Review: Following 2012's fourth volume that celebrated the existential work of Tim Maia, here we find Luaka Bop exploring the legacy of William Onyeabor. A high chief and Kenyan diplomat who allegedly refuses to discuss his music, he self-released eight albums in the 70s and 80s and these are some of the many highlights. Stretching from the New York-influenced post-punk synth funk of "Good Name" to the most authentic Afro fusion of "Why Go To War", Onyeabor's range not only reflects his clear creative skill, but also the ever-developing international language of music during the fruitful period he was active. Who is William Onyeabor? Press play and find out yourselves...
Lexy Mella - "On The Air" (Rap mix - Frankie Francis edit - bonus 7") (3:47)
Review: Soundway offer us a new compilation featuring 20 rare tracks from the currently much talked about world of Nigerian pop music; a zeitgeist of their early 1980s club culture. The country's economy was booming at the time and so was its recording industry. Strongly influenced by '70s disco and funk, this new generation were, as the liner notes explain "Eager to sound as American as possible with no hint of the fervour for afro-beat, afro-rock and afrocentric thinking that the 1970s had thrown up". The original albums that many of these singles came from go for exorbitant prices online, so here's a chance to snap up some of the periods finest music, remastered across three 12"s.
Review: This latest reissue from Awesome Tapes From Africa is the whole reason for founder Brian Shimkovitz starting the blog and the label that grew out of it. Some 13 years ago, Shimkovitz stumbled across a cassette copy of Obaa Sima whilst travelling Ghana and his love for Ata Kak's music lead to the foundation of the Awesome Tapes From Africa blog and the commencement of a long running effort to track down the Ghanaian musician. Some four years after ATFA became a label, Shimkovitz finally tracked down the musician, real name Yaw Atta-Owusu, and was granted permission to reissue Obaa Sima, using the second hand tape purchased in Ghana as the source. The seven tracks on this LP are a winning tinny combination of highlife, rap, pop, and more with "Daa Nyinaa" sounding like a cover version of William De Vaughn's "Be Thankful For What You've Got".
Review: Antal has already been dropping the worldly beats on this EP which is a fine stamp of approval for Israeli DJ and collector Elado. This marks his debut on the label having won plenty of fans for his offering on Eddie C's cult Red Motorbike. The music take its cues from all over the planet - Africa, India and the Middle East - and brims with disco joy, funk richness and plenty of earthly soul. 'Big Baba' is a classy party starter with good time feels, 'Gulab Jamun' is a foreign language acid laced love song and 'Blame' is synth heavy disco funk.
Review: Should you stumble on an original copy of N'Draman Blintch's 1980 album Cosmic Sounds for sale, it would cost you upwards of 1,000 Pounds. This, then, is a much-needed reissue. It contains four fine cuts that showcase the Ivory Coast-born musician's distinctively intergalactic take on Afro-disco, where spacey electronics and mazy synth lines rise above bustling, high octane grooves. The album does contain one decidedly laidback and loved-up slow jam - closer "She Africa (Ton Tour Viendra)" - but it's the celebratory brilliance of the set's dancefloor workouts that most impress. Check, in particular, the anthem-like strut of title track "Cosmic Sounds" and the hot-to-trot, solo-laden Afro-disco explosion that is opener "Self Destruction".
Review: Cuba-meets-Cameroon-via-Guinea-and-Senegal, the roots of this African-adopted Cuban sound are as rich, unique and exciting as Amara Toure's tale itself. After years of club performing in Dakar, Amara and his Black & White Ensemble in the late '60s and proceeded to release 10 songs during the '70s. Here, for the first time ever, all of these recordings are united on this immaculately presented collection. From the cobble-kicking percussive Cuban heels and emphatic harmonies of "Fatou" to the deep yearning crooning blues of "N'ga Digne M'be" and the spacey, out-of-this-world guitars and jazzy trumpet lead of "N'Niyo", there's something very special and unique about this collection. With a heart that beats in Africa but a soul that shines with Cuban fire, as Analogue Africa state themselves... It's only taken 10 songs for Amara to become a legend. Very few artists can claim this feat.
