Black Soul
Black Soul was a multinational Funk/Soul group of musicians primarily from West Africa and France active between 1975 to 1981 releasing five albums.
The group consisted of musicians originally from Africa who recorded extensively in France before making their American album debut with their self-titled release in 1977.
The group released approximately seven singles throughout their active period in the 1970s and early 1980s. While they are primarily known for their self-titled 1977 album on Beam Junction Records, they also released several international singles on the French label Vogue and its subsidiaries.
The Group members were:
Jean Tamegnon: Bass
Dominique Pelon & Massamba M'Mdiaye: Drums and Percussion
Francisco Wallace: Guitar and Vocals
Jacques Quenem: Organ
Diego Koite: Saxophone and Clarinet
Alphonso Blamo: Tuba and Vocals
The group's singles are often sought after by collectors for their blend of Afrobeat and disco-funk.
Black Soul
A2 Dakar Sound (Pelon, R. Tweston 3:07)
A3 Black Soul Music (Black Soul, G. Musso 4:45)
A4 Moog Melody (R. Tweston 4:30)
B1 Black Brothers (Black Soul, R. Tweston 7:21)
B2 Africa Africa (Black Soul, R. Tweston 4:00)
B3 Mangous Ye Black Soul, R. Tweston 6:08)
Label: Beam Junction – BJ 5002 LP
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Afro Funk Soul
Black Soul's 1977 self-titled album is a smooth, dancefloor-oriented Afro-Funk record, featuring a mix of new material and re-edited tracks from their previous release.
The US release on the Beam Junction label features a special mix of the track, "Mangous Ye," originally from their 1975 debut album "Brazil Africa". It was mixed at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia by the legendary disco producer Tom Moulton, intended to give it more of a dancefloor groove.
The album's sound is compared to the work of artists like Manu Dibango.