Hip-Hop News

Reissue of 1969 album by Guy Warren, also known as Kofi Ghanaba (4 May 1923-22 December 2008), a Ghanaian musician, best known as the inventor of Afro-jazz. By adding Ghanaian percussion instruments to American jazz music, Kofi Ghanaba integrated African and American musical sounds to create the genre Afro-jazz.

Kharifa is the brand new album by Malian singer-songwriter Habib
Koité. Koité is known primarily for his unique approach to playing the guitar by tuning it on a pentatonic scale and playing on open strings as one would on a kamale n’goni. Kharifa is Koité’s sixth album perfectly encapsulates how he fuses elements of folk, blues, flamenco to create an engaging new sound… familiar but absolutely alien. Koité’s vocal style is intmate and relaxed, emphasising calm, moody singing rather than operatc technical
prowess. Kharifa was created with the support of some guests such as Toumani Diabaté, Amy Sacko, Sekou
Bembeya Kouyate guitar maestro, M’Bouillé and CT Koite.
The sound of Mali, with it’s rich and diverse musical traditons and
instruments (ngoni, flute, kora, doun doun ...) permeate the ttles that make up this superb project.
The original compositons and covers that form the backbone of this new album reflect the griot’s open spirit, his willingness to travel through the rich Malian heritage. With more than 400,000 albums sales, and more than 1,700 concerts around the world, Koité has built, step by step, an exemplary career, always with a foot frmly rooted in its culture.
“I’m curious about all the music, but I play Malian music,” he has said. “In my country, we have so many rhythms and beautful melodies. I travel everywhere in the Malian musical heritage and my goal is to enhance all these traditons by integratng them into my music."

Four albums in, the convenient and generalized catchphrase for Here Lies Man’s erudite sound — if Black Sabbath played Afrobeat — might seem a little played out. But Ritual Divination is perhaps the best rendering of the idea so far. Particularly on the Sabbath side of the equation: The guitars are heavier and more blues based than before, but the ancient rhythmic formula of the clave remains a constant.
“Musically it’s an opening up more to traditional rock elements,” says vocalist/guitarist/ cofounder Marcos Garcia, who also plays guitar in Antibalas. “It’s always been our intention to explore. And, as we travelled deeper into this musical landscape, new features revealed themselves.”

The L.A. based band comprised of Antibalas members have toured relentlessly following their breakout 2017 self-titled debut. Their second album, You Will Know Nothing and an EP, Animal Noises, both followed in 2018. Third album No Ground To Walk Upon emerged in August 2019. All of them were crafted by Garcia and cofounder/drummer Geoff Mann (former Antibalas drummer and son of jazz musician Herbie Mann) in their L.A. studio between tours. Ritual Divination is their first album recorded as the full 4-piece band, including bassist JP Maramba and keyboardist Doug Organ.
Ritual Divination continues with an ongoing concept of HLM playing the soundtrack to an imaginary movie, with each song being a scene. “It’s an inward psychedelic journey, the album is the trip,” Garcia says. “The intention and purpose of the music is to create a sonic ritual to lift the veil of inner space and divine the true nature of reality.”

Likewise, musically and sonically, the album is self-reflexive. “On this album the feel changes within a song,” Garcia says. “Whereas before each song was meant to induce a trancelike state, now more of the songs have their own arc built in.” Similarly, the guitar sounds themselves herein eschew the fuzz pedals of previous recordings, going for the directness of pure amp overdrive and distortion using an interconnected rig of 4 amplifiers. And, here, the well-versed live band is able to record as a unit, giving it much more of a live and dynamic feel.

Rough Trade named the band’s self-titled debut in their prestigious Top 10 Albums of 2017. BBC 6 & Classic Rock Magazine deemed it among the year’s best, as well as countless other press outlets singing its praises. Each subsequent album furthered the band’s reputation for genre-smashing rhythmic experimentation, topping many year-end lists as well as earning features from countless metal and indie rock outlets, plus cover stories in weekly papers.
“We’re very conscious of how the rhythms service the riffs,” Garcia explains. “Tony Iommi’s (Black Sabbath) innovation was to make the riff the organizing principle of a song. We are taking that same approach but employing a different organizing principle: For Iommi it was the blues, for us it comes directly from Africa.”
Ritual Divination will be available on LP, CD and download on January 22nd, 2021 via RidingEasy Records.

Rooted in the New Orleans tradition and the essence of hip hop, Hip Horns Brass Collective unleashes its powerful sound in KREWE, their debut album. KREWE takes the brass band genre beyond its boundaries, diving into the underground with danceable rhythms like boombap and bounce, full of influences such as afrobeat, gospel and funk. The lyrics, filled with references to hip hop culture, flow in an explosive mix of English, Spanish, and Catalan, sharing their love for the tradition of rap and African American music. KREWE is a manifesto of the positive side of hip hop, a tribute to the unstoppable strength of the collective that a brass band represents in contrast to the solitude of the individual, and a homage to the legacy of hip hop and the vibrant tradition of New Orleans

Exclusive Edit by Beastie Boys’ legend, Mike D of the electronic-African club banger track ‘Nissodia’.

'Legend' is lofty praise that is often used lightly, however, Mike D from the Beastie Boys certainly is one in the truest of spirits. We are delighted after over 30 years of being involved in music to finally release a project involving such a hip-hop pioneer and icon as Mike. In keeping with the maverick attitude of the Beastie Boys, you don't always get what you expect. For this release there isn't a hip-hop beat, instrumental-funk or hardcore-punk joint in sight, rather an electronic-African club banger.

