SOUNDWAY Archives - Guerssen Records https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/label/soundway/ Guerssen Records Sun, 04 May 2025 22:47:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-isotip-32x32.png SOUNDWAY Archives - Guerssen Records https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/label/soundway/ 32 32 Ifetayo https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/ifetayo/ Wed, 26 Jun 2024 22:00:00 +0000 https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/ifetayo/ Soundway presents a long-awaited remaster and re-cut of the 1976 album 'Ifetayo' by Black Truth Rhythm Band, an important and overlooked chapter in Trinidad's rich musical history that blends West African influences with jazz, funk and the social commentary of the calypso tradition. Led by the charismatic Oluko Imo, the group drew on the strong connections to Yoruba culture and Orisa traditions in Trinidad, looking to Africa for inspiration and reflecting the burgeoning Black Power movement of the time.
Recorded at KH studios in Port of Spain, Ifetayo (Yoruba for 'Love excels all') was the group's sole album release. Imo contributed lead vocals and played bass, kalimba, conga, flute and percussion, channelling music from both sides of the Atlantic into a distinctive and unique slice of Afro Trinidadian expression.
Includes bonus track "Imo" not included on the original LP.

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]]> Soundway presents a long-awaited remaster and re-cut of the 1976 album ‘Ifetayo’ by Black Truth Rhythm Band, an important and overlooked chapter in Trinidad’s rich musical history that blends West African influences with jazz, funk and the social commentary of the calypso tradition. Led by the charismatic Oluko Imo, the group drew on the strong connections to Yoruba culture and Orisa traditions in Trinidad, looking to Africa for inspiration and reflecting the burgeoning Black Power movement of the time.
Recorded at KH studios in Port of Spain, Ifetayo (Yoruba for ‘Love excels all’) was the group’s sole album release. Imo contributed lead vocals and played bass, kalimba, conga, flute and percussion, channelling music from both sides of the Atlantic into a distinctive and unique slice of Afro Trinidadian expression.
Includes bonus track “Imo” not included on the original LP.

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]]> Dancing time (The Best Of Eastern Nigeria’s Afro R https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/dancing-time-the-best-of-eastern-nigerias-afro-r/ Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:00:00 +0000 https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/dancing-time-the-best-of-eastern-nigerias-afro-r/ Dancing Time: The Best of Eastern Nigeria's Afro Rock Exponents 1973 - 77' by The Funkees is the latest title on Soundway to mine the rich musical output of 60s and 70s Nigeria. For the 5 year period this compilation spans The Funkees output crackled with dance floor fire.

 

Having featured on three of Soundway's most popular titles, across the definitive Nigeria Special compilation series, we felt The Funkees output deserved closer inspection. Presented here (on CD, download & double gatefold LP) are 18 slices of funky Afro-rock grooves hand picked by Soundway's Miles Cleret from a selection of the bands 45s and 2 long players.

 

In the early 1970s The Funkees were the number-one east Nigerian band and the only outfit to seriously challenge the popular Lagos based rock combos MonoMono and BLO.

 

It wasn't long before promoters in the UK came calling and The Funkees packed up their instruments and moved to London where they quickly established a fierce reputation on the live circuit.

 

Here they recorded two seminal albums before finally breaking up in 1977 amidst some controversy. This collection features for the first time all of their Nigerian 45s alongside the best of their UK album material and is accompanied by a full interview with original member Sonny Akpan, who still lives in the capital.

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]]> Dancing Time: The Best of Eastern Nigeria’s Afro Rock Exponents 1973 – 77′ by The Funkees is the latest title on Soundway to mine the rich musical output of 60s and 70s Nigeria. For the 5 year period this compilation spans The Funkees output crackled with dance floor fire.

Having featured on three of Soundway’s most popular titles, across the definitive Nigeria Special compilation series, we felt The Funkees output deserved closer inspection. Presented here (on CD, download & double gatefold LP) are 18 slices of funky Afro-rock grooves hand picked by Soundway’s Miles Cleret from a selection of the bands 45s and 2 long players.

In the early 1970s The Funkees were the number-one east Nigerian band and the only outfit to seriously challenge the popular Lagos based rock combos MonoMono and BLO.

