Hip-Hop News

During the 80's dancehall era a number of record producers claimed to be the real authentic sound of downtown Kingston but Ossie Thomas' Black Solidarity label ,operating out of Delamare Avenue in the heart of the ghetto, was the real deal....

'This was the start of the 70's when the political rivalry got heated between JLP and the PNP and the shots start fire....I said to myself if you're going die you're going die..from that me not scared of Kingston'
Ossie Thompson

This album provides an insightful glimpse into life in these unforgiving Kingston neighbourhoods describing not only the poverty and desperation but also how at times, styles, fashions and the cathartic joys of music and the dancehall could transform this harsh environment into one of joyous celebration...

1973-1976 was a period in Reggae's history when the music coming from Kingston,Jamaica was at its peak.
So many talented singers,who sang soulful/righteous songs found their way onto tape.
Maybe it was the competition between the studios like Randys,Channel 1 and Harry J's and the quality of the singers available to sing these tunes.But whatever caused the explosion the mighty voices of Horace Andy,Cornell Campbell,Johnny Clarke and Ronnie Davis never sounded better....
The tracks as you can see here were culled together from sessions recorded at the fore mentioned legendary studios.Then taken to King Tubby's home style studio at 18 Drummlie Ave in the Waterhouse district of Kingston.This is where the great Dubmaster himself would record the vocal tracks.
A method in which he preferred to work and then mix the tracks Tubby style...We have travelled to Jamaica and listened to hours of master tapes to bring this set to you.
So please sit back and enjoy what we believe to be a wicked set by Kingston's finest..
ALLSTARS one and all........
One more tiem Mr.Tubby if you please ..roll that tape....

Das Label Trojan startet eine neue Vinyl-Serie, um seine größten Hits - jeweils nach Genres sortiert - einer neuen Generation an Vinyl-Käufern zugänglich zu machen. Der erste Part widmet sich naheliegend dem "Reggae". Auf 180g schwerem Vinyl gepresst, wurden unvergessliche Hits aus der goldenen Ära der 70er Jahre auf diesem Album zusammengefasst. So sind vor allem jene Single berücksichtigt, welche in den britischen Charts in die Top 10 einstiegen, also im besten Sinne klassische Reggae-Gassenhauer darstellen. Trojan Records wurde 1967 von Chris Blackwell & Lee Gopthal (beide auch zu der Zeit mit Island Records beschäftigt) gegründet. Durch ihre persönlichen Reisen nach Jamaika knüpften sie die Kontakte zu den wichtigsten Produzenten und Musikern der Insel und bauten deren Karrieren parallel in Europa auf.

Das Label Trojan startet eine neue Vinyl-Serie, um seine größten Hits - jeweils nach Genres sortiert - einer neuen Generation an Vinyl-Käufern zugänglich zu machen. Der erste Part widmet sich dem "Dub". Auf 180g schwerem Vinyl gepresst, wurden unvergessliche Hits aus der goldenen Ära der 70er Jahre auf diesem Album zusammengefasst. Mit King Tubby, Prince Far I, Lee Perry (The Upsetters), Prince Jammy und Linval Thompson sind die großen Namen des Dub auf dieser Compilation vereint. Trojan Records wurde 1967 von Chris Blackwell & Lee Gopthal (beide auch zu der Zeit mit Island Records beschäftigt) gegründet. Durch ihre persönlichen Reisen nach Jamaika knüpften sie die Kontakte zu den wichtigsten Produzenten und Musikern der Insel und bauten deren Karrieren parallel in Europa auf.

Das Label Trojan startet eine neue Vinyl-Serie, um seine größten Hits - jeweils nach Genres sortiert - einer neuen Generation an Vinyl-Käufern zugänglich zu machen. Der erste Part widmet sich dem "Ska". Auf 180g schwerem Vinyl gepresst, wurden unvergessliche Hits aus der goldenen Ära der 70er Jahre auf diesem Album zusammengefasst. Mit The Skatalites, Desmond Dekker und Lord Tanamo sind einige der großen Namen des Genres auf dieser Compilation vereint. Trojan Records wurde 1967 von Chris Blackwell & Lee Gopthal (beide auch zu der Zeit mit Island Records beschäftigt) gegründet. Durch ihre persönlichen Reisen nach Jamaika knüpften sie die Kontakte zu den wichtigsten Produzenten und Musikern der Insel und bauten deren Karrieren parallel in Europa auf.