Mike took it upon himself to rework Malian artists Idrissa Soumaoro and L'Eclipse De L'I.J.A. and their track ‎’Nissodia', which is taken from the 'Le Tioko-Tioko' album originally released in 1978 on the German Democratic Republic (GDR) label ETERNA. The song was also featured on 'The Original Sound Of Mali' compilation released on Mr Bongo back in 2017.

It was November 2019 and the day before a Mr Bongo 30 years celebration event in Paris at the Pedro party in the 'New Morning' club, when out of the blue the remix landed in Dave Mr Bongo's inbox. We loved it straight away and decided to road test it the next night in the club. Whether it be a remix/re-edit/rework, it doesn't matter, what does matter is that it works spectacularly in the club and had people jumping on the stage to dance at the party. A sensational track and one which leaves a beautiful memory of good-times from a night out in Paris (and one which is in retrospect is even more poignant as the late-great maestro Tony Allen was in the club that night), and we are sure it will light up many more dancefloors to come.

When first released on limited edition tape in 2018, Les Experience electro Maloya was the first ever compilation of Jako Maron's plugged-in updates of the traditional, politicized form of folk music from Réunion, a tiny island off the coast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Like séga, Réunion's other main musical style, Maloya's origins can be traced back to African slaves and indentured Indian workers. But unlike séga, Maloya's stripped down drum 'n bow rhythms and call-and-response vocals, which were originally used as ritual mediations as far back as the 17th C., have become a form of protest music favoured by the island's creole population in the 1900's, leading it to be banned during the '70s because of its associations with the Communist party. Jako Maron's electro Maloya instrumentals are perhaps less explicitly politicised, yet they still carry the charge of eons of encrypted ritual thru their geometric designs and inexorable dancefloor traction. In 11 parts, Maron uses modular synthesis and drum machines to mutate and relay Maloya's meaning for the island modern indigenous population as well as users far beyond the island. This new vinyl edition includes four previously unreleased tracks from the same period. The results are some of the canniest, most infectious recordings we've heard from this region of the world, all generally (but not exclusively) working with slow tempos and a range of humid, piquant, and hypnotic synth lines that lend the sound to strong comparison with everything from Equiknoxx's mutant dancehall thru the current Flex sound outta NYC, to the sorta crooked dembow fusions explored by Brian Piñeyro (DJ Python/DJ Wey) and that recent Drew McDowell X Hiro Kone EP, or even the acid modulations of his Belgian namesake, Ro Maron

The pioneering Congolese guitarist best known for the song "Masanga," this is the first compilation ever dedicated to Jean-Bosco Mwenda! Perhaps the greatest influence on central and eastern African guitarists, Jean-Bosco created a totally unique approach to the acoustic guitar in the 1950s, which caught like wildfire across the continent. Featuring 12 rare songs of beautiful, complex fingerstyle guitar & Mwenda's warm voice, and 2 beloved classics - all restored from original 78 RPM discs. Includes an insert with full lyric translations.

The members of the Peruvian psychedelic folk-pop band
Kanaku y el Tigre never thought that what started as a fun
project among friends would become one of the most
acclaimed bands in Latin America. Their first single,
"Bicicleta", was made without the pressure of trying to fit
into the local scene. This attitude fueled the creativity with
which they managed to create an important space for
themselves in the local music scene. "Bicicleta" is the city
of Lima, the constant search for an identity, the illusion,
the monsters, the carbon monoxide, the belonging and the
absence.

The indie folk and experimental pop group Kanaku y el
Tigre has a 15-year artistic career and is considered one of
the most influential contemporary bands in the Latin
American music scene.

The band has been part of festivals such as Rock al Parque
and Estéreo Picnic in Colombia, Vive Latino in Mexico, Río
Babel in Madrid, Primavera Sound in Barcelona, and has
toured in other countries such as Argentina, France, and
Chile.

Additionally, they have shared the stage with
Aterciopelados and collaborated with Jorge Drexler, Kevin
Johansen, Miki Gonzáles, Leonor Watling, among other
renowned musicians from Latin America.

In 1974, a brash young designer called Augustus Kerry Taylor had an idea. He'd gather together the hottest musicians in Ghana and record an album of the heaviest and funkiest sounds coming out of America. And this time, he wouldn't just design the cover, like he'd done with Fela Kuti, he'd even release it on his new label, Emporium, as well. Local Accra legends Joe Wellington, Jagger Botchway, Leslie Addy, Officer Toro, Oko Ringo, Soldier and Steve answered the call. They were christened the Kelenkye Band and gelled immediately. Moving World, is a funky, disparate album that exudes a rare warmth, enthusiasm and togetherness. 'Moving World' and 'Brotherhood of Man' are hard, grinding funk. 'Jungle Music' has a more soulful groove. There's also a bit of reggae, 'Dracula Dance', and old-skool highlife, 'Wale Tobite'. Accra's leading DJ, Charlie Sam, declared his mind 'well and truly boggled.' The Kelenkye Band never recorded another album. Augustus Kerry Taylor shut down Emporium and went back to designing album covers. But in Moving World they delivered a perfect moment of funk alchemy that has rightly become the Holy Grail of 70's Ghanian groove. - Peter Moore / Licensed by the bandleaders and songwriters of the album, Joe Wellington and Jagger Botchway.

