Jo Bisso was born and raised in Yaound, the political capital Cameroon. He grew up being a fan of American soul music such as Otis Reading and Wilson picket. In 1971 he left Cameroun to pursue his musical career. Beginning an 8 year stint of Paris to New York jet trips the young ambitious man forged his musical career on his own terms; Staring off with the minor hit "Flying To The Land Of Soul" which he signed to Decca and moving on to produce, finance, write and create several albums released under his own name and other artists such as Sookie and Venise.
In 1975 Jo created his genre blended debut album "Jo Tongo" on the Paris based Disques Esperance label. Sung in English and his native language it was way ahead of its time for the day, blending Jazz, Funk, Soul, afro rhythms and the sounds that were at the time being come to be known as Disco. The album was produced by Jo who plays a wide variety of the instruments and contributes his baritone "Barry White" tinged spoken vocals about life and love.
The album opens up with the title track "Dance To It", A slice of groovy lounge-funk. Part 1 is all about the driving catchy groove which is layered with a downtown funk saxophone lead line. Part 2 brings in Jo's spoken vocals in his native language and English, setting the tone of the album to come. "Disco Madonna" introduces a Latin flavour with Spanish vocals, a rumba groove and darting percussion. "Ramaya" melds a playful, summery, euro melody with Jo's throaty, fun-loving vocals and a nascent use of synthesizers.
"Lets Keep It Together" is a song in two parts. The first half builds the groove over washy guitar, and chords before breaking into a solid soul riff with bass, Rhodes and guitar. Over this Jo layers the catchy, soulful vocals, summer-breeze guitars and jazzy keys. A real treat. Flip over to the Vinyl B side for what is probably the albums most getting down moment. The driving funk of "Give It Up". Stabby brass, whirling organ and tight bass which is all wrapped up in a one tight arrangement. Add in doses of Jo's sulty vocal and that is a recipe for a real winner.
"Don't Fight The Feeling" again furthers into real deep funk territory. Jo opening up with a sermon on love and sex. The album closes with the swinging soul of the pensive Jo and his thoughts on life, "Odwa". What is going down?
The Give It Up track was a highlight of the recent Africa Seven debut release African Airways Volume 1: (Funk Connection 1972-1979). To Follow that up Africa Seven are proud to repress the debut Jo Bisso album in its full glory.
Jo moved back from the US in 1981. From 1981 to 1989 his lived in Cote D'Ivoire. He now lives in Paris and although he sometimes "finds it hard to listen to his albums", he does thinks it great that people love his music and his debut album is getting a re-release all these years later.
credits
released October 9, 2015
All titles written and arranged by Jo Bisso.
Ramaya written by A. Simone & St. Regal.
Odwa by Ossibissa.
Published by Copyright Control.
Victor Arredondo: Vocals, Bass - Carlos Benthein: Vocals, Congas, Percussions, Ron Lankone: Trumpet, Electric Trumpet, Pat Boland: Soprano Tenor Saxes, Amore Lopez: Drums, Peter Meisner: Guitars, Ernest Astacio: Piano, Organ Moog Synthesizer, Peter Affa: Moog Synthesizer, Orlando Vasquez: Guitars - Steve: Drums - Michael: Soprano, Alto, Tenor Saxes (Solo on Dance To It), Garry: Piano.
Horn arranged by Ron Lankone (Give It Up - Don't Fight The Feeling), Michael (Dance To It)
Recorded and Mixed at Music Designers Inc. Boston, MA by Joe Chiccarelli
Produced by Jo Bisso.
Audio Restoration and Remastering by Sean P & Tiger Bright Studio (www.tigerbright.net)
Licenced from Jobiss and Disques Esperance.
(C) 2015 Africa Seven (P) 1979 Africa Seven
Jo Bisso was born and raised in Yaounde, Cameroon. He grew up being a fan of American soul music. In 1975, Jo created his
genre blended debut album "Jo Tongo" on the Paris based Disques Esperance label. Sung in English and his native language it was way ahead of its time for the day, blending Jazz, Funk, Soul, afro rhythms and the sounds that were at the time being come to be known as Disco....more
Like so many others, this came like a bolt out of the blue and, even though it's well before payday, I had to have this astonishing album on vinyl to prove it exists. The feel of the tunes makes me feel like the Impressions do, Curtis Mayfield, the big spaces and instinctive horns and stuff drifting in and out. Great grooves and I can see lots of ghosts nodding along to this with big smiles on their faces. At last! Anthony Cottrell
The broad range of electrifying music from the post-colonial Cape Verdean islands right after they achieved freedom is captured here in all its brilliance. Bandcamp Album of the Day Mar 2, 2017
Another worthy addition to this ever expanding and fascinating collection. Be like the old prospector and shake the gold panner for all these Africa AIrways albums and gold nuggets come to the surface. Michael Sachs