The Paris-based label Hot Mule, which has produced some of the best reissues over the past few years, has just released an incredible retrospective celebrating the music of poet and activist José Carlos Schwarz and his superb group Le Cobiana Djazz, who were highly influential and outspoken in the fight for the West African county of Guinea-Bissau’s independence during the 70s.

In the early 1970’s, Guinea-Bissau was a country broken up into many ethnic groups, and at war fighting for independence from the colonization of Portugal. By reviving traditional musical genres as Gumbé and singing politically engaged messages in guinean Kriol, José Carlos Schwarz & Cobiana Djazz created an immediate bond with the native audiences, while playing a significant role in shaping the social and political consciousness of the masses. During this time Schwarz was also actively involved in the war efforts, including bombings in the center of Bissau, which eventually lead to his imprisonment and torture for two years (1972-74). Following the decolonization in 1974, he ended up playing an important part in the transition to the democratic regime before migrating to Cuba, due to criticism from government officials. He sadly passed away at the age of 27, when his plane crashed on arrival at Cuba’s José Martí International Airport, on May 27th 1977.

With the support Schwarz family, this 11-track retrospective represents the first official reissue on vinyl. The recording highlights José Carlos Schwarz & Cobiana Djazz greatest works from 1970 through 1973, featuring a brilliant mix of Gumbé, African folk, and Highlife grooves, which has gone on to heavily influence legendary African artists like Orchestra Baobab, Letta Mbulu, and Miriam Makeba.

This well-crafted limited-edition release also features extensive biography liner notes and exclusive photos from the Schwarz family’s archives.

Definitely up there with any other reissue that has been released this year, this remarkable release helps bring attention to the significant impact that José Carlos Schwarz and his group Le Cobiana Djazz made during one of the most important chapters in Guinea-Bissau’s history.

José Carlos Schwarz & Le Cobiana Djazz — ‘Lua Ki Di Nos’
(Hot Mule)

1. Indicativo
2. Estin
3. Po Ka Ta Bida Lagartu
4. Lua Kata Kema
5. Dispus Ke E Lebal
6. Tiu Bernal
7. Na Kolonia
8. Mindjeris De Panu Pretu
9. Pintcha Kamion
10. Pena Di Galiña
11. Amigus Ka Bali

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• African
• Reissue