For Fans Of… Lee Fields, Thee Lakesiders, Durand Jones. B-side is exclusive to this 7-inch and will not be on LP. EU tour in May 2019. “Catch Me I’m Falling” featured in prominent Bose ad all fall of 2018. The lead single that kicked off Kelly's solo career. Ultra sweet, super mellow, just one of the most tender moments on Kelly Finnigan's solo LP The Tales People Tell. Utilizing the pocket playing of Max and Joe Ramey from The Ironsides, Kelly's falsetto shines bright for all to hear. Also Available From Kelly Finnigan: The Tales People Tell (Colemine Records LP/CD).

For our 7th release, we present our first 12” EP featuring music by London based producer and DJ Koichi Sakai, a well-known head in London music circles thanks to his role in co-founding the legendary Afrobeat Vibration nights alongside Dele Sosimi. In collaboration with Ghanaian percussionist and singer Afla Sackey (Afrik Bawantu), this project sees Koichi mixing African percussion instruments and themes with synths and drum machines.

The A Side features the dancefloor workout ‘Jingo’, a fresh take on Babatunde Olatunji’s original featuring vocals and percussion by Afla Sackey and guitar by Mao Yamada, with Koichi on synths and drum machine.


On the B Side, ‘Wono’, the title track from Koichi’s debut LP, gets the remix treatment by Osunlade (Yoruba Soul) who takes Afla’s lead vocals and a few percussion elements and turns it into a stripped-down, hypnotic dancefloor monster. On B2, Venezuela producer Pocz aka Carlos Mayoral creates a funked up, latinized version of the original featuring a brand new bassline and jazzy synths.

This Vinyl and digital EP comes as a lead up to Koichi’s first LP, ‘Wono’, to be released towards the end of 2019, It comes housed in our 12” company sleeve designed by Ese in Mexico and is mastered by Frank Merritt at The Carvery.

Das Afro-Jazz-Kollektiv aus London, Kokoroko, mit der ersten Dosis neuer Musik seit der "Could We Be More Remixes" EP, mit der es erstmals die britischen Top 40 erreichte. Kernstück ist die neue Single "Three Piece Suit" mit Azekel (Arbeitstitel: "Get The Message"), eine herzerwärmende Hommage an die Erfahrungen nigerianischer Einwanderer, mit einem warmen, satten und üppigen Sound. In den gemütlich arrangierten Grooves knistert ein subtiler Hauch von Funk, der dem Afrobeat- und Jazz-Sound der Band neue Dimensionen verleiht, die an Cymande erinnern. Die Instrumentierung wird zusätzlich durch eine brasilianische Nasenflöte und schwindlig klingenden Synth-Lines verwöhnt, die die Zuhörer in die Vergangenheit versetzen.

"I wanted to talk about what I know best, which life from my perspective" Rébecca M’Boungou is not unaware of the universal part of her mixed race life so many upheavals, splendors, melancholies, pleasures or pains present in this century.Kolinga tells much more than the musical adventure of a dark-skinned country girl from southwestern France who expresses herself in French, English and Lingala on a music which drawsfrom pop, Congolese rumba, jazz, soul, song, hip hop...

Kolonel Djafaar’s ‘Cold Heat’ packs a mighty punch, combining the irresistible charm of Ethio jazz and psych rock with the power of a big band brass section, that has made them a formidable live force across Belgium. As they come into their own cinematic sound, now is the time for them to be enjoyed more widely, thanks to masters of exotic groove, Batov Records.

Kolonel Djafaar’s debut release for Batov is an all-killer-no-filler EP. On "Bactrian Camel’’ the four-man brass section picks up a thundering groove, only for the organ-led rhythm section to answer with their own snaking retort. Joris Wendelen’s electric guitar riffing adds a further Middle Eastern flavour to the stew. Written by trombonist Willem De Mol, who delivered the song after two months alone in Russia, "Lamentation" continues the Ethio vibe with a little
Latin panache. The brass-led tone here is mysterious, the melody lingers. An almost surf-esque guitar solo transports the listener before the main groove on organ and brass recalibrates us to the solid rhythm.

Comparable to, but distinct from, The Budos Band and The Comet is Coming, the low-slung sounds of "Recording 68" in particular reveal Kolonel Djafaar coming into their own. The tempo drops, emphasizing the depth of the groove. The EP is appropriately closed in cinematic style on "The Heist". The pace picks up. Drums of death, in the mode of DJ Shadow or Unkle, hold up the distorted synths and that sharpest of horn sections. A song ready for the dirtiest of chase scenes. "Cold Heat" is suitably titled. Fast or slow, killer grooves that will take no prisoners. A taste of Kolonel Djafaar’s power on stage and the clearest picture yet of their direction in sound.

Having built a loyal local Antwerp following off of the success of their 2019 debut self released album, ‘Forgotten Kingdom’, and growing reputation for electrifying stage performances, Kolonel Djafaar achieved worldwide recognition in 2021 for the ‘Cold Heat’ EP on Batov Records, attracting praise from Music Is My Sanctuary (“triumphant), and support from Gideon Coe on BBC 6 Radio Music, and DJs across Worldwide FM, Soho Radio, Le Mellotron, and KEXP.

The group overcame busy schedules and frequent quarantine periods to hit the studio in February 2022 to lay down four tracks. However, the creative itch persisted, leading to an intense writing session in August, deep in the heart of a tranquil forest. From noon until midnight, the band immersed themselves in the creative process, embracing the freedom to make noise without restraint.

