2017

Ekambi Brillant was born in the village of Dibombari in Cameroon in 1948. In 1962 he attended school in Yaounde and learned his musical craft. In 1971 he heads off to the big city lights of Douala. Here he finds himself in a French TV, music competition hosted at "Le Domino" nightclub. It is here where he brushes shoulders with other Cameroonian music legends such Manu Dibango and Francis Bebey.The music contest win gives him the break he needs and in 1972 and with the support of fellow troubadour JK Mandengue he finds himself with a record deal with Phonogram and his first hits in France.Its in 1975 where we pick up this merry tale. Because it is in 1975 when things start to get a bit funky. Which is just how we like it here at Africa Seven. In partnership with French producer, guitarist and all around hero, Slim Pezin he creates the "Africa Oumba" album. He goes on in the two subsequent years to record the Soul Castle and Djambo's Djambo's ?albums also with Slim.Our compilation focuses on the funkier end of Ekambi's music drawn mainly from the 1975 to 1978 period. Things open up with our theme tune "Africa Africa" (of course). It's tribal twisted psych funk is the perfect start to any album. We then move to "Aboki" possibly Ekambi's finest dance floor filler. Next it's the choppy disco strings and slap bass of "Nyambe" and the swirling African swing of "N'Kondo" and the pulsing chop-funk "Ekila".The flip side starts off with "Soul Castle" an ordinary day tale for our hero. "Massoma" and its funk boogie get things bopping next up before "Machine Ma Bwindea" gives us some punchy brass and low slung funk grooves. "Mother Africa" shows us the songwriting power of Ekambi while also managing to have one of the funkiest flange basslines we have heard in a good while. Things close off with swing-time of "Lambo Lena". Ekambi Brillant would go on to become one of the big name legends of Cameroonian music with nearly 20 albums to his name. He has contributed to the emergence of several Cameroonian artists such as Marthe Zambo, Valery Lobe, Aladji Toure and Africans. He now spends his time in Cameroon and Washington DC. Ekambi, we salute you sir.

Maybe the most iconic soundtrack by Guido & Maurizio De Angelis. Definitely the one that is closely linked with Italian crime movie genre “poliziotteschi”, made eternal by dozens movies set in mid 70's violent big cities.For the 50th anniversary of Beat Records, a coproduction with Four Flies, the first time ever reissue of this Italian soundtrack's masterpiece.A terrific tracklist that gave rise to the Italian groove, then used many times, from Umberto Lenzi's Napoli Violenta to Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof.A groundbreaking and hard-beat sound, innovative compared to others Italian soundtracks of the period. An acid rock with funk episodes (Gangster Story), cinematic prog (The Life of a Policemen), magical bossa (Casa di moda), with psychedelic flutes (by Guido), sublime guitars and arrangements (by Maurizio).Listen here : https://soundcloud.com/fourfliesrecords/guido-maurizio-de-angelis-la-polizia-incrimina-la-legge-assolve

Considered one of the finest and most successful works composed by Franco Micalizzi.A 500 limited-edition LP which includes two tracks never before released on vinyl, a reworked painted lettering title designed by Luca Barcellona, and extensive liner notes by Los Angeles' Rendezvous DJ/film event founder, and Four Flies collaborator, Alfonso Carrillo: "A film score that was quite unheard of in horror – a funk and disco-tinged soundtrack, with a sound reminiscent of a blaxploitation film. Director Ovidio Assonitis’ Chi sei? (1974; American title: Beyond the Door) offered horror fans both a familiar storyline and a stylistically unusual score. Recorded in the States, and using American session musicians, Micalizzi created one of horror’s most unique soundtracks. He utilizes soulful lead vocals (sung by Warren Wilson) along with sax and synthesizer, both of which are featured prominently on the score. Along with superb percussion work, this soundtrack features virtuosic musicianship by top session players and easily stands up to the test of time. This was an early foray into the world of soulful funk and an early indication of future-funk to come from the maestro". Alfonso Carrillo (Rendezvous, LA)Listne here: https://soundcloud.com/fourfliesrecords/franco-micalizzi-chi-sei

Gatefold 2xLP

SOL DISCOS is honored to introduce its 3rd reissue, with these two songs from Frank Eddie: « Love Has Never Passed Me By » & « Forever ». While the original record’s been known by a handful connoisseurs, very few people are actually proud owners of it. Originally released on the private INSYNC label by Mr Eddie himself, most of the 1000 pressed copies where abandoned in some random houses he used to live in, in South Miami, Florida.Frank Eddie’s music life started with piano at the age of 13, when he was living in Yonkers, New York in the early 60′s. At this time Soul music was everywhere around and Frank quickly switched to guitar, which has remained his instrument since then. Influenced by Soul as well as Rock Music, Frank met with drummer/singer William Hopkins after settling in Florida. They created a band together, and played music with talented Jazz students from the University Of Miami (Curtis & Carmen Lundy for instance). At the time, they would also jam with people that would later become famous: Steve Morse (Deep Purple), Jazz steel-band player Othello Molineaux, or Jaco Pastorius to name a few. Surrounded by such a creative musical environment, Frank & William co-wrote the two songs you have on this record. They gathered the personnel and recorded within a four days’ time.After a couple of unsuccessful meetings with majors, and partly discouraged by the way music business was conducted, Frank decided to self-release a single record. He then worked on his own to sell it locally, without actually meeting the audience it deserved. According to the singer, « The black radio stations would not play it because I did not give them cocaine or money, and the disco clubs had their own list to promote ».Several decades later, SOL Discos’ A&R and DJ, Waxist, got introduced to Frank Eddie’s beautiful music through « Independant Movement » radio show of Mark Gurney in UK. After months of researches and with the help of US digger Josh Goldman, he’s been able to establish contact with Frank and to get his approval for officially reissuing his music. Today, Frank Eddie is still active by playing American Rhythm & Blues and Jazz in Cuba, as well as supporting the Cuban musicians, bringing instruments to the Caribbean Nation.