Afrobeat 895 Items

Release: 2018 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

12" | 2018 | EU | Original (AM)

Dion & Nonku

All I Need

Fathili & The Yahoos / The Wings

Release: 2018 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

All I Need is a 15-minute electronic jam produced by Dion Monti and is accompanied by the vocals (lead and loops) of South African Artist Nonku Phiri. Created in 2015 in their Johannesburg studio, this recording depicts the beginning of their sonic journey and a development of their joint sound. The track evolves from a very subtle beginning towards an emotional climax whilst referring to lyrics of Radiohead’s ‘All I need’ and ‘Ideotheque’. For this release, they are joined by South African Producer Jakinda & Cologne’s Christian S (Cómeme). Jakinda forms half of the duo Stiff Pap and describes his sound as Afro-future electronica, a sound containing elements of Gqom, Tribal-House, Ethiopian Electronica and Kasi-Tech. Christian S makes use of his distinguishable style and creates the most abstracted version of this track, not scared to heavily cut up the vocals and apply his pitched drums. In addition, the release is hand-stamped with a drawing by Nonku.

Go to Item

Mabala Part 1 / Gone With The Sun

7" | 2018 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

12" | 2018 | EU | Original (Alma Negra)

Release: 2018 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

Fathili & The Yahoos came from Kenya. Soulful but raw, mid-tempo afro-funk. Licensed from Melodica music stores courtesy of our great friend Abdul Karim. The Wings were a Nigerian band. 'Gone With the Sun' featured on their 1974 album 'Kissing You So Hard' and fuses bluesy disco, funk and soul moods with quirky synths and effects!

Go to Item

James Stewart

Cotounou EP

7" | 2018 | EU | Original (Philophon)

Release: 2018 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

Alma Negra Records are proud to present James Stewart, resident DJ and co-promoter of monthly night “Black Atlantic Club” at Le Sucre in Lyon, with his Cotonou EP

Go to Item

Jimi Tenor

Quantum Connection

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

Release: 2018 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

Named after the tenor saxophone, actually, Jimi Tenor is not just Jimi Tenor - he's as well Jimi Keys, Jimi Flute, Jimi Vox and Jimi Composer. Yeah, he is, as a multi-instrumentalist and music master in general, all of this! But wait: Active since the mid-80's he's also Jimi Legend. And if you overlook his whole oeuvre then finally you will find out that on top of all of this he's Jimi Genius.
Quantum Connection is Jimi's contribution to the recent Kraut-Life craze of the Berlin underground. Kraut-Life is the brand-new hybrid of Ghanaian Highlife and German - here extended to Northern Europe, as Finnish kitchen is also kraut-based - romantic melancholy. A heavy and driving Highlife beat (yeah, it's not Afro-Beat), screaming psychedelic sound-fragments and a sung desire for a subatomic love affair makes the song another undoubted original by Jimi.
My Mind Will Travel (Teen Party Edit) is a heavily danceable edit of the epic eight minutes version of that piece, which you can hear on Jimi's upcoming full-length album Order Of Nothingness, released on Philophon this May. For Jimi, the physical world seems to be limited: but he is confident that his mind can dive deeply and boarder less in the mystery of our micro- and macro-cosmo.

Go to Item

Johnny!

I'm Gone

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

Release: 2016 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

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.

Go to Item

Johnny!

Ago

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

Release: 2016 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

Go to Item

Johnny!

Only Love

Ayalew Mesfin / Mulatu Astatke

Release: 2016 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

Go to Item

Ghedawou / Asmarina

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

Kelen Ati Leen / Souleymane

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

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.

Go to Item

Orchestra Baobab

7" | 2015 | UK | Original (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2015 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

7" | 2014 | EU | Original (Hot Casa)

Vaudou Game

Pas Contente

Mark Ernestus presents Jeri-Jeri with Mbene Diatta Seck

Release: 2014 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

This two mindblowing songs were entirely recorded, mixed and mastered with old analog tapes, and played with vintage instruments which recalls the sound of bands like Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou or El Rego!

Go to Item

Xale

12" | 2012 | UK | Original (Ndagga)

7" | 2024 | UK (Kiss Klassicks)

Release: 2012 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

A sophomore three-tracker: singer Mbene Diatta Seck in sombre consideration of street-kids and parental neglect, buoyed by propulsive drumming and trenchant bass; a second version without vocals, laying bare the poly-rhythmic interplay between marimba and percussion; and a mesmeric six-minute instrumental, with bassist Thierno Sarr grooving out on the top string of his instrument, bringing an elusive Manding flavor to the deep Mbalax mix.

