Around 113 BPM, A1 "Naima" (sample1) is a mid-tempo, maddeningly synth-drenched pleasure trip of 80s tropical disco-boogie — goofy and groovy — that brilliantly fuses a political message with pure dancefloor lunacy, hinting at early BANANARAMA and the SLITS' second album. The instrumental A2 "Naïma (Version)" (sample2) is just as lovable, with time and space subtly warping. Flip it for B1 "Tiers Monde," a slow-motion electric reggae-disco cut at around 80 BPM, and the wonderfully understated instrumental B2 "Tiers Monde (Version)" (sample3) — nice and groovy.
It's a real treat that both tracks are presented reggae discomix style, with the original version followed by its instrumental version. This ultra-rare hidden treasure, long out of reach on the original pressing, is finally reaching a new generation of listeners nearly 40 years on. Wonderful. Released by Srima Records, the fine independent label based in Paris, Grenoble and Réunion, which carefully reissues hidden gems of French Caribbean dance music. (Original Japanese text by COMPUMA)