#jo tongo

Jangolo (Les Mangues) - Jo Tongo ( Jangolo, 1976)

Untitled [Fiesta, 1976]

Vinyl LP pressing. Our hero, Jo Tongo was born and raised in Douala Cameroon. In 1964 he headed off to Paris to begin Pharmaceutical studies. Somewhere along the way the music in his soul eventually won out and he embarked on a life of music. In the latest of our series of Funk Experimentals LPs we dig for the funk. Not necessarily the artists greatest hits but most definitely the funkiest ear benders. We proudly compile together tracks from 1968 to three new brand new exclusive tracks from present day 2017. And yes, they all have the funk. In spades. Many thanks Jo for choosing the music. Nearly 50 years at the top of the game.....~ Our hero, Jo Tongo (born Joseph Ekambi Tongo Mpondo) was born and raised in Douala Cameroon. In 1964 he headed off to Paris to begin Pharmaceutical studies. Somewhere along the way the music in his soul eventually won out and he embarked on a life of music. In the latest of our series of "Funk Experimentals" LPs we dig for the funk. Not necessarily the artists greatest hits but most definitely the funkiest ear benders. We proudly compile together tracks from 1968 to 3 new brand new exclusive tracks from present day 2017. And yes, they all have the funk. In spades. The album opens up with stunningly catchy Jangolo. Jo's awesomely funky bass and percussive "jangly" guitar. The track is underpinned by African drums, funky stabs and 70s nascent synthesiser string machines. Next up we take a trip to 1979 and "Funky Feeling" from Jo’s "Those Flowers" album. Here the beats are big, the strings are sweet and the clavi is into overdrive. We then jump back to 1976 for the evergreen, horn-puncher, funk stomper "Piani". Before the sweet smooth funk of "Those Flowers". Next up is "American Lady" with the bright strings, jangly guitars and driving keys. All locked on to maximize the groove. We then take a trip back to 1968 for Jo's second single the ever so funky and ever so ahead of its time, "Dig It Babe". Soul, horns, groove and punch all in two perfect packages. Part 1 and Part 2. Next up it is the funk boogie afro swingers "Ewande". Bringing things up date we jump forward to 2017, present day. Jo has been making music more or less non-stop and here we are lucky to premier three brand new tracks. The drums are punchy, the guitars ooze the funk and the locked on keys tie the tracks together in one tight-as package. Jo is on the production and at the controls for the mix. "Lion Roar" is first with its driving clavinet and all-out-assault funky drums. The brass is big and this song is Bold with a capital "B". "It's The D Day" is next with swinging soul style groove before "Mystic Power" features a ballsy brass-laden beat and jazz funk overtones. ....~ Jo Tongo (born Joseph Ekambi Tongo Mpondo) was born and raised in Douala Cameroon. In 1964 he headed off to Paris to begin Pharmaceutical studies. Somewhere along the way the music in his soul eventually won out and he embarked on a life of music. "The album opens up with stunningly catchy Jangolo. Jo's awesomely funky bass and percussive "jangly" guitar. The track is underpinned by African drums, funky stabs and 70s nascent synthesiser string machines. Next up we take a trip to 1979 and "Funky Feeling" from Jo's "Those Flowers" album. Here the beats are big, the strings are sweet and the clavi is into overdrive. We then jump back to 1976 for the evergreen, horn-puncher, funk stomper "Piani". Before the sweet smooth funk of "Those Flowers". Next up is "American Lady" with the bright strings, jangly guitars and driving keys. All locked on to maximize the groove. We then take a trip back to 1968 for Jo's second single the ever so funky and ever so ahead of its time, "Dig It Babe". Soul, horns, groove and punch all in two perfect packages. Part 1 and Part 2. Next up it is the funk boogie afro swingers "Ewande". Bringing things up date we jump forward to 2017, present day. Jo has been making music more or less non-stop and here we are lucky to premier three brand new tracks. The drums are punchy, the guitars ooze the funk and the locked on keys tie the tracks together in one tight-as package. Jo is on the production and at the controls for the mix. "Lion Roar" is first with its driving clavinet and all-out-assault funky drums. The brass is big and this song is Bold with a capital "B". "It's The D Day" is next with swinging soul style groove before "Mystic Power" features a ballsy brass-laden beat and jazz funk overtones.".....~ Born Joseph Ekambi Tongo Mpondo, Jo Tongo was raised in Douala Cameroon but moved to Paris in 1964 to begin Pharmaceutical studies. But it was his passion and love for music that eventually guided his future and this path took him into a life of songwriting and perfoming. Africa Seven have compiled a series of albums titled, Funk Experimentals and if you haven’t already guessed, yes, it’s all about the funky sounds. Jo Tongo’s forthcoming release is a collection of his finest funk sounds from 1968 through to present day, because he has never stopped making music and this album is testament to that with three brand new tracks premiering on this new record! Afro-funk stomper, Piani is the first track to be shared from this album and has a catchy, melodic tune, punchy vocals and cool cool wah wah guitar...~ Tracklist Jangolo 04:52 Funky Feeling 04:49 Piani 04:36 Those Flowers 04:21 American Lady 04:55 Dig It Babe (Part 1) 03:53 Dig It Babe (Part 2) 02:31 Ewande 04:10 The Lion Roar 05:15 It's The D Day 04:54 Mystic Power 04:39 A'Muna 03:40 Get Down And Freak 06:40 . Get It The Way I Like It 04:11

"Jo Tongo - Piani (Joe Corti's Edit)" by JOE CORTI

Jo Tongo - Jangolo

Jo Tongo - Piani

Tongo at one point returned briefly to Cameroon, but after finding it hard to get re-acquainted with the music scene there returned to France, where he still lives and works. He released a new album back in 2003, and according to his website, seems to have a new compilation of some of his early work out.