Go to Item

Tyla / Rema

Water / Calm Down

Jorge Ben / Miriam Makeba

Release: 2024 / UK

Genre: Organic Grooves, Pop

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

Preorder shipping from 2024-09-27

2 Afrobeat bangers inspiring a new label design fitting of this genre. Side A features South African singer Tyla's banger "Water" which is still killing the airwaves paired with Nigerian Rema's "Calm Down" this 45 is pure Fiiiiiire!! Summer sure shot don't sleep!

Go to Item

Xica Da Silva

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

My Mind / Love Is The Language

Release: 2016 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

Two classic cuts from Jorge Ben and Miriam Makeba take either side of this Mr Bongo Brazil 45 reissue.

’Xica Da Silva’ is one of Jorge Ben’s most well-known and well-loved cuts, housed on the legendary Africa Brazil LP that deserves a place in every collection. A magical MPB cut, it instantly transports you to the shores of Rio de Janeiro. With a low-slung funky samba flavour, Ben’s absorbing vocal recounts the legend of one of Brazil's oldest black icons.

On the flip side, Miriam Makeba serves up an entrancing, slowed-down, grooved-out version of ‘Xica da Silva’. A highly influential singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist from South Africa, this low and slow interpretation is doused in strutting guitar, off-beat piano stabs and hypnotic drums providing the perfect platform to let Miriam’s vocal shine through.

Remastered with refreshed artwork.

Go to Item

Jimi Tenor

7" | 2024 | EU | Original (Philophon)

Release: 2024 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

Florence Adooni & Erobique

Mam Tola

7" | 2023 | EU | Original (Philophon)

7" | 2023 | UK | Original (Rocafort)

Release: 2023 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

Hamburg maestro Erobique, known for his improvisational spirit and irresistible disco anthems, visited drummer/producer Max Weissenfeldt at his Joy Sound Studios in Ghana. Together with Philophon artist Florence Adooni, he created the swinging catchy tune 'Mam Tola' there, which she sings in her mother tongue Frafra, a prime example of Afro-Soul. On 'Bach In Afrika', Erobique transforms a deep Kumasi-style drum'n'bass jam into a frenetic baroque ceremony by masterfully operating the Hammond 'Extra Voice' in a J.S. Bach-like manner.

Go to Item

Pyramid Blue

Lince Rojo / Doctor One

7" | 2023 | UK | Original (Philophon)

Release: 2023 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

After a decade-long hiatus, Spanish 8-piece ensemble Pyramid Blue makes a triumphant comeback with two captivating tracks.
Led by producer and composer Oscar Martos, who boasts successful collaborations with Tito Ramirez, Pyramid Blue is set to stretch the boundaries of contemporary world music with their signature sound.
'Lince Rojo,' the enchanting A-side, channels the spirit of the red lynx with its blend of Afrofunk and Ethio Jazz. On the B-side, 'Doctor One' delves into uncharted musical territories infused with a hip-hop edge creating a seamless fusion of past and present.

Go to Item

Ahemaa Nwomkro

Yebre Ma Owuo

Release: 2023 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

Sir Frank Karikari & The Polyversal Souls

Siakwaa / Nana Agyei (Medley)

7" | 2019 | UK | Original (Philophon)

Psycheground / Polymeri (Afro-Utopia Version)

Release: 2019 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

Frank Karikari is the son of legendary Highlife musician Ralph Karikari who played bass on countless classic albums such as "Sikyi Highlife" by Dr. K. Gyasi & His Noble Kings. So, Frank grew up surrounded 24/7 with high class Highlife music plus he has inherited the natural talent of his father. Now he teamed up with the Polyversal Souls to keep the spirit of Highlife alive.

"Siakwaa / Nana Agyei" are two songs taken from above mentioned album "Sikyi Highlife". Frank gets here some vocal support from the original court singers of the Ashanti king, which fits perfectly, as both songs are praise songs to the king.

"Odo Agye Gye Me" is composed by legendary Kumasi based singer Baffour Kyei, who sang for such groups like Kyeremateng Stars or B.B. Collins & His Powerful Believers. Besides creating this song, he is part of the choir on this future Highlife classic.

