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in stock $27.81
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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.
… Read more in stock $10.00
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in stock $28.37
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Review: Ammar El Sherei's intoxicating instrumental album Oriental Music was written in 1976 and has remained a cult classic for all the deep diggers, world music lovers and curio obsessives. For this record, the iconic Egyptian artist, composer and producer actually served up his own take on six classic compositions by another Egyptian legend, Mohamed Abdel Wahab. The results are utterly hypnotic and majestic melodic affairs with organic drums and percussion and North African melodies that worm their way deep into your brain and transport you to the hustle and bustle of a dusty open air market or street side coffee spot.
… Read more in stock $34.76
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Review: The Bees were a product of the late 80s South African music scene. They were an unknown band even in their homeland but its hard to see why given their happy kwaito sound. Now, 30 years later, international diggers are bringing the outfit the acclaim they deserve after the band was rather forgotten because they never had a big crossover hit in their early years. Here two of their best tracks are served up by Dutch label La Casa Tropical. They're lit up with pixelated synths and retro-future vibes that European party people love to get down to. "Mamezala" is the more considered of the two, while "Never Give Up" is a strident and rousing proto-house anthem with plenty of boogie in the bass.
… Read morePlayed by: Juno Records Staff Picks
in stock $16.41
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Review: For their latest essential primer on Sudanese music, Habibi Funk has chosen to focus on singer Sharharbil Ahmed, an artist whose desire to update Haqiba, a popular secular style of vocal-driven music, made him a pivotal figure in the 1960s. In his home country, Sharharbil became known as the "king of Sudanese jazz", a distinctive style that melded local instrumentation and vocals with jazz horns and heavy, guitar-driven grooves that drew much inspiration from rock and roll, surf-rock and rhythm and blues. The compilation does a great job in showcasing this insatiable, effervescent sound, showcasing the very best of Sharharbil's golden period output, most of which has never before been released outside of Sudan.
… Read more in stock $22.24
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in stock $24.20
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Review: Beastie Boy Mike D Edit has decided to rework Malian artists Idrissa Soumaoro and L'Eclipse De L'I.J.A. and their track 'Nissodia' - from the 1978 album Le Tioko-Tioko - for this new one on Brighton label Mr Bongo, the second time it has landed on the label, having previously been on The Original Sound Of Mali in 2017 Both tunes are pumping, full flavour Afro jams with screeching melodies and big, jangling, angular guitars all powered by funky beats. Each one is guaranteed to light up any cultured dancefloor.
… Read more in stock $17.80
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in stock $29.76
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Review: Thanks to an upsurge in interest in zouk, the synthesizer-heavy tropical style that emerged from the French Antilles in the early 1980s, reissues of superb but hard to find gems from the style's original heyday are becoming increasingly popular. This one from Strut Records is a peach. Originally released in 1988, "Las Pale" is the sole album from Feeling Kreyol, a female trio from Guadeloupe assembled and produced by local studio buffs Darius Denon and Frankie Brumier. It remains a brilliantly effervescent and colourful set, with the trio adding strong and attractive to distinctively tropical drum machine rhythms, shimmering synths, kaleidoscopic melodies and jangling guitars. In other words, it's a giddy blast of electronic tropical brilliance. Don't sleep.
… Read more in stock $9.92
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From Nubia To Cairo (180 gram vinyl LP + MP3 download code)
Cat: PIR 3166LP. Rel: 16 Nov 18
International
Played by: AfroBase (Radio Chart)
in stock $23.08
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in stock $12.52
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Played by: Red Greg, Charlie bucket/ dancing in space
in stock $17.53
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in stock $13.07
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Review: It would be fair to say that Kokoko! are not just dragging the music of the Democratic Republic of Congo into the 21st century, but also pushing it forwards towards the future. That much is proved by this essential debut album, a set full to bursting with thrilling fusions of Kuduro style electronics beats, lo-fi analogue electronics, traditional Congolese instrumentation, hand-played percussion polyrhythms and basslines so weighty they could crush an average-sized person. It's an arresting audio blueprint that guarantees thrills from start to finish. Highlights include the hot-stepping dancefloor sleaze of "Azo Toke", the foreboding, polyrhythmic 21st century punk-funk of "Malembe" and the intergalactic brilliance of "L.O.V.E.".
