Bongo Joe

V/A : Léve Léve - Sao Tomé & Principe Sounds 70s-80s

'SAO TOME & PRINCIPE SOUNDS 70S-80S'- 'Léve Léve' is the first ever compilation devoted to music from Sao Tomé and Principe, two small islands situated off the coast of Gabon in central Africa. The album unravels a story of liberation where the music of Africa, Europe and the Americas unify with a carefree spirit personified by a phrase the islanders use all the time:"léve, léve" ("take it easy"). With echoes of Angolan semba and merengue, of Brazilian afoxê, of coladeira from Cape Verde and dance music from the Caribbean, it is a sound fiercely proud of its island heritage, sung in local dialects and using distinctive local rhythms. The project was the idea and creation of French DJ and crate digger DJ Tom B who has, for over 20 years been collecting music from Brazil and other Lusophone countries. It was through collecting Angolan music that he was first introduced to the unique island musicof Sao Tomé and Principe, which like Angola, has a long history of slavery and Portuguese colonialism. SIDE 1:1. Africa Negra - Mino Bô Bé Quacueda2. Africa Negra - Zimbabwe3. Sangazuza - Sun Malé4. Os Untuès - Chi Bô Sá Migu Di VédêSIDE 2:1. Sum Alvarinho - M'konvètá Dédo2. Conjunto Equador - Madô3. Tiny Das Neves - Cladênço Padê Cluço4. Conjunto Mindelo - Taji OcédoSIDE 3:1. Africa Negra - Aninha2. Pedro Lima - Nga Ba Compensadora3. Sangazuza - Cortiçao4. Os Untuès - Piquina PiquinaSIDE 4:1. Conjunto Equador - Meu Di Plôcô2. Sum Alvarinho - Tólá Muandgi3. Pedro Lima E Conjunto Os Leonenses - Esatela Licu4. Agrupamento Da Ilha - Bô Gosa So Txi

Africa Negra : Antologia, vol. 2 (2lp)

Continuing their exploration of Sao Tomé and Príncipe with DJ Tom B., Les Disques Bongo Joe prsesents Africa Negra - 'Anthology Vol. 2.' They've carefully selected and remastered 13 standout tracks for this volume, digitized from studio tapes by their tour manager. The album includes a booklet with updated liner notes and vintage photos of the group. Africa Negra, established in the early 1970s by Horacio and Emidio Pontes, is Sao Tomé and Príncipe's most renowned musical group. Their blend of puxa and rumba, infused with Leonildo Barros' guitar riffs, Armando Tito's bass lines, and vibrant percussion, gained them recognition beyond the archipelago. This volume offers a glimpse into their musical journey, featuring unreleased sessions from 1979 and 1990, showcasing lead vocalists like Joao Seria and Sergio Fonseca. This anthology is dedicated to the memory of General Joao Seria, Gabriel Joao, Sep 1, 1949 - May 4, 2023.

Africa Negra : Antologia, vol. 2

Continuing their exploration of Sao Tomé and Príncipe with DJ Tom B., Les Disques Bongo Joe prsesents Africa Negra - 'Anthology Vol. 2.' They've carefully selected and remastered 13 standout tracks for this volume, digitized from studio tapes by their tour manager. The album includes a booklet with updated liner notes and vintage photos of the group. Africa Negra, established in the early 1970s by Horacio and Emidio Pontes, is Sao Tomé and Príncipe's most renowned musical group. Their blend of puxa and rumba, infused with Leonildo Barros' guitar riffs, Armando Tito's bass lines, and vibrant percussion, gained them recognition beyond the archipelago. This volume offers a glimpse into their musical journey, featuring unreleased sessions from 1979 and 1990, showcasing lead vocalists like Joao Seria and Sergio Fonseca. This anthology is dedicated to the memory of General Joao Seria, Gabriel Joao, Sep 1, 1949 - May 4, 2023.

Alice : L'oiseau magnifique

Armed with a thrift-store synth, bizarre wit and arresting vocals, the intergenerational, all-female micro-choir Alice release their second album 'L'Oiseau Magnifique.' Hailingfrom Geneva, Alice's music subverts French and Occitan folk music to create a playful and poignant blend of intricate harmony and storytelling lyricism - a unique sound thatis deep yet deceptively minimal.

Altin Gün : On

Turkkilaista nykypsykerockia vahvasti Erkin Korayn ja Baris Mancon hengessä.

Amami : Giant

Amami hails from Geneva and this release will blow your mind for sure. It seems very difficult to pin down the group's sound, but it's somewhere between dub tape, Afrobeat and dancehall.The songs sound like lost gems of a retro-futurist soundtrack or like dusty trap tunes from outer space.

