Autonomous Africa レコード& CD

Review: Long term advocates of JD Twitch's selecting skills will be very happy to see the appearance of this 10" featuring the Optimo man's edit of Amadou & Mariam. Originally made back in 2008, this edit has been a staple of JD Twitch sets and was intended to be released as part of the third volume of the superb charity focused Autonomous Africa series that was issued earlier this year. Licensing issues put the kibosh on those plans, but with the edit having belatedly been granted permission Twitch elected to issue it as one off 10" instead of waiting for volume 4 in 2015. As with the best edits, Twitch's amendments to the original version of "Ce N'est Pas Bon" are subtle and understated, adding little rhythmic elements that make it easier to slip into a DJ set and hypnotise minds. All proceeds will once again go to the Mtandika mission in Tanzania.

Review: Last year's Youth Stand Up! album, created through collaboration between leading lights of Glasgow's leftfield club scene and youth music projects in Ghana and Belize, was one of the most interesting and vibrant cultural fusions of our time. This 12" contains fresh reworks of tracks from that set. First, Optimo man JD Twitch delivers a bewitching, sub-heavy take on "Come With Me", before Auntie Flo turns "Beat The Drum" into a sweaty, stretched-out chunk of analogue/tropical fusion. Flip for a fantastically percussive, off-beat acid-meets-Afro-techno rendition of "Tsoma" by Midland, as well as General Ludd's sparse, Afro-acid re-make of "Tuteme Meets Tafo Antome At 58 Ft".

Review: What happens when you enlist the skills of 23 young musicians from Ghana, Belize and Glasgow? This... A totally unique record that rolls deep in equatorial fusion. From the harmonic chants and minimal tribal drums of "Ave Wo Nane" to the loose fuzzy funk of "Come With Me" by way of the slinky timpani of "Beat The Drum" and the dramatic unplugged dancehall of "Set Upon The River", each track is a melting pot moments that proves (as if we needed reminding) the universal language of music. All proceeds are split between the Ghanaian and Belize troupes to build new resources in their respective homelands. A seriously cool project.

Review: JD Twitch's Autonomous Africa series is something of a rarity. Each annual 12" single, which features modern electronic music influenced by African rhythms, sounds and styles, is used to raise money for a different African charity. Proceeds from this third 12" in the series are destined for Tanzania's Mtandika Mission, a charity run by Midland's parents. It seems fitting, then, that he kicks things off with "Safi", a heavyweight slice of future voodoo that expertly blends analogue electronics and bombastic African rhythms. General Ludd go deep, psychedelic and off-kilter with their brilliant "Burning Mack", while Auntie Flo delivers a stripped-back vocal cut with echoes of his recent material on Permanent Vacation. Finally, Twitch steps up to deliver "Maya", which sounds like LFO's "LFO" re-made by African musicians.

Review: The excellent Autonomous Africa series returns for a second release sporting cuts from label founder JD Twitch and the like minded Auntie Flo and Midland. Launched last year, the series intends to highlight the problems that outside interference from other countries has on African countries and their people with all the proceeds from each EP donated to a different charity in Africa. The inaugural EP raised funds for Medecins Sans Frontieres operations in Africa, while this year's EP will raise funds for the Mtandika Mission in Tanzania. Midland offers some of his best work to date with the thumping, scratchy 4/4 of original production "Checkbob" which is matched by JD Twitch's "Olaiya" which adds a devilish sub bassline to the jittery JBs style funk of the uncredited source. On the flip Auntie Flo is in more contemplative mood with "Water Of Life" whilst Twitch's second edit "Juju" is a percussive delight.

Review: JD Twitch and Midland's Autonomous Africa project supersizes to dancefloor-ready 12"s and they do so with this really interesting Columbian Afrofunk release. You'll instantly recognise the A; a powerful rendition of Fela Kuti's "Shakalode", there's more than a smidgeon of Latin fire in those rampant, lolloping grooves. Meanwhile on the B, the label explores two of Wganda's lesser known originals; the tub-thumping, chant-heavy, organ-squeezing "Pim Pom" and the dusty percussive, blues harp-led folk number "La Botellita". With all proceeds going to Action In Africa, this wins in every possible direction.

Review: There's much to admire about this follow-up to Autonomous Africa's 2015 "Youth Stand Up" album, a set that drew together affiliates of Glasgow's Green Door Studio and youth musicians from Ghana And Belize to create cross-cultural musical fusions in order to raise money for community music projects in the latter two countries. "Youth Stand United" follows a similar template, with Golden Teacher's Laurie Pitt overseeing brilliant blends of dub disco, post-punk pop, electronica, juju, electro, dancehall and more with the assistance of Glasgow musicians (including members of Pu$$y Mothers, Golden Teacher and Whilst) and a swathe of Ghanaian vocalists. The musical is magical and the cause -funding a scholarship for musicians from Tafi Atome, Ghana - admirable, so we'd suggest grabbing a copy of the album ASAP.