Ivory Coast group Eboni Band’s 1980 Afrofunk and soul LP reissued

Combining Motown productions with West African instruments including a djembe and a kora.

Eboni Band’s 1980 self-titled album is being reissued on vinyl for the first time, via We Are Busy Bodies this June.

The band was formed after Motown Studios alumni Gerald Theus — who set up Eboni Records — met musician Abdoulaye Soumare in the Ivory Coast capital Abidjan, and convinced him to work on a series of records with the label’s artists.

Eboni Band was subsequently recorded with a mixture of Motown and Eboni Records musicians, combining Motown’s production sensibilities with West African instruments including a djembe and a kora.

Originally released on Eboni Records in 1980, We Are Busy Bodies’ release marks the album’s first reissue.

It follows the label’s reissue of Vis-A-Vis’Obi Agye Me Dofo LP, in 2020.

Pre-order Eboni Band here in advance of its 18th June release, check out the artwork and tracklist below.

Tracklist:

1. Sing a Happy Song (Shake It Down)
2. Fasso (The Motherhood)
3. Desire
4. Mogofindeou – Sopeunte (Get Together)
5. I Love All