Amami : Soleil

Presenting a style positioned between dance hall, Afro pop,guayla, dub and Middle-Eastern sounds, 'Soleil' is thewonderful 2021 release by this group from Geneva, Switzerland.

Augenwasser : The big swim

With his third album, 'The Big Swim' Augenwasser ventures once again into the paths of synth wave exploration with a popfeel. Still laced with the folk textures of his early days, he nevertheless develops a dance approach that can at times be akin to melancholic drone. His music takes you to an imaginary, dark club, lulled by a haunting rhythm, surrounded by the fumes of the night, where it is possible to indulge in that quiet voice that has already confessed that it is too late but will never stop repeating its soft, cold poetry. "You'll realize one sad morning/some things change without a warning. In the same way that we realize as a child that things are bigger than they seem, so we discover the music of Augenwasser. A simple and disturbing melody, beautiful and sincere, declined toexcess, which grows with each track, as a stream turns into a lake, a music that builds a world of broken papers and enchanted ideas.

Begayer : Terrain a mire. une maison...

...RETIVE CONTRAINTE PAR LE TOIT' - First album of Bégayer, French weirdo folk made on home made instruments, modified transistor radios and old electronic devices.

Bko : Djine bora

Blanco Teta : Rompe paga

Riot Grrrl fire and noise meets musical debauchery from Latin America. Born in Argentina in 2017, Blanco Teta is more than just a band. The project melts experimental rock, punk-pop and trash noise to develop a statement that pass over genre limits. The quatuor digs with intensity into noise, dance, avant-garde but also into politic with a clear speech on transfeminism. From the suburbs of Buenos Aires to some of the most interesting European festivals, passing by an outstanding KEXP session, the live iteration of Blanco Teta proposes something so fresh crossing border of performance to create an immersive experience at high level of energy and madness. 'Rompe Paga' is their third record material but also their first LP. Going from trashy skate-punk vibe tracks to serious noise experiences, the band experiments with no limit. Using a lot of glitches effect or digital mixing tools as autotune, the album is a real mind blower. With very political lyrics, Blanco Teta goes further than just a punky project, it demonstrates the power of music and put the audience into something real.

Chouk Bwa & The Angstromers : Vodou ale

In 2016, Haitian voodoo band Chouk Bwa and electronic production duo The Angströmers united to form Chouk Bwa & The Angströmers. Chouk Bwa play traditional Haitian music; they would fit in the "mizik rasin" genre, alongside bands like Boukman Eksperyans, Boukan Ginen or Rasin Mapou from Azor.However, until their decisive encounter with The Angströmers, their most characteristic feature was their loyalty to the essential elements of voodoo - therefore without anyinstrumental addition. The Angströmers, an electronic music duo consisting of Nicolas Esterle and Frédéric Alstadt,constitute one of the artistic emanations of the label The Angströmers. The Angströmers spread their music full of bass and echos, influenced by dub and drone music, all over the underground European stages. All along their encounter with the voodoo culture, they learn to expand their sound by immersing themselves into complex polyrhythms. They develop an electronic psychedelic music, free of all the codes of binary, 4/4 standards that dominate the club world.

Chouk Bwa & The Angstromers : Ayiti kongo dub #2

Following on from the first edition released earlier in 2022, Les Disques Bongo Joe are pleased to announce 'Ayiti Kongo Dub EP#2' by Chouk Bwa & The Ångströmers. Following on from 2020's acclaimed album 'Vodou Ale,' Chouk Bwa turn up the heat for this exhilarating trip into their bush of ghosts by introducing a new stripped down line-up to fire up the dance floor, based exclusively on the drums and rhythms of the Haitian kongo rite and deep electronic dub expansions by their trusted Belgian counterparts The Ångströmers. As Afro-Caribbean polyrhythms meet bass-weight dub electronics, the two part EP has documented the group experimenting with a stripped back form which focuses on the dimension of trance. Opening with a cermonial chant and designed to enduce dancefloor delirium, the first track taken from the EP is the raw, high-octane, primordial techno of 'Zemedo,' followed by 'Sala' and 'Petwo Raboday.'

