Hip-Hop News

Die sechste Veröffentlichung in der Limited Dance Edition Serie präsentiert die allererste 12" Maxi Single von Anthony Emrold Phillip, besser bekannt als "Bro. Valentino". Die A-Seite 'Stay Up Zimbabwe' ist eine legendäre Shango / Orisha / Calypso Melodie aus dem Jahr 1979, die in die Karnevalszeit in Trinidad und Tobago eingedrungen ist. Bro. Valentino betäubte die Welt erneut mit 'Ah Wo (Band New Revolution)', ein Jahr später mit einer Melodie, die sich für die neue Stimmung der Inseln und den neuen Ruhm der Karibik einsetzte, die zweifellos von der grenadischen Revolution ein Jahr zuvor abgelehnt wurde. Diese erfrischenden karibischen Calypso Afro-Tunes, werden in einem wunderschönen Siebdruckcover und türkisfarbenem limitiertem Vinyl geliefert.

Limited edition triple pack of S.A. Kwaito .. previously very hard to find and unknown tracks!

European music culture has never been closed, on the contrary - it has always integrated influences from all other parts of the world. Two Tribes makes an effort to give insight in how musicians living in Europe today incorporate and transfer musical traditions particularly from the African continent into their own oeuvre.

Featured on Two Tribes are a broad range of constellations, ranging from musicians with roots in African countries who reside in Europe to collaborations between European and African artists. Musically our compilation tries to capture at least a part of the enormous diversity that contemporary music from Europe of this kind has to offer. The spectrum ranges from classical - songs' using traditional instruments from both continents to electronic productions that combine musical heritage with current club culture. Our selection can only be a musical snapshot since there is so much movement in this genre at the moment.

As you can hopefully see and hear, the leitmotif while compiling Two Tribes was to keep an eye on the ease of handling different cultural influences amongst the featured artists. It was important to us that the included music doesn´t just copy African music styles one to one but has an own handwriting and builds a bridge between the musical legacy of both continents. With all the track included, we have found a number of great examples and decided to showcase twelve of them on this first volume. The music included refers to the musical traditions of Senegal, Kenya, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Morocco, Zimbabwe and South Africa amongst others. The involved musicians are spread all over Europe, from Finland to Great Britain, Italy, England, France and Portugal to Germany.

Be it organic or electronic music, we think that all of the tracks really deserve your ear! Tobi Kirsch & Ubbo Gronewold, June 2018

Presenting the long sought after, groundbreaking and classic 1990 UK long-player finally remastered and reissued for 2018. London's Warriors Dance label was a unique operation and a pioneering London label during the late 80's acid house phenomena. Home to an assortment of DJs, MCs and soundmen, they went on to make their own original and indelible mark on the rave scene from the infamous 'Addis Ababa' studio on Harrow Road on the North-West side of the city.

A former reggae and soul studio that was instrumental to the output of influential artists like Soul II Soul and more, a steady diet of reggae, bass, hip-hop, house and techno kept their edgy, and die hard UK sound and style right at the cutting edge of the dance music underground across the globe with the top DJs and producers of the day celebrating the label.

The studio, helmed by label owner Tony 'Addis', acted as an incubator for artists whose names would go down in the history books - No Smoke, Bang The Party, The Addis Posse, Melancholy Man, Hollywood Beyond, The Housemaids and more all featured heavily on the label and contributed to its legendary output. The attitude and approach to the music was utterly and unapologetically a London thing, with heavy African and Caribbean influences also drawing on the sounds emanating from Chicago, Detroit and further afield.

Years later, and with the advent of the internet, Discogs, Youtube and any other digital platform you'd care to mention, Warriors Dance continues to be discovered and rediscovered again by curious diggers and music heads with a thirst for heavyweight tracks to play in their DJ sets. This saw the WD mythology rise again, making their records much sought after by fans from all over the world.

When 'International Smoke Signal' landed in 1990 there was nothing else quite like it in the musical landscape, the perfect sonic example of the Warriors Dance ethos and style incorporating all of the influences and grooves that made the label's output so unique, a sound heavily inspired by the preceding period in London and the UK where hip-hop, soul, reggae, rare groove and acid house were played side by side in the warehouses and empty spaces of former industrial areas. Throughout the late 1980's these often drab and dangerous places were transformed by local DJ crews like Soul II Soul and Shake 'N' Fingerpop with more to offer those looking for an open-minded party scene new places to explore, in turn switching people on to broader styles of music.

It's all in here, the heavy breakbeat driven B-boy house flavour of the album version of the classic 'Koro Koro', the Manu Dibango featuring tribal acid groove of 'International Smoke Signal' to the percussive and ultra-deep stylings of 'Oh Yes (Freedom)' the LP encapsulate a time and place yet continue to capture the imagination today.

Timeless music. There's no doubt the No Smoke project is a direct influence on the deeper, tribal house sounds around today and pioneered the afro house sound alongside 'Yeke Yeke', 'Motherland' etc as the acid house phenomenon swept the world. 'Koro Koro' is the omnipresent anthem which was broken at London clubs like Confusion by Bang The Party's Kid Batchelor and RIP which went on to blow up in New York, and was then signed by Profile Records. Hugely sampled and still played to this day.


