Afrobeat 1500 Items

Release: 2016 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Born in Matura Village, Trinidad in 1949, Doran Dorril Hector aka ''Versatile'' began his career as a guitarist in a quartet singing group called the ''Orchids'' in 1965. He first began writing and performing Calypso in 1967 for the North East Competition in Sangre Grande where he emerged 1st runner up to the Mighty Poser.

He further went on to be judged the best singing teen at the Teen Talent Competition held at Scarlet Ibis Hotel in 1968 performing Otis Redding’s ''Dreams To Remember''. The prize was a recording session at Telco Records and it was at this company that Dorril released his first record ''Dance With Me''.

In the late sixties he also began travelling as a lead singer with Ed Watson and the Brass Circle, visiting the entire English-speaking Caribbean. He also went to New York, Miami, The U.S. Virgin Islands and Guadeloupe.

In 1970 he decided to get into the Calypso genre and changed his artist name to ''Versatile''. Before getting on the front stage he began doing background vocals for several calypsonians in the Calypso tents during Carnival season. He also began to work as a background vocalist at Max Serrao’s Caribbean Sound Studios, K.H. studios and Semp studios.

After saving some money from working in the entertainment business, Dorril decided to do a self-financed recording in 1974 and recorded ''Country Boy Come To Town'' at K.H. studios in Sea Lots, Port of Spain, a calypso-pop crossover song. The song was a minor success in Trinidad.

In 1975 he went into a partnership with K.H. studios to record his next single ''Let It Out''. The song was a mixture of Calypso, Funk and African influences and served as a good example for the newly evolving musical artform called ''Soca''. However, Dorril was still unable to write down his music and arrangements for the studio musicians. Ellis Chow Lin On (then manager at K.H. studios) introduced Dorril to Pelham Goddard who had just formed his band ''Roots''. Pellham Goddard wrote down the arrangements and Roots recorded the backing track. Among the musicians were names like Clive Bradley and Michael ''Toby'' Tobas. Dorril released the record on his own ''Hector'' label.

Back in the studio in August 1977 he recorded the socio-critical song ''Destruction'', a soulful reggae tune. The backing track was recorded by Colin Lucas and his newly-formed band ''Sound Revolution''. After Carnival the following year the song became a big hit in Trinidad and the wider Caribbean and finally Dorril’s signature song.

Dorril kept recording his own material and is performing live to this day. He is also an active member of T.U.C.O. (the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation).
7'' Single (45 RPM) in picture sleeve. 2 tracks. Total playing time 7 mns.

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Gumba Fire: Bubblegum Soul & Synth Boogie In 1980s South Africa

3LP | 2018 | EU | Original (Soundway)

24,99 €*

LP | 2018 | US | Original (Awesome Tapes From Africa)

Release: 2018 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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In 1980s black South Africa a local form of pop music evolved as the disco boom died down and slowly mutated. It was often ubiquitously described as Bubblegum - usually stripped-down and lo-fi with a predominance of synths, keyboards and drum-machines and overlaid with the kind of deeply soulful trademark vocals and harmonies that South African music is famous for.
Compilers Miles Cleret (Soundway) and DJ Okapi (Afrosynth Records) present a selection of 18 rare, handpicked 1980s cuts that highlight the period that nestles in between the ‘70s (where American-influenced jazz, funk and soul bumped shoulders with local Mbaqanga) and the ‘90s when Kwaito and eventually house-music ruled the dancefloors of urban South Africa.
Alongside French-Caribbean Zouk this kind of music has slowly been making its way into the DJ sets of many of the most open minded selectors around the world. This compilation is in many ways a sister release to the hugely popular compilation of Nigerian boogie and disco that Soundway released in late 2016 : “Doing it In Lagos: Boogie, Pop & Disco in 1980s Nigeria”.
The album takes its name from the band Ashiko’s track of the same name Gumba Fire that features on the compilation. The term is derived from gumba gumba, the term given to the booming speakers of the old spacegram radios that
broadcast music into South Africa’s townships and villages. The phrase later evolved into Gumba Fire to refer to a hot party. Put this record on and feel the heat!

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Hailu Mergia

Lala Belu

Release: 2018 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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LP | 2018 | EU | Original (Heavenly Sweetness)

Edmony Krater

An Ka Sonjé

16,99 €*

War Room / Into The Thick

Release: 2018 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Following the reissue of his cult album “Ti jan pou vélo”, Heavenly Sweetness decided to continue the collaboration with Edmony Krater and record a new album! The first one in 30 years! As an avant-gardist percussionist, singer and trumpet player, Edmony Krater has always worked to develop and promote the Gwoka music of Guadeloupe and to feed it with different influences, from Jazz to Reggae.

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Black Market Brass

7" | 2018 | US | Original (Colemine)

12" | 1982 | EU | Reissue (Hot Casa)

Release: 2018 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Hailing from Minneapolis, MN, Black Market Brass is a 10-piece group performing their own brand of originally composed Afrobeat/Afrofunk music, as well as completing authentic renditions of the classic 1970's West African sound. Taking their cues from the godfathers, the band draws on complex polyrhythmic percussion, driving bass lines, dizzying guitar interplay, rolling keyboards, and room-commanding brass. The result? An eclectic blend of cool deep funk and driving Afrobeat grooves that will lure you to the dance floor and never let you leave.

"War Room" and "The Thick" represent the group's continuing evolving sound. Tracked with Leroi Conroy at Colemine Records HQ in Loveland, OH, these tunes simply burn!

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Boncana Maiga

Koyma Hondo

LP | 2018 | EU | Original (No Format)

Release: 1982 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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The Afro-Funk side of the Latin Soul maestro!
Born in Gao (Mali), Boncana Maïga is one of the most talented and popular producer of West-African music since the 60's. He studied flute and Latin arrangements in Cuba during the 60's and founded the famous “Les Maravillas du Mali” in 1968.
He became orchestra leader for the national Ivorian TV in Abidjan in the mid-seventies, and toured all over the world with the famous Africando band. During his recording sessions in NYC at the beginning of the 80's with a lot of “Latin musicians” from Puerto Rico, Venezuela or Colombia, Boncana Maïga also recorded few rare Funky tracks with heavy breaks!
With the artist, we decided to reissue four rare tracks from 1978 to 1982 dedicated to dancefloor, including a really rare soundtrack for the oil company of Ivory Coast called “Petroci”.
In 2018, he'll be back on tour with “Les Maravillas du Mali”, still have a weekly TV show on TV5 Monde and with this reissue will continue to warm your Afro-Funk parties!
Fully licensed, 12inch vinyl (45 RPM) including interview. Remastered by The Carvery!

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Toto Bona Lokua

Bondeko

Release: 2018 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Everything You Do, You Do For Yourself

Guy One

7" | 2017 | EU | Original (Philophon)

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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With the single "Everything You Do, You Do For Yourself" North-Ghanaian Kologo master Guy One opens the door to his first international release #1, which will be available end of January 2018. Guy One promises what his name is saying: he is the number one artist of Frafra music, named after his people: the Frafra.
"Everything You Do, You Do For Yourself" is his only song having a phrase in English. Here he is following the example of his collegue and friend King Ayisoba, who introduced the use of English into Frafra music a few years ago. The beat is a driving Highlife rhythm. That's the kind of groove we all love Ghana for!
On "Estre" we have special guest Florence Adooni, one of the leading voices of Frafra-Gospel. She is interweaving perfectly with the horn arrangements by Max Weissenfeldt, as well the drummer of the song, and gives after her part the lead to Mr. Guy One - yeah, the number one!

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The Original Sound Of Burkina Faso

2LP | 2017 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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‘The Original Sound of Burkina Faso’ follows the hugely successful ‘The Original Sound of Mali’ compilation released in March this year, also on Mr Bongo. Here we have a collection of songs that pay tribute to a truly golden age of music; touching on folk, funk, blues, highlife, disco, psyche, latin, rock and soul.
Burkina Faso may be one of the least well-known parts of West Africa but it has a deep history and musical pedigree. A few years before President Thomas Sankara changed his country’s name from Upper Volta to its current one, a new sound emerged to soundtrack a cultural revolution.
Featuring music by Abdoulaye Cissé, Amadou Balaké, Pierre Sandwidi & Super Volta, Tidiani Coulibaly & Dafra Star, Bozambo, Youssouf Diarra and more. Including a booklet with extensive liner notes and photography.
Compiled by David ‘Mr Bongo’ Buttle and Florent Mazzoleni.

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LP | 2017 | EU | Original (Aziza)

Murder By Contract

21,99 €*

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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his LP explores the vast archives of African popular music, leading to an explosive selection of cuts that blend genres s.a. soul, jerk, psych, beat, garage and more. All cuts are reissued here for the first time.

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Mr Bongo Record Club Volume 2

2LP | 2017 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

LP | 2017 | EU | Original (Awesome Tapes From Africa)

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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This instalment follows on from our acclaimed ‘Volume One’ – Lauren Laverne’s ‘Compilation Of The Week’, supported by the likes of Disclosure, Jeremy Underground, Horsemeat Disco, Hunee and Laurent Garnier. ‘Volume Two’ picks up where the last one left off — with a touch more soul and disco — records we’ve been spinning in our DJ sets and on the radio show of the same name, that inspired this series.

Compiled by David ‘Mr Bongo’ Buttle and Gareth Stephens, plus a few personal favourites from Gary Johnson, Ville Marttila and Graham Luckhurst.