Chouk Bwa & The Angstromers : Vodou ale

In 2016, Haitian voodoo band Chouk Bwa and electronic production duo The Angströmers united to form Chouk Bwa & The Angströmers. Chouk Bwa play traditional Haitian music; they would fit in the "mizik rasin" genre, alongside bands like Boukman Eksperyans, Boukan Ginen or Rasin Mapou from Azor.However, until their decisive encounter with The Angströmers, their most characteristic feature was their loyalty to the essential elements of voodoo - therefore without anyinstrumental addition. The Angströmers, an electronic music duo consisting of Nicolas Esterle and Frédéric Alstadt,constitute one of the artistic emanations of the label The Angströmers. The Angströmers spread their music full of bass and echos, influenced by dub and drone music, all over the underground European stages. All along their encounter with the voodoo culture, they learn to expand their sound by immersing themselves into complex polyrhythms. They develop an electronic psychedelic music, free of all the codes of binary, 4/4 standards that dominate the club world.

Citron Citron : Mareeternelle

Citron Citron is back! The ethereal sister-and-brother duo has worked hard over the past two years on the album 'Maréeternelle.' Maintaining their majestic compositions, dual lead vocals, and home-made organic sound machinery, Citron Citron delves deeper into their sonic universe, singing about daily life, death, and love with the same poetic and personal vibe. Recorded in their home studio, and with a rare '70s EMS synth handed down from their respected avant garde artist grandfather Rainer Boesch also making an appearance, Citron Citron's light touch is an analogue charm, measuring up to the giants of the genre's history. Its title, 'Maréeternelle,' is a compound word coined by the duo and translating as 'eternal tide.' It references the continuous cyclical flow of existence - day and night; life and death - and how they, you and I structure our lives around this.

Citron Citron : Chagrin bleu

Brother and sister, Citron Citron is the new revelation of the Geneva underground scene! 'Chagrin Bleu' explores the melancholy of the night and the joy of a flight under the sun.Songs with transcendent refrains, and synthetic laments with romantic melodies, carried by groove box-like rhythms. An album on the borders of chamber pop, medieval chants and ambient. The lyrics are at times poetic, angry or dreamy. The first sketches of the album were drawn during the first confinement when time was slowing down. The songs were then recorded in a DIY way by the band in their studio in Geneva during the year 2021. The first sessions were recorded on tape with a Tascam 688, then expanded and edited on computer. Some additional recordingswere made with the help of sound engineer Yavor Lilov (L'Éclair) and some guests: Fhunyue Gao on theremin, Sébastien Bui (L'Éclair) for some synth parts. The album was then worked on and mixed with Jacco Gardner in his Antwerp studio. His analogue world allowed the sound of the album to grow and deepen. With his echoes and tape machines, the mix could be approached in an organic and evolutionary way.

Don Melody Club : Pure donzin

'Pure Donzin' is the debut solo offering by Amsterdam-based Donald "Donny" Madjid - also known for his involvement in The Mauskovic Dance Band. Whilst many of his local peers tend to turn to sounds further from home for inspiration, Madjid felt drawn to honour the literary and musical tradition of The Netherlands, following in the footsteps of classic and lesser known Dutch troubadours such as Ramses Shaffy (a cover of 'Laat Me' features on the album) and Ronald Langestraat. Don drew inspiration from bard-like storytelling and for the first time started writing in his native tongue, craftily forging lyrics that his rich tenor voice delivers with a sincerity that translates regardless of whether or not you understand Dutch. This intimacy is balanced evenly with synth and drum machine grooves, recalling Dutch new wave legends Doe Maar - merging ear worm pop hooks and infectious danceable beats to these otherwise pensive ballads.

Ezute, General Franco-lee -& His Harmony International Band- : Onye katia-obia

The 1970s and 80s saw the rise of the Ukwuani style in Nigerian highlife. A funky fusion of the laidback, mellifluous guitar lines characteristic of Igbo highlife with the rugged, animated rhythm section of Edo dance music, the sound was a sensation that made stars of musicians like Rogana Ottah, Steady Arobby, King Love A.U., Bob Fred and Chief John Okpor. One of the most consistent players in this field, though, was General Franco Lee Ezute, leader of the Harmony Kings International Band.Bongo Joe is proud to present this deluxe reissue of 'Onye Kata Obia', one of the Harmony Kings most underrated albums. Full of electrifying guitar work and intoxicating rhythms, it is sure to keep the crowd dancing!

Ferguson, Walter Gavitt : King of calypso limonense 2

'THE LEGENDARY TAPE RECORDINGS VOL. 2' - 100-year old Walter Gavitt Ferguson from Costa Rica is a living legend, a Calypsonian of mythical proportions. Rooted like an old tree on the Caribbean shore, he has never left his home town to look for fame, instead fame came looking for him. Throughout eight decades his musical gifts have attracted people from near and far, contesting Calypsonians, travellers, musicologists, musicians, pilgrims and the president of the Republic. They once even moved a recording studio to his house, as he refused to go to the city. But many years before that, Ferguson used to sell his legendary self recorded cassettes to travellers and music lovers from all around the globe. He never kept a copy and with age startet to forget many of old compositions. A recently started, international "tape hunt" was able to locate more than 25 such tapes in Canada, Costa Rica and the United States and rescued 60 of his forgotten songs. Vol. 2 of this tropical treasure is now available, resurrected directly from original cassettes of the Calypso King.