The guitarist who helped create Jamaican rock-steady music., his group The Jets played on 100s of sessions for Bunny Lee, Duke Reid, Joe Gibbs, Coxsone Dodd etc. 2 throwback tracks from his last session. "Dub Me Tonight" on the B.

Originally released on Trojan in 1974, it was essentially a re-release of the Soul Rebels LP from 1970, with a few extra tracks. This historic release marked Bob Marley & the Wailers first collaboration with Lee Perry and the true beginning of their musical and spiritual commitment to Rastafari. This is Bob Marley and the original Wailers (Peter Tosh & Bunny Wailer) long before they became international reggae superstars with Island. The tracks found here redefined reggae music, tracks like "Soul Rebel," "Duppy Conqueror," "Small Axe" never sounded better.

Magnificent nyabinghi roots warning.
The one-and-only Eric Frater is drafted in from Studio One, playing killer rhythm guitar (with Chinna on lead), and likewise Dennis Ferron — Jah D — who leads the way with his spiritualized keyboard-work, keening between jazz and soul. You can hear Puma from Black Uhuru, singing with the Sons. Geoffrey Chung at Dynamic expertly pulls in the bass drum and doubled-up fundas and repetas, keeping the mix raw and alive.
The dub in particular is stunning — thumping, trenchant and brooding, so steeply dread and haunted it almost trips over its sense of yawning silence and doom.

Sega music is rooted in the musical underground of slaves arriving from Africa and Madagascar on the shores of Mauritius, Réunion and the Seychelles, in the south-western corner of the Indian Ocean, during the seventeenth century. Over time this Creole culture adopted Western instruments and traditional European forms like the quadrille and waltz, even as it articulated the cultural impact of hired workers from India. In the modern era, the gramophone brought all kinds of music to the mix, and violins and accordions were replaced by electric guitars, drums and keyboards, as psychedelic synths, fuzz and elastic bass lines re-cast the traditional polyrhythms of drums, ravannes, bongos, claves, triangles and maracas. Record production boomed, hundreds of small labels sprang up...

First released by Trojan in the wake of The Maytals' 1969 UK hit, 'Monkey Man', the album quickly became a must-have for all British fans of the exciting new reggae sound that had emerged from Jamaica.
The album showcased The Maytals' inimitable style for an international audience and in so doing proved instrumental in establishing the trio of Toots and the group as global stars.
Despite the original album's popularity, copies have long since been collector's items, selling for sums well beyond the budgets of most record buyers.
Now, at long last, this classic album, showcasing the work of one of Jamaica's most popular groups, is finally available on vinyl once again.
Mastered from the original Trojan 1/4' analogue master tapes and pressed on high quality vinyl, the sleeve and label artwork faithfully replicate that of the 1970 issue, ensuring the authentic look and sound of the album.

Moonshine Recordings' elementary release of 2016 brings Polish Violinbwoy praises to wax treatment. The gifted musician and now commonly established dub merchant continues to share musical teachings by delivering joyous dub treasures. His Mono County discharge is shaped into a 2x12' vinyl release, which vibes along with appearances from David OneAway, Dan I Locks & Dan I - and all meet their dub version enlightenment.

'Rumors of War' is a blazing stepper that holds the righteous wisdom of David OneAway, who tints the jam red, yellow and green. The anthemic status of this production arises through combining melodious loops, hypnotic delays and the one-and-only devoted dub mentality. Make way for Violinbwoy's peace plan...

The joyous sensation brought to you by Dan I Locks and Violinbwoy with 'More Songs', is one hefty experience. A ruling trumpet, precise percussive treatment and juicy reggae chords cultivate the feeling of freedom. This crucial sound is a total blessing for the family tree of Moonshine Recordings and its followers.

'Hold Unto' is a slower jam that solely focuses on delivering low-subbed b-lines, verbalizing Jah principles and praising emperor Haile Selassie I. Violinbwoy's devotedness to the sound is, without any doubt, very inspirational and contagious. This project with Dan I needs to be felt on a proper sound system - give thanks!