… Read more in stock $20.01
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in stock $11.12
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Review: Recorded in New York in 1966, Miriam Makeba's "Pata Pata" - her first for the legendary Reprise Records imprint - has long been considered one of the most important and influential South African albums of all time. Strut certainly thinks so and has offered up a "definitive version" that contains both mono and stereo mixes of the album, alongside new sleeve notes that tell the singer's remarkable story in vivid detail. Musically the set is rooted in jazz, but also incorporates sounds, rhythms and instrumentation not only reflective of Makeba's home country, but also nods to American soul, Latin rhythms and calypso (the latter showcasing the influence of her mentor, Harry Belafonte).
… Read morePlayed by: AfroBase (Radio Chart), Kalita Records
in stock $24.75
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VARIOUS
Cat: SNDWLP 131. Rel: 06 Sep 19
International
Review: Inspired by his own experiences growing up in apartheid-era South Africa and his travels through music, Esa Williams has put together a compilation of contemporary electronic music from around the world. "Amandla: Music To The People" is well worth your attention and contains some genuine gems. Highlights come thick and fast throughout, from the percussive, chant-along sweatiness of Penny Penny's "Shilungu" and the loved-up, pitched-down dreaminess of Alaska's "Accuse (Instrumental)", to the sweet, life-affirming cheeriness of Os Panteras' "Melo Do Anjo (Outro Edit)" and the thrusting, Italo-disco style dancefloor masculinity of Masalo's "Yera". Esa's own late '80s style pitched-down South African house jam "Pantsula Traxx" is also superb.
… Read more in stock $24.20
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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".
… Read morePlayed by: Alexis Le-Tan, Charles Maurice, JimmyTheTwin, AfroBase (Radio Chart), Ionik (Traveller Records, KGS), Adam isbell -Racubah Sound System, Sha'D Underground Trax, Dj soFa, Funky Bompa, In Flagranti, Afro Beat Foundation, I Love Disco!, Bastien Carrara, Fulbert, Juno Recommends International, Africa Seven
… Read more in stock $25.87
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in stock $20.31
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VARIOUS
Cat: ARTREC 004. Rel: 05 Mar 20
International
in stock $10.00
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Nigeria Soul Power 70: Afro Funk Afro Rock Afro Disco (gatefold 2xLP)
Cat: SJRLP 446. Rel: 18 Oct 19
International
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).
… Read morePlayed by: Afro Beat Foundation, I Love Disco!
in stock $30.60
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in stock $24.47
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in stock $13.07
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in stock $13.34
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Played by: JimmyTheTwin, AfroBase (Radio Chart)
in stock $24.75
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Lumingu aka ZORRO PUATI
Mosese (180 gram vinyl LP + insert)
Cat: BBE 546ALP. Rel: 08 Oct 19
International
in stock $25.31
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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".
… Read more in stock $24.20
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in stock $24.47
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Review: Mr Bongo kickstarts a new Afro 45s series with serious intention; all-girl troupe from Guinea Amazones De Guinee take the lead with a live recording from Paris, 1983. Taken from their Au Coeur De Paris album, it's the perfect example of a live recording with the balance of musicianship and crowd participation precision tuned. Flip for the previously rare 1980 recording by Ivory Coast's Moussa Doumbia whose smoky vocals and JB-level shrieks hit hard over a clam-tight Afrofunk rhythm. What a way to start a new series.
… Read more in stock $11.12
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Amara Toure 1973-1980 (limited gatefold 2xLP + MP3 download code)
Cat: AALP 078. Rel: 30 Jun 20
International
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.
… Read more in stock $21.97
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VARIOUS
Cat: STRUT 079LP. Rel: 13 May 11
International
in stock $16.41
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VARIOUS
Cat: AFR7LP 01. Rel: 20 Sep 17
International
in stock $24.20
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Cat: PH 45013. Rel: 07 Dec 17
International
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.