Hyperculte : Massif occidental

Second album by this Swiss trans pop kraut duo, formed by the cream of Genevan experimental scene (Simone Aubert on drums, guitar and vocals and Vincent Bertholet on double-bass and vocals) follows its crazy procession in a chaotic word to carry us away in its disco, pop, kraut, punk AND post rock trance.

Hyperculte : La pangee

Almighty duo Hyperculte strikes back with a tremendous third album, 'La Pangée.' More than a band, Hyperculte is a superband (!) reuniting two figures of the Geneva subculture scene: Vincent Bertholet (Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp) andSimone Aubert (Tout Bleu, Massicot). If you're not familiar with the band expect some angry krautrock, high-energy post-punk and etheric voices. Facing the collapse of ourmodern world, its failures, and the dead end we're all rushing in, the band creates a political statement: «this world is dead, glory to the new one». It's about change, fight,hope and rebuilding or communities.

Hyperculte : Massif occidental

Second album by this Swiss trans pop kraut duo, formed by the cream of Genevan experimental scene (Simone Aubert on drums, guitar and vocals and Vincent Bertholet on double-bass and vocals) follows its crazy procession in a chaotic word to carry us away in its disco, pop, kraut, punk AND post rock trance.

La Donna Invisible : Giallo oscuro, vol. 2

'LE STELLE (DE)CADENTE' - PART 2! On the surface, 'Giallo Oscuro' is a pop-oriented project dedicated to Italian love songs from the '60s. It's a homage to the music of those "maestri" who have forever changed both pop and cinematic music: Bruno Nicolai, Egisto Macchi, Alessandro Alessandroni, Gruppo Di Improvvisazione Nuova Consonanza and Ennio Morricone, just to name a few. The sounds that emerge from this golden age are a combination of splendor, grace, lascivity, eroticism, joy, sadness and psychedelia.

La Tene : Ecorcha/taillee

La Tène's boundary-blurring fragmentation of traditional music is a propulsive and pulsating trip drawing upon Terry Riley and the minimalist masters. La Tène named themselves in reference to a cultural period spanning a few centuries of the lateIron Age, first defined in the mid-19th century after a flurry of archaeological discoveries near a Swiss lake. That's not a superficial hat tip, either. La Tène's long, hypnotic, wordless pieces are built from traditional folk instrumentation, wild percussion and blurred, subtle electronic embellishments, and feel as ancient and earthy as those millennia-old artefacts - with all the metal, wood, dedication, and craftsmanship they entailed. 'Ecorcha/Taillée,' their fourth release and third for Geneva's Bongo Joe label, is the sound of three musicians playing together as intuitively as if hooked up to a central, pulsating brain. Comes in deluxe silkscreened cover.

Lalalar : Bi cinnete bakar

Lalalar : Bi cinnete bakar

Law, Forest : Zero

Forest Law's debut album, 'Zero,' is a vibrant journey blending Balearic funk with urban Tropicalia, showcasing his adept guitar playing, old-school sampling, and UK-styled beats alongside his mellow yet sombre vocals. Recorded across eclectic locations from Icelandic fish net factories to a garden shed in Romford, this innovative release marks a new chapter for the multi-instrumentalist producer. Released in collaboration with the UK home for jazz and electronic sounds, Total Refreshment Centre, 'Zero' is Forest Law's first release since his debut EP on Brownswood Recordings four years ago, marking a new and exciting chapter for the up-and-coming talent. Crafted over seven years, 'Zero' is deeply influenced by Law's experiences, from immersive stays in Porto where he delved into Portuguese music to an artist residency in a remote Icelandic fishing village. The album was finished, and recorded in his garden shed in Romford, East London. It's a beautiful juxtaposition about a boy from Essex, who fell in love with international music, discovered the world, and then produced a musical treatise about his adventures from his shed.

Leclair : Polymood

After the success of the 'Cruise Control' repress, Les Disques Bongo Joe are proud to announce the official reissue of 'Polymood,' second album of L'Éclair and maybe their most renowned project for the moment. Recorded live in Amsterdam by the wizard Jasper Geluk (Altin Gün, Allah Las, JaccoGardner), this library-groove-oriented album goes deep into L'Éclair influences back in the days : Piero Piccioni, AIR, Sly Stone or Can. Released originally on Beyond Beyond Is Beyond, Bongo Joe is happy to work directly with L'Éclair to repress this gem. If you already missed it once, don't sleep this time!