Review: Since it was first reissued a few years ago, Steve Monite's Only You album has gone from being a stupidly rare Nigerian boogie "holy grail", to an easy-to-access "must have" for anyone with even a passing interest in African disco and electrofunk. If you've yet to acquire a copy, we'd recommend picking up a copy of this officially licensed Soundway repress. It contains two different takes on the now anthemic 'Only You' - an infectious Lagos boogie delight - plus the pleasingly dubbed-out, piano-heavy electrofunk gem 'Things Fall Apart (Disco Jam)' (the original mix is also included at the end of side B), the slick and sweet 'Welcome My Love' and the more downtempo 'I Had a Dream'.
Akin Richards & The Executives - "Afrikana Disco" (6:25)
Tee Mac - "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" (5:40)
Joni Haastrup - "Greetings" (6:14)
Don Bruce & The Angels - "Ocheche (Happy Song)" (5:51)
Benis Cletin - "Get Up & Dance" (5:37)
Colomach - "Enoviyin" (5:02)
Joni Haastrup - "Do The Funkro" (4:04)
Tee Mac - "Living Everyday" (feat Marjorie Barnes) (5:19)
Arakatula - "Mr Been To" (4:01)
Angela Starr - "Disco Dancing" (5:30)
Joni Haastrup - "Wake Up Your Mind" (5:58)
Jimmy Sherry & The Musik Agents - "Nwaeze" (7:00)
Benis Cletin - "Soul Fever" (5:02)
Arakatula - "Wake Up Africa" (3:19)
Review: Another work of Soul Jazz curatorial gold: Nigeria Soul Fever is a detailed gatefold trip into one of Nigeria's richest chapters in music. Heavy trade restrictions allowed them to develop their own style without too much US or European influence and the result is an array of national talent who largely remained legends within their own borders. The range is mesmerizing; the sinewy synth and playground vocal Q&A of Benis Cletin's "Get Up & Dance", the ballroom disco soul of Tee Mac's "Living Everyday", the soulful afrofunk folk of Jimmy Sherry's "Nwaeze", the gut-punching power of Arakatula's album finale "Wake Up Africa". This is a treasure trove of unreleased gems that capture a truly unique time.
Review: Labels Hot Mule and Secousse have teamed up to deliver something special: a killer EP of "lost gems from the golden era of Zouk and Gwo-Ka" in Guadeloupe (that's 1985 to '92, fact fans). The four tracks showcased here were performed and produced by an artist whose fame in Guadeloupe sadly never spread any further, Max Rambhojan. The A-side boasts two versions of the rather brilliant and suitably cheery "Tou't Jou Pa Min'm": the jaunty, sun-kissed, whistle-sporting 1986 original mix, and Rambhojan's heavily electronic, synthesizer-heavy, calypso-tinged 1992 re-make of his biggest local hit. Over on side B you'll find the bubby dub bass, sparse synths and flute solos of the decidedly tropical "Cecilia" and a suitably breezy, sunset-ready gem entitled "On Jou Matin".
Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band - "Yamona" (Dam Swindle remix) (6:17)
Pupkulies & Rebecca - "Saude" (4:36)
La Gran Banda Calena - "Que Quiere Que Haga" (4:04)
Martina Camargo - "Me Robaste El Sueno" (3:47)
Mackjoss - "Mounadji "76"" (4:46)
Voilaaa - "Limye-A" (feat David Walters, Lass & Pat Kalla) (5:24)
Jobby Valente - "Mi Moin Mi Ou" (5:29)
Luis Dias - "Liborio" (4:49)
Bande Gamboa - "Pe Di Bissilon" (Dam Swindle remix) (6:12)
Ngalah Oreyo - "Aye!" (5:12)
Alcione - "Nzambi-Muadiakime" (4:35)
Ismail & Sixu Toure - "Utammada" (3:22)
Pat Kalla & Le Super Mojo - "Canette" (BOSQ remix) (6:14)
Aurelio - "Nando" (3:01)
Chucho Pinto - "Cumbia De Sal Y Azucar" (3:27)
Review: Known for his Beach Diggin work, renowned French DJ, producer and digger Guts is back with a second volume of his Straight From The Decks Series. The sounds once again take in classy offerings from the worlds of Latin, afro, soul, Afrobeat, zouk and house, while a couple of super remixes from Dam Swindle also make the cut. Plenty of the tunes are hard to find rarities "acquired through nerve-raking auctions battles" while some previously digital only cuts also make the collection. Copping this one is short cut to a summer packed with classy heaters and steamy international rhythms.