… Read more in stock $9.18
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World Psychedelic Classics 5: Who Is William Onyeabor? (gatefold 3xLP)
Cat: RT 54/8089900791. Rel: 21 Oct 13
International
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...
… Read morePlayed by: Scratchandsniff, Andrew Pirie (Melting Pot), Djouls (Paris DJs), Powlo Thirsty Ear, Charles Maurice, Felix Dickinson, Dicky Trisco, Lawrence Le Doux, Sito / / Mischio Dischi Disco, Manu Archeo, AfroBase (Radio Chart), RUSTAM OSPANOFF., Eamon Harkin, Mister Saturday Night, Bradley Lucke, Curt J, Ksoul, Ionik (Traveller Records, KGS), Mop Mop, Dusty / Jazz & Milk, Adam isbell -Racubah Sound System, Kisk, Andrew Allsgood (Free Association), Voodoocuts, Patrick Forge, Horton Jupiter, Far Out Recordings, Pushin Wood (Bambeats), Session Victim, Juno Recommends Funk, Riccio, Marsman, Damon Martin (Disco Bloodbath), Eddie C, Amen Brother Disco Band, Afro Beat Foundation, Daniel Nellstrum O'Bongo, Juno Classics, JKriv (Razor-N-Tape), Your Name (Legalize Lambada), Alien Disco Sugar / Leonidas DeeJay, Sccucci Manucci, Mitchell Goor, DJ ROCCA, Dam Swindle, Hugo Mendez, Alan Dente, Pedestrian, DJ Kobayashi, Guillaume Metenier (Gee Recordings), Chesney, Freddie Norwood, Francesco Rossini, Bal 5000
… Read more in stock $41.72
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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".
… Read morePlayed by: Charles Maurice, GK Machine, 7 Samurai Tom Wieland freesoulinc, Manu Archeo, RUSTAM OSPANOFF., Thatmanmonkz (Shadeleaf Music), Faze Action, Superbreak, Kaoru Inoue, Marcel Vogel, Juno Recommends Disco, Galletas Calientes, Your Name (Legalize Lambada), Andrea passenger, Charlie bucket/ dancing in space
… Read more in stock $31.71
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Review: 1975's "Simigwa" album not only launched the career of Afro-funk fusionist and eventual Highlife great Gyedu Blay Ambolley, but also inspired a Ghanaian dance craze. The album was co-produced by another Highlife great, Ebo Taylor, and has long been exceptionally hard to find on vinyl. For this official vinyl reissue on Mr Bongo, Ambolley's landmark set has been fully re-mastered for the very first time. It sounds spectacular, with great clarity on the ear-catching brass solos, serious weight to the bass and superb stereo separation. Highlights include - but certainly aren't limited to - the Afro-blues brilliance of "Toffie", the jaunty dancefloor fuzziness of "This Hustling World" and the heavyweight swing of ear-catching opener "Kwaakwaa".
… Read more in stock $24.75
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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.
… Read morePlayed by: Afro Beat Foundation
in stock $29.48
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Review: Since the Beach Diggin' compilation series launched a few years back, a number of its obscure, Balearic-minded selections have been given full length reissues of their own. We can probably expect a number of the tracks from this brilliant fifth volume to get the same treatment. As usual, the wide-ranging track list is thick with highlights, from the synth-heavy, French language reggae of Raphael Toine's 1986 bubbler "Femmes Pays Douces" (taken from the artist's frustratingly hard to find Ce Ta Ou album) and vibraphone-laden jazz-funk smoothness of Yasuko Agwa's sought-after "L.A Night", to the barely-known brilliance of Andre Maria Tole's Cameroonian gem "Sweet Dole". In other words, it's another essential selection.
… Read more in stock $24.47
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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.