The mighty violin returns to the mix of 'Mammoth Lake', dwelling through a chamber of mesmerizing frequencies. It leads a force to be reckoned with, one that is simply undefeatable. This crafted solo-production is a true work of art we're proud of housing on top of our solid, rooted collection of Moonshine records.

'MS023' shines a vast light on the Polish Violinbwoy, who is more than a familiar emerger on our Moonshine Recordings imprint. He illuminates our music records in ways that strengthens the message we want to put across. After the previous Rooftop Steppers EP coming from Digid & Squarewave, this EP encapsulates our friend's futuristic vision on dub music. Together we're ready for the future...

Issued in 1969 by Doctor Bird Records early on the company's Pyramid subsidiary, 'The Israelites' came hot on the heels of Desmond Dekker's international smash hit of the same name.
Such was the extent of Dekker's global success that the album was licensed to companies around the world, seeing issue on a variety of different imprints and with a diverse array of sleeve designs.
Despite the popularity of the album it has remained unavailable since its original release almost half a century ago.
Now at long last, reggae fans can once again own a brand new copy of this hugely popular and significant album at an extremely affordable price.
This faithful reproduction of the original UK issue has been mastered from the best available analogue source and is pressed on the highest quality vinyl.

We are very happy to announce the latest Cubiculo release featuring certified legend Tonto Irie and new generation production duo Naram and Art!
After years without releasing any records, veteran MC Tonto Irie returns to the world of vinyl with 'No Friend Fi Dem'. Under the name of Tonto Ranking, he partnered with Danny Dread in the 80's and the two of them spearheaded the rise of the Black Star Soundsystem. Tonto Irie would later help King Jammy's set reach new heights by working with all of Jammy's Posse including Wayne Smith, John Wayne, Chacka Demus, Half Pint, Admiral Bailey, Tullo Tand and many more.
We became instant fans of Naram and Art the first time we heard their music. Since then we've had the pleasure of having them on Subactive's 'Taking Over EP' with a killer remix and now we're finally releasing a record with them. 'Ripper Riddim' is inspired by the obscure digital reggae music of the 80's, where fat, dirty basslines and heavy skanks are the main dish of the day.
The record's artwork is also inspired by this era of Reggae music and limited to 500 copies on green coloured vinyl and hand stamped sleeve.

Newly launching General Piglet present Demacrocy 7" is landing, and the company is gathering all the troops in order to denounce the whole babylon trickery!
For its first release, the general calls upon secret agent Blackout JA to drop a nuclear bomb over all minds, questioning if this thing that they call "democracy" is finally necessary On the flip is located the second shockwave, a secret weapon, carefully created in our bunker, somewhere in France. Limited to 500 copies only. No repress.

Count Bobo are a 6 piece group from Bristol playing in the style of early ska and rocksteady. Formed in 2012, they perform a selection of covers from artists like The Skatalites, Roland Alphonso and Jackie Mittoo, more recently including their own material.

They released their debut album 'Bird of Paradise' on limited edition 12 inch vinyl. The album was recorded by their producer Drezz at 'The Tape Rooms'. As a fully analogue studio, the band was able to record live and straight to tape in an attempt to emulate the records of their early influences.

They have since been gigging the UK festival, pub and club circuit including performances at Glastonbury, Green Man, Shambala, Secret Garden Party and Larmer Tree festival.

Count Bobo is-

Graeme Smith- lead vocals and alto sax
Dan Inzani- keyboards and vocals
Lorenzo Prati- tenor sax
Leon Boyden- guitar
Pete Gibbs- bass
Dan Truen- drums

Robust collaboration between Nice Up! UK and Bim One Productions outta Japan. Oriental future dancehall remix of Original One x Parly B - Mi Bredren only been dropped recently. Manufactured in one and only pressing plant in Japan with special Katakana logo for the occasion. Limited to 500 copies only. No repress.

