Name: Mr. Manager (Expanded Edition)
Brand: Zazou Bikaye

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

CRAM039

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2020-10-16

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Proper

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

876623008187

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

CRAM039LP

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Black

876623008170

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1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Zazou Bikaye

Genre GB

African

Label GB

Crammed Discs

Crammed Discs is an independent record label established by Marc Hollander in 1981. With a rich history spanning over four decades, the label has consistently pushed boundaries and championed innovative music from around the world.

Known for its diverse roster of *artists* and *performers*, Crammed Discs has become synonymous with groundbreaking releases that defy genre categorization. From experimental pop to avant-garde jazz, electronic music to world fusion, the label's catalogue is a testament to its commitment to artistic excellence.

As one of the most respected independent labels in the industry, Crammed Discs continues to discover and nurture talent, providing a platform for emerging artists as well as established musicians. With an unwavering dedication to quality and authenticity, their releases are meticulously curated and beautifully packaged.

Following the acclaimed 2017 vinyl reissue of the 'Noir et Blanc' album, Crammed Discs presents a special edition of Zazou Bikaye's second record, 'Mr. Manager', which only ever came out on vinyl, in 1985. This edition comprises nine additional tracks, including six previously-unreleased recordings, and three which were only included on limited-edition singles.

In 1984, after the Afro-experimental adventures of Noir et Blanc, Zazou Bikaye turned into a proper band, and started developing their own special brand of digital Afrobeat/Afrofunk. Hector Zazou took on the task of writing and programming the music, and Bony Bikaye expanded on the more extrovert side of his vocal styles. They set out to record a large number of tracks, five of which came out in 1985 as Mr. Manager, a 32-minute mini-album. 

For all of these 1985-86 recordings, Hector Zazou and Bony Bikaye had surrounded themselves with a stellar team of musicians, including Philippe de la Croix Herpin (aka Pinpin) on woodwinds, Tuxedomoon's Luc van Lieshout on trumpet &amp; harmonica, Vincent Kenis on guitar, three wonderful backing singers (Mwamba Kasuba, Nicole MT &amp; M'Bombo K) and two percussionists (Chris Joris &amp; Bigoune). Marc Hollander played a bit of sax &amp; keys and produced some of the recordings, alongside Hector Zazou and engineer Gilles Martin.

The vinyl version includes eight tracks, plus a download card giving access to all fourteen tracks. All fourteen tracks will appear in the digital and the CD versions. 

"A fusion of African chants and polyrythmic percussion strung across hip-hop drums and coloured with synths reminiscent of Kraftwerk... A sensual synthesis of Afro-European electro-jazz. An exercise in transcultural musicianship and hypnotic tribal repetition." (i-D, UK, 1986)