Go to Item

Calibro 35

7" | 2018 | EU | Original (Records Kicks)

Lee Dodou & The Polyversal Souls

Release: 2018 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

Limited edition 45 vinyl black (500 copies worldwide)!
Only one copy per customer!
Calibro 35's new single "Psycheground" flipped by the unreleased “Polymeri (Afro-Utopia Version”) on limited edition 45 vinyl.
“Psycheground” is the new single from the Italian cinematic funk cult combo Calibro 35 available on a super limited 45 vinyl and digital download on May 04. Taken from their heavily acclaimed new album “Decade”, “Psycheground” is an afro-funk stormer that sounds like Tony Allen involved in writing a score for a vintage Hollywood production. The new single is flipped by an alternative and hypnotic afro/tropical version of “Polymeri”. Don't sleep on it, all Calibro 35's previous 45s went sold out in a few days.
Calibro 35 enjoys a worldwide reputation as one of the coolest independent band around. They have been sampled by Dr. Dre on his Compton album, Jay-Z Love Child & Damon Albarn, they shared stages with the likes of Roy Ayers, Sun Ra Arkestra, Sharon Jones, Thundercat, Headhunters and as unique musicians they've collaborated with, amongst others PJ Harvey, Mike Patton, John Parish and Stewart Copeland and Nic Cester (The Jet). Described by Rolling Stone magazine's as the most fascinating, retro-maniac and genuine thing, that happened to Italy in the last years, Calibro 35 now count on a number of aficionados worldwide which includes VIP's fans such as Dj Food (Ninja Tune), Mr Scruff and Huey Morgan (Fun Lovin' Criminals) among others.

Go to Item

Basa Basa

7" | 2018 | EU | Original (Philophon)

War Room / Into The Thick

Release: 2018 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

As the lead singer of George Darko's legendary Burger-Highlife hit-band, Lee Dodou became the number one voice of 80's Highlife. Born in Kumasi, the epicenter of Ghanaian Highlife, he came to Berlin in the late 70's - by then the uprising epicenter of Burger-Highlife - to work as a back-up-singer for Pat Thomas. After joining and leaving Georg Darko and running his own band "Kantata", he stopped releasing music in the early 90's. Now, Philophon is proud to present new recordings of his soulful genius to the world of 2018.
Basa Basa is a song in the classic "concert party" style, as it was played in the glorious 60's. After a firey horn introduction Lee takes over in that funny and entertaining manner typical for "concert party" music. Buzz Duncker joins Lee's phrases with some gentle clarinet. Highlife at its best!
Sahara Akwantuo is anything but a classic: it's the start of a kind of philophonic Highlife, labeled as Kraut-Life. Ghanaian love of life meets German romantic melancholy. Happy rhythms meet mysterious synth landscapes. Eternal summertime and mangos are meeting a wet winter world and roast apples. Kraut-Life at its best!

Go to Item

Black Market Brass

7" | 2018 | US | Original (Colemine)

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

Release: 2018 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

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!

Go to Item

Toto La Momposina

The Garabato Sessions

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

Stutter & Twitch 7" Series

Matuki

7" | 2016 (Stutter And Twitch)

Wejene Aola Feat. Kamasi Washington

Release: 2016

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

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.

Go to Item

Dexter Story

7" | 2016 | UK | Original (Soundway)

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

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

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.

Go to Item

Vaudou Game

La Vie C'Est Bon

Mark Ernestus presents Jeri-Jeri

Release: 2016 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

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.

Go to Item

Casamance

12" | 2013 | UK | Original (Ndagga)

Mark Ernestus presents Jeri-Jeri with Mbueguel Dafa Nekh

Release: 2013 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

Berlin versus Kaolack, round three. A traditional Jola rhythm, fast and energetic, with tuned, talking and kit drums swarming across a skeletal downhome guitar — somewhere between blues and disco — and the Mboup brothers' impassioned plea for an end to division and bloodshed in their Casamance homeland.
Then a more deeply dug-in, spaced-out funk, edgily spun from a Serer rhythm, underpinning Mbene's reflective song about parental selflessness. 'Sama Yaye', 'My Mother'. Both with full instrumental versions.

Sound-wise peas in a pod with the intricate, soaring barrage of Ornette's Prime Time in full flight, when it had two of everything in the lineup, and Jamaaladeen Tacuma was on bass, Denardo on electronic drums.

Go to Item

Mbeuguel Dafa Nekh / Dafa Nekh

12" | 2012 | UK | Original (Ndagga)

Release: 2012 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

7" | 2012 | US | Original (Third Man)

Tom Jones

Evil

Si Algún Día Has De Caer / Papeles Rotos"

Release: 2012 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

Add to Cart Coming Soon Sold out Currently not available Not Enough Coins

Third Man Records is proud to announce the most virile entry in the history of its Blue Series singles: The man, the legend himself Mr. Tom Jones laying his unmistakable voice over Howlin' Wolf's "Evil" and the Frankie Lane classic "Jezebel" (as covered over the years by the likes of Edith Piaf and Anna Calvi). Both tracks were produced by Jack White at Third Man studios.

Go to Item

Mampön

7" | 2024 | UK | Original (Rocafort)