It wasn’t long before promoters in the UK came calling and The Funkees packed up their instruments and moved to London where they quickly established a fierce reputation on the live circuit.

Here they recorded two seminal albums before finally breaking up in 1977 amidst some controversy. This collection features for the first time all of their Nigerian 45s alongside the best of their UK album material and is accompanied by a full interview with original member Sonny Akpan, who still lives in the capital.

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]]> Melodies https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/melodies/ Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:00:00 +0000 https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/melodies/ Double vinyl re-issue of the classic Lord Echo debut.
Features the huge single Thinking Of You. Available for the first time on general release outside Japan.

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]]> Double vinyl re-issue of the classic Lord Echo debut.
Features the huge single Thinking Of You. Available for the first time on general release outside Japan.

The post Melodies appeared first on Guerssen Records.

]]> Love Vibration https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/love-vibration/ Thu, 06 Mar 2025 23:00:00 +0000 https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/love-vibration/ Having already appeared on Soundway's best-selling compilation 'Doing It In Lagos' Nkono Teles, known primarily for featuring on, producing or arranging for over 100 other artists in and around Nigeria in the 80s (including as a keyboard player in Tony Allen's solo band, right after splitting with Fela Kuti) is finally getting the international recognition he rightly deserves with Soundway's retrospective mini-compilation 'Love Vibration'. Full of funky-boogie rhythms, his forward thinking use of drum machines, mixed with guitars and affordable synthesisers helped to define the Nigerian music of the 80s. For fans of William Onyeabor, Letta Mbulu and Steve Monite.

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]]> Having already appeared on Soundway’s best-selling compilation ‘Doing It In Lagos’ Nkono Teles, known primarily for featuring on, producing or arranging for over 100 other artists in and around Nigeria in the 80s (including as a keyboard player in Tony Allen’s solo band, right after splitting with Fela Kuti) is finally getting the international recognition he rightly deserves with Soundway’s retrospective mini-compilation ‘Love Vibration’. Full of funky-boogie rhythms, his forward thinking use of drum machines, mixed with guitars and affordable synthesisers helped to define the Nigerian music of the 80s. For fans of William Onyeabor, Letta Mbulu and Steve Monite.

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]]> Make it fast, make it slow https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/make-it-fast-make-it-slow/ Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:00:00 +0000 https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/make-it-fast-make-it-slow/ ROB was an enigmatic recording artist from Ghana who cut two albums for the legendary Essiebons label in 1977. Neither of these were big domestic hits at the time and have since become prized amongst collectors in recent years.

 

The title track from this LP was always one of the most popular on the first Soundway release Ghana Soundz and over the years we have been asked many times to re-issue the LP in it's entirety. A stranger, slower offering than his more dancefloor funk-laden and Spartan first LP, this record sees ROB in similar territory but with the tempo switched down and the introspection turned up.

 

ROB's trademark horns dominate and are supplied by the Mag-2, an army band founded by leader Amponsah Rockson, who named it after the army unit the band played for - the "magnificent" second battalion. In 1977, Rob traveled to the coastal town of Takoradi in search of Mag-2, which had an entire section of its line-up dedicated to horns, with the intension of laying out his proposal to them. Luckily for Rob, the band took him up on it.

 

With religious overtones and a broody, slightly off-key atmosphere at points it's certainly one of the stranger afro-funk records to come out of West Africa but with tracks like Loose up Yourself and Make it Fast, Make it Slow he nails it for sure.

 

Super-rare and coveted Afro-funk album re-issued here for the first-time.

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]]> ROB was an enigmatic recording artist from Ghana who cut two albums for the legendary Essiebons label in 1977. Neither of these were big domestic hits at the time and have since become prized amongst collectors in recent years.

The title track from this LP was always one of the most popular on the first Soundway release Ghana Soundz and over the years we have been asked many times to re-issue the LP in it’s entirety. A stranger, slower offering than his more dancefloor funk-laden and Spartan first LP, this record sees ROB in similar territory but with the tempo switched down and the introspection turned up.