TRACKLIST, VINYL 2-LP: A1. Elbernita ‘twinkie’ Clark – Awake O Zion (full length, original version) / A2. Dee Edwards – Put Your Love On The Line / A3. Anubis – Ecology / B1. Guy Cuevas – Ebony Game / B2. Kiru Stars (Julius Kang’ethe) – Family Planning / B3. Teaspoon & The Waves – Oh Yeh Soweto / C1. Leny Andrade – Não Adianta / C2. Rosa Maria – Samba Maneiro / C3. Tom & Dito – Obrigado Corcovado / C4. Inezita Barroso – Maracatu Elegante / C5. Joao Diaz – Capoeira / C6. The Equatics – Merry Go Round / D1. Elias Rahbani And His Orchestra – Liza… Liza / D2. The Beaters – Harari

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Professor Rhythm

Bafana Bafana

Africa Is The Future Black Vinyl Edition

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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First time on vinyl.
Key producer of early South African house music and kwaito Professor Rhythm is
the production moniker of South African music man Thami Mdluli. Throughout the
1980's, Mdluli was member of chart-topping groups Taboo and CJB, playing
bubblegum pop to stadiums. Mdluli became an in-demand producer for influential
artists (like Sox and Sensations, among many others) and in-house producer for
important record companies like Eric Frisch and Tusk. During the early '80s, Mdluli
projects usually featured an instrumental dance track. These hot instrumentals
became rather popular. Fans demanded to hear more of these backing tracks
without vocals, he says, so Mdluli began to make solo instrumental albums in 1985
as Professor Rhythm. He got the name before the recordings began, from fans, and
positive momentum from audiences and other musicians drove him to invest
himself in a full-on solo project. It was the era just before the end of apartheid and
house music hadn't taken over yet. There wasn't instrumental electronic music yet
in South Afric a. As the '80s came to a close, that was about to change. Professor
Rhythm productions mirror the evolution of dance music in South Africa. They
grew out of the bubblegum mold - which itself stems from band's channeling
influences like Kool & the Gang and the Commodores - into something based on
music for the club. His early instrumental recordings First Time Around and
Professor 3 mostly distilled R&B, mbaqanga and bubblegum grooves into vocal-less
pieces for the dance floor. Musically, these were a success and commercially the
albums all went gold. There were countless bubblegum albums flooding the
marketplace, with nearly disposable vocalists backed by mostly similar-sounding
rhythm tracks. Most of the lyrical content was light and apolitical. But the
keyboards used formed the musical basis for what would come next. By the time
Professor 4 and this recording Bafana Bafana - the name references South Africa's
national soccer team - were released in the mid-1990s, k waito had fully emerged.
Access to instruments and freedom of expression helped its rise in influence
among youth. According to Mdluli, "Once Mandela was released from prison and
people felt more free to express themselves and move around town, kwaito was
becoming the thing." Lyrically, kwaito championed the local township lingo while
adapting "international music," house music, into the local context. "International
Music," as house music and early kwaito were interchangeably known, in many
ways reflects the sounds coming from America. But South Africans made it their
own. Today, the largest part of the music industry is occupied by house music and
its relatives.

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Kologbo

LP | 2017 | EU | Original (Paris DJs)

Inye Deluxe Vinyl Edition

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Limited black vinyl edition of 250 copies only!

Guitar legend Oghene Kologbo was born in Warri, Nigeria in 1957. His father was the well-known highlife musician Joe King Kologbo. When Kologbo was a teenager, he began performing with the revolutionary Afrobeat master Fela Kuti. Kologbo went on to record more than 50 sides with Africa 70. He played the hypnotic tenor guitar lines, but often recorded bass and rhythm guitar too. Kologbo was Fela's personal assistant and "tape recorder". That is, it was his job to remember the melodies Fela would sing to him late at night, then teach them to the band at rehearsal the next day. In 1978, after a show at the Berlin Jazz Festival, Kologbo left the band (along with Tony Allen and a few others) and stayed in Berlin.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Kologbo worked with the legendary but short-lived Roots Anabo. He also toured and recorded with King Sunny Ade, Tony Allen, and Brenda Fosse, among others. In 2005, Kologbo began working with the Afrobeat Academy, Berlin's heaviest afrobeat ensemble — which later on morphed into Ebo Taylor's and then Pat Thomas' backing bands — and released together in 2007 the album "Remember Fela Kuti". In 2008 he moved to France to join Tony Allen's on tenor guitar. After nearly a year playing and teaching Afrobeat in Brazil, Kologbo came back to France to work on his new record, "Africa is the Future", produced by Loik Dury and Grant Phabao from the Paris DJs label/mediae.

"Africa Is The Future" is a true collective effort, with many guests gathering forces on the project: Tony Allen, playing drums on 5 tracks out of 8 (Nigeria/France), singer Pat Thomas (Ghana), deejay Joseph Cotton (Jamaica), singer Ayo (Nigeria/Germany), horn players from the Afrobeat Academy (Germany) or from Les Frères Smith (France), members of Antibalas (USA), Newen Afrobeat (Chile), etc. This is afrobeat from the 21st century at its purest, blending the originators and the descendants together!

This limited edition vinyl comes in a beautiful gatefold cover.

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Itadi

LP | 2017 | EU | Original (Hot Casa)

LP | 2017 | UK | Original (Africa Seven)

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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This deluxe LP contains also two unreleased tracks, interview, and photos and was fully licensed with his family. Afro funk and Political Soul from Togo. Recorded in the beginning of the 80's and self-produced by Itadi in 1983 , this obscure album contained deep soul and controversial rare grooves backed by the 5 band members called the “Afro Funk Band de Lomé”. Itadi's music is unique, in his second album, he kept the same recipe: a mixture of soul, reggae, hi-life and Funk, with heavy lyrics which sounds like slogans and caused him big trouble after its release. He was obliged to escape the country to USA. A real definition of a revolutionary musician. Remastered by Frank Merritt at Carvery Studio.

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Sorry Bamba

Du Mali

Issue No. 1 - Benga Music (A Signature Genre From Kenya)

Release: 2017 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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One of the most pivotal figures in the history of Malian music is Sorry Bamba. His work spans five decades and his music bridges the gap between Mali's cultural traditions and new the music which arose from the musical cross overs which occurred in Mali's post-Colonial period. Bamba was born in 1938 in Mopti. This is dissected by both the Niger and Bani rivers and known for its rich cultural diversity. Bamba's father was a distinguished veteran of Emperor Samory Toure's military and a nobleman in Malian society; however, this meant young Sorry was forbidden to make music, as under the nation's caste system, music was an art form reserved for the Griots.

At the age of 10, Sorry's parents died and in traumatic times that followed the young teen found solace in music. He first taught himself to play am African six-holed flute. As he progressed he began to absorbed the rich tapestry of music of his surroundings; traditional Malian music, highlife from Ghana, local accordion master Toumani Toure, European singers and musicians. In 1957 Sorry formed his first band, Group Goumbe, named after a popular Ivory Coast dance style. In 1960 Mali gained independence from France, Bamba and his group benefited from a new openness toward local music on the state-run radio network Radio Mali. Sorry then went on to form two award-winning, further collectives Bani Jazz and later the Kanaga Orchestra. They fused Latin jazz, Western R&B, Psychedelic and funk, and traditional Malian styles made them a favourite in Mali and beyond.

In 1977 Sorry produced his second LP for the Paris based Sonafric group. Long out of print Africa Seven is pleased to be re-issuing the LP. The re-issue benefits from extensive restoration and re-mastering to a spectral analysis level, bringing and polishing long lost and distorted sounds.

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FLEE

LP | 2017 | EU | Original (FLEE)

34,99 €*

Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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6 rare and almost forgotten benga tracks from Kenya including edits by Nik Weston, Jaakko Eino Kalevi and Africaine 808!

Inculding a 16 page printed silkscreen magazine!

FLEE is a collective of dedicated afro-diggers, driven by the enthusiasm to find and preserve semi-forgotten genres. For their first release they focused on an old Kenyan music genre called “Benga”. The record will be completed by a printed silkscreen magazine retracing the history of the genre, which will feature original archive pictures, great authors from the region, such as Emmanuel Mwenda, as well as the writer and singer of the eclectic Kenyan Band, Yellow Light Machine, Ondiso Madete. This vinyl compiles six rare and for some unreleased benga tracks, edited by contemporary artists (Nik Weston aka Mukat, Jaakko Eino Kalevi and Africaine 808), with the aim of approaching this genre with an innovative perspective, transcending simple nostalgia.

Only 200 copies of this first issue!

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Morpheus

LP | 2017 | EU | Original (Officehome)

15,99 €*

On Se Pousse Yoruba Soul Remixes

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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After two hip-hop albums (Got To Get Down in 2016 and Impact in 2017), the unpredictable Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra comes back to its fundamentals with a new instrumental album: MORPHEUS which repositions the band in the spirit of their previous spatial, almost cosmic albums Last Odyssey (2012) and Pulsion (2015), both released on Ubiquity Records and acclaimed by spiritual and fusion jazz lovers, library music fans, as well as rare grooves diggers (ALVO’s first 4 vinyl albums now being out of stock).
Each new ALVO new release is a millesimal which evolved and learned from its predecessors. Masta Conga, who’s still leading the herd, has for main purpose to explore the musical space-time, gaining ground on never before revealed tracks, followed by his now faithful team of atypical and farseeing musicians.
Compared to Miles Davis and his On The Corner by Wax Poetics, the band dives again in this “realm of psychedelia and beyond”, in particular with the contribution of Indian musicians. Twirling around violins, superimposed patchy keyboards and effects, just as if their conductor wasn’t already sufficiently influenced by Pierre Boulez and others such as Hiroshi Murakami…
The result is however more uncluttered and loaded with multiple vibes than its predecessor Pulsion, which already carried the ceremonial characteristics of cult movie soundtracks. Tracks “Moksha”, “Air” and “Morpheus” are the perfect demonstration, and far beyond their names. Simple grooves, lunar, but terribly efficient, emphasized by a mix that puts focus on these fiddly contributions of ethnic instruments, on percussions and horns on a drip of delay, reverbs and other space-echoes.
On the other side, the very rhythmic “Descarga Uno”, “Descarga Dos” and “Super Dopamine” show that the Parisian crew hasn’t lost its good habit to look around latin, ternary, and syncopated rhythms, in the ALVO only style!
A new millésime, a Grand Cru maybe, but for sure to taste and appreciate in all weathers including space ones.