'International Smoke Signal' fuses the otherworldly science of dub and reggae with Bronx breakbeats, synth laden ambient house excursions and the heartbeat of mother Africa with the technoid thrum of the motor city effortlessly, all while maintaining its London roots and swagger. A true dance music masterpiece. This is the first time the LP has been remastered and reissued, spread across 2 heavy slabs of high quality vinyl for maximum sonic impact. Made in conjunction with the Warriors Dance family and Tony Addis.

Special thanks to Nicky Trax & Tony Addis. - Remastered by Optimum Mastering, Bristol UK. Proudly distributed by Above Board distribution. 2018.

Cómeme delivers to you one of the freshest rhythms of 2018, recorded in Johannesburg, the new residency for the renegades of the beat. This is 'Rain' - starring Matias Aguayo and the actress, dj and singer Ayanda Seoka aka Mujaji The Rain. She's resident at the legendary Bar Kitchener's all femme 'Pussy Party', a space for feminist / queer action and dancefloor joy, right in the centre of Joburg.

Cómeme has been since some time in a serious and passionate relationship with that city. Radio Cómeme transmitted shows from there with electronica legend Felix Laband, Mpumelelo Mkatha from BLK JKS, the queer performance duo Faka, Gqom pioneers RudeBoyz and also Kwaito's legacy keeper Spleef McZaul. Matias Aguayo ventured into a beautiful collaboration with DJ Spoko, released two years ago on this label.

'Rain' is a deeply rhythmical track, inspired by the grooves that converged when Cómeme swing crossed the paths with the syncopations people in Joburg were dancing to. It has become quite clear in the recent years that elegantly shuffled triplets are marking a way to the future in dance music, especially in the southern hemisphere, no matter if you're in Durban, Rio or Santiago.

On top of this modern groove we can hear Mujaji the Rain enjoying how she gets wet under a dark and tropical sky. Laughter, joy and ecstasy is what she emanates while hypnotically involving you into this atmosphere of dense drumming and trance. (side note: Cómeme has been consequently evading the description hypnotical in press releases but this time it was unavoidable).

For further jacking fun we generously included a 'Club Mix', including more drum frenzy towards the second half of the track, and a 'Just Drums Mix' for the skilful DJ.

Side B features the jam 'Serious', which comes along with another killer beat, reminiscent of Michael Jackson or Cheri. A late-night track in which Mujaji The Rain turns into a sensual but slightly annoying creature that doesn't want to leave the dancefloor. and for sure doesn't want to go home.

We added an instrumental version to this complexly arranged tracks, which feature pianos, strings, and heavy synth bass stabs.
All tracks on this 12' are written in a 6/8 signature, which some normative DJs might shy away from, but be safe: both tracks are in 120 bpm and carry the seal of official Cómeme dancefloor approval by the label's highly respected DJs.

Rich, Deep, Percussive Soulful Folk Album From Master Togolese Singer, Akofa Akoussah.

The Album Moves Through Uptempo Afro-folk-funk On 'tango' To Deep Ballads Of 'ramer Sans Rame' And 'i Tcho Tchass' And Lighter Moments On 'g Blem Di' And 'mitso Aseye'. Akofas Exceptional Songs And Soaring Vocals Are Decorated With Percussion, Guitar Lines, Subtle Backing Vocals And Horns To Create A Unique, Rich Sonic. The Album Was Recorded For Release By French Label Sonafric In 1976. Produced By Gérard Akueson; Founder & Owner Of African Record Label, 'akue', Based In Paris.

Music Was Truly In The Blood Of Julie Akofa Akoussah. She Began Singing At The Age Of Three, Inspired And Led By Her Mother And Older Sister And Became Principal Soloist In Her School Choir, St. Peter & Paul Choir Of Our Immaculate Conception Parish Of Nyékonakpoé, At The Age Of 8. From There Her Career Blossomed, And Singing Often Took Precedence Over Her Studies. In Order To Master Her Art She Spent Time Studying And Working Closely With Local Groups Including Mélo Togo, Rocka Mambo, Rio Romamcero, Ok Fiesta, Eryco Jazz, Afro Cubano, Los Muchacho, Elégance Jazz And Togo Star Amongst Others. In Her Own Words: 'luck Opened The Door In January 1966 Where I Had The Honour Of Being Selected To Share The Stage With Bella Below - One Of The Best Voices Of

Africa - At The 1st 'negro Arts Festival' In Dakar. On My Return, I Was Approached By Ambroise Ouyi, The Highly Respected Singer & Poet, And We Wrote 'tu Ne M'écris Plus', My Very First Opus.'

The Popularity Of Her Work Led To An Increased Exposure For Togolese Music Outside Of The Country, In Neighbouring Ghana And Benin Most Notably. During Her Career She Collaborated And Performed With Greats Including Manou Djibango, Queen Pelagie, Abeti Massikini, Aycha Koné And Myriam Makeba. Akoussah Was Also Dedicated To, And Widely Recognised For, Her Work For Social Causes, Championing And Nurturing Young Musical Talent, And The Fight Against Aids. She Was President Of The National Union Of Artists Musicians Of Togo (unam) Before Sadly Passing Away In April 2007 After A Long Illness, At The Age Of 57.