Dub little pearl from Brain Damage on Jarring Effects

Soul Jazz Records are releasing Count Ossie and The Rasta Family's long lost reggae album 'Man From Higher Heights' (originally released in 1983), digitally remastered and with full original artwork. This release follows on from the earlier release of Count Ossie and The Mystic Revelation of Rastafari 'Tales of Mozambique' (1975), also by Soul Jazz Records. Recorded in Kingston, Jamaica, somewhere between the last Mystic Revelation album and the 1983 official release of 'Man From Higher Heights', it remains unclear whether this album is a mixture of original recordings overlayed with additional players, or Ossie's post-Mystic Revelation players remaining true to the spirit of Count Ossie (who had died in a car crash in 1976). Either way, it is a fascinating and successful blend of heavyweight Rastafarian roots rhythms and drumming alongside deep jazz improvisation and tripped out psychedelic fuzz guitar. Count Ossie is the central character in the development of Rastafarian roots music, an almost mythical and iconic figure. His importance in bringing Rastafarian music to a populist audience is matched only by Bob Marley's promotion of the faith internationally in the 1970s. Count Ossie and the Group's Man From Higher Heights remains one of the most elusive of his highly progressive Rastafarian inspired recordings, the final release in Count Ossie's career.

Calypso, Highlife, Juju & Apala: Popular Music And The Birth Of Independent Nigeria 1960-63

Soul Jazz Records' new Nigeria Freedom Sounds! features a stunning selection of material spotlighting the vibrant musical scene in Nigeria at the start of the 1960s. With a wealth of musical and cultural history and newly independent from Britain, Nigerian music during this era was complex, diverse and forward-thinking, with musicians as excited in exploring their country's own musical lineage with styles such as Juju and Apala as they were in adapting and absorbing outside influences such as Ghanaian Highlife, Caribbean Calypsos and Mambo and more.
This album features many of the defining artists of this time who helped shape the Nigerian musical scene. Artists include I.K. Dairo and his Blue Spots, Haruna Ishola and his Group, E.C. Arinze, Sammy Akpabot and His All Stars, Godwin Omobuwa and his Soundmakers, Ganiyu Kale and His Guinea Mambo Orchestra and many more.
Few nations on earth are as diverse as Nigeria, and the wide assortment of Nigerian music styles collected on this album reflect the country's rich variety of cultures. Western-influenced dance music, played on European instruments such as guitar, brass, and woodwind sits alongside traditional musical styles, made with indigenous instruments such as the talking drum, marimba, or obo. And there is also religious musical styles first brought to Nigeria by European Christians and Islamic traders from North Africa. And of course, there are points where these musical styles overlap, merging into one another to create unique new sounds.
This album is released in two formats, as CD and as heavyweight gatefold double vinyl edition. The CD includes a large outsize 48-page book containing extensive sleevenotes, original photography, artist biographies, as well as selection of Nigerian adverts celebrating its independence and original artwork from some of the rare original Nigerian 45s on which this music was first (and only ever) released. The heavyweight gatefold 2xLP comes with full sleevenotes and download code.

TRYCK002 is the followup to one of the hottest edit-releases this year. With this release the Swedish producers return with an even stronger release. The wonky groove of Old Lady Friend' is the perfect oddball summer soundtrack. The flip consists of two mid-tempo bangers. Carribean-grooves done by a couple of drunk Swedish fishermen. Tryck & Ton is the rebirth of a long lasting musical relationship between Edvin Edvinsson & Anton Klint (Public Possession, Italians Do It Better, DFA etc.)

Trojan introduce a genre-themed vinyl album range aimed at satisfying the demands of Jamaican music fans of all persuasions - from hardcore collectors to casual buyers. Pressed on high quality vinyl and presented in handsomely designed sleeves that convey an authentic yet contemporary feel, each LP focuses on a specific style, ranging from vintage mento to modern dancehall, with the first three in the series highlighting the ever-popular sounds of ska, dub and classic reggae. Over the coming months every major genre will be highlighted on further equally compelling collections, ensuring fans of all Jamaican music styles are satisfied. Every album will be exhaustively promoted via Trojan's website, Facebook page, Twitter, YouTube channel and mailing list, with reviews actively solicited from all the major music periodicals and online sites. Recent years have witnessed a significant resurgence of interest in dub, a style developed in the early seventies by a small number of talented sound engineers who took reggae beyond previously perceived limits. Featured on this hard and heavy set are 10 of the finest dub mixes from the Seventies and early Eighties, mixed by its most influential exponents, including such giants as King Tubby, Lee Perry, King Jammy and Scientist.

