From the release’s Bandcamp site: “Over the past few years Acid Jazz has been the proud custodian of the legendary Albarika Store label, which produced some of the finest, deepest West African cuts of the last century. Based in Benin, the label was a melting point of local sounds and Continue Reading
Afrobeat
The Brooklyn Sounds – Libre-Free
Though it has tones of underground and perhaps even a type of mafia culture (certainly the imagery of Hector Lavoe records could spread that misconception), salsa is fun music by its very nature. It’s danceable, rather passionate at times, and full of horns. The Brooklyn Sounds are a long-forgotten group Continue Reading
Mulatu Astatke & Hoodna Orchestra – Tension
From Mulatu Astatke’s own Bandcamp site: “Formed in 2012 on the south side of Tel Aviv, the 12 member Hoodna Orchestra is a collective of musicians and composers who initially bonded over a shared love of Afrobeat. They have gone on to incorporate psychedelic rock, hard funk and soul, jazz, Continue Reading
The Beaters – Harari (1975)
I will be preparing for travel and starting a new job in August, so no review today. I leave you with The Beaters, a rock band out of South Africa. From their YouTube page: “Step into the pulsating rhythms of South African Afro-rock with The Beaters and their iconic album Continue Reading
Oluko Imo – Oduduwa
You would be forgiven, I’d imagine, if you thought this release came to us from Nigeria, but as it turns out, Oluko Imo comes from Trinidad. I had no idea they had Afrobeat there. Imo is ably supported by both the legendary Fela Kuti and his son, Femi. Quite an Continue Reading
Etran de L’Aïr – 100% Sahara Guitar
From Sahel Sounds’ promo sheet, and this is an album worth waiting for!: “Etran de L’Aïr the STARS OF THE AÏR, the longest running wedding band in AGADEZ, capital of Tuareg guitar, return with a new album of sun-schlazed desert sound! Their first album, No.1, brought their music to critics Continue Reading
Nicodème “Tjap’s Trap” Oum – Oa
Work was busy today, so in lieu of a review, here is a rather joyful offering from Cameroon.
Ofege – How Do You Feel
This album is quite a revelation! Ofege, A group of hippies from Nigeria came together to record an absolutely solid disc full of tunes that sound less Afrobeat and more West Coast psych. A cool album, indeed.
Kofi Ayivor – Adzagli (Jungle Funk)
Though Kofi Ayivor now lives in Amsterdam, there was a time where he was the disco king of Nigeria as well as a conga legend with Osibisa. The music here is what one can call proto-Afrobeat, proto-Nu Jazz, and it sounds so incredibly modern that I thought it was a Continue Reading
Felix Lebarty – Girls For Sale
It’s safe to say that 1976 Nigeria was a somewhat different world from today’s. The Edo-Delta region must have been a rather swinging place if this reissue of Felix Labarty’s classic, Girls For Sale, is any indication. The music is lush, perhaps a little tinny, disco mixed with reggae vibes Continue Reading