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Vaudou Game

12" | 2017 | EU | Original (Hot Casa)

16,99 €*

LP | 2017 | EU | Original (Soundway)

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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A 12inch single from the incredible French Afro Funk band including remixes by the one and only Osunlade under the collective name of Yoruba Soul!
Since their first acclaimed album Apiafo and its irresistible single “Pas contente”, these Lyon (France) natives never turned down the heat over 160 stages across Europe, Africa, Canada, Japan... Peter Solo has displayed his amulets, voodoo chants and charisma around the globe. When it came time for them to harness their Afro Soul sound for the second time, they turned their attention once again to their analog strengths. On the road Peter Solo and Osunlade met and could share their musical visions. It was obvious that this two will share their spiritual music experiences.
Kidayu is the name of the second opus which means “sharing”: it’s exactly what those versions of “On se pousse” are about: a true futuristic Hi-life, a great meeting of two ardent defenders of the Afro Soul sounds ! Limited press, mastered by Carvery.

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The Movers

Kansas City

16,99 €* 19,99 € -15%

LP | 2017 | US | Original (Comb & Razor Sound)

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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An extremely rare and in-demand record from the disco-funk group has been unearthed and restored. The Movers enjoyed huge success in the 1970s, releasing album after album of ground-breaking sounds, including fusions of South African marabi jazz, funk, disco and jive. The line up of the band shifted throughout its existence - however this particular album produced by David Thekwane features musicians Jabu Sibumbe, L Rhikoti, Lloyd Lelosa and Sankie Chounyane.

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Shango Dance Band

LP | 1977 | EU | Reissue (Soundway)

Release: 2017 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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In the early years of Fela Kuti's career, well before he would define the genre of afrobeat, and leave an indelible mark on the musical landscape, he was a struggling trumpet player, seeking to redefine the sound of his current group, the art-jazz ensemble Fela Ransome-Kuti Quintet. As he moved his group towards the then-popular genre of highlife in 1963, he lost his bassist in the move towards commercial success, but gained the company of Ojo Okeji, who had a sterling reputation both as a bassist and
percussionist in groups like Lagos Cool Cats, Rex Williams' Nigerian Artistes, and Western Toppers Highlife Band, a favorite of Kuti's. Okeji impressed Kuti with his deft jazziness on the bass, so he was in on the spot, and the Fela Ransome-Kuti Quintet became Koola Lobitos. It was Okeji that introduced Kuti to the famed percussionist Tony Allen, (Who would subsequently join Kuti into his greatest years as an artist) as well as conguero Abayomi "Easy" Adio. During his time in Koola Lobitos, Okeji not only contributed deeply melodic, and adeptly rhythmic baselines, but brought his own influence from emerging US soul artists like James Brown & The Famous Flames and Wilson Pickett, heavily pushing Koola Lobitos towards a more soulful direction. This push was often resisted by Kuti, who frequently clashed with Okeji. 1968 proved to be a turning point for the group, as the Nigerian Civil War broke out, and many starving musicians turned to the military for work. Okeji and Adio would leave for the army, while Kuti and Allen kept Koola Lobitos going, where it evolved through different names and iterations and grew into the worldwide afrobeat force that made Kuti an icon during the 70s and 80s. But as Kuti and Allen rose to global recognition, Okeji and Adio would form a new band within the ranks of the 6th Infantry Brigade of the Nigerian Army. Their emblazoned blue jackets earned them the nickname "The Blues”, but Okeji preferred the name “Shango” after the Yoruba thunder god. Shango took the fundamentals of Kuti's famous afrobeat and brought new layers of guitar and horn arrangements, while often invoking supernatural aesthetics, and maintaining a love for the US soul artists that influenced Okeji so much. Because Shango was an army band however, their records were not readily available to anyone outside of the military so their music, including their eponymous 1974 LP, remained relatively unknown even amongst the people of Nigeria. Decades later Comb & Razor is thrilled to present this long-lost Nigerian gem for the first time to a world-wide audience.

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Jay U Experience

Enough Is Enough

LP | 2017 | EU | Original (Hot Casa)

Release: 1977 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Soundway fans first got a taste of Jay-U’s infectious beats with the track ‘Some More’, featured on the Soundway compilation “Nigeria Disco Funk Special: The Sound Of The Underground Lagos Dancefloor 1974-79”.
Originally released by EMI Nigeria in 1977, this now-rare album was written by Jay-U and engineered by disco-boogie artist Goddy Oku. Opening with the up-tempo reggae number “Reggae Deluxe”, the album descends into mind-blowing jazz-funk featuring several killer saxophone solos. The journey ends with a trip into psych-prog rock, with a sound not dissimilar to that coming out of the early 70s British rock scene.

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King Bucknor Jr

African Woman

LP | 1983 | EU | Reissue (Soundway)

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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A fantastic afro-beat album from a Fela Anikulapo Kuti disciple and Kalakuta Republic member. A sublime spiritual and political session recorded in 1979 at the Emi studio in Lagos (Nigeria). Arranged and self-produced, this second Kingsley Bucknor‘s album, hopelessly obscure and impossible to find ranks alongside the best afro-beat album in history!
At the age of 19, King Bucknor Jr, also known as the Black Isaiah of Africa, released his second album backed by a 16 band members called “The Afrodisk” and 10 background singers .
Two long and hypnotic grooves with all the afro -beat ingredients, fluid and complex drums patterns, strong horns, female voices on chorus, strong lyrics, beautiful keys and horns solos .
Essential for all the afro collectors and music lovers.

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Hotline

You Are Mine

12" | 1980 | EU | Reissue (Jamwax)

Release: 1983 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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A very rare LP originally released in 1983 has made its way to Soundway and been mastered with the utmost care.
The only known recorded album by the band, it also features the track “Fella’s Doing It In Lagos” which was included on and inspired the name for Soundway’s hit compilation in 2016.
Band members: Austing D. Ilukhor, Charles Chiagoro, Geofrey Ochiagha, Hawly Adeyefa Jnr, Klesye Edward Doja, Shola Damole, Stanley Ifejoku.

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Shadow

D'Hardest

Sound Species & Ache Meyi

Release: 1980 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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After Sweet Sweet Dreams album, Jamwax is very proud to finally release D'Hardest on its original maxi 12'' format.
“D'Hardest” was recorded at K.H. studios in Trinidad in 1980 and another version/mix was released on the Wake Up album. This song is everything, thanks to Winston Bailey aka Shadow and all his team.

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2LP | 2017 | EU | Original (Manana)

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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LP | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Marijata

This Is Marijata

LP | 2017 | CH | Original (Les Disques Bongo Joe)

Release: EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Marijata was a group made up of three members – Kofi 'Electric' Addison on drums, Bob Fischlan on organ and Nat Osmanu on guitar, hailing from Ghana.
‘This Is Marijata’ is the groups first LP; released originally on the Gapophone label – it is pure, rootsy, raw, driving African funk music of the highest order, now highly sought-after in both its original and previously reissued forms.
Addison, Osmanu and Fischlan formed a band called the Sweet Beans with a young singer and guitarist, namely the legendary Pat Thomas. They released ‘False Lover’ [GAPO LP 02] in 1974 on Gapophone Records before recording ‘This Is Marijata’ [GAPO LP 012] and then ‘Pat Thomas Introduces Marijata’ [GAPO LP 013] shortly afterwards.
‘This Is Marijata’ is summed up perfectly by the text on the back cover: “Three young musicians of the Sweet Beans believe that in music and entertainment business, there is no room for mediocrity if one’s music is to win over a bigger audience and fame.
How could they give the public a taste of the talent they had so meticulously nurtured since they began their musical careers without upsetting the current musical inclination in the country?
Simple, Gapahone Records, quick to spot talent listened to the music of Kofi “Electric” Addison (Drummer) Bob Fischlan (Organist) and Nat Osmanu (Guitarist), liked it and the result, after month of hard work is what you have on this album – THIS IS MARIJATA.

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Damily

Very Aomby

2LP | 2017 | Original (World Circuit)

Release: 2017 / CH – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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New, furiously exhilarating Tsapiky music from the south-west of Madagascar, beside the Mozambique Channel.
A rough, electric, rural take on the classic Congolese, Kenyan and Mozambican urban dancefloor styles of the 60s and 70s — hyper-fast interplay between pumping bass and clattering drums, overlaid with cranked-up high-life guitar — nourished with the musical traditions of local villages, especially in the singing and other passages of acoustic respite.
Ace.

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Ruben Gonzalez

Introducing…

37,99 €*

Release: 2017 / Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Harmonies DJ Friendly Edition

Lord Echo

2LP | 2017 | EU | Original (Soundway)

The Invasive Dance Beat Of Cameroon 1976-1984

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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DJ friendly 2xLP version, cut loud for your pleasure!

Harmonies is the new long player from underground super-producer Lord Echo. Hotly anticipated for the last few years by his growing entourage of fans, many were frustrated by his descent into obscurity in the industrial backwaters of New Zealand where he lived alone and went completely insane trying to complete the record. But those frustrations are finally at an end, and the wait was worth it - for fans at least.The new album solidifies his already distinctive mutations of reggae and rock steady with disco, African soul, techno and spiritual jazz. In other words, the Lord has returned from the wilderness with a bounty for his followers. Eat of the bread of life and enjoy access to his crazy World of Sound.

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Pop Makossa

2LP | 2017 | EU | Original (Analog Africa)

34,99 €*

LP | 2017 | US | Original (Musique Plastique)

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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An explosive
compilation highlighting the era when funk and disco sounds
began to infiltrate Cameroon's Makossa style. The beat that
holds everything together originate's from the Sawa people's
rhythms. When these rhythms collided with merengue, high-life,
Congolese rumba, and, later, funk and disco, modern Makossa was
born. Makossa, the beat that long before football, managed to
unify the whole of Cameroon. Some of the greatest Makossa hits
incorporated the electrifying guitars and tight grooves of
funk, while others were laced with cosmic synth flourishes.
However, most of this music's vibe came down to the bass, and
'Pop Makossa' demonstrates why many Cameroonian bass players
are among the most revered in the world.