Trojan introduce a genre-themed vinyl album range aimed at satisfying the demands of Jamaican music fans of all persuasions - from hardcore collectors to casual buyers. Pressed on high quality vinyl and presented in handsomely designed sleeves that convey an authentic yet contemporary feel, each LP focuses on a specific style, ranging from vintage mento to modern dancehall, with the first three in the series highlighting the ever-popular sounds of ska, dub and classic reggae. Over the coming months every major genre will be highlighted on further equally compelling collections, ensuring fans of all Jamaican music styles are satisfied. Every album will be exhaustively promoted via Trojan's website, Facebook page, Twitter, YouTube channel and mailing list, with reviews actively solicited from all the major music periodicals and online sites. Since Jamaica's independence the island's music industry has blossomed from an almost insignificant local business into a hugely successful global concern. During these past five decades an array of Jamaican talent has graced charts the world over and this essential album features a dozen of the very best, including UK Number One hits from Desmond Dekker, Dave & Ansel Collins, Ken Boothe and Althea & Donna.

Die 2LP-Vinyl Edition Volume 1 präsentiert 22 essentielle Dub-Aufnahmen aus dem goldenen Zeitalter des Reggae von 1975 bis 1979, ausgesucht mit der nötigen Expertise von der Koryphäe Steve Barrow. Die Aggrovators waren die Studioband des Produzenten Bunny Lee, zu deren Mitgliedern gehörten im Laufe der Jahre Carlton Barrett, Sly Dunbar, Santa Davis, Robbie Shakespeare, Aston 'Family Man' Barrett, Valentine 'Tony' Chin, Geoffrey Chung, Earl 'Chinna' Smith, Carl Harvey, Keith Sterling, Ossie Hibbert, Ian Winter, Augustus Pablo, Jackie Mittoo, Winston Wright, Tommy McCook, Lennox Brown, Bobby Ellis und Skully Sims. Das Frontcover zeigt den Eingang zum Studio von King Tubby.

15 track Album from Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari released by Dub Store Records

12 track Album from Lynn Taitt & The Jets released by Dub Store Records

12 track Album from Lynn Taitt & The Jets released by Dub Store Records

killer half-stepping Drum & Bass related & vintage Dub leaning project

Masterpiece of Footwork...Rashad never die !

IN 1959 VINCENT CHIN OPENED A SMALL RECORD SHOP ON THE CORNER OF EAST ST AND TOWER ST IN DOWNTOWN KINGSTON NAMED AFTER RANDYS RECORDS IN GALLATIN,TENNESSEE AN EMPORIUM WHERE MANY OF THE JAMAICAN SOUND SYSTEMS USED TO SEND THIE MAIL ORDER RECORDS.TWO YEARS LATER THE SHOP MOVED TO MORE SPACIOUS PREMISES AT 17 NORTH PARADE IN THE HEART OF KINGSTON'S COMMERICIAL DISTRICT WHERE RANDY'S RECORD MART RAPIDLY ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS ONE OJ JAMAICA'S LEADING RETAILA AND WHOLEALE OUTLETS.
VINCENT ALSO PRODUCED RECORDS AND JAMAICA DECLARED ITS INDEPENDENCE IN THE SUMMER OF 1962 TO THE SOUND OF LORD CREATORS 'INDEPENDENT JAMAICA' PRODUCED BY VINCENT AND RELEASED ON HIS RANDY'S CREATIVE CALYPSO LABEL.
THIS IS AN EXAMPLARY SELECTION OF BUNNY STRIKER LEE'S RECORDINGS AT RANDY'S STUDIO 17..... COMPILED FOR THIS RELEASE,WHILE SOME WERE RECORDED ENTIRELY THERE OTHERS ARE THE PRODUCTS OF BUNNY'SLEGENDARY MIX AND MATCH APPROAH WITH RHYTHM TRACKS LAID AT RANDYS AND THE VOICED ELSEWHERE....
WE THINK ITS A FINE SET ..SO SIT BACK AND ENJOY...PEACE OUT