ROB’s trademark horns dominate and are supplied by the Mag-2, an army band founded by leader Amponsah Rockson, who named it after the army unit the band played for – the “magnificent” second battalion. In 1977, Rob traveled to the coastal town of Takoradi in search of Mag-2, which had an entire section of its line-up dedicated to horns, with the intension of laying out his proposal to them. Luckily for Rob, the band took him up on it.

With religious overtones and a broody, slightly off-key atmosphere at points it’s certainly one of the stranger afro-funk records to come out of West Africa but with tracks like Loose up Yourself and Make it Fast, Make it Slow he nails it for sure.

Super-rare and coveted Afro-funk album re-issued here for the first-time.

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]]> Body Beat Soca-Dub And Electronic Calypso (79-98) https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/body-beat-soca-dub-and-electronic-calypso-79-98/ Wed, 26 Jun 2024 22:00:00 +0000 https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/body-beat-soca-dub-and-electronic-calypso-79-98/ Body Beat: Soca-Dub and Electronic Calypso (1979-98) comprises 17 obscure Soca B-side versions, dubs, instrumentals and edits as well as vocal tracks influenced by disco, boogie, house-music, soul and the more conscious lyrics of roots reggae. This compilation traces the soca genre from its explosion in the late 1970s right up to the period just before contemporary soca became established around the end of the 1990s."Superb collection that reveals a genre that's fluid and has a no-borders attitude to influence." - MOJO

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]]> Body Beat: Soca-Dub and Electronic Calypso (1979-98) comprises 17 obscure Soca B-side versions, dubs, instrumentals and edits as well as vocal tracks influenced by disco, boogie, house-music, soul and the more conscious lyrics of roots reggae. This compilation traces the soca genre from its explosion in the late 1970s right up to the period just before contemporary soca became established around the end of the 1990s.”Superb collection that reveals a genre that’s fluid and has a no-borders attitude to influence.” – MOJO

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]]> Ghana Special 2 (3LP) https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/ghana-special-2-3lp/ Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:00:00 +0000 https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/ghana-special-2-3lp/ Soundway presents a collection of 18 burger highlife, electronic afrobeat and reggae tracks, highlighting a time when the burgeoning Ghanaian diaspora across Europe and North America was utilising new music technology and recording techniques. A period of movement, emigration and innovation.
The dawn of the 80s saw an increase in emigration following a period of political upheaval at home, with many Ghanaians moving to Europe - especially Germany - to find work. Musicians recording both at home and abroad began to blend highlife with outside influences, taking inspiration from US disco and boogie, European new wave and Caribbean zouk and soca, reflecting new surroundings and cementing musical connections forged in London, Hamburg, Toronto and New York.
Ghana Special celebrates this key period of musical innovation and cultural exchange that redefined the parameters of Ghanaian music and accelerated the cultural exchange between West Africa and Europe. Features rarities from legends including Pat Thomas, Rex Gyamfi and Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and deep cuts from lesser known artists like Abdul Raheem, Starlite and The Godfathers.
Includes extended liner notes, original covers and never-before-seen photos.

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]]> Soundway presents a collection of 18 burger highlife, electronic afrobeat and reggae tracks, highlighting a time when the burgeoning Ghanaian diaspora across Europe and North America was utilising new music technology and recording techniques. A period of movement, emigration and innovation.
The dawn of the 80s saw an increase in emigration following a period of political upheaval at home, with many Ghanaians moving to Europe – especially Germany – to find work. Musicians recording both at home and abroad began to blend highlife with outside influences, taking inspiration from US disco and boogie, European new wave and Caribbean zouk and soca, reflecting new surroundings and cementing musical connections forged in London, Hamburg, Toronto and New York.
Ghana Special celebrates this key period of musical innovation and cultural exchange that redefined the parameters of Ghanaian music and accelerated the cultural exchange between West Africa and Europe. Features rarities from legends including Pat Thomas, Rex Gyamfi and Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and deep cuts from lesser known artists like Abdul Raheem, Starlite and The Godfathers.
Includes extended liner notes, original covers and never-before-seen photos.

