Philophon Vinyl & CDs

Review: Parsed into its unabbreviated form, title of Florence Adooni's vintage-sounding but brand new highlife record is an endearing reminder that togetherness should not be thought a luxury, but rather a human right and expectation, hence its ordinariness. Rooted in the rich traditions of Ghana's Fra Fra culture and propelled by cosmic production from Philophon Records' visionary Max Weissenfeldt, this release is a bold fusion of hereditary rhythms and fresh productions, proving that the convivialities often associated with traditional West African music need not be lost on the global situation of 2024. The standout here has to be 'Vocalize My Luv', a punchy track, with carnivalesque Afro-dance stylings and a resinous bass breadth charge, as Adooni sings powerfully of the innate human need for expression.

Review: Guy One, so-called because he is "number one in Frafra music", has been making and releasing music in his native Ghana for a number of decades. This, though, is his first international release - a rare full-length excursion that showcases his sticky, percussive take on Highlife. It's a fantastically vibrant set, all told, with Guy One flitting between skittish dancefloor excursions, looser, drum-led efforts, more considered cuts and occasionally forays into funkier territory. The musicianship throughout is superb, while Guy One's vocals - sung in his native tongue, of course, but laden with enough emotion to ensure the message gets across to overseas listeners - are never less than sublime.

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: Jimi Tenor's fruitful career bares another fine crop here with Aulos, his second album on Philophon, marking another landmark moment. From a maker of dark industrial to the creator of these spring time, organic and nature inspired sounds he has made quite the transition. The multi-instrumentalist and singer is joined by drummers Ekow Alabi Savage from Ghana and Max Weissenfeldt from Germany to aadd extra rhythmic edge to tracks which range from utterly blissed out instrumentals to more strident and kosmische grooves. The sweetness of 'Afroeuropean' is a real highlight, while '128 Cosmic Rock' is thrilling moment of danceable intensity.

Review: A few years ago, West African music obsessive and Philophon label boss Max Weissenfeldt decided to make some roots reggae with his friend and fellow drummer Josie Coppola. Yet this would be no regular reggae, as they'd be working on songs by Ghanaian artist Y-Bayani (real name Yusef Hussain). Since then, the project has developed further with the addition of a second lead singer, Baby Naa (Naomi Addy), a clutch of talented musicians and a Ghanaian choir. The result is this debut album, a wonderfully hazy, sun-kissed shuffle that does a brilliant job in putting a new, Afro-centric spin on Jamaican roots reggae. The riddims are strong, the multi-lingual vocals superb, the musicianship spot on and the production authentically warm and weighty. In other words, it's an unlikely gem.