and his quartet that took its name from a track inspired by Singer’s trip to South Africa entitled “Soweto to Harlem.” Released in 1976 and only available in South Africa, Soweto to Harlem captures a laid-back, cheeky and nostalgic rhythm and blues set from the Hal Singer Quartet that is unlikely to have emerged for a different target market. With her irresistible charm, Vally was able to convince Singer to enter a Johannesburg studio. The recording session produced this album of new material by Hal Singer and his quartet named after a song inspired by Singer's trip to South Africa, entitled "Soweto to Harlem." Released in 1976 and available only in South Africa, "Soweto to Harlem" captures a laid-back, unabashed and nostalgic rhythm and blues of Hal Singer's quartet that would hardly have been born for a different market. Cinedelic’s 2024 edition of this rare album is sourced from the original tape masters and presents it on vinyl internationally for the very first time. The reissue follows Singer’s passing at the 100 in August 2020 as we contemplate and celebrate his extraordinary contribution to jazz in the United States and beyond.

A necessary groundbreaking album, originally released on Belgian label Antler in 1984. Fesobi Olawaiye debut is finally been re-issued, showcasing the incredible talent of the African musician, a longtime Fela Kuti associate in the legendary Afrika 70. Ander the moniker Feso Trombone he just prove an authentically brilliance, moving forward the afro-beat dogma while providing incredible white funk harmonies and contagious rare groove. Remastered from the original tapes!

"Sabura Djâ Nfrontam" by one of the biggest names in the triumph of the electrification of Funaná, the great José Casimiro. The album was recorded in 1981, celebrates music made in Portuguese-speaking Africa, finally reissued for the first time.

Kalita are proud to present the first ever reissue of Papa Yankson"s highly sought-after 1989 disco-infused highlife masterpiece "Party Time"! Showcasing the late Ghanaian superstar at his very best, "Party Time" encapsulates the blending of deep, rhythmic West African melodies with synthesizers and electronic styles that had exploded during the decade. Now, thirty-five years after initial release, and with original copies having reached grail status on the second-hand collector"s scene, Kalita brings this phenomenal record back to life, with extensive liner notes detailing Papa Yankson"s musical career.

First time repressed since 1982, Akin Nathan was a seasoned session saxophonist who featured on several albums but was chiefly known for his tenure with Sonny Okosuns' Ozziddi during the group's most productive period in the 70s & 80s. Nathan's Ijama 1982 solo outing Sweet Country, includes drummer Geoffrey Omadehbo, guitarist Brother Didi Lead, bass guitarist Yakubu Daniel, keyboard player Johnny Woode, trumpet Big John Oaikhena & piano Brother Francky Ntoh Song. Featured cuts are K'ale San Wa, Congratulation & Free Namibia. Played by dearly beloved luminaries such as Tone Nimble, Ge-ology, Sadar Bahar & Charlie Dark.

Limited edition of 750 individually numbered copies on gold coloured vinyl

Kalita are excited to announce the first ever re-release of "Adzagli (Jungle Funk)" and "A Song For You (Ayawa)", two phenomenal pieces of West African disco from Amsterdam"s Kofi Ayivor. Selected from his sought-after Nigerian 1981 self-titled debut album "Kofi", at last these two recordings see the light of day once more via a loud-cut remastered 12" single. In addition, Kalita enlists fellow Amsterdam resident, DJ and producer Mendel to create his own remix of each recording, using the original multitrack session tapes to rework both for the modern-day dancefloor.

First Reissue for this almost impossible to find record, this beautiful soul blending disco was recorded in one shot by Keith Paul in 1977. Fully remastered, it gives justice to one of the most hidden treasure of Guyana's music. Keith Paul recorded every instrument on this record. The liner notes interview by Saultone founder will give you the whole story and get deep in the secret of this incredible voice and talent

First of our series is Matadi's album " Dance My Love" released in 1978 on now reissued for the first time with a full remastering of the original tracks and including an exclusive interview of Sammy Massamba on a printed insert. Matadi was a band created by legendary producer Sammy Massamba in late 70s, here's their first and only album "Dance My Love" , including cosmic afro-disco and heavy funk and soul tracks with crazy synths and groove on all tracks. The whole album was fully licensed in close collaboration with Sammy Massamba.

Beautiful Zambian Jazz/Rock LP. Huge Tip! Sharp-Flat Records presents the long-awaited restoration of The Broadway Quintet's cult classic Amalume – a hypnotic concoction of traditional Zambian sounds and jazz-rock grooves with a twist of 1970s African psychedelia.

Emerging to serve the entertainment needs of Zambia's United National Independence Party (unip) in the early 1960s, The Broadway Quintet gathered seasoned talent from Lusaka's best hotel bands to fashion its esteemed lineup. Starting as a quartet and later evolving into a quintet, the group's career spanned over twenty years as favourites on the cabaret circuit and boasted a myriad of prestigious collaborations.

The Broadway Quintet's jazz sensibilities set them apart from the rock sound that dominated the music landscape of the 1970s. Yet the formula behind Zamrock, fusing indigenous Zambian sounds with Western pop, shaped their one and only 1976 long-player. Featuring modern arrangements of traditional songs, Amalume blended congas with sax sounds, folk lyrics with electric keyboard shenanigans and show business staples with jazz guitar noodling. With its psychedelic fever dream illustrated cover, it was an explosive package of "originality and electrifying beauty" as the album's liner notes rightly attested.

Released on the Zambezi label, Amalume joined an exceptional run of mid-1970s offerings alongside Witch, Ricky Banda and Crossbones. Officially licensed, carefully restored and beautifully reproduced, Zambia's most requested reissue has finally returned for everybody to enjoy.