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Eko Roosevelt Louis has had a music career spanning over forty years, born the grandson of a Kribi tribal chief, his musical persuasion beginning humbly with his village's local church before his formal education at the Senegal conservatoire and Paris' Ecole Normale de Musique. Eko then cut his teeth making jazz funk and disco records in the mid-seventies before extensive touring in and around France. In the 90's Eko returned to Cameroon to take over his grandfather's tribal chieftaincy, a role he still holds today. Eko also works with the Cameroun artistic societies and schools performing, teaching and even leading Cameroon's national orchestra.For this Africa Seven foray we take a trip to 1979. "Funky Disco Music" was Eko's third LP. It is locked-on with the sound we here at Africa Seven like and after what seemed like ages we finally tracked Eko down in Cameroun and persuaded him that a re-issue was most definitely needed.The LP opens up with the bright and uplifting disco-swing gem and title track "Funky Disco Music". Punchy horns, afro rhythms and groovy bass (From Vicky Edimo) power this groover along before mixing straight into the Jazz-Funk-Disco hybrid "Ndolo Embe Mulemadolo". Taking its cue from the age - Paris 1979 - "Une Chanson Sans Paroles" is a French power pop meets afro swing belter to keep the LP tempo high.To close off side A is the gloriously uplifting "Bowa'a Mba Ngebe". Dripping in positivity and goodwill this feel-good disco gem was a recent highlight of our African Airways 04 compilation. Side B opens with the afro-folk meets pop "Doi Da Manga". Next is "Me To A De Try My Own" and "Esele Mba Musango Na Ndol'am" with their locked on bass grooves and afrobeat grooves. The LP closes with the smooth ballad jazz of "Emen' Ango". The heartstrings are all a flutter.Stay tuned for more Eko later in the year. Africa Seven.

Back In Stock !!!RNT return with a 3-tracker from an alleged Brooklyn-ite with a decidedly French flair for edit mastery! On the A side, Into the Grove flips Shep Pettibone's classic production work on the pop queen into the ultimate panty-dropping dancefloor madness. On the flip side, Show You My Robe is mid-tempo feel good boogie grooves and smiles all around, followed by Opposite A Track, because a bit of cheek never hurt anyone, did it? Will forward as hype/buzz comes in

Chicago DJ & Editor Jamie 3:26 presents the first release on his own 326 Records. Kicking off with his edit of the Pyramid Records classic - Sun, Sun, Sun by JAKKI from 1976. On the flip we have a rework of Purple Music by the one and only Prince.Release wise Jamie 3:26 is one of those guys that doesn't have many releases but when he does put something out it's pure gold! His less is more approach seems to be working with several of his releases now going for decent money on Discogs.Don't sleep on this great double header which perfectly captures the original house sound of the Windy City.Repressed on black vinyl.

Rare and in High demand Afro digital Soul EP, recorded in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) in 1981. Originally from Martinique, Clem Marise Voltine aka Mac Gregor moved to Abidjan in 1979 searching for, what she called, her “negritude quest”. She sang about her love for her adoptive city until her death in April 2004 at CHU of Abidjan, Trechville Hospital. A visionary composer, poet and singer, mixing Creole, French and Nouchi, she made a brilliant musical bridge between the West-Indies and Ivory Coast, backed by a soulful group of top Ivorian musicians such as the great Houon Pierre. This unique and must have record is a pure dancefloor killer and will definitely be the next Afro Tropical Hit of the next decade! Fully Licensed in Abidjan, remastered at Carvery Studio on a 12inch vinyl (45 RPM).