Invisible City Editions

Review: New York synth-wizard Tommy Mendel was one of the go-to session musicians of the 1980s, playing for and alongside such greats as Todd Rundgren, Tina Turner, The Clash and The B-52s. Throughout the period, he also recorded a swathe of solo synth-pop songs, very few of which were ever released at the time. Here, Canadian diggers Invisible City Editions attempt to set the record straight, gathering together ten mostly unreleased gems from Mandel's vaults. It's a strong collection, all told, with Mandel flitting between electrofunk-influenced pop gems ("You're My Only Lover"), spacey synth-scapes ("Aint Got No $"), fuzzy P-funk ("Music Business"), stylish new wave experimentalism ("I Just Want You To Love Me") and atmospheric, near-Balearic treats ("Kin Tama").

Review: Kuomboka was the last album Zambian band Witch ever created. Privately released in 1984, a year before they split, it's the zenith of their final funky hoorah... Gathering influences and references from disco, boogie and loose structures of highlife and Afrofunk, it's one of their most timeless and enduring records. From the partnership of African guitars and horns with the epic slap bass and staccato phrases of the title track to the 10CC style balladry of "Believer Ma Lover" via the spacey, cosmic drama of "More Sweat Than Sweet", this 30 year old document stands the test of time incredibly well.