IN 1959 VINCENT CHIN OPENED A SMALL RECORD SHOP ON THE CORNER OF EAST ST AND TOWER ST IN DOWNTOWN KINGSTON NAMED AFTER RANDYS RECORDS IN GALLATIN,TENNESSEE AN EMPORIUM WHERE MANY OF THE JAMAICAN SOUND SYSTEMS USED TO SEND THIE MAIL ORDER RECORDS.TWO YEARS LATER THE SHOP MOVED TO MORE SPACIOUS PREMISES AT 17 NORTH PARADE IN THE HEART OF KINGSTON'S COMMERICIAL DISTRICT WHERE RANDY'S RECORD MART RAPIDLY ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS ONE OJ JAMAICA'S LEADING RETAILA AND WHOLEALE OUTLETS.
VINCENT ALSO PRODUCED RECORDS AND JAMAICA DECLARED ITS INDEPENDENCE IN THE SUMMER OF 1962 TO THE SOUND OF LORD CREATORS 'INDEPENDENT JAMAICA' PRODUCED BY VINCENT AND RELEASED ON HIS RANDY'S CREATIVE CALYPSO LABEL.
THIS IS AN EXAMPLARY SELECTION OF BUNNY STRIKER LEE'S RECORDINGS AT RANDY'S STUDIO 17.....COMPILED FOR THIS RELEASE,WHILE SOME WERE RECORDED ENTIRELY THERE OTHERS ARE THE PRODUCTS OF BUNNY'SLEGENDARY MIX AND MATCH APPROAH WITH RHYTHM TRACKS LAID AT RANDYS AND THE VOICED ELSEWHERE....
WE THINK ITS A FINE SET ..SO SIT BACK AND ENJOY...PEACE OUT

Vaghe is a man of few words. He wanders, seemingly endlessly, through a lonely, gargantuan labyrinth of concrete and steel, fighting off ghosts and other futuristic nightmares, searching only for something called The Full Stream Ahead. Who is this quiet, determined man and what are these Ghosts he seeks The small communities he finds tucked into the crevices of this towering, dystopic ruin hardly give him leads on his treasure, driving him to find larger enclaves of civilization where people can reveal more about the world he lives in and the quarry he seeks. If Vaghe is going to find the treasure he seeks, he will need more help and information than the inhabitants of these beleaguered outposts can offer. He needs to find a larger cluster of civilization, but he'll have to survive the trip to get there, first... Following his 2014 'Sweet Sixteen', and his 2015 'Abstract Speed + Sound' Other People is pleased to announce The Full Stream Ahead: The Prologue by Turin's Daniele Mana aka Vaghe Stelle. Previously associated with Italian label Gang of Ducks and a current member of production group One Circle with fellow nationals Lorenzo Senni and A:RA, Daniele's roots in the emerging Italian production scene run deep and place him at its center.

Crucial set of dubs from Scientist!
Beautiful early dancehall from Barry Brown, featuring his most enduring work, including the classics 'Jealous Lover' and 'Girlfriend'.
The six songs are featured 'showcase style' with their dub versions.
All tracks were recorded by Nkrumah 'Jah' Thomas at Channel One and feature the Roots Radics. They were mixed at King Tubby's by Scientist, who provides the dubs. Previously released as 'Midnight Rock At Channel One', this is the first legal re-release of this album on vinyl in 20 years.
Always in demand, this is a 100% reggae classic.

After a fruitful couple of years collaborating with Kevin Martin, Israeli MC Miss Red finally unveils her new Red Label with a killer double A side featuring production from Mark Pritchard and The Bug.
Her Murder mixtape last year garnered lots of attention and featured riddims provided not only by Kevin Martin but also the likes of Andy Stott, and she featured on Martin's Angels & Devils album as well as collabs with Bim One Production and, just recently, Ishan Sound for the deadly Hotline label..
On Murder she meets Mark Pritchard who heats up a killer twyst of bony '90s bashment drums and slippery acid lines zig-zagged by Miss Red's playful but stinging delivery; the kind of tune that can take a room from simmering wine to air horns and daggering stares in a flash.
No Guns is produced by The Bug and is much more spooked out and psychotic, with Miss Red filtered thru a salivating 16th note industrial bass arpeggio and feral, rasping drums for hand-to-hand, body-to-body combat in the dance, weighing up one of The Bug's baddest recent productions.

Y-Bayani is Ghana's uprising Fanti-reggae artist. He was discovered by Philophon in Ebo Taylor's hometown Saltpond, where he survived as a clock doctor. With his song "Asembi Ara Amba" he was featured on the highly acclaimed debut "Invisible Joy" by the Polyversal Souls. The success of that song opened the door for his first release under his sonorous own name: Y-Bayani.

