A pioneering force in African music, Jo Tongo has always been on top of the game. Since the late 60s he has been recording music under his early Jojo L'Explosif moniker. His debut album "Jo Tongo" was released 1976 on Fiesta/Decca and features classic tracks like Jangolo and Piani. Now, after decades of underground influence and global recognition, his second album Sa Discossa (1980) is re-released for the first time. Being an electrifying fusion of African rhythms, disco, makossa, reggae and funk it is reflecting his lifelong journey of musical exploration and cultural storytelling and claims its place as an essential recording in the Afro-disco movement.
Jo Tongo's music is inseparable from his life's story-a journey that spans continents, struggles, and victories. From his early years as a leading African musician before the global rise of Afrobeat, to his deep roots in classical training, and his time performing in France and Germany, his sound is shaped by a rich blend of influences. Having played in bands across Europe, from American military bases in Germany to the jazz and soul circuits of Paris, he absorbed the pulse of multiple musical worlds, creating a sound uniquely his own.
"My music is my life. I never saw it as a way to become a star-I am a simple man," Tongo explains. "I came into music to say something, to tell about life, to share my experiences with the world." His perspective on fame and artistry is deeply rooted in his Cameroonian background. "I wasn't interested in business. I wanted to build something with music, to create a sound that was mine."
But Jo Tongo's music has always carried a deeper message. His work reflects his strong political stance against colonialism, social injustice, and oppression. "I cannot stay silent while my people suffer," he says. "Music is a way to resist, to stand strong, and to remind people of their dignity and their power." Throughout his career, Tongo has used his platform to advocate for African identity and independence. His songs, layered with messages of social consciousness, have continued to resonate with younger generations who recognize the relevance of his words even today.
Sa Discossa is more than just a disco record. It embodies Jo Tongo's philosophy of resistance, identity, and celebration. The title itself is a blend of "disco" and "makossa," reflecting the seamless fusion of African groove and the dancefloor energy that defined the era. Tracks like Bunya, sung in his native language, carry messages of love, gratitude, and resilience-sentiments that remain as relevant today as they were nearly 50 years ago. As Tongo describes it, "Every day, give thanks and praise to your Lord. Every day, show me your love. Every day, let me show you my tender love."
Tongo's musical journey also took him through the world of reggae, inspired by his exposure to American and Caribbean artists. "At first, I didn't like reggae-it was too slow for me," he admits. "But then I heard Bob Marley, and I realized the power in its simplicity. The rhythm, the
message-it was all connected to something bigger." He later found himself embracing reggae as an essential part of his musical DNA. "I realized that my music and reggae shared the same roots. We are all connected, all telling the same story in different ways."
Having spent much of his career performing across Europe, Jo Tongo reflects on his connection with international audiences. "I've played everywhere-from Africa to Germany, from Paris to other cities in France and what I've learned is that music speaks a universal language. You don't need to know the words to feel the message."
Despite taking a step back from the stage in recent years, he remains open to new possibilities. "Music is like a fire-it never truly dies. I have a lot to say, and music is the best way to say it."
For Jo Tongo, music is more than entertainment-it's a language of truth, a testament to history, and a bridge between cultures. The rhythm of Sa Discossa lives on, stronger than ever. With Sa Discossa returning under the African Edge series on The Outer Edge label, Jo Tongo's legacy continues to resonate, proving that real music never fades.

Early DJ Support:

Delfonic, Paulita, Marian Tone, Sam Severia, Moe, Adam Cooke, Luksek, Sam Severia, Daniel Klein, Jasper Miles, Alfie

DJ Quotes - Get Down and Freak

“Love it, definitely worked on the dancefloor” - Sam Severia
“Beautiful!” - DJ Allynx
“Such a dope album!” - SIRS
“These are so nice!! Super into it” - Jasper Miles
“Wow, this one is going to be played for sure!” - Oko Stellar
“Truthfully an amazing track!” - Soulastico
“This is fire.” - Alfie, Liminal People UK
“Already liking ‘Stand Up now’ & ‘Get Down and Freak’. I think they will (or should) do well” - Patrick Steele
“Amazing tracks! Get Down and Freak is my favorite” - Luksek, Tour de Funk Florence Italy
“Pure fire! Timeless vibes–I would definitely play this. Well done!” - Oria, Conneqting the Dots
“Too good!” - Gabs Leyton
“Hurry to buy the reissue!” -Maison Blanche, Pont Neuf Records


VITAL SALES POINTS:

- First ever reissue of extremely sought after Afro-Disco LP
- Fully Licenced
- Thick 350 g picture sleeve with hype sticker
- Quality lacquer cut by SST
- Mastered by Frederic Stader

Side A
A1 Sa Discossa
A2 Stand Up Now
A3 What A Lovely Day

Side B
B1 Get Down And Freak
B2 Bunya Tengue
B3 Sona Sita



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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

Territories: WORLD

LP: Limited Edition White Vinyl, Heavy 350gsm Sleeve, Sticker

Tracklisting LP

A1. Plastikherz
A2. My Eyes
A3. Animals Dance
A4. Alone In The Jungle
A5. Sommer 80
B1. Funky Punk
B2. Moskau
B3. Waiting For A Light
B4. Grauzone


WRWTFWW Records is very happy to release Swiss cult band Grauzone’s recording of their April 12th 1980 live show at Gaskessel in their hometown of Bern. The 9-track album, documenting the very beginnings of the group, is available as a limited edition white vinyl LP in heavy 350gsm sleeve with special artwork by band member Stephan Eicher.