Fueled by hearty breakfasts, unwavering focus, and the ambient clucking of chickens roaming the studio, Kolonel Djafaar crafted the majority of ‘Getaway’. This period marked a pivotal shift as a number of new band members joined just in time for the August sessions.

Membership changes, including Emiel Lauryssen joining on trumpet, alongside guitarist Philip Matthhijnssens, the band's palette has broadened and new sounds are able to break through. From psychedelic rock and soul influence of the Daptone Records’ affiliated Budos Band, surf rock (“Urban Dweller”), Morricone Spaghetti Western guitar, and Afro Cuban (“Kelmendi”), alongside the brassy Afrobeat and Ethio jazz vibes the group have been known for.

The broader dynamics of ‘Getaway’, and the band’s more cinematic and experimental approach, is particularly apparent on "Siren’s Glitch" and "Phil’s First Tear". The latter, first conceived by drummer Anton Van Hove, features the lead guitar doubling up with the bass guitar for added impact. Whilst the origins of "Convoi Exceptionnel", a brass & synths stomper of a march, trace back to a jam session during the band's Hungarian tour, another vital period of prolonged time together, capturing the organic essence of their experiences on the road.

Each track on ‘Getaway’ holds a unique connection to at least one band member, and all benefit from a collaborative approach to songwriting. "Sparking Clover'', an Ethio-inspired psych & soul groover penned by tenor saxophonist Doyin Smith, carries a poignant undertone inspired by personal loss, while psych rock leaning tracks like "Apologies in Advance" showcase the band's evolution and increasing professionalism in crafting a distinct sonic experience.

The curious cover art depicts a lone individual heading down an empty city street towards a large mysterious glowing object, evoking the common emptiness and struggle of urban life, and the search for meaning or just something better. The band envision the object to represent this album, offering a beacon to like-minded listeners. Kolonel Djafaar invite music enthusiasts on an immersive journey, to ‘Getaway’ from the daily grind of life, on an album reflecting diverse influences and marking a new chapter in their musical exploration.

'360°’ is the second record from Kongo-Jazz outfit, Kongo Dia Ntotila. The 10-track album pays homage to some of Africa’s finest dance music styles - revived, urbanised, and seamlessly fused with a heavy injection of jazz. The ensemble consists of Mulele Matondo (bass), John Kelly (guitar), Mbouta Kissangwa (drums), Diala Sakuba (guitar) and UK jazz horn players William Scott (saxophone) and Mike Soper (trumpet).

BBC 6 Music's Tom Robinson described them as “totally authentic - as good as anything you get coming out of Africa… a great combination of sophistication, energy, musicianship, and sheer life-affirming spiritual uplift!” ‘360°’ is all of those things and more. In the title track, Kongo Dia Ntotila explores the urban sound of African London, inspired by the current new jazz scene of the UK capital, it’s grungy, joyful and funked up. There is the pain of ‘Naleli’, a song that laments the suffering of Africa with a Jazz-Reggae sound. The joyful fusion of album opener, ‘Kongo’, as Kinshasa collides with London Jazz in a celebration of Congolese roots. The album sees the band move collectively through the sounds and styles of Africa exploring notes of joy, celebration, pain, and protest. Although Kongo Dia Ntotila has brought Jazz and Blues influences into their music, the heart of their sound is rooted firmly in the motherland.

Get ready to dance your way through an intense, immersive and a seriously fun musical journey. With something for everyone, from dance floor divas to masterful musicians, ‘360’° will be appreciated for its catchy tunes as much as its technical artistry and sheer
innovation. 

Konkolo Orchestra is a Zürich/Switzerland based project initiated by multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer Alexis Malefakis. With strong jazzy afrobeat and highlife references, Konkolo Orchestra pays homage to musical innovators such as Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Tony Oladipo Allen, Ebo Taylor and many more.

This first album continues the warm, vibrant, percussive motif of the hugely popular "Blue G." single of 2022. For those who like their music to inspire journey and movement, this album is the equivalent of gatecrashing a wedding party where even granny can get her groove on.

Malefakis is hardly rewriting the afrobeat textbook here, but his production charms the listener with a confident mastery of the genre. His compositions have a distinct personality and a tight structure, and are peppered with a talented array of guest vocalists: Nongoma (South Africa), Sir Frank Karikari (Ghana) and Kitio Batola (Congo); alongside Eric Owusu (Ghana) on percussion. The uplifting lyrics and joyful melodies are held together by a powerhouse horn section bearing all the swinging hallmarks of a highlife fanfare.

Deeply funky and syncopated, Malefakis has produced a motivational winter warmer for both feet and spirit.

Konkolo Orchestra ist das Züricher Projekt des Multiinstrumentalisten und Produzenten Alexis Malefakis und mit seinen jazzigen Afrobeat- und Highlife-Referenzen eine Hommage an Innovatoren wie Fela Kuti, Tony Allen und Ebo Taylor. Das Debütalbum 'Future Pasts' setzt das warme, lebendige, perkussive Motiv der beliebten 2022er Single 'Blue G' fort. Malefakis beherrscht das Afrobeat-Genre souverän, seine Tracks haben einen ausgeprägten Charakter, Struktur und fröhliche Melodien und featuren talentierte Gastsänger wie Nongoma (Südafrika), Sir Frank Karikari (Ghana) und Kitio Batola (Kongo), neben Eric Owusu (Ghana) an den Drums.

