Philophon レコード& CD

Review: Florence Adooni's relationship with Philophon goes back some time. She was the voice of Guy One's group and featured on his hit 'Estre' while she also provided vocals for Jimi Tenor's club classic 'Vocalize My Luv'. Under her own name, she has also dropped a series of top albums that have earned her the title of "the queen of Frafra-Gospel". This super sweet 45rpm typifies that sound with shakers and hand clapping, acoustic guitars and earthy drum sounds. 'Yinne' is upbeat and sunny and rich in melody and 'Fo Yelle' is much more heartfelt and introspective. Both are great.

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: 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.