Experience the early Grauzone days, live from Bern, Switzerland, with a concert recorded at legendary local venue Gaskessel, with Martin Eicher on guitar and vocals, Christian G.T. Trüssel on bass, Marco Repetto on drums, Stephan Eicher on synth, and Claudine Chirac on saxophone. The performance is a true time capsule of the early 80s underground, showcasing the punk side of Grauzone with renditions of songs that were never officially released, as well as future fan-favorite “Moskau”. A piece of Swiss music history, This limited release is a must have for all Grauzone fans and DIY archivists.

About Grauzone:

The pioneering band from Bern (Switzerland) had a short-lived but highly-regarded career which birthed a cult discography that still fascinates and resonates today. Consisting of core members Martin Eicher, Stephan Eicher, and Marco Repetto, and on-and-off participants Christian GT Trüssel, Claudine Chirac, and Ingrid Berney, the elusive group broke new grounds in the early 80s, experimenting with punk and industrial music, early techno sounds, minimalism, new wave, pop, and various electronics. With an innovative and polished approach to design, visuals, performance, and all around style and philosophy on top of their superb music, the constantly transforming unit developed a whole experience - the Grauzone experience: wild and unpredictable, yet sophisticated and cohesive, or as Swiss music historian Lurker Grand would call it, "an Art band with a Punk attitude".

Completely rejecting the music industry rules and refusing to play the game of promotion, touring, release schedules, and TV appearances even though they had a multi-platinum international hit with the song "Eisbär", the band quickly disintegrated in full convention-defying glory, leaving behind an inspiring music legacy for the world to discover and discover again, one generation after the other.

Stephan Eicher went on to be, arguably, the most successful Swiss musician ever, with an international career extending from pop chanson to experimental escapades and collaborations with Moondog, artists Sophie Calle and Sylvie Fleury, and author Martin Suter among many other luminaries. Marco Repetto flourished as a techno and ambient producer, releasing multiple projects including releases on Aphex Twin’s Rephlex label.


Points of interests

- For fans of punk, DIY, underground, post-punk, cold wave, Swiss wave, Neue Deutsche Welle, 80s, Stephan Eicher, Marco Repetto, Switzerland, mountains, polar bears, xerox machines, guitars and drums, Bern, important artifacts, archives.

- Official release of Grauzone Live at Gaskessel, Bern, Switzerland, recorded on April 12th 1980! Limited edition white vinyl, artwork by Stephan Eicher.



Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

NON EXCL LP , Black Vinyl

When we did the first ever vinyl reissue of this 1972 masterpiece back in 2012 it sold out so fast and so many lost the chance to grab a copy has translated into continuous messages asking us to do a repressing of this marvel - which we did and, again, it sold like hot bread. So here is a new edition of this UK jazz masterpiece, this time with a twist :



- Silk-screened cover art : we respect the original design, but have upgraded the printing from regular offset to silk screen to give it an artistic touch!



- In adition to the limited black vinyl edition (400 copies), we offer an ultra limited clear vinyl version (100 copies-only!)



One of the big names in UK Jazz, Neil Ardley was offered the leadership of the seminal New Jazz Orchestra in 1964. Under his direction the Orchestra moved though different styles and changes of personnel, bringing in musicians such as Mike Gibbs (trombone), Harry Beckett andHenry Lowther (trumpets) or even Jack Bruce (bass), some of them also contributed with the writing of some original compositions, making the NJO the root from which the UK's 70's jazz scene was to blossom.



By 1972 the NJO was already defunct, but his legacy remained in the works of its members. Ardley's 'A Symphony Of Amaranths' is a perfect example of what was boiling in the UK jazz scene. It was Ardleys tribute to his idols Duke Ellington and Gil Evans, and featured the skills of some great musicians of the scene including Don Rendell,Stan Tracey, Henry Lowther, Harry Beckett, Jeff Clyne & Jon Hiseman. Side B is inspired by the words of Edward Lear, W. B. Yeats, James Joyce and Lewis Carroll that are musicated by Ardley and feature, among other highlights, Ivor Cutler's narration of 'The Dong With A Luminous Nose' and Norma Winstone's vocals on 'Will You Walk A Little Faster'.



Musicians that participated in the recording session :



- Derek Watkins, Nigel Carter, Henry Lowther, Harold Beckett (trumpets)

- Derek Wadsworth, Ray Premru (trombones)

- Dick Hart (tuba)

- Barbara Thompson, Dave Gelly, Don Rendell, Dick Heckstall-Smith (woodwind, saxes)

- John Clementson (oboe)

- Bunny Gould (bassoon)

- Dave Gelly (glockenspiel)

- Neil Ardley (prepared piano)

- David Snell, Sidonie Goossens (harp)

- Stan Tracey (piano, celeste)

- Karl Jenkins (electric piano)

- Alan Branscombe (harpsichord)

- Frank Ricotti (vibraphone, percussion)

- Chris Laurence, Jeff Clyne (bass)

- Jon Hiseman (drums, percussion)

- Eric Gruenberg, Jack Rothstein, Kelly Isaacs (violin)

- Ken Essex (viola)

- Charles Tunnell, Francis Gabarro (cello)

- Ivor Cutler (narrator)

- Norma Winstone (vocal)

- Jack Rothstein, Neil Ardley (conductors)



The Wah Wah reissue features newly mastered sound from the original tapes, an insert with liner notes and one bonus track not on the original edition.

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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For catalogue number 016 Rødhåd invited Inox Traxx to his studio for a week-long session in January 2024. The result is SILVENE a four track EP showcasing the symbioses of the two producers in various depths.
Written & Produced by Inox Traxx and Rødhåd at WSNWG Studio Berlin.?Mastered by Conor Dalton at Calyx Mastering in Berlin?Vinyl Cut by Schnittstelle Mastering Berlin
WSNWG I 2025

A1 Silvene 01 [240122]
A2 Silvene 02 [240123]
B1 Silvene 03 [240124]
B2 Silvene 04 [240126]

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More