Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako – Mali Denou
https://amf.didiermary.fr/ambassadeurs-motel-bamako-mali-denou/
The original version of Mali Denou, by Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako.
In 1969, an ambitious army lieutenant, a key member of the new junta which had seized power only the previous year, decided that a band was needed to entertain customers at the Motel De Bamako, […]
El Gusto, l’orchestre d’Alger
https://amf.didiermary.fr/el-gusto-chaabi-algiers-alger/
El Gusto est le nom de ce groupe fondé dans la casbah d’Alger “il y a très très longtemps.” La guerre, puis l’indépendance dans les années 60, ont séparé les musiciens. Ce documentaire (El Gusto – Casbah Blues), sorti en 2012, montre le cheminement de leurs retrouvailles au nom de la musique Chaâbi. […]
Le Mystère Jazz de Tombouctou
https://amf.didiermary.fr/mystere-jazz-tombouctou/
The Orchestre Regional de Tombouctou, also known as “Le Mystère Jazz de Tombouctou”, did not release a recording until 1977.
During the era of Mali’s first President, Modibo Keita (1960-1968), the government created regional orchestras and arts troupes in each of the nation’s seven regions. These groups were state-sponsored and from 1962 they competed in […]
Togo Soul 70
https://amf.didiermary.fr/togo-soul-70/
“Togo Soul 70” are 3 compilations of rare and unusual songs & releases mostly recorded in Lomé during the 70s and 80s.
A fusion of traditional voodoo chants, raw soul and even Electro Funk, […] a snapshot of some hundreds of rare and often forgotten tapes from the most prolific, professional and exciting phase of the country’s […]
Zulu Guitar Blues: Cowboys, Troubadours and Jilted Lovers 1950–1965.
https://amf.didiermary.fr/zulu-guitar-blues/
"But for this compilation of rescued songs masterfully restored from rare 78 rpm shellacs, few could imagine the diversely beautiful roots of Zulu Guitar Music emerging during the period 1950 – 1965. Story-tellers and master musicians [...]
#50smusic #60smusic #Blues #Compilation #Mbaqanga #SouthAfrica #OldAfricanMusic
T. P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou: Unite Africaine
https://amf.didiermary.fr/tp-poly-rythmo-cotonou-unite-africaine/
Two monumental full-side tracks from a pair of late 70s Orchestre Poly-Rythmo albums, Unite Africaine isn’t exactly a compilation, more a combination of the standouts at a time when the band was at the peak of its powers.
The EP was released originally as “Mélomé Clément Chef d’Orchestre.” Originally released in 1977, [...]
Albalabel
https://amf.didiermary.fr/albalabel/
Albalabel (al Balabil - The Nightingales), a Sudanese girl group comprised of three sisters, came to prominence in the early 1970s. They were a phenomenon in their time, because their music felt and sounded innovative, marking a departure from the patriotic and nationalistic songs. […]
Rim Kwaku Obeng – Rim arrives
https://amf.didiermary.fr/funky-drummer-rim-kwaku-obeng/
Rim Kwaku Obeng and The Believers – Rim Arrives / International Funk were considered “lost” albums until this release in 2015.
Kwaku the drummer, born Samuel K. Mfojo, struggled to get his music recorded. From winning the admiration of the late Quincy Jones, but unable to work for him, to living 6 months homeless in […]
Tamfoum Ibrahim & Amabano Band – Salam
https://amf.didiermary.fr/tamfoum-ibrahim-amabano-band-salam/
Ibrahim Tam Fum Kayenge Dembo (Fidel) is a guitarist born in Kinshasa who played in many bands. Here in a video shot in the Netherlands with Amabano Band.
Franco & OK Jazz – Course au pouvoir (1966)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/franco-ok-jazz-course-au-pouvoir-1966/
La chanson “Course au pouvoir” (comme “Chicotte” également) est le reflet d’une époque où les artistes, orchestres et musiciens se lançaient dans des “revanches en musique.”
Ici, Franco répond à Kwamy Munsi, qui après avoir quitté OK Jazz, pour rejoindre African Fiesta, lui a adressé le titre “Faux millionnaire” accompagné de [...]
Almon Memela (Soweto)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/almon-memela-soweto/
Born in 1936, Almon Memela is (was?) a South African composer, guitarist and producer, from Donnybrook, KwaZulu-Natal, who taught himself to play guitar as a child (first on homemade instruments and with no encouragement from his family). A remarkably versatile artist, his music went from Soul Jazz and Jive to Mbaqanga and AfroFunk. [...]
#70smusic #AfroFunk #Jazz #Mbaqanga #SoulJazz #SouthAfrica #OldAfricanMusic
Dernier album par El Rego
https://amf.didiermary.fr/el-rego-final-album-benin/
Je vous livre une info trouvée dans la presse Béninoise, et qui m’a plus qu’étonné, car très franchement, je pensais que cet artiste nous avait déjà quittés : Théophile do Régo dit El Rego a sorti en 2010, à 73 ans donc, son dernier album, avant de prendre sa retraite définitive ! […]
Francis Bebey – Un petit ivoirien
https://amf.didiermary.fr/francis-bebey-petit-ivoirien/
“On les aime bien” is a fun song (in French) on white tourists in Africa… from Bebey‘s album “Un petit Ivoirien” in 1979. […]
Empire Bakuba & Papy Tex – Livre d’or
https://amf.didiermary.fr/empire-bakuba-papy-tex-livre-or/
Empire Bakuba was founded in 1972 by Pepe Kalle, Papy Tex (Jean Dode Matolu) and Dilu Dilumona, and became an influential soukous band that formed in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo).