… Read more in stock $10.29
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Buli Povo (Record Store Day 2018) (gatefold 180 gram vinyl LP + MP3 download code)
Cat: AADE 08. Rel: 21 May 18
International
Review: While Analog Africa always outdo themselves with their inconceivable form and approach to reissuing rare tropical music, this Record Store Day sees them providing us with some seriously special moves from the inimitable islands of Cape Verde. It was their Space Echo compilation, released a few years ago, that put the African archipelago back on the map, and we haven't stopped dancing since. Through a seductive blend of synths, drums, and unforgettable chanting, the style of Fukuna is on our hearts wherever we go. Antonio Sanchez, a leading figure in the golden era of the Cape Verde sound (70s-80s), release Buli Povo to limited international acclaim; the original is a rare find, and so it makes total sense to have it pressed up once again. But, act fast, because these WILL fly! Totally killer stuff.
… Read morePlayed by: Afro Beat Foundation, Juno Recommends International
in stock $28.92
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VARIOUS
Ethiopiques Box 7" Vol 2 (Record Store Day 2018) (limited 6 x 7" + poster + stickers)
Cat: HS 179VL. Rel: 04 Jun 18
International
Review: Following the success of the first volume which sold out in 2017, Heavenly Sweetness decided with Francis Falceto to give a follow up - in the form of this box set of Ethiopian singles. It's a tribute of sorts to the music producer Ali Tango, who produced most of these EPs across 6 X 7". Falceto plunged into his impressive collection of records and there are great names of the golden age of Ethiopian music such as Mahmoud Ahmed, Alemayehu Eshete, Ali Mohamed Birra, alongside less known artists to be rediscovered such as Muluquen Melesse, Alayew Mesfin and Seyoum Gebreyes. Including original artwork and labels, plus a poster and six stickers of all the covers. Limited edition, 2000 copies.
… Read morePlayed by: Afro Beat Foundation, Juno Recommends International
in stock $44.50
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Played by: Mukatsuku Records Chart
in stock $21.13
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in stock $13.91
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Review: Soundway surpass themselves again with this wonderful reissue from the Ghanaian artist Rob, who released two albums back in 1977 for the West African Essiebons label. Rob was a seasoned musician in the 70?s, having recorded and toured with many well known bands. The album is a somewhat Spartan, brooding affair where less is most definitely more as slow burning, hip swaying cosmic funk drenched compositions are offset by wonderful punchy brass arrangements. A slow burning pulse is present throughout with highlights being ''Loose up Yourself'' and the irreplaceable carnal conquest anthem '' Make it Fast, Make it Slow''. Songs of celebration sit alongside other pieces of introspection and socially conscious topics; some might criticise the odd duff notes and occasional raw vocal edge, but this just adds texture to the overall performance and vibe. Without question one of the best reissues of 2012.
… Read morePlayed by: Djouls (Paris DJs), Powlo Thirsty Ear, Lexx, Mukatsuku Records Chart, JimmyTheTwin, Athens of the North (Fryer), AfroBase (Radio Chart), DJ Gilla, Pat Les Stache (Cabana Disco), Boy Oliver, Mop Mop, Frankie Francis (Sofrito), Jazzee Loudness, Patchworks, Funky Bompa, Afro Beat Foundation, Soundway Records, Suonho, Captain Planet (Bastard Jazz), Modern Sun Records, NICOLA CONTE, Skyline Recordings Chart, Citizen Dale (of KEPT RECORDS), Corazon At Floripa, Admin, Originals
… Read more in stock $26.42
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Sierra Leone In 1970s USA (limited 180 gram vinyl LP + MP3 download code)
Cat: SNDWLP 062. Rel: 02 May 14
Funk
Review: Soundway's debut Sierra Leone exploration introduces us to Muyei Power who toured their country (and, on occasion, the US) throughout much of the 70s. With only a handful of 45s recorded, their sound has been largely unheard for the last 30/40 years. Until now. Complete with detailed liner notes and artwork, this album is a fantastic document. More importantly, it sounds fantastic: stretching from the more western influenced funk dynamic of "Bi Loko" to the frenetic percussive fusion of "Be Patient" via the smoky, mournful horns on the folky "Ben Ben Bee" there's a unique sound that resonates with everything else you know and love about African music during the ever-fertile 70s, yet rings and stamps with a life of its own.
… Read more in stock $20.01