Limitierte Vinyl-Wiederveröffentlichung des ektrisierenden Schlussalbums von Kameruns legendären Los Camaroes, das erstmals seit 1979 wieder auf LP erhältlich ist. "Resurrection Los" wurde live in der Mango Bar in Yaoundé aufgenommen und war die letzte Zusammenarbeit zwischen Bandleader Jean Gabari und dem bahnbrechenden Gitarristen Messi Martin. Die Neuauflage der Deluxe-LP enthält Notizen zur Geschichte der Band des Original-Keyboarder Mbambo "Johnny Cosmos" Simon sowie alle neuen Interviews mit dem Produzenten Nicolas Mongué und dem Ingenieur Emmanuel Guyssot.

Following on from Changa , Addison Groove brings a fresh edit on an afrobeat tip. The flip features long time studiomate sam binga on collaborative duties.

Nightmares On Wax Legt Eine Unglaubliche Selektion Hin, Die Dem Hörer Einblicke In Seine Innerste Gefühlswelt Und Exquisiten Geschmack Gibt. Mit Seinem Track "good Ship" Feat. Steve Spacek, Dem Remix Für Fat Freddy's Drop Sowie Den Neulingen Creative Principle Integriert Dj E.a.s.e. Drei Exclusives, Die Diese Zusammenstellung Einzigartig Machen. Ein Weiterer Kern Seines Sets Repräsentiert Mit Dem Duo Children Of Zeus (manchester), Steve Cobby (hull) Und Dem Chuggy-disco-projekt Chieftain (hull, Birmingham) Seine Nordenglische Heimat. Afro/latin/disco/funk/soul/jazz-produzenten Rund Um Den Globus Ergänzen Diese Ausnahme-kollektion: Dim Zach (griechenland) Mit Einem Phänomenalen Synth-sample (imagination "just An Illusion"), Bosq (usa/kolumbien), Massimo Vanoni (italien), Soulphiction(berlin) Und Ladi6 (neuseeland). Mit Nightmares On Wax Feiert Die Musikliebhaber-serie "back To Mine" Eine Triumphale Rückkehr Als Cd Und 180g Doppelvinyl Mit Ausführlichen Track-by-track-linernotes Vom Dj Persönlich.

Strut proudly present the brand-new studio album from Nubiyan Twist, 'Jungle Run'.

Now one of the leading lights in the UK's new generation of soulful, genre-fluid artists, the Leeds-born and now London-based 12-piece collective have created their finest recordings to date, effortlessly weaving together elements of jazz, soul, hip hop, African styles, Latin, dub, hip hop and electronics in a flow of thought-provoking and life-affirming music.

Recorded at the band's own self-built Henwood Studio in rural Oxfordshire, the album effortlessly moves through different voices from the band's circle. The inimitable, timeless vocals of Nubiya Brandon lead the way on the album's title track about breaking preconceptions and promoting equality, 'Where you from I'm from wherever I be.' Saxophonist Nick Richards vocals the killer first single from the album about inner turmoil and a search for the truth, 'Tell It To Me Slowly' while rising Ghanaian star K.O.G. appears on the Afro jams 'Basa Basa' and 'They Talk'. Percussionist Pilo Adami (Nina Miranda / Afrosamba) voices the infectious bossa-jazz jam 'Borders'. The band also draft in two African legends for guest duties with the original Afrobeat maestro Tony Allen on 'Ghosts' and Ethio jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke contributing vibes on the sinuous 'Addis To London'. 'The depth of talent and ideas that every member of this group has brought to the table for this album is incredible,'

says producer and orchestrator Tom Excell. 'Conceptually, 'Jungle Run' is all about connecting different people and cultures whilst exploring the journey of individuals. This album is the pinnacle of everything we have done to date and to collaborate with the godfathers of Afrobeat and Ethio Jazz and celebrate their music in a modern context was very humbling.'

The album is another landmark for a band that has been consistently developing their sound since their formation in 2015 at Leeds College Of Music. 'One of the biggest factors in our sound was the exciting music scene in Leeds,' explains saxman Joe Henwood. 'From a reggae night called 'Sub Dub' to venues playing whacked out experimental jazz.' Since then, the band's self-titled debut album (2015), EP 'Siren Song' (2016) and single 'Dance Inna London' (2017) have become classics in their own right and their live show has become an essential ticket; previous live highlights have included high profile slots at David Byrne's Meltdown at the South Bank and Glastonbury West Holts

'Jungle Run' is released on 15th February on CD, 2LP and digital. Cover artwork comes from acclaimed designer Marcus Davies and the album is mastered by The Carvery. Nubiyan Twist tour across Europe from November.

In 1972, Orchestre Abass released two incredible singles on Polydor. These records - featuring

Samarin Banza, Haka Dunia and other afrofunk masterpieces - were powerful enough to knock

any music head out, but it wasn't until the discovery of some unreleased material by the band that

the seeds for this project were planted.