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Pedro (Peter Mekwunye)

One Kind Of Love

18,19 €* 27,99 € -35%

7" | 2017 | US | Original (Cultures Of Soul)

Release: 2017 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Peter Mekwunye, who had moved from Nigeria to the United States, self-released 'One Kind Of Love' as a small run cassette in 1993 under the moniker Pedro. His songs were influenced by traditional Nigerian music, as well as the popular tunes he heard on the radio while growing up, f.i. by Fela Kuti and William Onyeabor. Now 'One Kind Of Love' is available on vinyl for the first time ever.

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The Apostles

Banko Woman

Fela Ransome-Kuti & The Highlife Rakers

Release: 2017 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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For over forty years, the Apostles of Aba have stood as the jewel in the crown of the music scene in Eastern Nigeria. Since their formation in 1973, the band has turned out memorable performances in a variety of styles including rock, soul, funk, pop and
reggae. Even today, the Apostles continue to thrill audiences in their hometown of Aba with dazzling shows. Cultures of Soul is proud to present one of the Apostles’ more obscure—yet relentlessly funky recordings in a full-color custom reverse board jacket. Banko
Woman, originally released on the eponymous LP on Love Day Records in 1977. Straddling the world realms of afro-funk and disco, the track has long been a coveted dance floor filler amongst DJs, and for the first time is available for a wider audience. On the B-side is “Faith, Luck & Music,” also from the original Banko Woman album.

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Fela's Special

7" | 2017 | EU | Original (Soundway)

Mogoya White Vinyl Edition

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Soundway Records presents Fela's Special 7" single, the first recorded tracks from the great Fela Kuti.
This item usually comes with the extensive Highlife On The Move 3xLP compilation, but due to an accidental over-pressing we have a small number of these 45’s for sale individually.
Very limited stock available.

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Oumou Sangare

LP | 2017 | EU | Original (No Format)

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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LP | 1972 | EU | Reissue (Strut)

Mulatu Astatke

Mulatu Of Ethiopia

LP | 1978 | EU | Reissue (Hot Casa)

Release: 1972 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Strut present the first official reissue of a landmark album in the field of African music, Mulatu Astatke’s ‘Mulatu Of Ethiopia’ from 1972. Recorded in New York, the album arrived at a time when Astatke had begun to master the delicate fusion of styles needed to create Ethio jazz.

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Orlando Julius & Ashiko

Love , Peace & Happiness

LP | 2017 | US | Original (Awesome Tapes From Africa)

Release: 1978 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Official reissue of one of the hardest to find albums by the Afro Soul maestro, a pure Afro Funk spiritual grail from 1978!
Born in 1943 in Ikole-Ekiti in Ondo State, Nigeria, Orlando Julius Ekemode (“Orlando was really a nickname, taken from the Nigerian actor, Orlando Martins“) had started in music from an early age, becoming the school drummer and learning flute, bugle and other instruments at St Peters Anglican School in Ikole-Ekiti. Nigerian musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, he is credited as one of the first musicians to fuse US R&B into traditional highlife music, creating his own influential Afrobeat sound during the mid-‘60s.
From his time playing in the USA during the 1970s onwards, he is credited with bringing African music to a broader audience and famously co-composed the song “Going Back To My Roots” with Lamont Dozier. In 1978, Orlando Julius Ekemode decided to produce himself this amazing session, originally recorded between Maryland and West Virginia (USA) and released in limited quantity in Nigeria by the obscure label Jungle Records. 6 stunning Afro-Funk monster tracks, recorded by 8 musicians based in Oakland.
Fully licensed with the artist and remastered by The Carvery. Essential!

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Umoja

707

15,99 €*

LP | 1975 | EU | Reissue (PMG)

Release: 2017 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Originally recorded in the 1980's in South Africa the release is a cosmic blend of disco, soul and pop. Umoja were one of the key figures in a genre which has since become known as 'Bubblegum Music' with the group recording their music during the violent era of apartheid in Africa.

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Segun Bucknor

Daddy’s Groove / Let me Be Your Lover

Release: 1975 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Segun Bucknor fell in love with American soul music as a student at New York’s Columbia University. Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam Cooke and Ray Charles hadn’t made much of a splash in Africa at the time and when Bucknor returned to Nigeria in 1968, he was determined to bring the sound to a wider audience. The result was brand of Afro-Soul that in turn became a proto-type of Afrobeat. With his bands, The Assembly and The Revolution, he released a few politically charged tracks, but even with his energetic dance trio, The Sweet Things, turning up the heat, Bucknor couldn’t compete with Fela Kuti. This self-titled album, the last he released, sees Bucknor go back to his soul roots. Released after The Revolution were disbanded, the Afrobeat affectations are scaled back and his soulful voice brought to the fore. The concerns are more personal than political. It’s the sort of music the Sweet Things would nod their heads to rather than shake their booty. That’s not to say the African beats aren’t still there. On songs like ‘The Price Of Love’ and ‘See And Believe’ they form an intriguing bedrock for the songs to be built upon. On Segun Bucknor the sound sophisticated not sweaty, comforting rather than confronting. - Peter Moore

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The Afro Soul Prophecy

7" | 2017 | EU | Original (Schema)

Red Light District / The Game Of Love

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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The Afro Soul Prophecy project welcomes the Spring of 2017 with a series of two exclusive 7-inch records, for a total of four fully instrumental new compositions. This second 45rpm of the series consists of the main track “Daddy’s Groove”, a catchy funky song with wah-wah guitars and a long middle sax solo part, paired with the romantic slow-paced “Let Me Be Your Lover”. Once again Alex Puddu has lent his creativity and put his music signature on these tracks, for an exciting and charming result!

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The Afro Soul Prophecy

7" | 2017 | EU | Original (Schema)

Sekele I Like It / Feet On The Ground

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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The Afro Soul Prophecy project welcomes the Spring of 2017 with a series of two exclusive 7-inch records, for a total of four fully instrumental new compositions. This first 45rpm consist consists of the main track “Red Light District”, a rare groovy funk effort tinged with catchy brass melodies, backed with the slower, mellow and sensual “The Game of Love” – yes, the title says it all! Once again Alex Puddu has lent his creativity and put his music signature on these tracks, for an exciting and charming result!

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Robert Helms

12" | 2017 | EU | Original (Betino's)

10" | 2017 | EU | Original (Schema)

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Unearthed by groove archeologist Betino Errera, this black gem was cut in Paris in 1980 by American vocalist Robert Helms. His French career being rather confidential with releases under his own name as well as Bobby Helms or simply Bobby, the Lay Down Girl album remained a well-kept secret for decades despite the fact that it contained two very strong disco-funk tunes.
Helms was backed by a seasoned studio band including Donny Donable (of Lafayette Afro Rock Band) on drums, Christophe Zadire (of Zulu Gang fame) on bass and Beckie Bell on backing vocals. The session was led by master musician Jacob Desvarieux on guitar, piano and synths, who was already at that time one of the founders of Kassav. These recordings were made under the supervision of Pierre Jaubert, who was a major player on the independent French production scene from the late 60s onward, operating his own studio, famous for also being a much appreciated meeting point for musicians. He is responsible for bringing forth works from legendary bluesmen like John Lee Hooker, Memphis Slim, Roosevelt Sykes and jazz greats including Mal Waldron, Archie Shepp and Charlie Mingus. But to funk lovers, Pierre Jaubert is mostly known for his involvement with the mythical Lafayette Afro Rock Band whose prominent breaks and riffs have been sampled by the most illustrious rappers including Public Enemy, De La Soul, Naughty by Nature, Digital Underground, Wu Tang Clan and Ice Cube to name just a few.
Today, Betino's Records reissues two very sought after tracks from the original album: "Feet On The Ground", cowritten by Desvarieux and Helms and "Sekele I Like It", written by Desvarieux and Pasteur Lappe, the latter hailing from Cameroon was the first one to record the song in 1979. In addition, both tunes get the contemporary rework treatment. Baptman and Betino editing the vocals out of "Sekele I Like It" then turning it into a very danceable Philly inspired dub. For his part, DJ Vas digs the Afrobeat seam on "Feet On The Ground", thickens the sauce with thumping bass lines and adds an "Earth Wind & Fire" feel by putting the emphasis on the horn section.
And last but not least, this 12inch pressing is limited to 700 copies worldwide.

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The Afro Soul Prophecy

The Devil Made Me Do It

13,99 €*

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Inspired by the music of Fela Kuti and his Africa 70 project feat. drummer Tony Allenl, “The Devil Made Me Do It” is pure downtempo afro beat in its original version; the first remix here included, the “Invisible Cosmic Echoes”, has a slower pace and is characterized - as the title suggests - by reverberations and space sound, while the “Invisible Astral Wave” is perfect for a DJ remix and has got a slightly accelerated pace, with an emphasis on the percussive / tribal element.

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2LP | 2016 | UK | Original (Mr Bongo)

Original Sound Of Mali

LP | 1977 | US | Reissue (Cultures Of Soul)

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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The Original Sound of Mali’ compiled by David ‘Mr Bongo’ Buttle, Vik Sohonie (Ostinato Records) and  Florent Mazzoleni.

Malian music is a deep, lyrical form of African music. Those of us deeply entranced by Malian culture, and, in particular, the immense hypnotic beauty of Malian music, have put together a selection of songs from across the country.

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SJOB Movement

Friendship Train

LP+CD | 2017 | EU | Original (Schema)

Release: 1977 / US – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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SJOB Movement's “Friendship Train” was the second LP by the group and one which saw the group rise to new heights. It's a masterpiece of African music with it's fluid afro beat grooves and spaced out Moog synthesizer sounds. Here is an excerpt from the liner notes written and researched by Uchenna Ikonne: ""Prince Bola Agbana might hardly be the most immediately recognizable name in the constellation of Nigerian music stars, but for a significant portion of the last half-century he labored in the shadows, dutifully serving as one of the key movers in its development: An in-demand session musician. An early and respected exponent of funk. A catalyst in the retrofit of juju into a modern pop genre. Most of all, though, he is recognized as the founder, leader, drummer and principal vocalist of the SJOB Movement. SJOB: Sam, Johnnie, Ottah, Bola. For a moment in the mid-1970s, they were le dernier cri in modern Nigerian music, representing the next step in the evolution of afro rhythms, and a new paradigm for the band economy. Their first album, 1976’s “A Move in the Right Direction”, was a minor sensation and was swiftly followed by “Friendship Train” in 1977. Then it appeared that the movement stopped moving, and SJOB disappeared from the scene.

