Togo Soul 70

Hot Casa Records, the independant label specialized in Afro soul and Tropical Funk tunes, is coming back this year with a brand new double vinyl project: TOGO SOUL 70. And this time, we'll bring a camera with us to show you the "behind the scenes" of this post-colonial soundtrack by interviewing the ones who made that 70's afro sound.

THE STORY:

Republic of Togo gained its independance in1960. Despite a complex political context and authoritarian regime brought by General Eyadema in 1969, the 70's witnessed a vibrant and flourishing cultural scene.

In Lomé, the radio stations are airing afro-american music like Ray Charles, James Brown or the latin sounds of Celia Cruz. Young togolese musicians get inspired by these sounds such as the singer Bella Below whose talent brought her to New York or Rio even at the Olympia Hall in Paris.

THE PROJECT:

TOGO SOUL 70 project, is the collaboration between Julien Lebrun, label Manager and Liz Gomis, journalist and director. Two friends that are combining their skills to relate the process of pressing a compilation of rare grooves in Africa

From the original quest, searching for vinyls and right holders in adventurous conditions (sometimes) to the contract final signature, we'll travel throughout Togo to witness the post-colonial story of the country by the prism of its soundtrack

More than a digging session, we'll highlight togolese culture through music. Music that you'll be able to listen in May 2016 on the double vinyl compilation TOGO SOUL 70 (Hot Casa Records gatefold)  

HOT CASA RECORDS:

From Gilles Peterson t Q-Tip, the rare grooves "aficionados" salute Hot Casa Records work. The Label gain its reputation thanks to a cutting edge artistic direction and more than 10 years of hard work searching for forgotten and underrated african musicians.Orlando Julius, Itadi Bonney, Pierre Antoine, Stanislas Tohon or Joni Haastrup, many unknow names that built and pave the way to young artists today.

THEY ARE SUPPORTING US:

RADIO NOVA 

LE MELLOTRON