Review: Having previously reissued Pasteur Lappe's sought-after 1979 sophomore set, No Man Pass Man, the crew behind the Africa Seven label has turned its attention to the Cameroonian artist's similarly impressive debut, We The People. It's a vibrant and hugely entertaining six-track set, with Lappe offering up a range of dancefloor-ready cuts that variously touch on heavy Afro-disco ("More Sekele Movement (Papa Ni Mama)"), horn-heavy tropical funk ("Dora"), saccharine English language ballads ("Watcha Get Ma Day Dreams"), thrusting disco-funk righteousness (Clav-happy smasher "Sekelimania (Nku Bilam)" and "The Sekele Movement") and laidback, Steely Dan style West Coast jazz-rock ("As Far As I Can Remember").
Review: A lesson in how to follow up an incredible album: Tomorrow followed Onyeabor's incendiary Atomic Bomb immaculately. The title track instantly set the scene with more emphasis on electronic elements and studio techniques as William sermonises without pomp. "Why Go To War" is as insistent as its message thanks to a dense lolloping groove of highlife guitars and spiralling keys. "Fantastic Man", meanwhile, takes a leaf out of Parliament's playbook, rolls it up and smokes its own and "Try & Try" closes the show with country subtlety thanks to its slide guitars and blushing keys.
Tony Grey & The Ozimba Messengers - "You Are The One" (7:22)
Sonny Okosuns - "Oba Erediauwa I" (6:20)
The Wings - "Single Boy" (4:02)
Geraldo Pino - "Power To The People" (5:43)
Original Wings - "Igba Alusi" (7:03)
Don Bruce & The Angels - "Sugar Baby" (6:32)
Geraldo Pino - "Africans Must Unite" (5:51)
Review: Back in 2017, Soul Jazz offered up a superb box set of seven 7" singles featuring a wealth of 1970s Nigerian afro-rock, afro-funk and afro-disco. Since then the box has been changing hands for significant sums online, so they've bowed to pressure and decided to reissue it as a gatefold double album. It features the same combination of tracks from the likes of Geraldo Pino, Tony Grey, The Wings and MFB, though this time they've been included in a different order. For those interested in raw, raucous and life-affirming Nigerian dance music from the period, it should be an essential purchase (providing, of course, they don't already own the previous box set).
Review: Late 70s funk fusion from Tunisia: capturing the moment leading Tunis bands Dalton and Marhaba Band joined forces for some legendary disco fusion. "Alech" ignites with a Doobie Brothers style shiny guitar, big slap bass and soaring synth work while "Hanen" is a little more introspective and soulful with its honeyed harmonies and cascading chord sequence. Complete with instrumentals.
Alan Cosmos & His Bam-Baara Soundz - "Soca For Your Pleasure" (7:23)
AB Crentsil - "Mama Dwen Meho" (6:16)
DJ Lawyer Okyere - "Ohia KanNye Ya" (Medley) (7:39)
Alan Cosmos & His Bam-Baara Soundz - "Onua Gyae" (6:02)
Pope Flyne Ackah - "I Think You Are Right (Jepense Que Tu A Raison)" (3:20)
Atta Frimpong - "Yaako" (5:20)
Pat Thomas - "Obae" (6:40)
Mawuli Decker - "Mawu Nafako Nam" (6:59)
Nana Aboagye Da-Costa - "Sikyi" (Medley) (7:13)
Alan Cosmos & His Bam-Baara Soundz - "Yebi/Fontonfrom" (11:58)
Review: Kalita's Borga Revolution compilations are pure joy, tapping into the boom in electronic music in Ghana in the 80s and 90s. The first volume came out last year and carried work from the likes of Thomas Frempong and George Darko. On this second instalment we get a whole host of new names to bring us more of that West African heat, and the hits just keep spilling out. Check the urgent stomp of 'Soca For Your Pleasure' by Alan Cosmos & His Bam-Baara Soundz, or the rugged soul and deadly grooves bursting out of Pope Flyne Ackah's 'I Think You Are Right (Jepense Que Tu A Raison)'. If you were into the first edition, this is only going to bring you more delights from an overlooked corner of Africa's musical history.