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Gino Conte

Nell’Anno Della Luna

LP | 1980 | EU | Reissue (PMG)

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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A deep mystery surrounds the movie “Nell’anno della Luna” (In the year of the Moon) and its soundtrack, which was released one year later. A beautiful work that lingers in between swing and melodies, in a fad that was popular a few decades earlier, complemented by some elements of novelty borrowed from beat and rock. The title track, “Alla brasiliana” and “Samba Querida” sound more traditional, while titles like “Afro Swing”, “Underground”, “Beatmania” (all featuring the vocal ensemble I 4+4, led by Nora Orlandi) represent a more adventurous side of this soundtrack.

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Tony Igiettemo

Hot Like Fire

7" | 2017 | EU | Original (Afro7)

Release: 1980 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Leaning against a wall, his shirt unbuttoned to his navel and cradling a tumbler of something strong and sophisticated, Tony Igiettemo looks every bit the smooth talking 80s gent. When you put Hot Like Fire on the turntable and drop the needle, however, it is immediately clear that Smooth Tony is also a little bit freaky. Sirens, slap bass, squelchy synths and a titchy high hat that just won't give up, Hot Like Fire is a cosmic call from a dance floor on the far side of the universe. Produced by John Malife – the go-to man in Nigeria when you wanted your funk freaky – it's driven by a heavy low end that compels you to move. 'Baby You Can Do It' is Boney M's 'Daddy Cool' via a sweaty Nigerian dance floor. 'I Feel So Good' has a Kool & The Gang vibe, albeit with a freaky, warbling synth. And 'Hot Like Fire' is a strange reggae/funk fusion, fuelled by the righteous herb. 'We Are One' and 'Africa Must Unite', meanwhile, are post-disco, reggae-tinged calls for African Unity. 'Rock Your Baby' is the album's most relentless dance floor banger and sums up its ethos best. Clap your hands everybody and get down on it. Tony Igiettomo is here to make your body move. - Peter Moore

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Loi Tok Tok Eboma

Chakacha / Mungwana

LP | 2017 | EU | Original (Born Bad)

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Loi Toki Tok band started out as a nondescript musical group. But irrefutably, the band’s star scaled the heights and shone brightly on the early 1970s Kenyan capital, Nairobi’s burgeoning live music circuit. And basking on the top of the pops charts, was vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Leon Kabasela aka Kalle. He also doubled as band’s composer and songwriter – earning credits for among other tracks, this mellow ‘ballad’ aptly titled Mungwana – loosely translated in Swahili, is descriptive of a selfless and conscientious gentleman. Kalle is one of handful surviving remnants of the band, whose lifespan was somewhat short-lived. It lasted barely three years – circa 1971 to mid-1973. Mungwana’s lyrics, sang in Congolese lingala dialect, mirror his roots and musical dream, which lured the youthful artiste during late 1960s to pack bags, and desert the rural fringes of Lubumbashi – then Zaire’s second largest city. On the 45 single flipside is a soulful, funky hit Chakacha – a seemingly timeless afro-soul flavoured cut. Its catchy and hypnotic lyrical refrains, easily grow on the listeners. The vocals of the band’s one-time frontman, singer Kasim Combo, ooze with an unmistakable tinge of late 1960s to early 70s American soul rhythms, propelled onto the global showbiz spotlight by US pop stars Otis Redding, James Brown and Jimi Hendrix. Their popular hits gained massive, almost staple airplay on Kenya’s then sole broadcaster’s twin national radio stations. The fact that this record was pressed on an obscure Athi River label, is perhaps symbolic of Loi Toki Tok’s last band phase – shifting base from Club Arcadia in the heart of Nairobi, to the Small World Club in Athi River – an equally nondescript urban town, tucked away along the Mombasa highway.

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Group Doueh & Cheveu

Dakhla Sahara Sessions

18,99 €*

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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2LP+7" | 2017 | EU | Original (Cree)

Lancelot Layne

Blow Way

Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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In 1971 two songs were released in Trinidad & Tobago that represented completely new directions in the musical and lyrical expression of Trinidad's place in the diaspora, Indian on one hand and African on the other. Nanny & Nana by Sundar Popo and “Blow 'Way” by Lancelot Layne were revolutionary and ground breaking and spawned two distinctly new genres in Trinidad & Tobago music – Chutney music in the case of Sundar Popo and Rapso, in Lance's case. Brother Resistance calls Lancelot Layne the father of Rapso music.
During the early 1970s Lance recorded at least a dozen startlingly original songs including “Blow 'Wa”y, “Afro'Dadian”, “Bringing' Off”, “Dat Is Horros” and “Kaiso For Mout' Band”. Each one expanding his talent for musical arrangements and dramatic counterpoint with chorus responses and vocal variation. He enlisted musicians, each exciting and pioneering in their own right, breaking ground in the post 1970 cultural revolution: calypso/jazz pianist, Clive Zanda; composer, guitarist, singer and flautist, Andre Tanker; Mau Mau Drummers including the young Jah Jah Onilu, Mansa Musa Drummers; vocalists, including Ann Marie Innis and Ella Andall.
The result is exciting, confident and musically ground-breaking. Until his death in 1990 he kept commenting and educating T&T'ssociety with songs like Get Off The Radio, Kamboulay, Jambalasie Dance and Strike Squad.
This release is pressed on 180-gram virgin vinyl and contains an additional 45RPM single. Everything is housed in a deluxe gatefold sleeve with 20-page booklet (8.2” x 8.2”) with extensive liner notes by Lancelot's daughter, Niasha Layne-Forde, and Christopher Laird. Cover and booklet artwork were created by famous Scottish painter, Peter Doig, one of the most renowned living figurative painters who settled in Trinidad since 2002.

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Tinoge Ya Ta'a Ba, Part 1 & 2

7" | 2017 | EU | Original (Philophon)

Andre Tanker & The Mansa Musa Drummers

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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2016 was the year for Idris Ackamoor & the Pyramids: their album "We Be All Africans" (produced by Philophon and released on Strut Rec.) vaulted them among the global top acts of the current Spiritual Jazz renaissance. The strengh of the group is its deep connection to Africa: not just that their music is inspired by the spirit of Africa, they actually founded themselves on an extended trip to the Motherland in 1972.

On that trip Idris Ackamoor visited the tiny town Bolgatanga in Northern Ghana to play with local Frafra musicians - an experiance which changed his life. Now, after 45 years, Idris dives once more into the magical music of the Frafra people by teaming up with master musician Guy One, the no. 1 Kologo artist of the vital music scene of Bolgatanga. On "Tinoge Ya Ta'a Ba" Guy One sings about the power of unity - a unity you hear clearly on this Afro-Euro-American cooperation: a driving rhythm, a eulogizing saxophone, a gripping voice and in total a journey into another dimension.

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Back Home

7" | EU | Reissue (Jamwax)

LP | 1984 | EU | Reissue (Jamwax)

Release: EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Limited to 500 copies.

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Shadow

Sweet Sweet Dreams

LP | 1980 | EU | Reissue (PMG)

Release: 1984 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Winston ‘Shadow’ Bailey (born 4 october 1941) is a calypsonian from Trinidad and Tobago. He was born in Belmont, a suburb of Port of Spain in Trinidad, but grew up in Les Coteaux, Tobago, with his grandparents. He began to sing at a very early age and he wanted to be a singer although his grandfather told him he must be a lawyer. We are very proud to start a collaboration with the living legend. Since february 2016, we have spoken a lot with him to explain our reissue project and also with his son. Unfortunatly he is now very old and very sick and a few months ago he was hospitalized. He's now better with the care from his family and he received help from his friend to manage his musical rights. So we start with this awesome album ‘Sweet Sweet Dreams’ originally released in 1984 in Trinidad and Tobago. This LP is a mix of disco, funk, reggae, electronic and soca music with the monster cosmic disco dancefloor killer tune "Lets Get It Together". TheVinylFactory call it "The holy grail of Shadow albums". We will release more musical gems from the Mighty Shadow in the future.Stay tuned.

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Igna Igwebuike (I.G.)

Bomp

12" | 2016 | UK | Original (Real World)

Release: 1980 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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It takes a lot of swag to wear a hat as big as the hat that I.G. wears on the cover of Bomp. But I.G., a.k.a. Bobby I.G., a.k.a. I.G. New Yorker, had swag by the bucket load. That hat tells you everything you need to know about I.G. and, indeed, about Bomp – it’s a big funky slice of Nigerian cowboy disco magic. I.G. was a player in the thriving Enugu boogie scene, a scene, in the east of the country, that also produced Goddy Oku and William Onyeabor. With Mr Mighty Flames, Willie N’For on bass, Austin Onwurah on drums and all the bells and whistles of the Godiac Studios close at hand, a Nigerian disco classic was inevitable. ‘Disco Bomp’ and ‘Disco Power’ are straight-ahead floor-fillers. ‘Funk ina Ghatto’ has a slower, dirtier groove. ‘World of Misery’ takes a slight calypso reggae detour, before ‘Take Me Home’ brings it on home, with an unabashed plea for ‘loving’ and some delightfully wonky synth lines from another Mighty Flame, Frankie Song. Bomp was I.G.’s only album. It’s a startling one-off disco boogie classic that was clear in its ambition and perfect in its execution. A bit like the hat, really. - Peter Moore, www.africanrevolutions.com

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Toto La Momposina

The Garabato Sessions

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Stutter & Twitch 7" Series

Matuki

7" | 2016 (Stutter And Twitch)

LP | 1981 | EU | Reissue (PMG)

Release: 2016

Genre: Organic Grooves

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12-piece Afro-beat bandMatukiare releasing their debut 7" single onDecember 2ndviaStutter & Twitch; which paints a juxtaposed image of the band's versatile style. Side A 'Sanimenteren' showcases fiery horn melodies and liquid guitar riffs, whereas Side B 'INJO' changes direction completely as Manchester producerShunyatakes the reins. By morphing Matuki's steadfast rhythm into a lucid downtempo glitch, Shunya creates a unique and mesmerizing new perspective towards the urban band's signature style.