It all happened in 2008 in Ghana. I was going through some tapes that had previously been the

property of PolyGram one of the major record companies based in west Africa. In the late 80s political

instability and curfews had paralysed the music industry forcing Polygram to close their Ghanaian

subsidiaries leaving all of their recordings behind. These recordings had been packed in boxes and

left vegetating in an Accra warehouse for three decades until I came along. To my surprise all of the

tapes looked unharmed and I was particularly relieved to hear that the Orchestre Abass tape was in

an excellent state of condition. I began fiddling around with the idea of releasing an album of the

band and that plan got an additional boost with le 'coup de grace' which had landed in the form of

an ultra rare tune called Honam discovered in Sotoboua, a small northern Togolese town in the

middle of nowhere. That find completed this selection.

I had previously discovered some similar music in Northern Benin and in Nigeria and I started

picturing an area that spread all the way from Northern Ghana to Northern Cameroon, an area I

dubbed 'The Islamic funk belt' due to the fact that Super Borgou de Parakou, Napo De Mi Amor,

Uppers International and Hamad Kalkaba just to name a few - all from that 'belt' - were groups

made up of musicians with an Islamic background. This can be felt and heard in the music and

particularly in the singing since many of the musicians had attended koranic schools and the

languages used in the songs often had Arabic elements fused in - Orchestra Abass was one of them.

With their heavy, organ-led sound combining with the deftest of musical touches, these records were

the work of a rhythmic powerhouse and we are honoured to be in a position to present the

recordings of Togo´s funkiest Band.

Unfortunately Malam Issa Abass, the founder, guitarist and organ player of the band, was killed in

1993 by a grenade thrown into his bedroom and to help me reconstruct the biography of the band I

tracked down Thon Komla, one of the band´s songwriters and Abderaman Issa, the guitar player

of the band.

All the music was licensed directly from the various composers of these songs. The vinyl is pressed on

180 High Quality Virgin Vinyl and the gatefold contains previously unseen pictures and a detailed

biography of the might band.

South African disco release. The title track 'Dance', written by Belgian composer Frank Degrijse, was released by Night Force and became a hit throughout Europe in 1980.
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In South Africa the song was released with permission at a slower tempo (the original 45rpm was 'officially' slowed down to 33rpm). Added to this are four tracks by Music Team's in-house production team the Tom Cats - including dub reworkings of recent Afrosynth releases 'Burnin Beat' and 'Searchin', here released as 'Hot Stuff' and 'Search For Love' respectively. Synth-heavy oddities 'You Are My Fire' and 'Shake Shake' make up the rest of the tracklist.

dream team of top talent he named the 22archestra, who he leads seamlessly throughout. Listeners are exposed to the full breadth of Cawthorne's technical and compositional skills, ranging from subtly meandering jazz, to hip hop, Afrobeat, Latin and exhilarating free form jazz.
The groups includes former Yussef Kamaal member Yussef Dayes on drums, Ruby Rushton bassist Fergus Ireland and producers Reginald Omas Mamode IV and Jeen Bassa on percussion.
The tracks include SV Disco', a nod to the mighty Slum Village, is a chunk of sensually-contorted disco vibes that brings on full party mode instantaneously, with the slinky bass licks and pitch-bent synthesiser recalling Roy Ayres's blissed-out funk.

'Maria' showcases Ed's roots as sample-based producer, pulling influence from around the globe to create an undulating piece of flute-led Brazilian fusion that fans of Ruby Rushton will find familiar. The eastern-inspired embellishments raise the temperature further, whilst former Yussef Kamaal member Yussef Dayes' sizzling cymbals and shuffling snare work propel the track forwards, locking down a signature 22a groove.

'Yussef's Groove' kicks off with driving drums, and each of the 22archestra enter steadily, fully utilising their virtuosic power, switching between low-slung bass, chic open piano solos and hazy electric piano.
The 22archestra was conceived after Tenderlonious was invited to record at Abbey Road Studios. The whole crew was rounded-up and the album was recorded during a single 8 hour session - a testament to their musicianship and ability to nail a take.
Personnel: Ed 'Tenderlonious' Cawthorne (flute & synth), Hamish Balfour (keys), Fergus Ireland (bass), Yussef Dayes (drums), Reginald Omas Mamode IV, Jeen Bassa, Konrad (percussion)

Presenting the first in a series of respectful and legit reissues from one of the UK's most well loved underground record labels:

London's Warriors Dance label was a unique operation and a pioneering London label during the late 80's acid house phenomena. Home to an assortment of DJs, MCs and soundmen , they went on to make their own original and indelible mark on the rave scene from the infamous 'Addis Ababa' studio on Harrow Road on the North-West side of the city. A former reggae and soul studio that was instrumental to the output of influential artists like Soul II Soul and more, a steady diet of reggae, bass, hip-hop, house and techno kept their edgy, and diehard UK sound and style right at the cutting edge of the dance music underground across the globe with the top DJs and producers of the day celebrating the label. The studio, helmed by label owner Tony 'Addis', acted as an incubator for artists whose names would go down in the history books - No Smoke, Bang The Party, The Addis Posse, Melancholy Man, Hollywood Beyond, The Housemaids and more all featured heavily on the label and contributed to its legendary output. The attitude and approach to the music was utterly and unapologetically a London thing, with heavy African and Caribbean influences also drawing on the sounds emanating from Chicago, Detroit and further afield. Years later, and with the advent of the internet, Discogs, Youtube and any other digital platform you'd care to mention, Warriors Dance continues to be discovered and rediscovered again by curious diggers and music heads with a thirst for heavyweight tracks to play in their DJ sets. This saw the WD mythology rise again, making their records much sought after by fans from all over the world.