Leclair : Cruise control

Les Disques Bongo Joe are happy to announce the first official repress of L'Éclair's acclaimed first album 'Cruise Control.' Almost impossible to find for a fair price, this album is the roots of L'Éclair's well known poly-groove vibe. Back in the days, the guys were obsessed by Afrobeat, funk and psychedelic music. Recorded live by Vincent Hänggi, 'Cruise Control' hasa totally unique sound. With this, you'll understand everything you missed about the Geneva based crew! Originally released on Rock This Town in 2017.

Leoni Leoni : Leoni leoni

Les Abranis : Amazigh freedom rock 1973-1983

Les Disques Bongo Joe return to the scorching Kabyle rock of Abranis, the pioneering Algerian band that blended traditional Berber music with western rock, folk, disco, and funk, all the while proudly celebrating their Kabyle heritage. 'Amazigh Freedom Rock' is a comprehensive look into their discography, from the garage-rock experimentations of their early days to their lushly orchestrated North African fusion masterpieces of the 1980s. The Abranis story begins in the mid-sixties, when Shamy El Baz and Karim Abdenou crossed paths in one of Paris' bohemian neighborhoods. Both were Kabyle, the Berber people from Algeria's northern regions, both loved rock music, and both were passionate about fostering a modern Algerian sound, as inspired by Kabyle rhythms and melodies as it was by western rock. The two musicians founded Les Abranis in 1967. Together they experimented by mixing Kabyle vocals and melodies with garage and psych-rock but as the '70s progressed they increasingly moved away from the garage and psychedelia of their early days and began to interpret their Kabyle repertoire in more open and creative ways melting prog rock, jazz and some early electronic influences. Over 11 electrifying tracks, 'Amazigh Freedom Rock 1973-1983' highlights their legacyas the underground kings of Kabyle rock.

Lima, Pedro : Recordar e viver: antologia, vol. 1

Rare and unreleased '80s bangers from Sao Tomé & Principe's most iconic singer. Pursuing their work with their friend DJ Tom B, Bongo Joe Records is proud of sharing the fourth effort on their Sao Tomé & Principe series: 'Recordar é Viver,' the first volume of an anthology dedicated to the one and only Pedro Lima, "A voz do povo de Sao Tomé" (the people's voice of Sao Tomé). 'Recordar é Viver: Antologia Vol. 1' features some previously unreleased tracks and gives a comprehensive look into the discography of one of the islands' biggest stars, known for his political outspokenness as much as for his soft voice, delicate rumbas, and high-energy puxas. With his band Os Leonenses he built a brand new genre around the strong rhythms and infectious energy of Sao-Toméan samba socopé ("only with the feet" in Portuguese), but with the influence of Congolese soukous, Cape Verdean coladeira, elements from French West-Indies cadence/compas, and Brazilian afoxé, it soon developed into the infectiously danceable style known as "puxa." The band kept playing together up until Pedro's death in 2019, performing at large events around the islands and on the continent. But Pedro shined also on his own. Alone, he demonstrated his compositional skills and ability to balance the band's powerful rhythm section with Sao Tomé & Principe's harmonic backing vocal traditions, creating strong, dance floor ready puxas or melodic, delicate rumbas. Pedro Lima died in 2019, leaving behind the 23 children he fathered, with thousands of mourners accompanying him to his final resting place. The public funeral, paid for by ex-president Pinto da Costa, was one of the biggest the islands have ever seen. Lima, "O cantor do povo" ("the people's singer"), was buried with his wireless microphone, so his powerful voice would always be heard.

Madalitso Band : Musakayike

Mammadli, Rahman : Azerbaijani gitara, vol. 2

Introducing 'Azerbaijani Gitara Vol. 2' by Rahman Mammadli, the eagerly awaited sequel to Bongo Joe's acclaimed debut featuring Rüstam Quliyev. Born on the vibrant streets of Baku, Azerbaijani gitara culture has evolved into a mesmerizingfusion of indigenous traditions and global influences. From the oil boom era to Soviet rule, musicians have embraced the electric guitar as a symbol of cultural expression. Rahman Mammadli, a legend in his own right, revolutionized the sound with his innovative techniques and impassioned performances. Drawing inspiration from mugham music, Mammadli's compositions resonate with soul-stirring melodies and electrifying solos.Join us as we honor the pioneers of Azerbaijani gitara culture while celebrating the continued evolution of this rich musical tradition. 'Azerbaijani Gitara Vol. 2' promises to captivate listeners with its depth, diversity, and unbridled passion, inviting you on a journey through the heart and soul of Azerbaijan's musical heritage.