KUTU is the brainchild of revered French violinist and composer Théo Ceccaldi - a stalmart of the European improvised music scene - and Addis-Ababa based singers Hewan Gebrewold and Haleluya Tekletsadik. Following a first impressive round of shows and festivals all over France, KUTU are ready to take the world by storm with their astonishing debut album Guramayle (which both stands for ‘bilingual’ and ‘black and white’) due this fall. Unleashing hypnotic and trance-heavy grooves, thanks to a forceful rhythm section, cosmic keyboard lines and stellar vocal performances, KUTU merges the freedom of jazz, the immediacy of dance music and the incomparable depth of the Azmari sounds.

Following up on the massive success of Lee Fields recently released full length "It Rains Love" we drop another 45 for the DJs and collectors. This time showing off two different sides of Lee & The Expressions range. The A side "Wake Up" is Lee's heavy duty, drum driven, anthemic tune for the times. Fields calls out the highly over-used and abused term of the current presidency "fake news." Over a hard as nails sound bed courtesy of The Expressions he goes on asking people to wake up and not let this propaganda sway them from knowing what is right and wrong. The B side "You're What's Needed In My Life" is a gushing testament to the beauty of love. Solidifying his title as the Professor of Love it's almost like he's writing your girl's valentine for you. Going beyond how happy the woman he is singing to makes him and telling of how she makes everyone she meets happier. This two-sider is about as classic as possible, a heavy duty funk banger on the A side, and nothing but love on the ballad B side. Another classic and timeless offering from the one and only Lee Fields.

Strut Records proudly presents a new reissue of the original Afrobeat classic Low Profile (Not For The Blacks), recorded and composed by Afrika 70 saxophonist and bandleader Lekan Animashaun and produced by Fela Kuti. After years touring the world as Fela’s baritone saxophonist, Animashaun stepped forward to lead the legendary Egypt 80 band following Tony Allen’s departure, remaining the group’s musical director until Fela’s death in 1997. He continued on subsequent tours with Seun Kuti until 2016. Lekan began recording his only solo project, Low Profile, in 1977. The album was composed and recorded across sessions at home in Nigeria and on tour with Fela, who both produced the recordings and added keyboards to the album’s title track. ‘Low Profile (Not For The Blacks)’ referenced a government campaign during the country’s 1970s oil boom: “It was inspired by a speech by Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s military Head of State, when he urged black people to keep a low profile about their wealth and not to behave in a vulgar, arrogant way,” explains Lekan. “I argued that low profile is not just for the blacks, as everyone is human, regardless of race.” On the flip side, the simmering Afrobeat anthem ‘Se Rere’ (which translates as ‘Do Right’) delivers Animashaun’s message of living with integrity: do right, and you will reap what you sow.

The song later became the band’s opening number during Fela’s live performances both in Nigeria and internationally throughout the 1980s and ’90s. Despite recording beginning almost two decades earlier, Low Profile did not receive an official release until 1995, when it finally surfaced on Fela’s Kalakuta label. One of only a handful of albums led by core members of Kuti’s band, Low Profile captures a pivotal moment in Afrobeat history. Over time, the original has become a rare and highly sought-after record, and this new reissue places the spotlight back on a modest but influential Nigerian legend. Strut’s reissue features the complete original artwork, is fully remastered by The Carvery, and includes brand new liner notes by Lekan Animashaun himself.

Born Luedji Gomes Santa Rita in 1987 in Salvador, the Bahian capital in Brazil’s north east, she was named “Luedji” by her parents in homage to a

queen of the Lunda people of Congo and Angola. As Luedji says: “There’s a reason I have an African name. My parents are part of the black militancy

movement and designed their children as fighting weapons.” Initially Luedji intended to continue along the path of her parents’ political

work and graduated in Law. But she also studied music at the Federal University of Bahia, and ultimately its lure proved too strong. She moved to Sao Paulo

where in 2016 she released the single “Um Corpo No Mundo” (body in the world). YouTube popularity ensured an album would follow, and in 2017 this

provided her with a further hit in the Ax (pronounced ash ) styled “Banho De Folhas” (bath of leaves). With its distinctive African guitar motive, courtesy of

guitarist Francois Muleka, it became popular among DJs, and at last count has received four official remixes.

The album was produced by Sebastian Notini from Sweden who worked on Oumou Sangare‘s “Mogoya” album, and among others has produced Tigan

Santana and Virginia Rodriguez from Bahia. Its reception combined with Luedji’s powerful presence resulted in a slew of awards, not least the Afro 2017

(Premio Nacional de Express es Culturais Afro-brasileiras), and the ‘Revelation’ categories of both the Caymmi (Premio Caymmi de M sica) in 2017 and at Sao

Paulo’s SIM convention in 2018. Luedji is currently working on a new album where she wants, without abandoning

her political stance in any way, “to sing about affection, about the experience of love. I waited a long time for a romantic love that would come on

a white horse ... (and) today I have a happy loving relationship with a black woman.” This year, 2019, sees Luedji’s first international concerts, and Sterns

Music are proud to release her much-lauded debut album in support of the European tour, and help bring Brazil’s Bahian resurgence to the attention of a

wider audience.