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Emma Ogosi

Nobody Knows

15,99 €* 19,99 € -20%

7" | 2016 | US | Original (Now-Again)

Release: 1981 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Emma Ogosi has worn a lot of different hats in his career: former air force officer, guitarist with Benin-based Pogo Limited, and husband and manager of Nigerian reggae superstar, Evi-Edna Ogholi. In 1981, he donned a sequined cowboy hat and released Nobody Knows. Nobody Knows is arguably the Nigeria’s best – and perhaps only – Disco Country album. Country music has always been influential in the country and Ogosi managed to channel Jim Reeves via the bright lights of Lagos’ burgeoning disco scene to produce an album of sparkling mournfulness. The album starts brightly with ‘You And I’ and ends with ‘Orindo,’ a horn-driven dance floor filler. ‘Nobody Knows’ and ‘A Lonely Child’ venture into ‘you done me wrong’ territory. And you can imagine Kenny Rogers covering ‘Give A Little’, albeit wearing flares and platforms and a moustache instead of a beard. Overall, though, Nobody Knows is as disco as the sharp suit and gull-wing collar Emma is wearing on the cover. But don’t be fooled – there are rhinestones on that there glitter ball. - Peter Moore

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Johnny!

I'm Gone

Release: 2016 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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We’re introducing: Johnny! Ghanaian Afro-Rock from German producer/composer J.J. Whitefield and an international cast of top shelf musicians. Whitefield, who in the early ‘90s revived the gritty, analogue Funk sounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s with his Poets Of Rhythm, has been working with Now-Again Records for almost a decade, releasing a flock of acclaimed projects with Karl Hector & The Malcouns, Whitefield Brothers, Rodinia and the “Original Raw Soul” anthology. He first started exploring African rhythms with the Whitefield Brothers in the late ‘90s, continuing in the ‘00s with Karl Hector & The Malcouns. He’s been instrumental in launching Ghanaian Afro Beat/Funk legend Ebo Taylor´s international career, decades after the maestro recorded the landmark albums that have inspired thousands. Whitefield recorded two new studio albums with Taylor and toured in his band between 2009 and 2013, where he met Taylor’s son Henry and percussionist/Singer Eric Owusu. The trio now front the Johnny! band and find inspiration not only in Ghana’s hypnotic grooves, but also the full frontal fuzz guitar assault heard on the legion of 70s Zambian Zamrock albums recently reissued by Now-Again. Indeed, Whitefield credits his tours with Zamrock godfathers Rikki Ililonga and WITCH’s Jagari Chanda as instrumental in creating the Johnny’s sonic backdrop. The band is rounded out by Turkish drummer Bernd Oezsevim (Woima Collective, Rodinia) and Indonesian bassist/multi instrumentalist Tomi Simatupang (Whitefield Brothers). This is Dance Rock at the core with the possibilities to stretch out and go into psychedelic realms. The results, spread out over three 7”singles and pressed in a run of 1000 units each, speak for themselves. Every record comes with a download card for WAV files of all six tracks (vocals and instrumentals from each release) and point at a new direction for the music inspired by the Great Continent.

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Togo Soul 70: Selected Rare Togolese Recordings From 1971 To 1981

2LP | 2016 | EU | Original (Hot Casa)

29,99 €*

LP | 1976 | EU | Reissue (PMG)

Release: 2016 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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TOGO SOUL 70 project, is the collaboration between Julien Lebrun, label Manager and Liz Gomis, journalist and director. Two friends that are combining their skills to relate the process of pressing a compilation of rare grooves in Africa

From the original quest, searching for vinyls and right holders in adventurous conditions (sometimes) to the contract final signature, we'll travel throughout Togo to witness the post-colonial story of the country by the prism of its soundtrack

More than a digging session, we'll highlight togolese culture through music. Music that you'll be able to listen in May 2016 on the double vinyl compilation TOGO SOUL 70 (Hot Casa Records gatefold)

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The Apostles

7" | 2016 | US | Original (Now-Again)

Release: 1976 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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The Apostles were disciples of a heavy kind of psychedelic soul/rock fusion. After The Funkees left for London, they stepped into the breach to become the champions of East Nigeria’s flourishing post-war music scene. Based in Aba, and led by guitarist and charismatic chancer Walton Arungwa, they laid down a couple of singles with the city’s newly-formed BEN label. EMI liked what they heard and in 1976 whisked the band to Lagos to record The Apostles with the legendary Emmanual Odenusi at the controls. A heavy mix of wailing guitar, swirling organ and James Brown-style vocals, it became a fixture in every east Nigerian home. ‘Never Too Late’ sets the stage with a scorching lead break that most believe was played by guitar-slinger-for-hire, Felix ‘Feladay’ Odey. Drummer Joel Madubuike and bass player Henry Tandu lay down the rock solid groove for Benji Davidson’s righteous organ lines in ‘Inflation’ and ‘Highway to Success.’ And each is invested with an urgency from battle-hardened vocals of Chyke Fussion, a vetran of the Biafra war. Don’t be fooled by the angelic white outfits worn on the cover of The Apostles. These guys were BAD. And ‘Never Too Late’ could well be the best Afro Rock song ever recorded.

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Johnny!

Ago

Release: 2016 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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LP | 1976 | UK | Reissue (Knitting Factory)

Zombie

Release: 1976 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Mr Bongo Record Club Volume 1

2LP | 2016 | UK | Original (Mr Bongo)

LP | 1978 | EU | Reissue (PMG)

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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The first instalment in our new ‘Mr Bongo Record Club’ compilation series – a
selection of favourites, recent discoveries and sought after obscurities, which
form the basis of our DJ sets and our radio show of the same name. Including
cuts by Claudia, Cortex, Dave Pike Set, Fruko, Neno Exporta Som, Connie
Laverne, Barbosa and more.
The original concept for ‘Mr Bongo Record Club’ was a radio show that allowed
us to air our treasured record collections, recorded and broadcast once a
month. We wanted to create an outlet free from any genre or BPM restrictions,
not constrained by the need to beat-mix every record, a space where we could
play latest finds alongside favourites. The only self-imposed rule being that
it had to be played from vinyl.
We have always DJ’d across-the-board, but playing in an eclectic way hasn’t
always been easy. Recently DJ’s such as MCDE, Floating Points, Nick The Record,
Leon Vynehall, Four Tet, Jeremy Underground, Antal (Rush Hour), Sassy J and
Young Marco – to name a few – have opened things up with very diverse sets to
younger audiences; Brazilian samba-rock, next to modern soul, highlife, disco,
boogie, jazz, house, techno and beyond.
We’re seeing a rare groove like sensibility. A shift towards the attitude of
legendary club nights hosted by the likes of Mr Scruff and Gilles Peterson,
where you could hear house, hip hop, Turkish funk, boogie, jazz, dub and Latin
back to back. At the same time it isn't a nostalgic or retro movement, people
have a progressive attitude and a thirst for new-old music. It is a vibrant and
exciting time – we are proud to be a part of it.

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Friimen Musik Company

We Can Get It On

21,99 €*

7" | 2016 | US | Original (Now-Again)

Release: 1978 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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By the mid 1970s in Nigeria, the Biafran War was a distant memory and the music scene in the eastern city of Aba was booming again. Bands such as The Funkees, The Wings and The Apostles grabbed the headlines, but the more interesting stuff was coming from smaller groups like the Friimen. The Friimen, or the Friimen Musik Company to use their official name, were influenced as much by pre-'Saturday Night Fever' Bee Gees as Jimi Hendrix and James Brown. Their album 'We Can Get it On' is a hybrid of West Coast ballads and dancefloor chuggers.

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Johnny!

Only Love

Release: 2016 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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International Thief Thief (I.T.T.)

LP | 1979 | UK | Reissue (Knitting Factory)

Release: 1979 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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LP | 1973 | UK | Reissue (Knitting Factory)

Gentleman

Release: 1973 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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LP | 1973 | UK | Reissue (Knitting Factory)

Afrodisiac

Release: 1973 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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LP | 1972 | UK | Reissue (Knitting Factory)

Shakara

Release: 1972 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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LP | 1976 | UK | Reissue (Knitting Factory)

Upside Down

Release: 1976 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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LP | 2016 | EU | Original (Soundway)

iZem

Hafa

17,99 €*

LP | 2016 | EU | Original (Hot Casa)

Release: 2016 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves, Electronic & Dance

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Journeyman, DJ, radio presenter, beat raconteur – it’s been hard to keep up with all of iZem‘s movements lately. The innovative Lisbon-based French producer has been hard at work on his debut LP Hafa, exploring the sounds of Latin America and North Africa in a vivid analogue-digital, genre-defying soundscape that is sure to leave your head spinning. Inspired by cultural greats like Jack Kerouac, Paul Bowles, Tahar Ben Jelloun and Matisse, iZem spent time soaking up the atmosphere at the inspiring Café Hafa, an idyllic cliff-pop joint overlooking the strait of Gibraltar, in Tangier, Morocco, which has formed a golden backdrop to his debut LP. Brimming with soulful exoticism, personal narratives and adventurous collaborators, Hafa has been an experiment in taking on the afro-centric sounds of his journey to-date by incorporating modern, introspective songwriting and hybrid beats.
Often writing music whilst crossing continents, the only place iZem allows dust to settle is in the heart, heat and rhythms of his local-global future sounds. A decade of nomadism between Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Ireland and Portugal made way for a series of critically acclaimed EP’s and remixes for Soundway, GAMM, Far Out, Agogo, ZZK records, Wah Wah 45s, and Mais Um Discos. Arrival on the global, forward-thinking, artistically leftfield scene was predicted by Gilles Peterson, XLR8R, Okay Player and fellow tropical hed Quantic. iZem is an acronym for “In Ze Early Morning” and his debut album “Hafa” evokes new days dawning in far-off lands and stirring horizons of the present. So if you aren’t hearing iZem’s pastiche of future tropical rhythms and organic grooves on stations such as BBC, KCRW or Funkhaus Europa, then make sure you you catch him raising the dance floor temperature on one continent or another.