Massicot : Kratt

Massicot's 'Kratt' album occupies a strange and wonderful Reuleaux triangle situated between the traditional spiritual story telling mysticism of North European pagan folklore, Latin and middle eastern inspired polyrythms and post punk. Its meandering arrangements are full and juicy, yet formed from the simplest elements, they are minimal, sculpted and refined.Bouncing and multitimbral percussive tapestries are coupled with thick pulsating baselines to form tightly wound rolling beats, accented by citric guitar hooks that bring to mind the percussive pique and jag of Glenn Branca or Talking Heads and soothed by Latvian chant-like and choral vocal melodies,Massicot choreograph a sort of carnival caousel dance eternal that locks in the mind and lures the body. The groove is key, mechanical, yet nuanced, seductive and human.

Mauskovic Dance Band : Bukaroo bank

Amsterdam based Mauskovic Dance Band make madcap music intent on expanding musical universes. Powered by elastic rhythms and some potent dub wizardry, the five-piece are synonymous with flipping global music traditions and creating new, sound-system stylised, synth powered, dance-floor experiments. Whilst their 2019 debut album on Soundway Records offered a frenetic mix, imbued by the Colombian champeta, Ghanaian highlife and spaced out disco, 'Bukaroo Bank' feeds off the industrial sounds of New York City, post punk and early electronic explorers. At the very centre of the project is the dub, the Mauskovic echo chamber, guided by their universal hero Lee 'Scratch' Perry and made possible by their studio friend Kasper Frenkel who provided the tools this new Mauskovic riddim philosophy. A proper family band (4 of them are related), and fronted by Nico Mauscovic who is also part of Zamrock touring band W.I.T.C.H., the group have released various singles since their debut album including on Berlin label Dekmantel and most recently, on experimental Swiss label Bongo Joe, their perfect home for 'Bukaroo Bank.'

Meridian Brothers : Mi latinoamerica sufre (black)

Bogotá-based Colombian composer Eblis Alvarez, known as Meridian Brothers, has been concocting a unique blend of psychedelic sounds since 1998. With this album Alvarez explores the untapped potential of the electric guitar in a tropical Latin context. Drawing inspiration from African highlife and soukous traditions, Alvarez crafts a fearless sonic experiment infused with invention, playfulness, and emotion. Unlike typical tropical guitar records, this album eschews distortion and clichés, opting for a pure, clean approach. Through intricate compositions blending cumbia, champeta, soukous, Brazilian tropicalia, and underground psychedelic rock, Alvarez pays homage to the golden era of Congolese rumba, Ghanaian highlife, and Nigerian Afrobeat. 'Mi Latinoamérica Sufre' delves into the ego trip, presenting a humorous yet introspective journey of self-discovery and identity. The central character, Junior Maximiliano the Third, navigates through the complexities of self-discovery using psychedelic substances, political philosophy, and folklore. As he grapples with nostalgia, paranoia, and shared suffering, Alvarez showcases his vocal prowess, creating a sonic theater of the mind. Accompanied by visual narratives from Colombian artist Mateo Rivano, the album portrays various psychological states of disorientation, self-pity, enlightenment, and optimism. 'Mi Latinoamérica Sufre' emerges as a worthy and innovative addition to the concept album tradition, offering a distinctive blend of bitter-sweet flavors inspired by Latinoamérica.

Meridian Brothers : Cumbia siglo xxi

All kinds of influences and genres are blended around the futuristic vision of '80s coastal cumbia. Urban beats, synthy grooves, glitches and all kinds of swear words and all kinds of slang language are included in the songs of the album. All these elements are filtered and passed through the traditional train of thought of Meridian Brothers.

Meridian Brothers / Conjunto Media Luna : Paz en la terra

'Paz En La Tierra is' a result of a search by the Meridian Brothers and Conjunto Media Luna of the heart of something that can be called a 'power format' of Colombian Caribbean music;accordion, guacharaca, caja, congas, electric bass, and vocals.

Meril Wubslin : Faire ca

After a successful tour following the release of 'Alors Quoi!' on Bongo Joe Records, accompanied by a drummer/percussionist change, the prospect of what comes next naturally arose. Elements surfaced, including a desire for more low frequencies, a fascination with the marimba/vibraphone, and a liberating indifference to the difference between recorded and live performances. To evolve, the team collaborated with outsider Kwake Bass, known for collaborations with Kae Tempest, Tirzah, Mica Levi, and others. Despite aesthetic differences from Meril Wubslin's previous albums, this divergence was seen as key - an enriching risk that resulted in a unique blend of influences. The acoustic core of Meril Wubslin now embraces electronic elements, revealing a more powerful and urban dimension. While maintaining a commitment to French lyrics, the themes explore the concrete yet remain grounded in the intimate and the sensitive, avoiding overly clear and univocal messages.

