The Soul of Africa

Let's end the week with a selection from one of my favorite African jazz records "Soul of Africa" which was a collaborative effort between saxophonist Hal Singer and pianist Jef Gilson. The album, which was originally released back in 1974 and later re-issued by Kindred Spirits, features a number of amazing Afro-centric jazz tracks including "Mother Africa", "Liberation", "Garvey's Strut", and my personal favorite "Chant Inca". With the original almost impossible to find, this is one re-issue definitely worth picking up. For those that enjoy this album I highly recommend checking out some of Gilson's other work including Malagasy, Malagasy At Newport-Paris, Le Massacre Du Printemps, Œil Vision, as well as the recent "Best of" release Jazzman Records put out this year. Enjoy!

Hal Singer & Jef Gilson - Chant Inca

Benin's Godfather of Funk

Daptone Records has just released an incredible retrospective release paying tribute to the Benin funk legend El Rego. Rego (full name Theophile Do "El" Rego), along with his band Ses Commandos released a number of priceless gems during the sixties and seventies that helped kick start Benin's culturally rich funk movement that produced other great artists like Gnonnas Pedro, Antoine Dougbé, T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou, and others. On this new retrospective release, Daptone Records has compiled a diverse selection of El Rego's greatest songs including "Feeling You Got", "Djobime", "Hessa", "E Nan Mian Nuku" and "Do Do Baya". The record really does a nice job of showcasing the diverse sound of El Rego's music which includes elements of funk, soul, traditional African rhythms, and Afrobeat grooves. This release is not only a tribute to El Rego, but an important look into Benin's explosive music scene during the sixties and seventies. I couldn't recommend this record enough! Daptone Records has done a great service to all by providing an accessible and affordable way for many to explore the legend that is El Rego. Enjoy!

El Rego - Zon Dede



Purchase Daptone Record's new El Rego retrospective release by clicking here.

The Juju Experience

Here is one of my favorite cuts from Juju (aka Oneness of Juju) in "Black Experience". This funky soulful African-flavored jazz gem wa featured on the group's 1974 album Chapter Two: Nia which was originally released off of the Strata East label. This is just one of the many great tracks off this record which also includes notable cuts like "Nia", "The End of the Butterfly King", as well as a solid rendition of Pharaoh Sanders' "Black Unity". This LP was re-issued a few years back, which should only be used as a "place-holder" until you can hunt down an original copy. Highly recommended!

Juju - Black Experience

Interpretation of the Afro Rhythm

Let's start the week off with a selection off of Ray Stephen Oche's rare African jazz album Interpretation of the Original Rhythm, titled "Okwukwu-Kiwongo". This funky track is just one of the many amazing cuts off of this LP, which was recorded back in 1970 by a number of brilliant musicians hailing from the Congo, Togo, Guinea, Gambia, Brazil and West Indies. Honestly, every song is truly great as it features a nice blend of Afro and Latin rhythms and vocal chants. Even though this record is very hard-to-find, it shouldn't stop it from being very high on everybody's wishlist. Enjoy!

Ray Stephen Oche - Okwukwu-Kiwongo

South African Funk Experience

Let's end the week with the track "Wozani Mahipi" (which I'm told means "Hippies Come to Soweto") by the group Mahlathini & Mahotella Queens off of the amazing South African Funk Experience compiled by Joan Armstrong. This compilation, which focuses on a eclectic mix of funky sounds that have spawn out of the South African region, was released by the UK label Nascente who consistently put out great releases focused on funky African, Latin, and tropical rarities. The South African Funk Experience comp, which I think is one of the label's best releases, features a number of priceless gems including the disco cut "Oh Yeh Soweto" by Teaspoon & The Waves, the soulful "Jabula's Happiness" by Jabula featuring Vicky Mhlongo , the big band jazz groover "Andromeda" by Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath, as well as funky Afro tracks from Dick Khoza, Dudu Pukwana & Spear, Malombo and many others. Really the only complaint that I have with this release is that it was only released on CD, therefore us vinyl lover's are left scrambling to hunt down all the original releases (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). Hopefully somewhere down the line, the Nascente label will consider releasing some of this material on wax. Until then, I recommend checking out the CD and/or digital version. Enjoy!

Mahlathini & Mahotella Queens - Wozani Mahipi

Body Music

Let's end the week with a funky gem by the group Afro Funk (Yes, there is a group named "Afro Funk"), titled "Obanya Special". This heavy-hitting Afro cut was originally featured on the group's hard-to-find album Body Music, which was released back in 1973. As you can imagine, the record sounds as advertised with a heavy dose of Afro-funk and Afrobeat grooves. Overall, a solid record from start to finish. Enjoy the long weekend!