During the course of his career, the legendary creator of Afrobeat Fela Kuti used his music to lament social injustices and political corruption in his native Nigeria. His music, a compelling blend of American funk and West African highlife, often locked into spellbinding grooves that seemed to go on forever. Yet that was the point: to fall deep into the rhythm and dance away the hardship. While this impacted Nigeria and the entire world, it also affected Fela’s son Femi and his son Made, both of whom carry his legacy as torchbearers for change. On February 5th 2021, Partisan Records, home to Fela’s catalog, will release two albums from Femi and Made — both very much in the tradition of Fela’s music, but with different scopes. Femi’s album, Stop The Hate, radiates the unique Afrobeat sound that he has forged throughout his long career, affirming the sharply political conviction that his father would’ve claimed in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Made’s album, For(e)ward, is a modern and progressive freedom manifesto, pushing boundaries of the subgenre even further. Made also performs every instrument on the album. Together they will be packaged into a double album called Legacy + that, when taken as a whole, bolsters the rich musical heritage of the Kuti name. Yet this isn’t just about honoring Fela, it’s also personal for Femi and Made, a father and son with deep creative synergy. Most importantly, the project finds these men coming together in the name of family. “This is probably the most important part of my life right now,” Femi says. “I’m happy because he’s not copying me. He has found his voice. What other joy could a father want than to experience this in his lifetime?”

aLike some “Dream from Africa”, Yelema is a journey that wanders where the mood takes it, travelling a kind of enchanted universe where the

whole world, from the blues of the Delta to the arabesques of the oriental traditions, might have been invited to come and renew its strengths at the

springs and wells represented by the purest, most authentic music of Mali. At once both playful and poetic, and transcended by the inimitable voice of

Mamani Keita, this little gem of intelligence and music propels the music of Mali into the 21st century. Yelema has the audacity to telescope all kinds of styles,

all kinds of cultural hybridization, without ever ceasing, not even for the slightest instant, to humbly belong to the thousand-year-old gestures of the most authentic African music.

After releasing his Soul Makossa in 1972, Manu Dibango recorded that same year a musical monster both strange and majestic: Africadelic. Africadelic is a pure groovy pearl echoing James Brown or Isaac Hayes, who mixes Afro-Soul, Funk and Jazz, all against a background of Latin percussions nuanced by Rock guitars and a Soul organ.

Born in a nomad camp in Niger and now a leading figure of desert rock, Mdou Moctar stands out as the most innovative artist in contemporary Saharan music. His unconventional interpretations of Tuareg guitar have pushed him to the forefront of a crowded scene. In contrast to polished “world music” fare, Mdou trades in unrelenting grit and has no qualms about going full shred. A long time coming, “Ilana” is Mdou’s first true studio album. Recorded in Detroit at the tail end of a US tour by engineer Chris Koltay (who met after bonding over ZZ Top’s “Tres Hombres”), Mdou lived in studio for a week, playing into the early hours and accompanied by an all-star band: Ahmoudou Madassane’s (Les Filles de Illighadad) lighting fast rhythm guitar, Aboubacar Mazawadje’s machine gun drums, and Michael Coltun’s structured low-end bass. The result is Mdou’s most ambitious record to date, taking tradition into into an ever louder and blistering direction. From the rock anthem “Tarhatazed,” to the Van Halen tapping of “Kamane Tarhanin,” “Ilana” stands amongst the greats of classic rock, albeit accidentally. “I don’t know what rock is, I have no idea,” he says, “I only know how to play my style.” Also Available From Mdou Moctar: Sousoume Tamachek LP/CD, Akounak Tedalat Taha Tazoughai LP, Afelan LP…

Melvin Ukachi needs little introduction, the Lagos (Nigeria) based vocalist and bandleader is a living legend. Melvin is known for his fantastic solo albums, his vocals for the afrobeat star-groups M.F.B. and Ozzobia_but his biggest legacy is without a doubt him being the singer and bandleader of Ofege. Melvin formed Ofege in the early 1970s (when he and the other band members were all still a bunch of teenagers). Due to their vibrant combo of sweet harmonies, hooks & fuzz, Ofege would become one of the most legendary Nigerian groups of all time, with expressive sales and national stardom to follow. At the turn of the century (and because of tracks appearing on various compilations) Ofege would receive international acknowledgment for being the first of their kind and THE ultimate West-African psychedelic funk band! Melvin Ukachi recorded four milestone albums with Ofege: 'Try and Love' (1973) 'The Last of The Origins' (1976), 'Higher Plane Breeze' (1977) and 'How Do You Feel' (1978). When the Ofege story came to an end, Melvin recorded two astonishing solo albums: 'Evolution-Bring Back The Ofege Beat' (1981) and 'I am Ok' (1985). Both of his solo recordings have now become much sought-after holy grails for collectors and fans alike. On the album, we are presenting you today (Evolution-Bring Back The Ofege Beat) the listener is treated to the trademark Ofege sound (as the title of the record obviously suggests). Next to the rootsy and raw Ofege sound, we're shown a perfect glimpse of the late '70s afrobeat works combining soul, jazzy rhythms, William Onyeabor style synths & fluid boogie-danceability Expect some serious 'all-star' guest musicians as well_featured on the album are Chyke Madu (The Funkees) on drums, Berkley Jones (Ofege) on guitar_and many other local legends. To top things off the tracks were recorded and mixed at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London_all slickly engineered by Rafiu Ayoade (The Apostles) and produced by the president of sound himself Odion Iruoje (known for his work with Manu Dibango, Fela Kuti_and many others). 'Evolution-Bring Back The Ofege Beat' was released on EMI Nigeria in 1981 and is a total Afro-psych-funk classic that begs for a special place in your record collection. It's tight, funky and Melvin's soulful vocals are to die for. This record is a monster! Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents the first-ever reissue (supervised by Melvin Ukachi himself) of this amazing Nigerian Afrobeat album. This RARE classic (original copies tend to go for large amounts on the secondary market) is now finally back available as a limited 180g vinyl edition (500 copies) complete with the original artwork made at Grafikad (who were responsible for designing landmark sleeves for renowned artists such as Fela Kuti).