No Smoke's 'Koro Koro' is one such record. Undoubtedly an anthem. A classic. A game-changer. It's one of those records that spread across the world on its release and in its subsequent life thereafter. Literally caned by any DJ worth his salt in 1989 and beyond, this storming, eerie and driving tribal house monster was a huge hit. Licensed and re-released time and time again, and still causing havoc on dance floors in 2018, 'Koro Koro' ushered in a new style of Afrocentric house music, something new, unique and timeless. To inaugurate this incredible reissue series we have original Warriors Dance engineer and studio wizard, Ian Tregoning's special 2018 'rewire' of the track, a faithfully updated, stripped back and reimagined version whose lithe, minimal, streamlined and spatial lines catapult this London warehouse classic deep deep into the future. A truly special remix created specially for this project.

B-side 'It's My Life' is perhaps a little less 'known' than 'Koro Koro' but it is just as deadly. Mining a different sonic furrow to the A-side this 1991 breakbeat/hip-house hybrid absolutely pummels a sound-system (in the best way). The original version saw MC Watts Noize dropping bars of wisdom about making his way in an ever confusing world across a backdrop of chopped up breaks, deep sub-bass rumbles and euphoric, angelic synth pads. The special version featured on this 12" sampler is the infamous (almost) instrumental re-edit from Beautiful Swimmer Max-D. This is the first time this version has ever been made available, having only been out there in the world as a much obsessed over Youtube upload and as one of the highlights of Beautiful Swimmers 2015 Trilogy Tapes mixtape. Super heavy, it will undoubtedly whet the appetites of those who've been screaming for a physical release.

Special mixes & edits courtesy of Ian Tregoning and Max-D. Mastered by Optimum Mastering, Bristol UK. Proudly distributed by Above Board distribution. 2018.

Presenting the first in a series of respectful and legit reissues from one of the UK's most well loved underground record labels:

London's Warriors Dance label was a unique operation and a pioneering London label during the late 80's acid house phenomena. Home to an assortment of DJs, MCs and soundmen , they went on to make their own original and indelible mark on the rave scene from the infamous 'Addis Ababa' studio on Harrow Road on the North-West side of the city. A former reggae and soul studio that was instrumental to the output of influential artists like Soul II Soul and more, a steady diet of reggae, bass, hip-hop, house and techno kept their edgy, and diehard UK sound and style right at the cutting edge of the dance music underground across the globe with the top DJs and producers of the day celebrating the label. The studio, helmed by label owner Tony 'Addis', acted as an incubator for artists whose names would go down in the history books - No Smoke, Bang The Party, The Addis Posse, Melancholy Man, Hollywood Beyond, The Housemaids and more all featured heavily on the label and contributed to its legendary output. The attitude and approach to the music was utterly and unapologetically a London thing, with heavy African and Caribbean influences also drawing on the sounds emanating from Chicago, Detroit and further afield. Years later, and with the advent of the internet, Discogs, Youtube and any other digital platform you'd care to mention, Warriors Dance continues to be discovered and rediscovered again by curious diggers and music heads with a thirst for heavyweight tracks to play in their DJ sets. This saw the WD mythology rise again, making their records much sought after by fans from all over the world.

No Smoke's 'Koro Koro' is one such record. Undoubtedly an anthem. A classic. A game-changer. It's one of those records that spread across the world on its release and in its subsequent life thereafter. Literally caned by any DJ worth his salt in 1989 and beyond, this storming, eerie and driving tribal house monster was a huge hit. Licensed and re-released time and time again, and still causing havoc on dance floors in 2018, 'Koro Koro' ushered in a new style of Afrocentric house music, something new, unique and timeless. To inaugurate this incredible reissue series we have original Warriors Dance engineer and studio wizard, Ian Tregoning's special 2018 'rewire' of the track, a faithfully updated, stripped back and reimagined version whose lithe, minimal, streamlined and spatial lines catapult this London warehouse classic deep deep into the future. A truly special remix created specially for this project.

B-side 'It's My Life' is perhaps a little less 'known' than 'Koro Koro' but it is just as deadly. Mining a different sonic furrow to the A-side this 1991 breakbeat/hip-house hybrid absolutely pummels a sound-system (in the best way). The original version saw MC Watts Noize dropping bars of wisdom about making his way in an ever confusing world across a backdrop of chopped up breaks, deep sub-bass rumbles and euphoric, angelic synth pads. The special version featured on this 12" sampler is the infamous (almost) instrumental re-edit from Beautiful Swimmer Max-D. This is the first time this version has ever been made available, having only been out there in the world as a much obsessed over Youtube upload and as one of the highlights of Beautiful Swimmers 2015 Trilogy Tapes mixtape. Super heavy, it will undoubtedly whet the appetites of those who've been screaming for a physical release.

