Hot Mule (2026)

27/04/2026

In early 1996, breaking away from the brilliant collective adventure of 𝑮𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒔, T**i Robin released an instrumental album based on improvisation: 𝑳𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝑵𝒖 (The Naked Gaze), the culmination of a year of experimental research. Drawing inspiration from the poses of female models—much like a painter or a sculptor—T**i fueled his solo musical improvisations on the oud and bouzouq.

This recording bears witness to a unique aesthetic adventure: creating musical “paintings” in the presence of—and inspired by—models posing in the studio during the sessions. The musician’s palette, is composed of notes and modes, each possessing distinct colors. From the eyes of the improviser to the ears of the audience, the musical discourse translates the feelings inspired by these living paintings, revealing a perspective that transcends the thin partitions separating plastic and musical forms of expression.

Listen to “𝐊𝐢𝐜𝐬𝐢 𝐊𝐢𝐜𝐬𝐢 𝐊𝐞𝐦 - 𝐍𝐮 𝐍𝐨. 𝟏” on bandcamp
https://hotmule.bandcamp.com/album/lovari

⏾ T**i Robin - 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒓𝒊 ⏾
LP / 500 numbered copies
Out May 8th 2026 (Records ship from the 22nd)

📷 Louis Vincent

20/04/2026

It is with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Maria Teresa Loff F. Schwarz back in January. A committed woman of culture and a truly beautiful soul who also shared a life with José Carlos Schwarz. She steadfastly and generously supported the careers of numerous artists and intellectuals along the years. Her passing leaves a great void in the cultural landscape of Guinea-Bissau.

In order to raise some funds for the Fundacão José Carlos Schwarz she created, we are offering a very limited repress of Lua Ki Di Nos.
80 numbered copies, housed in home made Tip-on sleeves by , shipping from the 22nd of May.
Sold exclusively on Bandcamp: https://hotmule.bandcamp.com/album/lua-ki-di-nos
𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘤𝘬-𝘶𝘱, 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯.

The José Carlos Schwarz Foundation (now ran by , Naman and their team) aims to strengthen the people’s connection with their historical and cultural heritage. Its members regularly proposes the creation of cultural activities, the promotion of a taste for culture, especially among young people, contributing to the promotion and enhancement of education and human development, especially among the most vulnerable groups in Guinea-Bissau.

17/04/2026

Listen to ”𝗟𝗮 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗿” on bandcamp.
Link in bio 👈

⏾ T**i Robin - Lovari ⏾
LP / 500 numbered copies
Out May 8th 2026 (Records ship from May 22nd)
https://hotmule.bandcamp.com/album/lovari

At the end of the 80s, T**i Robin felt a desire to pay tribute to one of his musical schools—a ‘truant school,’ unconventional yet incredibly generous: that of the Gypsy world. Possessing a musical language deeply steeped in this influence, he had grown artistically by its side, and wanted to give back what he owed it, in his own way.

Recorded by Silvio Soave, performed alongside Perpignan’s own Amar and Joseph « Mambo » Saadna amongst others, 1993’s 𝙂𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙨 was not only ranked as one of the best albums of the year by critics around the world, but it is widely considered one of the best albums of Gypsy music ever recorded”. It took T**i and his band on the road, from the Hollywood Bowl to Tokyo, South Africa to Bagdad…

10/04/2026

⏾ HTML012 T**i Robin - Lovari (Out May 8th 2026) ⏾

Limited edition 180g vinyl.
500 numbered copies.
Pressing & Tip-on sleeves by
Pre-order / Listen to “Mehdi“ https://hotmule.bandcamp.com/album/lovari 👀

An improvisational musician, composer and poet, T**i Robin has travelled extensively since the early 1980s – from Brittany to Catalonia, India to Morocco – crafting his own musical aesthetic. Throughout his journey, he has built bridges between his native Anjou, where he still resides, and the Gypsy cultures of many lands. Neither a compilation nor a mere summary, this selection offers a certain perspective on his body of work, which has earned him praises by luminaries like Peter Gabriel or Brian Eno.