Rare Nigerian Afrobeat-Afropop Album.

First vinyl reissue since 1985.

Solo Album by Ofege Frontman Melvin Ukachi.
First Ever Release Outside Of The African Continent.
180g BLACK vinyl limited to 500 copies (w/obi strip). Non-Returnable.
Melvin Ukachi needs little introduction, the Lagos (Nigeria) based vocalist and bandleader is a living legend. Melvin is known for his fantastic solo albums, his vocals for the afrobeat star-groups M.F.B. and Ozzobia…but his biggest legacy is without a doubt him being the singer and bandleader of Ofege.
Melvin formed Ofege in the early 1970s (when he and the other band members were all still a bunch of teenagers). Due to their vibrant combo of sweet harmonies, hooks & fuzz, Ofege would become one of the most legendary Nigerian groups of all time, with expressive sales and national stardom to follow. At the turn of the century (and because of tracks appearing on various compilations) Ofege would receive international acknowledgment for being the first of their kind and THE ultimate West-African psychedelic funk band!
Melvin Ukachi recorded four milestone albums with Ofege: ‘Try and Love’ (1973) ‘The Last of The Origins’ (1976), ‘Higher Plane Breeze’ (1977) and ‘How Do You Feel’ (1978). When the Ofege story came to an end, Melvin recorded two astonishing solo albums: ‘Evolution-Bring Back The Ofege Beat’ (1981) and ‘I am Ok’ (1985). Both of his solo recordings have now become much sought-after holy grails for collectors and fans alike.
On the album we are presenting you today (I AM OK from 1985) the listener is treated to Ofege’s trademark sound…but we’re also shown a perfect glimpse of the late 70’s afrobeat works combining soul, jazzy rhythms, William Onyeabor style laid back electro funk synths & fluid boogie-danceability. The female backing vocals and handclaps by Princess Bunmi Olajubu (Femi Kuti) also deserve a special mention because they add so much depth and grooves to this amazing record.
Expect some serious local ‘all-star’ guest musicians on this record as well. Next to him playing the synth, Jake Sollo also produced this gem of an album! To top things off the tracks were recorded and mixed at the legendary RAS Studio in Akwa, Nigeria…all slickly engineered by John Malife (Black Children Sledge Funk Band, T-Fire, BLO).
‘I AM OK’ was released on CRS Nigeria in 1985 and is a total Afro-pop-funk classic that begs for a special place in your record collection. It’s tight, funky and Melvin’s soulful vocals are to die for. This record is a monster!
Tracklist:
I'm Ok , I Don't Mind , Come and Dance , We are Fine , Keep on Loving Him , Wanted , I Wanna Hide You

The brilliant South African singer Miriam Makeba first found international recognition after being “discovered” in America by the wonderful Harry Belafonte who inspired her move to NYC and championed her talent to anyone who would listen. A subsequent recording contract began her half-century long career of international stardom. Combining afro-pop with jazz and western pop music influences, Makeba created a sound that was uniquely her own and inspired generations of singers to come. A life-long anti-apartheid activist and humanitarian, Makeba is recognized around the globe as being one of the most important singers of the middle-20th-century. With conducting assistance from the legendary South African trumpeter, Hugh Masekela, this is Makeba’s 3rd album, originally released in 1963, and a stunning example of of her modern afro-pop sound. A perfect record.

It is with great pleasure that we announce Mitchum Yacoub's debut album Living High in the Brass Empire a showcase in unique stylings of tropical funk, afrobeat, cumbia, and soul; a musical patchwork threaded by a heavy, hypnotic rhythm section and powerfully vibrant horn lines. What sounds like a 12-piece ensemble was actually mostly recorded and performed by Yacoub at his home in San Diego, featuring a few close friends from local groups Sure Fire Soul Ensemble and Boostive. The horn section is comprised of Travis Klein, Bradley Nash, and Wesley Etienne (featuring Todd Simon on "Los Muñequitos"), each with distinguished performances that send the music to higher heights. Nuanced vocalist Divina Jasso lends humanity and introspection throughout the head-nodding soul sounds of "Never Knew", latin dance anthem "Cumbia Divina", and the syncopated funk of "Empire". You'll hear rhythms from Colombia, folkloric percussion of Cuba, interlocking grooves à la Fela Kuti, 70's r&b influence, and something in between it all. Drawing many inspirations into a refreshing and unified record, we think you'll enjoy Living High in the Brass Empire.

Repressed! Mochilla’s Timeless series reignites for RSD 2021 housed in full color gatefold jackets with the vinyl housed in printed inner sleeves. In 2009, Brian Cross (aka B+) organized a series of live events at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex in Los Angles. The Timeless series captured the lasting impact of several artists on the world of Hip Hop and beyond. Live fully orchestrated performances by Ethiopia’s Mulatu Astatke and Brazil's Arthur Verocai bookended the incredible Suite For Ma Dukes, a tribute to James "Dilla" Yancey, by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. These superb quality live recordings, now long out of print, are back in effect for RSD 2021. On Mochilla Presents Timeless: Mulatu Astatke the sold out crowd at the Luckman witnessed the famed Ethiopian artist perform with veterans of the Los Angeles jazz community including Bennie Maupin, Azar Lawrence, Phil Ranelin and more. Having just witnessed the performance Cut Chemist remarked “Musically, he has been my biggest inspiration” with producer Quantic noting “One of the musical visionaries of our age…We are still trying to catch up.”

