Philophon レコード& CD

Review: German-Ghanaian group the Polyversal Souls have previously collaborated with a number of bands and solo artists from West Africa, so this hook-up with Northern Ghanaian outfit the Bolga All Stars - a collective made up of leading local kologo and frafra-gospel singers and musicians - should not come as much of a surprise. Separated into two parts for the seven-inch release, the track blends the Polyversal Souls' lolloping, late '60s style Afro-funk grooves - complete with fuzzy, period style production - and sharp horn section with glistening guitars, snaking solos and fine vocals from the Bolga All Stars. It's one of the Polyversal Souls' finest releases yet, and that's saying something.

Review: Those with a deep knowledge of Berlin's Ghanaian ex-pat "burger-highlife" scene may already be familiar with Lee Dodou, a singer who recorded a number of classic singles and albums during the 1980s as part of bands Georg Darko and Kantata. He retired from music in 1991, but has been persuaded to return to action by the Philophon team. This comeback single is pretty impressive all told, with A-side "Basa Basa" - a triumphantly celebratory chunk of 1960s "concert party" highlife rich in punchy horn lines and Dodou's full-throated vocals - being joined on the flipside by the slower, synth-laden "Sahara Akwantou". Brilliantly, the label describes this as "kraut-life" due to its unique (and rather good) fusion of highlife and German kosmiche.

Review: Philophon is a Berlin-based label run by Max Weissenfeldt. Part of Philophon is the Tonstudio Bluetenring in Kreuzberg, operated by Benjamin 'Stibbo' Spitzmueller. The label's essential motivation is to support any form of local culture with reason, freedom and ludic drive. North-Ghanaian singer Guy One presents his first international release here. He promises what his name is saying: he is the number one artist of Frafra music, named after his people. "Everything You Do, You Do For Yourself" is a driving Highlife rhythm and his only song having a phrase in English. "Estre" features one of the leading voices of Frafra-Gospel named Florence Adooni. She interweaves perfectly with the horn arrangements by Weissenfeldt and the drummer. Washington's Hailu Mergia, San Francisco's Idris Ackamoor and the Pyramids and the legendary Scandinavian producer Jimi Tenor have also released on the label over the last year too.

Review: The Polyversal Souls are renowned for the strength of their collaborative singles, which to date have featured all manner of legends and rising stars from the underground African music scene. This time around, the German-Ghanaian band provides high-grade backing for guest vocalist Frank Karikari, son of legendary Highlife musician Ralph Karikari. The A-side medley of "Siakwaa/Nana Agyei" is particularly good, with Karikari's confident lead vocal rising above shuffling, soft-focus drums and ear-catching juju guitars. Flipside cut "Odo Agye Gye Me" is great, too, offering a slightly more upbeat and undeniably percussive fusion of highlife/Afrobeat fusion.

Review: Victoria Osei and Theresa Owusuaa are Ahemaa Nwomkro, which is a phrase that translates as 'queens of Nwomkro.' Nwomkro is an Ashanti style music that influenced Highlife, a style of music closely linked to Kumasi, Ghana's cultural capital and a city in the middle of the jungle. The pair link up with young highlife talents here and the results are pure, good time sounds that trill with energy, pickle rhythms and earthy percussion as well as some subtle synth work that brings a contemporary edge.

Review: Ahemaa Nwomkro means queens of Nwomkro, an old Ashanti Musial style that was hugely influential in the early formation of genres like the Highlife take on Kumasi, which is the cultural capital of Ghana in the middle of the jungle. Those queens are Victoria Osei and Theresa Owusua and here they team up with young Highlife musicians generation Akule Pepe on guitar. He worked for many years with Highlife legend Alex Konadu and these songs here show just how well pure Nwomkro work with textbook Highlife.

Review: Alogte Oho & His Sounds of Joy's debut album Mam Yinne Wa was a real triumph. A sensuous fusion of international rhythms, gospel vocals and jubilant vibes that was an instant hit with lovers of world music. His new single is said to be a teaser for a seance upcoming album and is another masterpiece from Frafra Gospe, a legend of this genre. First up is 'Doose Mam,' a repetitive rhythm that goes right for the hips. The big horns bring the character and sensuous vocals are the icing on the cake. On the flip is 'Gure Yose Me,' a tune rooted in reggae rhythms thanks to the work of Josie Coppola, Europe's No.1 reggae drummer.

Review: It's taken a while, but Philophon chief (and in-house producer) Max Weissenfeldt has finally managed to finish the album he started working on with Ghanaian Frafra-gospel singers Alogte Oho & His Sounds Of Joy. It's a set that has been promised for the best part of five years, so it's fantastic to see it finally materialize. Musically, it explores similar sonic territory to Oho's previous singles on Philophon (all of which featured music from Weissenfeldt), effortlessly joining the dots between traditional Ghanaian styles, local interpretations of funk and soul, dub-wise reggae rhythms and occasional nods towards contemporary electronic beats. The results are superb, making this a must have for those who love a bit of West African musical positivity.

Review: Finnish vibe artisan Jimi Tenor returns to Max Weissenfeldt's Philophon with two more contemporary dreamboat affairs... "Quantum Connection" springs with a bruk-like energy but chats in fluent jazz via the eastern horns and spiralling hook narrative. "My Mind Will Travel" maintains the spring but with much more of a loungey feel and a molten vocal that flops over the tightly plucked strings with humour and syrupy ease. One of a kind.

Review: The brilliant Jimi Tenor is adored in the scene by those how know his music. For over 30 years now, his discography shows his work for him to be labeled a genius. 'My Mind' was a track that was included on his 1999 album Organism. This new version is more akin to his recent live performances of it across the world in recent tours. This version is a bit rawer but doesn't lose the smoothness of the original. A classic of his discography and a signature song of his concerts, you get a glimpse into what makes Jimi Tenor once of the most beloved personalities in electronic music history.