Despite his many travels, it would be a mistake to view T**i Robin as an explorer of the “elsewhere“. While he plays the guitar, the bouzouq, or the ‘oud, he does not seek to imitate a Gypsy, Syrian, or Greek style; rather, he plays in a voice that is uniquely his own—a syncretism of his personal journey, from his teenage years playing at Moroccan community celebrations to his collaborations with Gypsy musicians from Southeast France and India. In Angers, in the Roseraie neighbourhood, he was immersed in the rhythms of Moroccan chaabi from an early age. Later, he frequented the gypsy neighbourhood of Saint-Jacques in Perpignan […]

Produced between 1993 and 2011 these songs have been fully remastered and are presented here for the first time on vinyl, with extensive liner notes.

Mastering: Nicolas Thelliez
Lacquer cut:
Liner notes:
Graphic design:
Photo:

17/11/2025

👀 drop 👀
Wagadu Grooves Vol.1
Limited cassette edition of 50 (numbered)
3 Panel J-card, riso printed by .riso
Design by
Link in bio

20/06/2025

Creating two compilations with Gaye Camara presented both rewarding moments and challenges. We faced the difficulties of tracking down specific tapes or files (our search is still ongoing) and the necessity of letting go some of the tunes we loved from the final tracklists. Most of these have already been uploaded on streaming platforms, others came out through other labels, we decided to share some of our favourites with you.

If you’re keen to hear more of these tradi-modern sounds recorded across West African cities and Paris, we’re launching a playlist on YouTube and Spotify, starting with over an hour of "Wagadu Grooves". Link in comment section 👀

Our first track, "Sigi Kuruni" from Oumou Sangaré’s seminal 1993 album Ko Sira, was picked for several reasons. It showcases one of Mali’s most beautiful voices and her musicians on top of their game, but it also holds personal significance, having been a constant presence in Camara’s hair salon since we began spending time at the shop. The recording is gorgeous and it remains as popular today as it was three decades ago in the diaspora.

We wished to include Bakoroba Diabaté’s "Amatoko" (incorrectly titled "Bish" on streaming platforms) in both compilations, but felt it deserved a superior source for proper reissue. It remains one of our favourite tunes from the Camara catalogue and a joy to listen to. Les sœurs Diallo’s "Kamalemba" (from their banging album Hakilimaya, check the opener and closer) was also a clear choice, but our search for better masters proved unsuccessful. Finally, Baleme Kandji Traore’s "Kagne" with its futuristic, polyrhythmic and synth-heavy sound, was a strong contender for Vol.2.

We’ll regularly update these playlists and keep you informed when we do 🐍

27/05/2025

Remembering the great José Carlos Schwarz who left us 48 years ago today 🇬🇼

04/05/2025

Thank you Le Monde Afrique for mentionning Gaye Mody Camara, the diasporas and our latest compilation in this weekly music column 👀

12/04/2025

“The dynamic life of the Malian diaspora in Paris is vividly captured in Doussou Bagayoko’s song “Taman.” Daughter of renowned songstress Nahawa Doumbia and guitarist N’gou Bagayoko, Doussou’s music combines Afro-pop with the traditional sounds of Wassoulou, the historical region that lies at the intersection between Mali, Ivory Coast, and Guinea.

With the driving rattle of the karignan, nimble runs of the kamélé ngoni, and swirling synths, “Taman” embodies the Wassoulou sound that was pioneered by her parents in the 1980s. Through her bright, evocative vocals, Bagayoko references localities in the Île-de-France region that the Malian diaspora call home: Vitry, Montreuil (humorously nicknamed Bamako-sur-Seine or Mali-sous-Bois), Aulnay, Porte de Paris in Saint-Denis, Ivry, Père Lachaise, the 13th arrondissement, and Rue Bara, home to a well known migrant hostel of the same name, and Rue Bisson, home to another renowned hostel. Overcrowded yet full of life, migrant hostels often housed people from the same villages, preserving a deep sense of community amidst the challenges of urban life. In these spaces, traditional Malian music fused with Parisian influences, giving birth to new and dynamic musical expressions.”

Liner notes by

Wagadu Grooves Vol.2: The Hypnotic Sound of Camara 1991-2014 (Limited edition 2XLP out now)
https://hotmule.bandcamp.com/album/wagadu-grooves-vol-2-the-hypnotic-sound-of-camara-1991-2014

Hot Mule

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