Special mixes & edits courtesy of Ian Tregoning and Max-D. Mastered by Optimum Mastering, Bristol UK. Proudly distributed by Above Board distribution. 2018.

Cool Out Sun are an afrobeat hip hop SUPERGROUP. Made up of players who have their own things going on but still needed this focus to put this out. Made up of SENSIBLE J (REMI) and N'FA JONES (1200 TEchniques), NUI MOON (Digital Africa) and LAMINE SONKO (Public Opinion Afro Orchestra). Deep and funky!

Digging deep into the depths of African rhythms and melody , Digital Africa is pushing forward the frontiers of dance floor orientated Afro -Beats & House. Recieving heavy support from Carl Cox, Nicodemus and many more, this is destined for all time status. Perhaps the first serious AFROHOUSE rel

Ground-breaking, Classic Boogie & Disco Lp From 1979 Nigeria, Featuring 'agboju Logun'
First Official Reissue Of The Extremely Rare Full-length Album By Lagos-based Bandleader Shina Williams. Clean Copies Of The Original Currently Sell For Up To £500.
The Record Was Born In 1979 When Shina Put Biddy Wright, Fred Fisher, Saliu Alabi, Prince Bola, Tutu Shoronmu, Tunde Willimas And Several Other Decorated Nigerian Musicians - Who Played With The Likes Of Fela Kuti, Sjob Movement, Sonny Okoson, King Bucknor Amongst Others - Together To Record. The Result Is 'african Dances', A Timeless Fusion Of Afrobeat, Electronics, Boogie And Disco.
Includes His Most Well-known Song, 'agboju Logun' That Williams Knew Was Ground Breaking - I Want To Show The Whole Wide World That Africa Is Alive With Modern Musicians To Reckon With Anywhere,'. This Album Version Is A Different Mix To The Two-track 12' That Came Out Under On Earthworks, Rough Trade In 1984.
Official Mr Bongo Reissue. Replica Original Artwork. Licensed Direct From Shina Williams.

Blending influences from 1970s Nigerian Afrobeat with the deepest of street Funk, The Seven Ups are the original 7-piece party band. Expect unrestrained solos by unkempt horns over an unpretentious rhythm section whose only interest is laying it down! This their third album introduces Psych Rock elements to the grinding afroheat!.

Ukerewe is the largest inland island in Africa and can only be reached by an overpacked four-hour ferry ride on Lake Victoria. It is a place so remote that historically people often traveled there to abandon their albino children, based on the regional belief that they are in some way 'demonic.'
Eighteen members of the Standing Voice community volunteered for their first ever songwriting workshop, ranging in age from 24 to 57. But even among the willing, singing-out proved difficult, considering the group routinely avoided eye contact, rarely spoke above a whisper, and were unaccustomed to dancing.
Produced by Grammy-winner Ian Brennan (Tinariwen, Zomba Prison Project, Ramblin' Jack Elliott), the Tanzania Albinism Collective actively pushes the boundaries of what is considered Eastern African and 'world music,' while continuing to attract greater awareness and confront the dangers that the collective face daily due to prejudice and persecution at home.
For fans of: Francis Bebey, Uyghur Folk Music

Compiled By Dj, Record Collector And Label Boss Gilles Peterson, The Tastemaking Brownswood Bubblers Series Returns.

The Latest Outing For Brownswood Bubblers Follows In Typically Eclectic Fashion, Showcasing A Treasure Trove Of Fresh Talent Whose Music Spans Boogie-dripped Soul, Uk Hip-hop And Afrobeat. As Ever, It's Artists Who oat In The Orbit Of Peterson And His Brownswood Label, Featuring The Likes Of Emma-jean Thackray, Sonnymoon And Oscar #worldpeace. A Must-buy For Anyone In Search Of An Easy Primer On Some Of The Most Exciting New Names To Emerge In The Last Year.

Debuting In 2006, Along With The Founding Of The Brownswood Label Itself, The Roll-call Of Artists Who've Appeared On Brownswood Bubblers Speaks For Itself. It Boasts Alumni Like Flying Lotus, The Invisible, Hiatus Kaiyote, Dam-funk And Floating Points. A Platform For Underground Music's Rising Stars, Each Edition Is A Time Capsule Of That Year's Most Exciting Musical Discoveries.

Brownswood Recordings Is The Independent Record Label Founded By Dj, Record Collector And Broadcaster Gilles Peterson. Started In 2006, It's A Platform For New Artists And Music Creatives, As Well As An Outlet For Established Acts To Do Something Different. Restless And Open-minded, The Label Has Championed Independent, Eclectic Music From The Uk And Beyond.

The London based afro-dub ensemble Fofoulah, have followed-up their trailblazing debut album ('Fofoulah'/Glitterbeat 2014) with an even more shapeshifting and adventurous recording: Daega Rek (The Truth).

