Sa Discossa, by Jo Tongo

Sa Discossa

by Jo Tongo

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	Stand Up Now 00:00 / 05:00

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- 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

Includes unlimited streaming of Sa Discossa via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.

€7.90 EUR

	1.	Sa Discossa 07:31
	2.	Stand Up Now 05:00
	3.	What A Lovely Day 05:29
	4.	Get Down And Freak 06:40
	5.	Bunya Tengue 07:06
	6.	Sona Sita 05:30

about

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.

Text: Paula Mellibosky more

credits

released June 6, 2025

JO TONGO:
Lead Vocal · Fender Stratocaster stereo · Rickenbaker Bass · Acoustic Guitar · Acoustic Piano
Arrangements, Composer and Conductor

Dou KAYA - Bass (What a lovely day)
Jean-Claude NAIMRO – Fender Piano – Clavinet D6
Stephan KNAVER - Synthesizer
Denis HEKIMIAN – Drums and Percussions
Samuel ATEBA – Calling-drums and Conga drums
Sulaiman HAKIM - Soprano and Alto Saxes

Tony “KO KO” – Trumpet
Mam HOUARI – Tenor Sax
Isabelle VAN GINNEKEN – Violin
Sylvie SANTAMARIA – Viola
Véronique VAN GINNEKEN – Cello

Background Vocals:
Anedra SHOCKLEY
Sylviane "Eva" BLOUIN
Bernadette TAMME
Nimon Toki "LALA"
Cathy LAWSON
Nadia EKINDI

For all tunes:
Lyrics and Music by JO TONGO
Recorded and mixed at STUDIO JOHANNA, Bagnolet (FRANCE)
Engineers: Didier PITOIS – Pierre Joël MARY
Cover Design: Richard DICK
Photo: Guy MAGNANT

Produced by JO TONGO

Reissue Production, Additional Restoration and Sound Supervision by Guenter STOEPPEL

Transfer and Restoration by Tom SKY at Faible Studio
Mastering by Frederic STADER

Special thanks to Tom Sky, Robert Wenzel and Paulita

℗ 1980 Jo Tongo | © 2025 The Outer Edge | A Division of EQX-Music | EDGE-031 | All Rights Reserved | LC 101684

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The Outer Edge Berlin, Germany

The Outer Edge is an independent record label from Berlin, Germany. Focused on rare and lost recordings, unissued songs from master tapes or music that never received the attention it deserved.

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Sa Discossa

by Jo Tongo

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Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

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