The Garifuma Collective - "Merua" (feat Umalali) (3:10)
Luizga & Izem - "Yemamaya" (4:01)
Blue Bird - "Foefoeroe-Mang" (3:55)
Poirier - "Pourquoi Faire Aujourd'Hui" (3:39)
Kaleta & Super Yamba Band - "Jibiti" (Bosq remix) (4:33)
Ezra Collective - "Lady" (5:30)
Joskar & Flamzy - "Faroter" (4:02)
Dowdelin - "I Like To Move It" (3:01)
Review: Spanish selector Guts digs deep into his collection once more to offer up another collection of the cuts that have made his sets so special over the years. It's an international mix that takes in worldly Afro grooves, percussive cuts, plenty of gorgeous instrumentals with elements of soul, jazz and funk. Standouts include The Garifuma Collective's 'Merua' (feat Umalali) and Kaleta & Super Yamba Band'a 'Jibiti' (Bosq remix). They tell a great story when playing out together and certainly capture the essence of Guts, who has been serving up these collections to great acclaim for a while now.
Wallias Band - "Muziqawi Silt" (instrumental) (3:45)
Marumo - "Khomo Tsaka Deile Kae?" (3:42)
Roger Damawuzan & Les As Du Benin - "Wait For Me" (3:14)
Shina Williams & His African Percussionists - "Agboju Logun" (Mr Bongo 7" edit) (4:02)
Girma Beyene - "Enken Yelelebesh" (3:21)
Tee Mac & Majorie Barnes - "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" (5:40)
Yta Jourias - "Adore Nyueto" (5:27)
Peter King - "African Dialects" (4:54)
Alemayehu Eshete - "Tchero Adari Nègn" (4:26)
Tesfa-maryam Kidane - "Heywete" (5:14)
Amadou Balake - "Super Bar Konon Mouso" (5:24)
Kelekye Band - "Jungle Music" (5:40)
Orlando Julius & Ashiko - "Get The Funk" (5:28)
Review: A new week means yet another new compilation from Wagram. The French label has become expert at myriad different genres from staples like house and techno to more esoteric world genre niches. This time out they launch a new series that looks into the rich sounds of Afrobeat, first pioneered by the likes of Fela Kuti and his drummer Tony Allen. Neither of them feature here but the four sides of tunes we do get all make for a deep dive into this compelling rhythmical music.
Review: Majid Soula is someone who uses music as activism. The Algerian-born, Amazigh artist lays down prominent guitar lines with driving drums and snaking synth lines to blend together worldly sounds such as highlife, disco, Kabyle sounds and funk. The sounds become a vehicle for Soula's political message which he delivers with style and wit. The artists says he is someone whose first concern is "to present a quality artistic work in order to contribute, however modestly, to the development and enrichment of our cultural heritage." He does it and then some with this more absorbing of records. It is sure to become a collector's cult classic.
Review: Brooklyn-born, New Orleans-based multi-instrumentalist Gitkin delivers a rich fusion of global sounds on Golden Age, his latest ten-track album. Known for his guitar-driven style, Gitkin blends the rhythms of cumbia, North African, and Middle Eastern music, creating a sonic journey that feels both expansive and deeply rooted. As the frontman of The Pimps of Joytime, a staple in the festival circuit, his influence on the soul-funk scene is undeniable. From Bonnaroo to Electric Forest, Gitkin has built a reputation for electrifying live performances. Beyond his own projects, he's produced for artists like Corey Henry, Bernard Purdie and Cedric Burnside, whose Benton County Relic earned a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Blues Album. With Golden Age, Gitkin further explores the intersections of global music traditions, weaving his soulful guitar into a captivating tapestry that speaks to his wide-ranging influences.
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