Slippery sabar beats, dystopian electronics and echoing, shamanic chants ratchet up both the dub quotient and the dramatic tension. A soundworld that is both earthy and urban, futurist and rooted.

New Damily album, tsapiky from Madgascar

Filled with songs from Madagascar in the electric guitar-driven boogie music known as ''Tsapiky''. First created in the late 1970s, tsapiky has become the required music at large family ceremonies (circumcisions, weddings, and especially, funerals),

Deep Nigerian ''Igbo highlife'', here combining Highlife with the more traditional Igbo music - guitar-based music, with rare characteristic blend of horns and vocal rhythms..
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The 1970s and 80s saw the rise of the Ukwuani style in Nigerian highlife. A funky fusion of the laidback, mellifluous guitar lines characteristic of Igbo highlife with the rugged, animated rhythm section of Edo dance music, the sound was a sensation that made stars of musicians like Rogana Ottah, Steady Arobby, King Love A.U., Bob Fred and Chief John Okpor. One of the most consistent players in this field, though, was General Franco Lee Ezute, leader of the Harmony Kings International Band.

Bongo Joe presents this deluxe reissue of Onye Kata Obia, one of the Harmony Kings' most underrated albums. Full of electrifying guitar work and intoxicating rhythms, it is sure to keep the crowd dancing!

After two visionary LPs for his own tiny Nodlew label, Weldon Irvine signed to RCA for Cosmic Vortex (Justice Divine), exploring the deeply spiritual and political terrain of his previous efforts on the kind of grand musical scale that major-label funding accommodates.

This is a big, bold record by any measure, with a startlingly pronounced focus on lyrics and vocals. At the same time, however, the melodies spread out like tentacles, informed by the improvisational sensibilities of jazz and the deep-groove spirit of funk. Jason Ankeny/AMG

"The Tribe is an extension of the tribes in the villages of Africa, our mother country. In Africa everyone had a talent to display. There were no superstars; just people and collectively all the people of the village played a vital role in shaping that culture. We see all the black communities within this country as villages and the tribes are the people residing within them. The Tribe is composed of creative artists from the Metropolitan Detroit area who have travelled extensively with many well known musicians and have returned with the intention of sharing these experiences with our people in order to broaden the cultural base in this city. They are some of the most original and creative artists in the area. We hope to bring out points, situations, and events that are happening in our communities by way of music, poetry, and dance and rapping to the people. You see pure music must reflect the environment that we live in if it is to be educational and beneficial to our culture. It must portray our way of life. At this point in our history, harmony for the most part, is not reflected in our communities. There's a lot of rebellious tension and discord, even though we have some groovy or harmonious moments along the way. There are many people within this society, black and white, who don't understand what is happening in regards to the direction the black musicians are moving toward. Our music is reflecting more so than ever before the stress, tension, and discord that is taking place within our communities along with the positive and harmonious things happening. This is evident when one listens to the music of composers like the late the late John Coltrane, Archie Shepp, Ornette Coleman, and the late Albert Ayler. These guys understand the relationship between art and culture and they took the total vibrations, positive and negative of the whole culture and served as amplifiers or speaker systems through the arts. You cannot divorce art from its root culture and expect it to be relevant for both the artist and his culture.

The compositions we play are reflective of the music of our times whereby we play Jazz, Rock, and African music with its poly or many rhythms. I wrote all the tunes on this particular L.P. and it is written as a suite in 5 movements which means that the music can be performed along with poetry and dancers. On our last L.P. called 'Message From The Tribe' we featured the compositions of our very talented composer, arranger, and trombonist Phil Ranelin. On one side he wrote all the compositions and on the flip side I wrote all the tunes. This album was produced by us on the Tribe record label. As far as the music on 'Evening With The Devil' is concerned it really speaks for itself. In addition to the music it features some relevant poetry by two very talented young poets named Oba and Vajava who are also members of a very excellent theatre group in Detroit called The Black Messengers.'

Extract from the sleeve notes of this album by Wendell Harrison.

Wendell Harrison, Tenor Sax & miscellaneous instruments / Marcus Belgrave,

Flugel Horn & miscellaneous instruments / Charles Moore, Trumpet & miscellaneous instruments / Will Austin, bass / Charles Eubanks, Electric Piano & miscellaneous instruments / Ike Daney, drums & miscellaneous instruments /

Phil Ranelin, trombone & miscellaneous instruments / Poetry by the Black Messengers, Oba and Vajava

Repress.

Continuing the Cape Verde series Mar & Sol bring this fantastic masterpiece of an LP 'Nha D'stine' from the legendary singer Américo Brito and his band Djarama. Includes insert. TIP!


Originally recorded in 1983 on a private press by Américo Brito , and now in 2018 we bring it back to life with the stamp of our label, from Mar & Sol records to all the world.