African Scream Contest 2
https://amf.didiermary.fr/african-scream-contest-2/
African Scream Contest 2 est le deuxième tome, exclusivement consacré au Bénin, de ces compilations, sorti 10 ans après le précédent album. L’album couvre la période 1963-1980 dans la musique béninoise.
"A trove of Vodoun-inspired Afrobeat heavy funk crossover greatness Right from the laceratingly raw guitar fanfare which kicks off [...]
Palm Wine Guitar Music with S. E. Rogie
https://amf.didiermary.fr/palm-wine-guitar-music-rogie/
Sooliman Ernest Rogers, (1926 – 1994) better known as S. E. Rogie, was a Highlife and PalmWine musician and guitarist from Sierra Leone. Palm Wine Guitar Music: The 60s Sound has been recorded in 1988.
S.E. Rogie went from running a tailor shop in Sierra Leone to being one of West Africa’s most popular artists. […]
Songs For The Poor Man – Remmy Ongala
https://amf.didiermary.fr/songs-poor-man-remmy-ongala/
The Doctor Remmy Ongala, was a Tanzanian guitarist and singer. “Songs for the Poor Man” is the first studio album and second album overall, released in 1989.
His audience saw his lyrics as allegories, often attacking the country’s ruling elite. He never assumed the mantle of spokesman for the masses but did both articulate the […]
Admas – Sons of Ethiopia
https://amf.didiermary.fr/admas-sons-ethiopia/
Sons of Ethiopia is a fascinating piece of the Ethiopian musical puzzle. Emerging from the community of Ethiopian exiles who had been scattered to the winds by the brutality of the Derg – the military dictatorship that had deposed Haile Selassie – the album was the sound of a new generation.
“Lost” album from 1984, re-released […]
#AfroFunk #Ethiojazz #Ethiopia #FullAlbum #Instrumental #OldAfricanMusic
Ata Kak – Daa Nyinaa
https://amf.didiermary.fr/ata-kak-daa-nyinaa/
Ata Kak quickly became a cult classic amongst DJs and underground tastemakers.
The Ghanaian musician, whose real name is Yaw Atta-Owusu, had recorded Obaa Sima in 1994 in Toronto before returning to Ghana in 2006.
Atta moved to Toronto in 1989 where he was invited to play in a highlife […]
If You Want to Make a Lover
https://amf.didiermary.fr/if-you-want-to-make-a-lover/
“Palm Wine, Akan Blues & Early Guitar Highlife, Pt. I & II” is a collection encompassing Akan blues, PalmWine and early guitar-based Highlife music, with recordings dating from the late 1920s through to the end of the 1950s.
The music included here can probably all be said to have all stemmed from a style that […]
ሙሉቀን፡መለሰ Mulukèn Mellèssè Muluqän Mälläsä
https://amf.didiermary.fr/muluken-mellesse/
The Ethiopiques series is back, after almost 7 years, with 2 albums released in December 2025. The first one is “Muluken Mellesse With The Dahlak Band” (Ethiopiques 31).
[…] the artist’s talent made itself known very early indeed, because he got his start in 1966-67, at the age of 13 […]
King Kester Emeneya – Willo Mondo
https://amf.didiermary.fr/king-kester-emeneya-willo-mondo/
Jean Baptiste “King Kester” Emeneya Mubiala Kwamambu (1956 – 2014) was a Congolese singer.
Widely considered an innovator, Emeneya was among the first to use music programming and synthesizers, as featured on his Nzinzi album, which sold millions of copies worldwide in 1987.
SJOB Movement – Stone Funk
https://amf.didiermary.fr/sjob-movement-stone-funk/
“For a moment in the mid-1970s, SJOB Movement were le dernier cri in modern Nigerian music, representing the next step in the evolution of afro rhythms.”
Their album “A Move in the Right Direction” was released in 1976 and contained 5 tracks: Country Love, No One Cares, You Only Live Once, Omo Oloro (To […]
First Modern Taarab Vibes
https://amf.didiermary.fr/first-modern-taarab-vibes/
Black Star Musical Club was one of the classic Taarabu bands in Tanga, Tanzania. It was founded in the 1950s, and played a crucial role in establishing the modern Taarab sound.
Taarab is a music genre popular in Tanzania and Kenya. It is influenced by […]
#70smusic #80smusic #Kenya #Taarab #Tanzania #OldAfricanMusic
Franco & l’OK Jazz – Mado (Infidélité)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/franco-ok-jazz-mado/
“Mado” (Infidélité) is a classic from 1969, composed by bass player Céli Bitshou, sung by Franco, Youlou and Boyibanda.
Through the 1960s, Franco and O.K. Jazz toured regularly and recorded prolifically. By 1967, Franco was a co-leader of the band, with vocalist Vicky Longomba. When Vicky left in 1970, Franco became [...]
