Itadi K. Bonney
Itadi K. Bonney

In the beginning of the 1970’s, Guinea-Bissau was a country broken up into many ethnic groups and at the heart of a war for independence. By reviving traditional musical genres as Gumbé and singing in guinean Kriol, José Carlos Schwarz & Cobiana Djazz established an immediate affective bond with their audiences. Through its music and politically engaged spirit of the lyrics, the band played a significant role in shaping the social and political consciousness of the masses. As well as influencing local bands like Super Mama Djombo and giving back a deep sense of cultural identity to bissau-guineans.The explosive birth of Cobiana Djazz brought about other kinds of detonation. Schwarz became involved in urban guerilla activities which resulted in several bombings in the centre of Bissau, leading to his imprisonment and torture. He remained in lockup for a total period of about 2 years, between 1972 and 1974. The process of decolonisation, in the wake of the Portuguese revolution of 25 April 1974, led to the recognition, during the same year, of the sovereign nation of Guinea-Bissau. Schwarz, a key figure in the fight for independence, played an important part in the transition to the democratic regime, profiting from his popularity as an artist. Soon, his criticism (underscoring opportunism and irresponsibility in high places) became a thorn in the side of the political elite. Uneasy with the disquieting effects of his work, government officials effectively separated the author from the masses by assigning him to the embassy in Havana.José Carlos Schwarz met a tragic and untimely death at the age of 27, when his plane crashed on arrival at Cuba's José Martí International Airport, on May 271th 1977.Hailed by african giants like Orchestra Baobab, Letta Mbulu or Miriam Makeba (with whom he recorded his first and only solo album), “Zé Carlos” and his poetry won a lasting position in the annals of Guinea-Bissau. However, this collection of songs remains relatively unknown outside the country and its diasporas.We are proud to offer, in close collaboration with the Schwarz family, this first official reissue on vinyl. Remastered and pressed on heavyweight vinyl.

Vaudou Game is a contemporary live band of 6 members playing an authentic Togolese funk based on voodoo chants scales, and led by Peter Solo, a singer and composer born in Aného-Glidji (Togo), birthplace of the Guin tribe and place of the voodoo culture. He was raised with those traditional values of human and environment respect.Apiafo is a 12 tracks album, entirely recorded, mixed and mastered with old analog tapes, and played with vintage instruments, recalling the sound of bands like Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou or El Rego! Peter Solo invited his uncle, Roger Damawuzan, famous pioneer of the 70’s soul scene in Togo, to sing on “Pas Contente” & “Wrong Road“. The result of their collaboration is without a doubt two amazing future dancefloor classics! The idea of integrating these haunting lines, sung in honor of the Divinities, to an energetic 70's Afro-funk style, was, in Peter Solo's mind, an obvious extension of the analogy he found between the voodoo tradition and trance inducers such as Soul, Funk, as well as the Rhythm ‘N Blues of James Brown or Otis Redding.Vaudou Game will be touring all over the world next year promoting this new Afro-Soul classic album!

Behind the name Mr Day, lies a band led by singer, guitarist, DJ & collector Eric Duperray. From the mid-90's Eric begins to make a name for himself with the group Kool Cats Club and tours a lot in the Acid Jazz scene, repeatedly making the first part of the label's leading bands like Corduroy or Mother Earth.In 2003, Eric works alongside Bruno "Patchworks" Hovart, a real starting point for a collaboration that will take them on very different playgrounds, with notable successes including, among others, the classic "Yonuwhathislifeez" under the name Metropolitan Jazz Affair, the incredible 45s "Seven Nation Army / Move On Up" by The Dynamics, the recent hit by Mr President, "The Best Is Yet To Come" or the track "Food For Soul" available on this new album, and which already received recognition before its release (international ad soundtrack for Nespresso, compilation Psyche on Acid-Jazz and finally the soundtrack for Alexander Coffre's latest movie).Meanwhile, Eric and Bruno formed the band Mr Day in 2007, with experienced Jazz and Rock musicians. Without waiting they release a series of 45's, EPs and start touring, which leads to their first album, Small Fry, released in 2010 on Favorite Recordings. Small Fry not only receives a warm welcome, it also lays a solid foundation for a real band and a unique sound.Today, the project Mr Day keeps affirming itself. During the writing of this second album, the band evolved naturally towards a more ambitious sound which clearly set them at the intersection of Rock and Soul from the 60s to now. The band also decided to use 100% analog production and recording techniques: magnetic tapes, live takes and cracklings contribute to producing a rich and organic sound. However, Mr Day is far from being a revival band. On the contrary, Dry Up In The Sun appears resolutely timeless, that is to say in his vintage, yet modern approach. The beats perfectly coexist alongside the guitars, as in the great era of Primal Scream in the 90s. The alchemy seems perfect and natural on each of the 10 tracks that make up this inspired and mastered sophomore work.

DjeuhDjoah & Lieutenant Nicholson is a French composers and afro-soul singer’s duo.T’es qui ? is their first album, fruit of an intense collaboration during many years, on stage and in studio. They call their music as “Afropean songs”, a collection of Jazzy-Pop melodies, Afro-Soul and Funk arrangements.They'll be back in November with a tremendous Afro-Jazz and Funky album titled Aimez ces airs. Until then, they present “El Nino”, an Afro-Funk gem about climate change, and “Fontaine”, an Afro hit with a great combination of analog take and electronic dancefloor ingredients.After massive support from national radios and prestigious DJs such as Gilles Peterson, it could be the funky summer hit 2018! Deluxe vinyl designed by the artist Felix.