Meril Wubslin : Faire ca

After a successful tour following the release of 'Alors Quoi!' on Bongo Joe Records, accompanied by a drummer/percussionist change, the prospect of what comes next naturally arose. Elements surfaced, including a desire for more low frequencies, a fascination with the marimba/vibraphone, and a liberating indifference to the difference between recorded and live performances. To evolve, the team collaborated with outsider Kwake Bass, known for collaborations with Kae Tempest, Tirzah, Mica Levi, and others. Despite aesthetic differences from Meril Wubslin's previous albums, this divergence was seen as key - an enriching risk that resulted in a unique blend of influences. The acoustic core of Meril Wubslin now embraces electronic elements, revealing a more powerful and urban dimension. While maintaining a commitment to French lyrics, the themes explore the concrete yet remain grounded in the intimate and the sensitive, avoiding overly clear and univocal messages.

Ndox Electrique : Ted ak mame coumba lamba ak a mame coumba mbang

Ndox Electrique results from the collaboration between François R. Cambuzat, Gianna Greco (also known for their work with Ifriqiyya Electrique), and the n'doëp community in Senegal. The project originated from the duo's quest to trace the origins of North African rituals, which led them to the Lebu community in Cap-Vert, an isolated region at Africa's westernmost point.The album seamlessly blends the duo's electronically-infused avant-rock with the intense, ritualistic vocal chants and rhythmic percussion of the n'doëp community. It serves as acaptivating bridge between these two musical worlds, capturing the essence of this cross-cultural collaboration. The text also highlights the challenges of merging Western rock and experimental influences with the sensibilities of their Senegalese collaborators, ultimately resulting in a unique andpowerful musical experience. Ndox Electrique transcends cultural boundaries, immersing listeners in the enchanting sounds and mystical narratives of Western Africa.

Odessey & Oracle : Speculatio

The second full-length by the psychedelic band from Lyon, France, that named itself after the classic Zombies-LP. Expect colourful retro-futuristic music with influences from a.o. Brian Wilson, Caetano Veloso, White Noise, J.S. Bach, Moondog,Robert Wyatt... The French lyrics, both surreal and utopian, witness the contradictions of our times and invite the listener to imagine a revolutionary love.

Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp : We're okay. but we're lost anyway

Offering a powerful, experimental, unstable and terribly lively, organic sound, 'We're Okay. But We're Lost Anyway.' is the 2021 full-length by the adventurous group from Geneva, Switzerland.

Pixvae : Cali

A musical hybrid, rooted in multiple territories, Pixvae was born in 2015 from the intention to confront the traditional musics from the Pacific coast of Colombia, with the European jazz stream and its rock and noise sonorities. Their second album was recorded in Cali, Colombia.

Quliyev, Rustam : Azerbaijani gitara

Rüstem Quliyev was born in 1969 in the village of Kosalar, Nagorno Karabakh. At the age of seven he had already mastered the tar before moving on to play the saz. He first encountered the guitar whilst doing his military service for the USSR in Russia and quickly made a name for himself as a guitarist after returning to Azerbaijan. During the early 1990s, after years of intense fighting, he had to flee his home due to the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh and settled in the capital city Baku where his guitar playing took on a new character. Here he played at weddings, made TV appearances and recorded numerous cassettes with small labels in the city. Rüstem's guitar playing not only drew on the rich traditional music of Azerbaijan but his thirst and passion for music also meant that he incorporated styles from across the globe into his repertoire- from Bollywood disco tunes and Afghan pop songs to Iranian street melodies and Spanish flamenco. He crafted a unique sound within an alreadyidiosyncratic subculture of Azerbaijani electric guitar music. Sadly his career was brought to a sudden end in 2005 after a short battle with lung cancer. His music, however, lives on remaining popular throughout the country. This album of archival recordings, produced in collaboration with Rüstem Quliyev's family, marks the first international release of thisguitar legend's music. Since the late 1960s the guitar has been adopted and transformed by musicians across the Caucasus. Inspired by traditional genres, such as the courtly mugham and the songs and tunes of ashiq bards, guitarists have developed a unique sound, new techniques and styles of playing. 'Gitara' traces the development of this musical subculture, following the lives of guitarists from the suburbs of Azerbaijan's capital Baku to the rural villages of Borcali (Kvemo Kartli) in Georgia.

