Roforofo Jazz
Fire Eater

“You don’t need to be a fan of Gwoka or even Antillean music in general to fall in love with the deep, expressive voices of the singers of the genre. Artists like COSACK, ANZALA and ESNARD BOISDUR have fascinated music lovers around the globe for decades. It’s not only the drumming style accompanied by their beautiful melodic intonation, but also the revolutionary spirit of these songs that make them a unique and powerful document of the culture and the history of the Antilles and the Caribbean.I remember the first time I listened to this type of drumming and signing, live at the re-enactment of the slave riots, and being completely emotionally overwhelmed by it. Some of my record collector/DJ colleagues and friends – first and foremost Hugo Mendez and Émile Omar – shared the same fascination for the genre and kept inspiring me, and countless others, by their DJ sets at Tropical Discoteq in Paris, where I have had the pleasure to be one of the residents for five years and counting. At one of those nights, I met my friend Pascal Rioux from Favorite Recordings and told him about an amazing unreleased track I received months before, on a home-burned CD, from ESNARD BOISDUR. Among other beautiful songs, it contained one outstanding track, a mix of modern Gwoka and Zouk called “MIZIK BEL”.When I started playing that track out, there were fierce reactions on both ends. The crowds loved it and after a while you could hear people cheer when they heard the first notes. Many DJs and labels wanted it, demanded it, and would even go as far as to block or unfriend me if I refused to comply. It became clear to me that the track had to be released on vinyl for the first time and made accessible to people who wanted to play it, while giving the original artist full credit. At the same time, I knew a remix version of the track that would pay respect to the original could only be created by getting the original stems, and not by editing the main track and pressing it into an “electronic dance corset.” Pascal agreed to the idea and started the licensing work and the search for the stems, which resulted in an ongoing three-year quest that was crowned by the finding of the ADAT containing the original tracks.As AFRICAINE 808, Dirk Leyers and I spent considerable time trying to re-create the composition of the original, respectfully slicing and re-arranging it, adding new instrumentation, and recording additional percussion and talking drum with our percussionist ERIC OWUSU (Pat Thomas/Ebo Taylor). We stretched it, adding a krauty synth part without losing the focus of Esnard’s beautiful voice and lyrics, describing Caribbean music in all its diversity and beauty.With this in mind, I hope you can now enjoy the beauty of “MIZIK BEL” as much as we have so far.” – (DJ NOMAD, June 2019).

A fantastic afro-beat album from a Fela Anikulapo Kuti disciple and Kalakuta Republic member. A sublime spiritual and political session recorded in 1979 at the Emi studio in Lagos (Nigeria). Arranged and self-produced, this second Kingsley Bucknor‘s album, hopelessly obscure and impossible to find ranks alongside the best afro-beat album in history!At the age of 19, King Bucknor Jr, also known as the Black Isaiah of Africa, released his second album backed by a 16 band members called “The Afrodisk” and 10 background singers .Two long and hypnotic grooves with all the afro -beat ingredients, fluid and complex drums patterns, strong horns, female voices on chorus, strong lyrics, beautiful keys and horns solos .Essential for all the afro collectors and music lovers.Official licence and remastered by Carvery (UK).

Favorite Recordings proudly presents Voiciii, the 3rd and new album by Voilaaa, an immersive dip into its Afro-Disco universe spread across 14 tracks. Needless to say you’ll find in this new LP all the ingredients that made him famous: strong dancefloor-friendly festive bangers, irresistible funky arrangements and an undeniable sense of humor and irony. Bruno “Patchworks” Hovart, behind Voilaaa, is as often surrounded by amazing vocal featurings from previous LP’s regulars (Pat Kalla, Lass) but also new voices you may already have heard on its recent EPs (David Walters, Rama Traore, Ayuune Suule), as well as the saxophonist Boris Pokora. The LP is also an occasion to pay tributes to major artists of the African sound, such as Fela Kuti (on “Water No Get Enemy”), or Manu Dibango (“Manu Écoute Ça” and “Tenor Jam For Manu”). Since the release of Voilaaa’s previous LP’s Des Promesses and On Te L’Avait Dit and their massive international support, the Voilaaa Soundsystem did travel through the world to deliver its message of infectious joy and groove, from Equator to Thailand, from Kazakhstan to the infamous French “Fête de l’Huma”. Now you know: Voilaaa is everywhere and Voiciii (“here it is”) their new album.

French renowned reggae producer Mato is back with a new killer volume of the “Hip-Hop Reggae Series”.Stix Records rounds up all recent Mato’s 7inches anthems into this extended player, with all the cuts remastered for the occasion.The Mato’s touch?: Remixing the biggest Hip-Hop and R&B tunes with choice reggae backing tracks. As usual he’s blended all of the tracks to perfection, and ready to rock any party.As well as his recent 7inches, which included hits such as “Danger” (Blahzay Blahzay), “Still Dre” (Dr Dre), “Remember We” (Da Bush Babies), or “I Know What You Want” (Busta Rhymes), this collection also includes four unreleased hits: “Gangsta Lovin’” by Eve, “La Saga” by IAM, “Whateva Man” by Redman and “Off The Books” by The Beatnuts.Woop woop, that's the perfect sound of reggae-hip hop ready to hit the dancefloors again!This is definitely one you shouldn't miss !!!!!

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.