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Joni Haastrup

Wake Up Your Mind

2LP | 2002 | EU | Reissue (Comet)

Release: 2016 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Growing up in a royal household in Nigeria, Joni Haastrup began his musical journey performing for his brothers band Sneakers and was quickly snapped up as a vocalist for Orlando Julius Ekemode and his Modern Aces' Super Afro Soul LP, one of Afro-beat's formative LPs. Soon after, Ginger Baker of Cream fame replaced Steve Winwood with Joni on keys for Airforce's UK concerts in '71 and the success of the collaboration led to further shows with Baker as part of the SALT project before he returned to Nigeria to set up MonoMono. Back in London in 1978, Joni recorded his solo gem Wake Up Your Mind for the Afrodesia imprint. Coming in a Deluxe gatefold Replika LP with printed sleeves

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Tony Allen

Homecooking

Township Jive & Kwela Jazz Volume 4

Release: 2002 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Originally released in 2002, Comet is proud to present the legendary album Homecooking, reissued with a remastered version. Tony Allen talks about the album: “After Black Voices and Psyco on Da Bus albums, I came back with HomeCooking which was an album filled with guests. I brought in Ty, who had remixed some of my work previously, to rap on the record, and Damon Albarn, who had already sung about me on ‘Music is my Radar’. Since the early days I’ve been trying to find things that everybody will want to listen to. I’ve always been pushing Afrobeat in different directions. Here’s another one again, another style, almost clean but still rough, raggedy and radical.’’

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Various

LP | 2016 | EU | Original (Ubuntu Publishing)

Mark Ernestus' Ndagga Rhythm Force

Release: 2016 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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On this great compilation you’ll find 16 early vocal & jazzy tunes from the Golden Age of Jive & Kwela in South Africa. All released originally on fragile shellac discs only, which is a very delicate material but the music survived thanks to the archives of ILAM. A truly great source of South African music is being preserved here for new generations, to inspire young and hopeful musicians and singers from all over the world. These treasures of musical genius were recorded in the glory years of Jive and Kwela, the years 1940-1965.
On side A it is not very difficult to recognize the similarities to American popular music like R&B and small combo close harmony singing. But most of all notice that typical South African swing, that Jive, that incredible smooth form of African Jazz on side B; Kwela!

The rarest and most treasured finds are collected here, some with the original spoken intros, ‘sketches’ as these were called. Characteristic conversations between the musicians, often in a humoristic slang, always extremely funny. The record is pressed to 180gram vinyl.

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Yermande

LP | 2016 | UK | Original (Ndagga)

24,99 €*

Wejene Aola Feat. Kamasi Washington

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves, Electronic & Dance

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Five years into the project, with two acclaimed albums and dozens of triumphant international performances to its name, “Yermande” announces a thrilling new phase for this Dakar-Berlin collaboration: emphatically a giant step forward.
The group of players is boiled down to twelve for recordings, eight for shows; sessions in Dakar become steeply more focussed. ‘This time around I was better able to specify what I wanted right from the initial recording sessions in Dakar,’ says Ernestus; 'and further in the production process I took more freedom in reducing and editing audio tracks, changing MIDI data, replacing synth sounds and introducing electronic drum samples.’
Right away you hear music-making which has come startlingly into its own. Rather than submitting to the routine, discrete gradations of recording, producing and mixing, the music is tangibly permeated with deadly intent from the off. Lethally it plays a coiled, clipped, percussive venom and thumping bass against the soaring, open-throated spirituality of Mbene Seck’s singing. Plainly expert, drilled and rooted, the drumming is unpredictable, exclamatory, zinging with life. Likewise the production: intuitive and fresh but utterly attentive; limber but hefty; vividly sculpted against a backdrop of cavernous silence.
Six chunks of stunning, next-level mbalax, then, funky as anything.

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Dexter Story

7" | 2016 | UK | Original (Soundway)

LP | 2016 | UK | Original (Soundway)

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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For his next release on Soundway Records, Los Angeles-based Dexter Story hooks up with long time friend and compatriot of music, the saxophonist, jazz composer, producer and band-leader Kamasi Washington. A fierce, rumbling electro Ethio-Funk groove provides the platform for an intense and powerful interplay between Washington on tenor sax and Todd Simon on trumpet. An instrumental cover version of Tilahun Gessesse's 1970s cut of the same name, it's Story's homage to the oppressed Oromo people of Southern Ethiopia. Backed on the flip by the one cut from Story's 'Wondem' long-player that did not make it to vinyl when the LP version was cut, Nia Andrew's sublime and atmospheric collaboration on Eastern Prayer will keep all those happy who grumbled at it's exclusion from wax first time around. This is a record that no lover of Ethio-Jazz, Afro-Beat or Funk should be excused for not owning.

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Susso

Keira

21,99 €*

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves, Electronic & Dance

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Susso, aka bassist / producer Huw Bennett, creates music inspired by, and directly sampling, the magnificent sounds of the Mandinka people, recorded during a recent trip to Gambia. Initially travelling with the aim of gaining perspective as a musician and to discover a new world of music first hand, Huw found himself humbled by such a welcoming community of artists, mostly belonging to the celebrated Suso and Kuyateh griot families. The tracks are composed entirely from original source material, field recordings and Huw’s talents as a multi-instrumentalist; performing tuned percussion from the region including the Mandinka Balafon, Kutiringding drum, aswell drawing on his skill as a professional upright / electric bassist. The music produced has a contemporary electronic sound, whilst still paying homage to a traditional Gambian aesthetic. Keira (meaning peace) guides the listener through Huw’s journey up the River Gambia, being welcomed into remote dusty villages, where your people are the most important thing in life.

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Nigeria Soul Fever! - Afro Funk, Disco and Boogie: West African Disco Mayem!

3LP | UK (Soul Jazz)

36,99 €*

Release: UK

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Soul Jazz Records’ new Nigeria Soul Fever is their first release to explore the vast wealth of Nigerian music recorded in the 1970s. The new album comes with introductory sleeve-notes by Bill Brewster (author of Last Night A DJ Saved My Life).
Packed-full with Afro-Funk, Disco and Boogie all from Nigeria, this triple album/double CD set brings together a stunning collection of diverse West African sounds. Whilst a small handful of the artists featured (Joni Haastrup, Tee Mac, Christy Essien) have seen the light of day outside Africa, this is essentially a collection of killer tracks by an array of artists completely unknown outside of Nigeria. Artists such as Don Bruce & The Angels, Akin Richards & The Executives, Angela Starr, Jimmy Sherry & The Music Agents. It’s no surprise that these records are extremely rare and expensive to buy individually so this album will save you going broke trying to find them.
These recordings were made at a time when Nigeria’s trade restrictions banned imported records. Whilst new musical trends (such as American soul, funk, disco etc) entered and influenced the country, the local music scene remained just that – local. Consequently, these recordings remain practically unknown to anyone outside of the country.

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Nigeria Soul Fever! - Afro Funk, Disco and Boogie: West African Disco Mayem!

2CD | 2016 | UK | Original (Soul Jazz)

LP | 1974 | EU | Reissue (Hot Casa)

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Keni Okulolo

Talkin' Bass

24,99 €*

LP | 1999 | US | Reissue (Fat Possum)

Release: 1974 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Reissue of an ultra-rare Afro-Funk album by KENI OKULOLO.

First and rare album from the famous bass player and band leader of MONOMONO Nigerian band. 3 amazing tracks recorded in 1974 at EMI studio, taken from his ultra-rare and so hard to find Talkin' bass experience masterpiece album plus an extra track that we decided with the artist to include here. His funky gem “Funky People” was produced during the famous “Mixed Grill” sessions in Lagos.

Fully Licenced with one of a few living Nigerian musicians with roots in both traditional village music and funky West-African popular genres, five times voted Nigeria's best bassist by the Nigerian Association of Music journalists. The original album is so hard to find and cost more than thousand euros, so don’t hesitate to listen to this remastered Afro-Soul gem.

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Junior Kimbrough

Meet Me In The City

37,99 €*

Volume 3: Sweet Times - Afro, Funk, Highlife & Juju From 1970s Lagos

Release: 1999 / US – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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A collection of live tracks ranging from the 1993 Sunflower Blues Fest to vintage early '70s recordings from Junior Kimbrough's home and juke joint. Includes the songs "Junior's Place" and "Baby, Please Don't Leave Me," and features Junior's son Kenny Malone on drums and R.L. Burnside's son Gary Burnside on guitar. A posthumous release from one of the 20th Century's most important blues figures.

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Nigeria 70

2LP+CD | 2011 | EU | Reissue (Strut)

12" | 2016 | UK | Original (Sol Power)

Release: 2011 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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The third instalment in Strut’s essential trip through the rich archives of Nigerian music brings together ‘70s Afrobeat and highlife from Victor Olaiya, Rex Williams, Zeal Onyia and more.

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Sol Power All-Stars

Djidjo Vide

13,99 €*

7" | 2016 | EU | Original (Hot Casa)

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves, Electronic & Dance

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Just in time for summer, Sol Power Sound is proud to present its 4th release, the Djidjo Vide EP, a 1-2 punch of Afro house by label heads, the Sol Power All-Stars.

Djidjo Vide, the title track on the A-side, features DC (via Togo) Afrobeat band, Elikeh. It's a vibey slice of propulsive Afro house about finding joy in the face of hardship. Massama Dogo's commanding vocals (sung in Mina) combined with the driving bassline, and aggressive horns (performed by DC's Sticky Bear) make Djidjo Vide a summer sure shot for a roof-top jam, beachside dance floor, or nightclub near you.

The B-side, Tell Me Why is darker and deeper, chock full of percussion, a chopped vocal sample, and in-your-face afrobeat horns (performed by Matt Rippetoe and Joe Herrera of DC's the Harry Bells). It's a late-night beatdown that will set things off proper in a dark room!