Societe Etrangere : Chance

'Chance' is the second album of Société Étrange, composed of 6 love songs without words, with equivocal rhythms, glaucous turquoise bass and melodies affectionately tinged with melancholy. The album was recorded in July 2020 in Vaulx-en-Velin from a collection of materials and collective drift. Composed in studio, it is the live shows that shaped their pieces. They had several years to test them together so that these three musicians let us glimpse a possible civilization. Not fantasies that cannot be apprehended, but a future that we can hope to desire. Their hypnotic compositions, drunk with dub, iron harmonics and polymetric measures, play a music that is a bit shady, one of those that provoke the space for the dance to happen, without anesthesia. Société Étrange was formed in 2012 by Antoine Bellini (electronics) and Romain Hervault (bass), joined in 2015 by Jonathan Grandcollot (percussions) after the release of their first album 'Au Revoir.'

Sourdurent : L'herbe de detourne

Following in the footsteps of 'L'Espròva,' a record released in 2018 and 'Mantras,' a body of long instrumental pieces, Ernest Bergez joins Jacques Puech, Elisa Trebouville and Loup Uberto to explore the possibilities of a collective energy. 'L'HerbeDe Détourne' achieved to catch the vivid energy of the band playing live and combined it with all the sonic explorations the musicians had in mind for a long time, in a completlyfree state of mind. Themes and songs are wound up in complex rhythmic gears and follow one another in a continuous momentum. Freely digested, the traditional repertoire from the Massif Central mutates and hybridises with invented forms, inspiredby traditional Greek, Persian and North African music... The result is music that is as much for the ears, the feet, as for the guts and perhaps the heart. It can be a ball, a concert, or a spontaneous ceremony. The Occitan language takes a central place, both as musical material and as a poetic and emotional springboard. Inspired by traditional canvases, a poetic form emerges and makes its way through the old words, passedfrom mouth to mouth.

Tout Bleu : Tout bleu

Tout Bleu is the solo project of Simone Aubert (Massicot/Hyperculte) which has developed into a trio, accompanied by the electronics of Pol, and the electric violin played by Agathe Max. Simone explores with her first album, a sort of atmospheric no wave, a pre-rock invitation of travel and introspection. Simone's voice, reminiscent of Siouxie, Anne Clark or Nico arises on mesmerizing sound texture. The result is an all-encompassing music, dark, tense but full of sweetness and nourished with hope.

V/A : Maghreb k7 club

'SYNTH RAI, CHAOUI & STAIFI, 1985-1997' - Les Disques Bongo Joe and Sofa Records proudly present a compilation of music from Maghreb recorded and produced in Lyon (France) between 1985 and1997. It gathers eight tracks (plus introductions on the vinyl and CD versions) released back then on audio tape - and now for the first time on CD! Most of the musicians featured on this compilation lived in the Rhône-Alpes region - and enlivened its musical life, concentrated in the Guillotière district in thecentre of Lyon. As one of the epicentres of Maghrebian popular music in France's south-west, it is around that square that a real, unofficial, alternative and dynamic musical scene was carried and fostered by a nebula of musicians, publishers, shopowners, restaurants and music cafés. At that time of profuse and emancipated musical crossbreeding, this compilation gives a glimpse of the epoch's vibe and trends - in which traditional songs, local influences and contemporary musical technologies were all mixed together. Throughout the compilation, songs belonging to Algerian popular repertoires are restyled through the use of synthesizers and drum machines, and often sound like pop, funk or disco tunes... Deeply tapped into the daily life of these musicians, they give us a glimpse of the reality of exile and situation of the immigrant, and speak about separation, uprooting, love, as much as social injustices and political events. They belong to the realm of the do-it-yourself, and to a time of unrestrained, free creativity!TRACKS:01. Zaidi El Batni - Malik Ya Malik 02. Nordine Staifi - Zine Ezzinet 03. Chabati Le Jeune - Mani Mani Maane04. Intro: Cheb Rabah El Maghnaoui - Kountie Ghalia05. Cheb Rabah El Maghnaoui - Amayna Alik Anti06. Nordine Staifi - Goultili Bye Bye 07. Bnat El Maana - Hata La Lile Ya Moul Jalab Tayfiya 08. Intro: Rachid Staifi - Ya Lekbida09. Salah El Annabi - Hata Fi Annaba 10. Intro: Mokhtar Mezhoud - Kharjet Mel Haman11. Mokhtar Mezhoud - Rahoum Yegoulou Sabirine