"Get Away" is a swinging up-tempo beat with a bouncy bass and a haunting vocal performance on top. "Obar No Ni" on the other hand brings you down with a slowly driving rub-a-dub beat. Both tunes have been produced by Max Weissenfeldt and Stibbo Spitzmüller at Berlin's Joy Sound Studios.

Yemi Alade is a BET Awards 2015 nominee for "Best International Act: Africa", a two time MOBO Awards nominee for "Best International Act Africa" 2014 & 2015, winner of the 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) for Best Female Act, nominee for Best African Act at the 2015 MTV Europe Music Awards, and also winner and nominee of other top African Awards. "Mama Africa" released under Effyzzie Music Group is Yemi Alade's second studio album, after the massive success of her debut album titled "King Of Queens", led by the single "Johnny". The album is described as the "diary of an African woman" by the singer and focuses of the pains and joys, the strengths and weakness, the highs and lows of women in general and the African woman in particular.

The album features top guest artistes like P-Square, Sauti Sol, Flavour, Sarkodie, DJ Arafat and Selebobo, with productions from GospelOnDeBeatz, DJ Coublon, Selebobo, Philkeyz, BeatsByEmzo, Masterkraft, Rotimi Keys and Mr. Chidoo.


















[Q] 17. Mama Africa (Remix) [feat. AKA]

After spending much of the '70s humping his congos around New York as a session musician, Nigerian Aleke Kanonu pulled in some favours to record an album of his own. The result was Aleke, a criminally obscure Afrobeat/Funk/Jazz masterpiece featuring Buddy Williams on drums, George Davis on guitar and a cameo from Wynton Marsalis on flugelhorn. There are only four tracks on the album but they are all killers. N'Gwode sounds like Fela Kuti and Manu Dibangu hanging out with Bobby Womack, probably somewhere across 110th Street. 'Keep New York Clean' struts like Shaft after a successful bust. And 'Mothers Day' keeps things sweet and soulful, before Wynton Marsalis brings back the groove with his flugelhorn on 'Home Sweet Home'. Until recently you would have had to take out a second mortgage to get hold of Akele. And sold a kidney for the Happiness/Nwanne, Nwanne, Nwanne 12'' Kanonu released a year later. Thankfully PMG has re-issued the LP and the EP, with the CD version containing both. - Peter Moore,

When Geraldo Pino rolled into town from Sierra Leone with his Heartbeats, Nigeria had never seen anything quite like them. Slick, tight and playing the latest James Brown-style funk on the very expensive equipment, they soon had the country in their thrall. 'Made me fall right on my ass!' a chastened Fela Kuti remembered in 1982. Fans of Geraldo's disarmingly eloquent enunciation on early albums - re-issued soon by PMG - may shocked the gruff, rawer tones on Boogie Fever. The album starts with a jaunty reggae track extolling the virtues of ganja and, later, 'Dance Fever' sounds like it was recorded down in Trenchtown after Geraldo had taken a toke or two of his own advice. Even the more traditional funk tracks like 'African Hustle' have a darker, more threatening vibe. Not that that is a bad thing. Boogie Fever is the sound of consummate musician letting his hair down. Or in Geraldo's case, letting it grow into a tight afro and not bothering to watch his Ps and Qs anymore. - Peter Moore,

"Geraldo Pino came to Nigeria from Freetown in Sierra Leone in 1968 with his band THE HEARTBEATS and quickly changed the music scene completely. He was the first bandleader that brought sophistication into show business. He owned the best musical equipments, his costumes on stage was fantastic, his musicians were good looking guys with afro hair styles. His drummer then was Francis Foster who later played percussion with Paul Simon. Pino got the title of THE HARDEST WORKING MAN IN SHOW BUSINESS in Nigeria. Girls loved him. I later joined his band with new set of musicians in 1974 as a singer while he based in Kano in the north of Nigeria. To survive in Nigeria those days as a musician you have to be very good on stage and Pino was. His stagecraft was exhilarating, his costumes were dazzling, he command the band and his audience wherever he played with his dancesteps and he became an inspiration to many Musicians. He later moved to Port Harcourt where he lived and died many years ago. Though he is dead, his music lives on through his many songs and this vinyl in your hands. His memory also lived with those who watched him on stage. Ladies and gentle men, this is GERALDO PINO!"
Steve Black