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]]> Sintesis Moderna (An Alternative Vision Of Argenti https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/sintesis-moderna-an-alternative-vision-of-argenti/ Thu, 11 Jul 2024 22:00:00 +0000 https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/sintesis-moderna-an-alternative-vision-of-argenti/ Soundway's telescope to forgotten and lesser known musical realms extends to Argentina on the triple vinyl compilation, Síntesis Moderna - An Alternative Vision Of Argentinian Music 1980-1990.
A digital rewilding of computer and synth powered music, dripping with an impressive variety of influence, from Italo disco, electro-funk, post punk, tango, ambience, jazz-fusion, Afro-folk and techno pop, the record is a cultural document of a musical decade transformed after the lifting of restrictions of English language music post Falklands War, and the end of Argentina's military dictatorship.

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]]> Soundway’s telescope to forgotten and lesser known musical realms extends to Argentina on the triple vinyl compilation, Síntesis Moderna – An Alternative Vision Of Argentinian Music 1980-1990.
A digital rewilding of computer and synth powered music, dripping with an impressive variety of influence, from Italo disco, electro-funk, post punk, tango, ambience, jazz-fusion, Afro-folk and techno pop, the record is a cultural document of a musical decade transformed after the lifting of restrictions of English language music post Falklands War, and the end of Argentina’s military dictatorship.

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]]> Ayo Ke Disco: Boogie, Pop & Funk From South China https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/ayo-ke-disco-boogie-pop-funk-from-south-china/ Thu, 06 Mar 2025 23:00:00 +0000 https://wpguerssen-test.odoo.rgbconsulting.com/product/ayo-ke-disco-boogie-pop-funk-from-south-china/ Soundway general manager Alice Whittington, aka Norsicaa (DJ), selects 10 deep cuts from local labels, officially reissued on vinyl for the first time - forming a snapshot of the vibrant discotheques and live scenes across Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Philippines.
Ayo Ke Disco' (meaning 'Let's go to the disco' in Malay and Indonesian) celebrates the musical identities emerging from the newly independent countries in South-East Asia during the 1970s and 80s.
The artists featured here were known for exploring traditional sounds alongside funk, disco, city-pop and even political psych-rock, genres that were indicative of the exciting but often turbulent period. But despite the post-war backdrop of instability there came unprecedented levels of economic prosperity. With a hopeful buzz filling the air, the music scene was helping lead the way in reshaping the new identities of the region.
TRACKLIST
A1 Fatimah Razak-Dahaga A2 Black Brothers - Mangge Mangge A3 Marini And The Steps -Kuingin Dekatmu A4 Tian Niu -Deng Ni Zai Yu Zhong A5 The Rollies - Disco B1 Regalado - Pinoy Funk B2 John Philips And The Steps -Ayo Ke Disco B3 Aria Yunior - Salah Tingkah B4 Ahmadi Hassan- Habibi (Mari Bersatu) B5 Pongsri Woranuch -Aew...Phu Chai

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]]> Soundway general manager Alice Whittington, aka Norsicaa (DJ), selects 10 deep cuts from local labels, officially reissued on vinyl for the first time – forming a snapshot of the vibrant discotheques and live scenes across Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Philippines.
Ayo Ke Disco’ (meaning ‘Let’s go to the disco’ in Malay and Indonesian) celebrates the musical identities emerging from the newly independent countries in South-East Asia during the 1970s and 80s.
The artists featured here were known for exploring traditional sounds alongside funk, disco, city-pop and even political psych-rock, genres that were indicative of the exciting but often turbulent period. But despite the post-war backdrop of instability there came unprecedented levels of economic prosperity. With a hopeful buzz filling the air, the music scene was helping lead the way in reshaping the new identities of the region.
TRACKLIST
A1 Fatimah Razak-Dahaga A2 Black Brothers – Mangge Mangge A3 Marini And The Steps -Kuingin Dekatmu A4 Tian Niu -Deng Ni Zai Yu Zhong A5 The Rollies – Disco B1 Regalado – Pinoy Funk B2 John Philips And The Steps -Ayo Ke Disco B3 Aria Yunior – Salah Tingkah B4 Ahmadi Hassan- Habibi (Mari Bersatu) B5 Pongsri Woranuch -Aew…Phu Chai

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]]>