On People of the Sun, Strickland blazes down that trail fully at the helm of his music—performing, writing, and producing with his outrageously able Twi-Life band on deck—even as he sonically and socially traces the African diaspora from present to past in an effort to unpack his identity. "I'm thinking about where we came from," says Strickland, "and how that clashes and goes hand in hand with what we've created here as Black Americans." The result is an album that's busy and beautiful, inventive and contemplative, an amalgam of influences from West Africa (griot culture, Afrobeat, percussion) and America (post-bop, funk-soul, beat music) performed in the key of revelation. Another facet that sets the album part is Strickland's lesser-known woodwind obsession with the bass clarinet, which adds its noirish hues to so many of these songs.

Marvelous Nigerian boogie LP with that raw characteristic lo-fi feel - Nkono Teles on keys and Odion Iruoje on the production.

About The library Tool Kit' Series The New Sub-label From Wncl Recordings Features 12 Short tools' Per Release, For Use On Discotheque Sound Systems And Home Stereos Alike. Released On 10' Vinyl With Digital To Follow At A Later Date

About This Record Jane In Palma (the Artist Previously Known As Don Froth / One Half Of Bato Bato) Graces The Tool Kit Series With A Selection Of Jazz And Latin Cuts And A Flip Side Full Of Live Conga Jams

Long before the rise in interest in African music, British electronica producer Bob Holyroyd was making tracks rich in traditional instrumentation. "African Drug" is, undoubtedly, the most famous of these. Originally released as a single in 1994, the intensely melodious, Steve Reich-esque work has been remixed numerous times over the years. This latest edition arrives on Joaquin "Joe" Clausell's Sacred Rhythm label, with profits going to charities that work to save Africa's endangered Rhino. The A-side contains a freshly mixed and re-mastered version of Holroyd's brilliant original - which brilliantly increases in intensity with the addition of tribal drums two thirds of the way through - with a more percussive, pleasingly hallucinogenic Clausell remix on the flip. In a word: essential.

Claussell returns to his African trove LP from 2015 Makussa and gives one of its many highlights "Walondo" two more fresh chapters on this limited 45". Still as powerful, spiritual and uplifting, it now comes with a Vokal version where the golden harmonies purr through the mix to sit right centre pew while his Sacred Rhythm stamp can be found coded into the euphoric drive and relentless dancefloor uplift on the B. Beautiful.

The Congo has given us many excellent guitar players, but only one of them earned the nickname 'Dieu de la Guitare'. With this compilation, made in collaboration with Ignace Mukendi (Comité de Gestion des Oeuvres Musicales de Docteur Nico) and the children of Docteur Nico, Planet Ilunga recalls the life and musical career of guitar player and band leader Docteur Nico. Nicolas Kasanda wa Mikalayi stood for over 20 years at the forefront of Congolese rumba. Backed through his whole career by his older brother Dechaud, Nico introduced numerous innovations to Congolese rumba such as a remarkable take on Dominican merengue, the use of the Hawaiian guitar, the introduction of new rhythms and dances such as the kiri-kiri and kono, and especially the shimmering, electrified modern versions of traditional tunes from his native Kasai. Thirty-three years after his death, we remember him as the most gifted guitar soloist of Congo. This anthology consists of an original selection of 26 exquisite songs, made between 1954 and 1970 with the groups African Jazz, Rock-a-Mambo, African Jazz Aile Nico, African Fiesta and African Fiesta Sukisa, many of them reproduced for the first time and mostly taken from the original 78 rpm or 45 rpm shellac/vinyl. The album is released on September 22, 2018, a symbolic date since it will be exactly thirty-three years after the early death of Nico in Brussels (1939 -1985).

Ein sanftes, geschmeidiges und elegantes Album, das sich schwer greifbar der
Erdhaftung verweigert.
Gérald Toto wurde 1967 in Frankreich geboren. Seine Eltern stammen aus Martinique und besaßen eine
große Vinylsammlung mit amerikanischem Soul, afrokaribischer Tanzmusik, kongolesischem Soukous und
Makossa aus Kamerun. In den 1990ern wuchs Toto zu einem kühnen Musikabenteurer heran, der
atmosphärisch-experimentelle Alben herausbrachte und mit so unterschiedlichen Künstlern wie dem
algerischen Raï-Sänger Faudel, Nouvelle Vague und dem Elektro-Futuristen Smadj kooperierte. "Sway"
nimmt uns sanft, geschmeidig und melodisch mit auf eine imaginäre Reise in eine Welt des Innehaltens und
der Beobachtung, eine Welt, in der der frenetische Krawall der Moderne zu einem sanften Säuseln wird.
Dabei scheinen Totos Songs aus einer nie versiegenden Quelle frischer Luft und Sonnenscheins zu
schöpfen, die den Hörer in eine zeitlose Träumerei versetzen. Gute Musik lässt sich nur schwer bis gar nicht
kategorisieren, und so präsentiert sich das Album als Mischung aus akustischem Folk, Jazz, Soul, Pop und
Blues mit kosmopolitischen Ecken und Kanten aus Creole- und karibischen Anklängen. Dem Rhythmus des
Lebens leiht der Meister des Understatements seine lyrische Stimme. Sie flüstert und vibriert mit einer
eleganten Eloquenz auf Englisch sowie in frei erfundenen Sprachen.