Joe Sembene
Heart of Africa - Weur Di Dane / Le P'Tit Quinquin

One of the best boogie records of Nigeria repressed for the first time. Produced in 1981 by Jake Sollo and performed by himself flanked by the outstanding funky bass by Randy Taylor and the great vocal performances from the Galaxy girls. Recorded and produced in England but originally released only in Nigeria.

Born on June 28 1936, in Edikwu Village, Oturkpo, Idoma Division, Benue Plateau State, Nigeria, Ray Stephen Oche comes from a family of musicians, singers and flute players. His ancestors and folks were undisputed celebrities in the many music festivals of his native region, especially in the 30's, and Ray just followed with amazing ease and talent, the path they had so gloriously thread.From the tender age of 8, Ray was already an outstanding flute player in his village school band. Soon after, Ray joined local bands and became a first rate Obinde singer and started travelling extensively, visiting every part of Northern Nigeria, where he entertained Idoma communities.In 1953, Ray arrived in Lagos and quickly found his way into the best musician's circles, joining Stephen Amechi's and, later on, Bobby Benson's groups. Shortly after he found his own band, Ray Stephen Oche & His Orchestra, and quickly performed in Kano, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Aba, Port Harcourt or Ibadan. Coming back to Lagos, Ray decides to go to Accra (Ghana), where he achieved his musical studies at Ghana Military School of Music and, later, became a favourite of late Kwame N'Krumah. While staying in Accra, Ray met the world famous drummer and percussionist, Guy Warren, who is supposed to have delivered Ray with the secret of the authentic African rhythms.In March 63, Ray returned to Lagos, where he collaborated with Chris Ajilo & His Cubanos, before forming his own new band, Outter Space, with which he toured Sierra Leone. That's also where he ended invited to perform a series of private shows for the prime minister. Ray then visited Gambia, Senegal and then Paris, where he arrived in 1965. He and his band performed all over Europe in Switzerland, Spain, Italy, France, etc…After the memorable "Festival de Montparnasse" in 1970, Ray Stephen Oche joined Alan Silva & His Celestial Communications Orchestra for several shows and festivals. In 1971, he collaborated with Noah Howard Quartet and played for the Copenhagen Radio, the University or the famous "Montpartre Jazz Club". After having worked successfully in Germany and Holland, Ray came back in Paris where he raised his Freedom Suite Orchestra, this time bringing him to Algeria or Tunisia.Famous in many Jazz circles and at the SACEM, Ray is now leading the Ray Stephen Oche & His Matumbo (in Angolese language, Matumbo means: "Gifted with various talents"). This band is composed mainly of African musicians from Congo, Togo, Guinea or Gambia, but also with others from Brazil or French West Indians. The band main purpose was to shed more lights on the diversity of African melodies and rhythms.As a calm, gentle and discrete person, Ray answers very genuinely when questioned about his beliefs: "Of course I believe in God!!" This makes even more sense when you know that his real name, Owoicho Oche, means "God is the King".

Favorite Recordings pursues its 12inch Disco series with a new 2 tracks single by 7 Samurai. After a few remixes already produced for the label over the past 3 years, the duo (Tom Wieland & Marc Frank) known for their various edits and productions for labels such as G.A.M.M or Poets Club Records, will extend this collaboration with a new album planned for 2016.On these 2 first tracks, old-school “x-edit” kings 7 Samurai are back on da block with two soulful original party tunes.“Shake It Up” is a sun drenched disco reggae dub version of the classic rare groove anthem by The Vibrations, and features the vocal talents of Alicia “Blue Eyez” Smith. While the dubby disco flip “Cosmic Jam” (dedicated to Patrick Forge), sounds like Sun Palace´s rude movements reworked in King Tubby´s echo chamber. Essential listening!

After a successful launching a few months back, SOL DISCOS is very happy to introduce its second release. This time, the label goes for the 12" format and decides to reissue a very obscure Island disco / funk hybrid two sider.Originally arranged & released by Jamaican producer Ralston "Stamma" Haughton on his SOMB (Sound Of Montego Bay) imprint, "My Music" is sung by Jamaican artist E.T. Webster and features a dub mix to the vocal on the flip. The music is provided by a high quality band of session musician, including Leslie Butler or Paul Hurlock.SOL DISCOS is delighted to give a second life to this rare & hard to get 12", which is not only very rare & elusive, but has also changed hands for high money recently when it shown up.

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.Stanislas Tohon aka Papy Grande was born in the “Country of the kings” (Benin), in Abomey 1955. He’s “Chevalier de la legion d’honneur” in Benin for his brilliant musical career.The famous soul singer from Cotonou started his musical career at this age of 9, played with the greatest such as Gnonnas Pedro and recorded almost 35 albums. Influenced by the traditional “Tchingoume“ music , he invented his own rhythm called “Tchink Système”, a mix of soul and Beninese traditional rhythm . Dans le Tchink Système is an original 4 tracks album recorded in Ghana on 24 analog tracks channel with the incredible “Vis à Vis Band”, completed with the song “Africa“, a rare version of his first 7inch which he recorded a year before with “Les Satelites” from Cotonou. Sang in Fon, his native language from Benin, this album is a soulful call for peace and unity in Africa, a real definition of Afro Soul music! This extremely rare and obscure record is now remastered and strictly limited to 1000 copies.Enjoy!