Les Disques Bongo Joe Vinyl & CDs

Review: Bongo Joe and Sofa Records' third instalment of the Maghreb K7 Club Disco Single series dives deep into Algeria's vibrant 1980s scene, offering four tracks that shine a light on the region's overlooked gems. The A-side is led by two irresistible pop-boogie-funk tracks from Khaled Barkat: 'Galouli Enshara' and 'Zourini'. Self-taught and self-produced in 1983, Barkat's music was a hit at the time but got overshadowed by the rising tide of rai. His dynamic collaboration with Yazid Fentazi, Redouane Ayoub, and Mhenni Benlala resulted in a sound that blends infectious grooves with local flair. Now, for the first time, these tracks are on vinyl, offering fresh ears the chance to rediscover a key player in Algeria's pop history. Cheb Tati takes over on the B-side with 'Dub El Hammam', a heavyweight dub number that showcases his range as a rai vocalist. Tati was flown to London in 1989 to work with dub pioneer Denis Bovell, and this track is a standout from their sessions, merging the pulsating rhythms of reggae with a distinctly North African flavour. Closing out the release is the Kabyle band Asif, whose only known recording, 'Tafsut', serves as a fitting finale. Formed by three brothers in Lille during the late 70s, this beautifully crafted pop-boogie track captures the band's unique sound, bringing a sense of nostalgia and triumph to the collection.

Review: The Mausovic Dance Band may be based in Amsterdam but their music comes from an utterly unique and distant world. Their madcap sounds are driven by elastic rhythms with potent dub sorcery as the five-pice outfit draws on global music traditions and adds in their own synth styles and forward-facing dance floor dynamics. The new album Buckaroo Bank brings an industrial, post-punk feel with proto-electronic explorations all couched in, of course, dub. It's a captivating listen, make no mistake.

Review: Berlin-based Turkish singer and multi-instrumentalist Derya Yildirim fronts Grup Simsek - a psych-pop delight which channels the unmistakable lilt of Anatolian musical tradition. After releasing the first instalment last year, the band return to deliver the second half of their double album DOST. In the interim since that first half dropped they've recorded a BBC Radio 6 Music session, been featured all over the place and played internationally. The release of DOST 2 should cement their ascendance in a swirl of 70s informed funk driven by Yildirim's enchanting vocals and the fluid grooves of her backing band.