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Vaudou Game

La Vie C'Est Bon

From Africa With Fury: Rise 2016 Edition

Release: 2016 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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From the forthcoming album Kidayu, out September 8th 2016 on Hot Casa Records.

When faced with the decision to take a different direction at the risk of getting lost in a synthetic sound or to further explore the same musical path, Vaudou Game did not need to consult the oracle for very long when putting together their new album.

Since their first acclaimed album, Apiafo and its irresistible single "Pas Contente", these Lyon natives never turned down the heat on over 130 stages across Europe, Africa, America and Asia. Peter Solo has displayed his amulets, charisma and yellow pants around the globe.

When time came for them to harness their Afro-Funk sound for the second time, they turned their attention once again to their analog strengths. Vintage material, instruments produced in the 70's and cassette tapes were the "grigris" (or lucky charms) which proved most effective to ward off digital corruption of their music and return them to a tight-knit group with a solid groove.

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Seun Kuti & Egypt 80

2LP+CD | 2011 | EU | Reissue (Because)

Bahta Gebre-Heywet / Alemayetu Eshete

Release: 2011 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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With the mighty new From Africa With Fury: Rise, Seun Anikulapo Kuti picks up the mantle as undisputed champion and true prince of the Afrobeat movement.

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Tessassategn Eko / Ayalqem Tedenqo

7" | 2016 | UK | Original (Mr Bongo)

Hailu Mergia & Dahlak Band

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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‘Tèssassatègn Eko’ is a catchy, soulful Ethiopian jam. Originally released on
Amha AE 690 A in 1973. Arranged by the prolific Girma Beyene.

‘Ayalqem Tèdènqo’ see’s Eshèté’s third appearance in the Africa 45’s series. Released originally on Amha AE 290 A in 1971. A shuffling drum/percussion groove with soulful piano and bass, catchy vocal hook and guitar solo.

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Wede Harer Guzo

2LP | 2016 | US | Original (Awesome Tapes From Africa)

Release: 2016 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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2LP | 2016 | EU | Original (Analog Africa)

Space Echo

34,99 €*

LP | 2016 | EU | Original (Paris DJs)

Release: 2016 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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In the spring of 1968 a cargo ship was preparing to leave the port of Baltimore with an important shipment of musical instruments. Its final destination was Rio De Janeiro, where the EMSE Exhibition (Exposição Mundial Do Son Eletrônico) was going to be held. It was the first expo of its kind to take place in the Southern Hemisphere and many of the leading companies in the field of electronic music were involved. Rhodes, Moog, Farfisa, Hammond and Korg, just to name a few, were all eager to present their newest synthesisers and other gadgets to a growing and promising South American market, spearheaded by Brazil and Colombia.

The ship with the goods set sail on the 20th of March on a calm morning and mysteriously disappeared from the radar on the very same day. One can only imagine the surprise of the villagers of Cachaço, on the Sao Nicolau island of Cabo Verde, when a few months later they woke up and found a ship stranded in their fields, in the middle of nowhere, 8 km from any coastline.

After consulting with the village elders, the locals had decided to open the containers to see what was inside – however gossip as scintillating as this travels fast and colonial police had already arrived and secured the area. Portuguese scientists and physicians were ordered to the scene and after weeks of thorough studies and research, it was concluded that the ship had fallen from the sky. One of the less plausible theories was that it might have fallen from a Russian military air carrier. The locals joked that again the government had wasted their tax money on a useless exercise, as a simple look at the crater generated by the impact could explain the phenomena. “No need for Portuguese rocket scientists to explain this!” they laughed.

What the villagers didn’t know, was that traces of cosmic particles were discovered on the boat. The bow of the ship showed traces of extreme heat, very similar to traces found on meteors, suggesting that the ship had penetrated the hemisphere at high speed. That theory also didn't make sense as such an impact would have reduced the ship to dust. Mystery permeated the event.

Finally, a team of welders arrived to open the containers and the whole village waited impatiently. The atmosphere, which had been filled with joy and excitement, quickly gave way to astonishment. Hundreds of boxes conjured, all containing keyboards and other instruments which they had never seen before: and all useless in an area devoid of electricity. Disappointment was palpable. The goods were temporarily stored in the local church and the women of the village had insisted a solution be found before Sunday mass.

It is said that charismatic anti-colonial leader Amílcar Cabral had ordered for the instruments to be distributed equally in places that had access to electricity, which placed them mainly in schools. This distribution was best thing that could have happened - keyboards found fertile grounds in the hands of curious children, born with an innate sense of rhythm who picked up the ready-to-use instruments. This in turn facilitated the modernisation of local rhythms such as Mornas, Coladeras and the highly danceable music style called Funaná, which had been banned by the Portuguese colonial rulers until 1975 due to its sensuality!

The observation was made that the children who came into contact with the instruments found on the ship inherited prodigious capabilities to understand music and learn instruments. One of them was the musical genius Paulino Vieira, who by the end of the 70s would become the country´s most important music arranger. 8 out of the 15 songs presented in this compilation had been recorded with the backing of the band Voz de Cabo Verde, lead by Paulino Vieira, the mastermind behind the creation and promulgation of what is known today as “The Cosmic Sound of Cabo Verde”.

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Etienne De La Sayette

Maputo Queens

27,99 €*

LP | 2016 | UK | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2016 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Composer/arranger/producer Etienne de la Sayette is a frenetic globe-trotter and a relentless collector of musical instruments. Founder and headhunter of, among others, the Frix and Baeshi Bang groups, co-founder/saxophonist for Parisian Ethio-Jazz band Akalé Wubé, Etienne might mostly be a live musician, he manages nonetheless to find the time for audio production, remixes and synch music. 'Maputo Queens' is his first solo album, a deep afrojazz masterpiece for thoughful moods and after-hours atmospheres, with some masterful blends of spices from all over the globe.

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Ebo Taylor

My Love And Music

LP | 1975 | CZ | Reissue (Now-Again)

Release: 2016 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Originally released in 1975 on Gapophone Records, George Prah’s label, hailing from Ghana. Only available in very limited quantity (reportedly 500 copies) due to the musical vacuum imposed by the military dictatorship in the country at the time.

Laid back, lush, highlife vibrations from start to finish, with noticeable reggae influences throughout.

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The Peace

Black Power

LP | 1979 | EU | Reissue (PMG)

Release: 1975 / CZ – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Essential garage Zamrock/soul/funk: the first official reissue of the celebrated band’s one and only album. The musical style that became known as Zamrock came to embody the economic despair that followed the 1973-1974 oil crisis, which flung Zambia into recession and exacerbated a wide range of social tensions. Much of Zamrock also captured the controversy of wider politics in Africa and the world. Perhaps the finest example of this is Black Power by The Peace. - The Guardian. The Boyfriends, from Kitwe’s Chamboli Mine Township, supplied the founding members for Zamrock’s most famous band, Witch, and kick started one of Zamrock’s best bands, Peace. Their sole Zamrock entry, Black Power, recorded at Malachite Film Studio circa 1973/4 and issued circa 1975, sounds like nothing else in the Zamrock canon: a lost message drifiting from the flower power era, imbued with a fiery Zambian voice.

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Steve Black

Village Boogie

2LP | 2016 | EU | Original (Cramned)

Release: 1979 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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A reissue of the 1979 Afro-funk LP by a dynamic artist from Nigeria, originally issued by the well know Afrodisia label.
'Village Boogie!' really deserves the status of a legendary rarity and holy grail for fans of afro funk music. The original album is incredibly rare today and fetches prices of $800! On this unique album Steve Black presents a new version of the smasher 'Brand New Wayo', originally played by the band Mixed Grill, in which Steve Black was also the singer. Along with that hit 'Village Boogie!' gives us six other groovers and movers that make your hips shake like you were hit by an earthquake, and in fact this is an earthquake of ever pulsating polyrhythmic drum and percussion patterns, as solid platform for lush horn arrangements and swinging bass lines. A little bit of guitar and other instrumentation adds color to the whole wild steaming funky sound and on top we find the utterly distinctive voice of Mr. Steve Black.

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Konono No 1

Meets Batida

Release: 2016 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Ayalew Mesfin / Mulatu Astatke

Ghedawou / Asmarina

7" | 2016 | UK | Original (Mr Bongo)

Ballake Sissoko & Vincent Segal

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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A. Ayaléw Mèsfin ft. Black Lion Band - Ghedawou
Ethiopian dance floor Funk rarity originally released on Kaifa 7” (KF 31) in
1976. Hand claps, guitar lines and call and response lead vocals punctuate the
driving bass line and understated drum groove.
Mesfin played primarily at the Lumumba Club in Addis Ababa’s red light district
and released many 45’s and cassettes during the mid seventies.
He worked very closely with the Black Lion Band (or Tequr Ambessa Orchestra)
AA. Mulatu Astatke ft. Feqadu Amdé-Mesqel - Asmarina
Laid back, drum-heavy, Ethipian jazz taken from the legendary Ethio Jazz’ LP on
Amha (AELP 90). Typifies the sound of the country and the period, truly classic
stuff.
Mulatu will be touring heavily in 2016, which we are very much looking forward
to.

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Musique De Nuit

LP | 2015 | EU | Original (No Format)

7" | 2015 | UK | Original (No Wahala Sound)

Release: 2015 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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The Malian kora player and French cellist raised dust with 2011’s Chamber Music, which pulled two seemingly incompatible instruments into a startling, neoclassical fusion. Musique de Nuit maintains the momentum. While there is a formal air to pieces such as Prélude and the title track, improvisation is at the heart of the duo’s interplay – Sissoko’s rooftop in Bamako, not the studio, was the venue for half the recording. The lines between cascading kora and stately cello are wonderfully blurred at times, as the pair take turns to supply rhythm and melody, ranging across Malian mbalax on Super Étoile, Brazilian flavours on Samba Tomora and deep tradition on Diabaro, to which Babani Kone contributes wailing griot vocals. Entrancing stuff. - The Guardian.

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Afro National

Temedi Oh / Den Kick