Discovering ’70s-’80s African and Caribbean boogie with Julien Dyne

Featuring highlife, soca, bubblegum, and Afro-disco.

Though Julien Dyne may be known for past collaborations with the likes of Theo Parrish, Steve Spacek, Andreya Triana and Lord Echo, his new solo Soundway LP Teal, strikes a zippier tone.

As Dyne explains: “My new album is mostly uptempo, influenced heavily by the more boogie-based African records, as well as classic disco and funk.

I don’t aim, nor am I able to, convincingly copy or replicate vintage music styles. But for me, I feel this is liberating – as a result what you get on Teal is my own idiosyncratic, homespun amalgam of these influences.

The songs in this mix are a combination of tracks I regularly play out in DJ sets as well as music I enjoy listening to at home.”

For the occasion Dyne delivered a 16-track, “percussive, soulful journey mainly through ’70s-’80s Africa and the Caribbean, occasionally straying into jazz, New York post-punk and future-soul”, which traverses from Jackie McLean and Chantal Curtis to ESG as well as two of his own productions. Listen to the mix, and find out more about 4 of the tracks below.

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Gasper Lawal
‘Ajomasé’
(Cap Records, 1980)

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This Gasper Lawal record sits in a space of its own: you’ll find dubbed out, cosmic sounds alongside 12-string guitars and African percussion, as well as a phone-ringing sample which gets people looking around every time. Recorded in London and featuring a cast of talented Nigerian musicians. I love every moment of this amazing record. The title track of the album translates to: “we all have to do it together”. I can get with that.

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Kamazu
‘Trains Stop-Dub’ 7”)
(Bemba Records, 1988)

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Every track is a winner on this South African gem. It’s safe to say there is a reason people are going crazy over South African records at the moment – lots of lovely Yamaha DX7 keyboards, often featuring double-time drums that work well with house and disco tempo records.

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Jackie McLean & Michael Carvin
Antiquity
(Inner City Records, 1976)

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Great mix of raw drum and percussive energy with wailing alto saxophone. I’m a sucker for a vocal chant, and tempo-wise this is a good one to slot next to a disco jam and see what happens!

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ESG
‘ESG’ 12”
99 Records, 1981

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Emerald, sapphire and gold! This record is unparalleled, both sonically and in its attitude – the sounds are just so tough. The Scroggins sisters really epitomise that intersection of disco, rap and punk that encapsulated the sound of NYC in the early ’80s.

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Tracklist

1. Gasper Lawal – ‘Ajomasé’ –  Ajomasé
2. Gyedu-Blay Ambolley – ‘Burkina Faso’ – “Bend Down Low” Party Time
3. Carl and Carol – ‘Yonge Street Jam’ – Ole Time Calypso
4. Kamazu – ‘Push In Push Out’ – Trains Stop – Dub
5. Nomuntu & Chimora – ‘Rico Dance Dub’ – Being Bitchy Is My Kind of Fun
6. Teddy Davis – ‘Let Me Love You’ – Tity Connection / Let Me Love You
7. Julien Dyne – ‘Design’ – Teal
8. Akissi Christine Bella – ‘Akolou Ndjadia’ – Akissi Christine Bella
9. Paul McCartney – ‘Secret Friend’ – Temporary Secretary
10. Terry Mackson – ‘Love Letter to Johny’ – Weekend Love
11. Lord Julien – ‘Shades’ – Shades / Tennis
12. Jackie McLean & Michael Carvin – ‘De I Comahlee Ah’ – Antiquity
13. Chantal Curtis – ‘Get Another Love’ – Get Another Love
14. ESG – ‘Moody’ – ESG
15. Julien Dyne – ‘YouYou’ – Teal
16. Mike Umoh – ‘Do It’ – Dreaming

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Teal is out now on Soundway Records.