Nahawa Doumbia is one of Mali's defining vocalists of the last four decades. Her work journeys through progressive stages of musical evolution and sonic vogues, making it hard to summarize or even comprehend. She's played a part in popular music since the late '70s, as her version of Wassoulou music developed from vocals-and-guitar duo into full-scale touring bands packing a bombastic, electrified punch. As Doumbia puts it, "My music has changed multiple times to this day. The more I progressed in my musical career, the more instruments I have had accompany my songs." Awesome Tapes From Africa will release Doumbia's debut recording La Grande Cantatrice Malienne Vol 1 this August, building on the success of the label's first-ever reissue back in 2011, Doumbia's La Grande Cantatrice Malienne Vol 3. This seminal classic, which is still sought-after in Mali today, will finally be available for the first time internationally with remastered audio on LP, CD, Tape and Digital formats. The recording looks back to the beginning of Doumbia's long career, when she was performing in a simple voice and acoustic guitar format. This was before she added bass and drums, and finally the electric guitar and synths for which she became known more recently. Released in 1981 by the excellent Cote d'Ivoire-based AS Records, the singer was barely 20 years old when it was recorded. She was accompanied by her future husband N'Gou Bagayoko on acoustic guitar, whose style echoes the nimble runs of traditional kamele n'goni players. The stark simplicity of this highly intimate recording-the audible room acoustics, the occasionally in-the-red vocals-do not obscure the mature strength of her voice. On Vol 1 Doumbia performs her songs with the tenacity and hunger of a young artist on the cusp. "When I think about it, first, I am reminded of how long ago it was. It's one of the albums that I love most because it reminds me of my youth. I was so young and my voice was light and joyful. I still listen to some of those songs today. I am really proud of that first album because that's where it all began. It shows me how far I've come in my personal and artistic life; it gives me the courage I need to keep going forward, and makes me appreciate all the years of dedication and hard work I put into my musical career." These early songs are rhythmically built around Bagayoko's sensitive guitar, as his fingers brush the fretboard and gently outline the melodies. Although this record predates the singer's use of percussion, the driving skeletal didadi rhythm is apparent in the songs. Later albums like Vol 3 further prioritize her hometown didadi beat and the result made her famous.

A late period hard-rock, proto-punk entry in Zambian guitarist and bandleader Paul Ngozi’s extensive catalog. Featuring drummer Chrissy Zebby Tembo. LP includes oversized 8 page booklet detailing Ngozi’s arc, rare photographs, discography and annotations. Released under license from the Estate of Paul Nyirongo. “Zambia's Zamrock movement that exploded in the 1970s ... provided young musicians access to European and American music, and created a unique sound. At its root, Zamrock melded fuzz-toned psychedelia, chugging garage rock and roiling funk with a broad mix of African cadences and beats.... enlivening a scene that included bands like Musi O Tunya, Amanaz and the Ngozi Family.” - The New York Times Zamrock was a bona-fide rock scene, with albums released through independent labels based in Zambia. This music scene was complete, encompassing the genres of rock, acid folk, fusion, Afro-beat, South African jazz and traditional Zambian melodies. It quickly became a uniquely Zambian movement, befitting of its name. WITCH, Paul Ngozi and Amanaz sound nothing like other rock music from the African continent or elsewhere.

A hard rock mash up - Bandleader Paul Ngozi's split album with his drummer and co-vocalist Chrissy Zebby Tembo. The set includes an oversized 8 page booklet detailing Ngozi’s arc, rare photographs, discography and annotations.

"Zambia’s Zamrock movement that exploded in the 1970s...provided young musicians access to European and American music, and created a unique sound. At its root, Zamrock melded fuzz-toned psychedelia, chugging garage rock and roiling funk with a broad mix of African cadences and beats...enlivening a scene that included bands like Musi-O-Tunya, Amanaz and the Ngozi Family” - New York Times

Zamrock was a bona-fide rock scene: on the African continent, only Nigeria can claim one so comprehensive, and Nigeria’s was largely catalyzed and funded by subsidiaries of the European major labels. Zamrock was as independent as the newly-named country, formerly known as Northern Rhodesia. Zamrock is starting in its completeness, especially for a scene that emerged, unfurled and disappeared so quickly. From Musi-O-Tunyaís fusion of Fela’s Afro-beat, Hendrix’s rock, South African jazz and traditional Zambian melodies and rhythms to Salty Dog’s acid folk/rock, Zambia’s rock scene contained all of rock’s subgenres. Zamrock was much more than an imitation of American and European rock music: it quickly became a uniquely Zambian movement, befitting of its name. WITCH, Paul Ngozi and Amanaz sound nothing like other rock music from the African continent - or elsewhere. Zamrock came from a nation's youth carrying forth the momentum of a political and social revolution with a musical revolution that maintained the fiery power of early rock - in the mid-to late-70s. From that era, Zamrockís energy is matched only by the punk and hip hop scenes of England and America.