THE HELIOCENTRICS レコード& CD

Review: It's been nearly ten years since the first release of Orlando Julius and The Heliocentrics' first ever collaborative album, Jaiyede Afro, which did thorough justice to the creative possibilities of Nigerian Afrobeat that arguably haven't been represented so well since Fela Kuti's last releases. Deft rhythms, and loosely-laid-down layers of guitar and horn, ride over each other like harmonious, health-giving backings for life across this short statement of nine tracks. Now reissued via Strut, we're reminded of its spiritual mood of tricky electronics and wahhing ambiences, as it slowly expands outwards into a holistic psychedelia, more than the some of its easily discernible parts.

Review: This is what happens when one of the leading modern bands who excel in international music team up with a bona fide Afrofunk legend... Together with Orlando Julius, The Heliocentrics have explored the Nigerian pioneer's earliest ideas and never-before-recorded songs to result in an emphatic homage to Africa's rich funk heritage while celebrating modern production techniques and dynamics. Progressive, often cosmic and galvanised with a natural jazzy character (thanks to the awesome horn work) and sturdy funk backbone (thanks to the dense drums and tight guitar work), this is a one-off collaboration that needs both attention and celebration.

Review: This is what happens when one of the leading modern bands who excel in international music team up with a bona fide Afrofunk legend... Together with Orlando Julius, The Heliocentrics have explored the Nigerian pioneer's earliest ideas and never-before-recorded songs to result in an emphatic homage to Africa's rich funk heritage while celebrating modern production techniques and dynamics. Progressive, often cosmic and galvanised with a natural jazzy character (thanks to the awesome horn work) and sturdy funk backbone (thanks to the dense drums and tight guitar work), this is a one-off collaboration that needs both attention and celebration.

Review: Strut take the initiative from last year's critically lauded Inspiration Information collaboration between Mulatu Astatke and the Heliocentrics by pairing the latter up with another engrossing figure in Lloyd Miller. Born into the pulsing environment of 1938 New Orleans and raised on a diet of jambalaya and jazz, a move to Iran in the late 50s sparked what has become a lifelong obsession with the music of Persia and Eastern Asia. Miller has previously collaborated with drummer Catto and bass player Ferguson from the Heliocentrics on the Jazzman released Lloyd Miller Trio EP and this album marks the onset of a blossoming musical relationship between all. It is "Electricone" which previously featured on that EP that opens OST in such mesmerising form with the strains of wood wind and taut percussion preparing your ears for a hypnotic journey through subtle eastern jazz arrangements tinged with a soft edge of psychedelia. Miller's appearance behind the microphone on "Lloyd's Diatribe" dukes it out with the pensive guitar flavour of album closer "Sunda Sunset" for the highlight of an all round impressive listen.