Afro Funk - Obanya Special

Super Bar Konon Mousso

Here is a superb Afro Funk gem titled "Super Bar Konon Mousso" by Amadou Balake. This funky cut was originally featured on Balake's hard-to-find 1978 album Bar Konon Mousso Bar, which is one of the three records that he released with the African label Sacodis and the second that was actually recorded in Lagos. A classic Afro Funk jam that is primed perfectly for those tropical disco parties. Enjoy!

Amadou Balake - Super Bar Konon Mousso

Funky Highlife

I'm pretty tired from last night's Grow Up party. Thanks to everyone who made it out…Definitely good times as always!

Here is an excerpt taken from C.K. Mann & Carousel 7's classic Afrobeat medley that was included on the group's 1975 Funky Highlife LP. This portion of the medley appears at the beginning of the record's A-side and is titled "Asafo Beesuon / Obaa Yaa Aye Me Bone". The track has appeared on a few notable compilations including BBE's fifth volume of their Strange Games & Funky Things series and the Ocho Records issue of The Shrine Presents Afrobeat. Overall a classic excerpt from one of the most sought after Afrobeat records. Enjoy!

C.K. Mann & Carousel 7 - Asafo Beesuon/ Obaa Yaa Aye Me Bone

Guinéan Disco

Here is a rare Afro funk gem titled "So I Si Sa" by the Guinéan based band Super Boiro Band. This funky track was released as a 45 RPM single back in 1974. The group went onto release a number of solid Afro-flavoured gems throughout the seventies including the full-length albums Niaissa & sa trompette, En super forme, and a self-titled record in 1975. The track "So I Si Sa" can also be found on the compilation Guinée 70 : The Discotheque Years, which is part of the African Pearls series put out by the French label Discograph. Enjoy!

Super Boiro Band - So I Si Sa

The Best of Quantic LP Revealed

Resident designer for Sofrito Lewis Heriz has just recently revealed the upcoming artwork for the The Best of Quantic LP (shown above), which will be released this September off of Tru-Thoughts Recordings. You can pre-order a copy now be visiting the label's website. I'm also recommending, if you haven't already, check out some of the other artwork by Lewis Heriz which can be found at his website www.lewisheriz.com. In my opinion, he is right now producing some of the best event posters and LP covers out there.

Safari Music

Let's start the week off with a funky tropical gem titled "Safari" by the Afro-funk group Ashantis. This mid-tempo Afro cut was featured on the group's amazing 1977 self-titled album. The record includes other great tracks like "Disco Play", "Everybody", and "Long Journey" just to name a few. Overall, a great track and a great record worth being included on anybody's wishlist. Enjoy!

Ashantis - Safari

Benin Boogie

Here is the funky Afro-flavored cut "Vimado Wingnan" by Benin's own El Rego (also released under the alais El Rego Et Ses Commandos). This soulful gem was recently reissued as a 7" release by Daptone Records after Frank Gossner of Voodoo Funk hunt down the original release. The track also appears on the superb Analog Africa compilation Legends of Benin and will be featured on a full-length El Rego album to be released on Daptone later this year. Overall, El Rego recorded a number of amazing records during the sixties and seventies, however "Vimado Wingnan" might be the greatest of the bunch. Enjoy!

El Rego - Vimado Wingnan

The Sound of a New Day

About a year ago I posted Letta Mbulu's 1981 African Boogie classic "Kilimanjaro" (See Kilimandjaro Take Us Higher). Here is the 1980 version of the track, titled "Kilimandjaro Take Us Higher", that appeared on Mbulu's 1980 album Sound of a Rainbow. This track, even though very similar in arrangement, has a more soulful backing groove. I honestly don't prefer one version over the other, as I feel that both are solid tracks. I will be interested to hear which version everyone who visits this site prefers more. Enjoy!

Letta Mbulu - Kilimandjaro Take Us Higher

From Mighty Africa With Fury

This week, Seun Anikulapo Kuti & Egypt 80 are releasing a great new record titled From Mighty Africa With Fury: Rise. This album, which follows the 2008 critically praised debut Many Things, features a number of heavy-hitting politically driven Afrobeat cuts including the high-energy gems "African Soldier", "You Can Run", "Mr. Big Thief", and the funky single "Rise". The record, which was produced by Brian Eno, is solid from start to finish, capturing the intensity and energy that was so present in all of his father, Fela Kuti's great recordings. I think anyone who listen's to this album will agree that this is easily one of the top records of 2011. Another great masterpiece that helps continue the Kuti family legacy. Enjoy!

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 - Rise



Click Here to purchase Seun Kuti & Egypt 80's new album From Mighty Africa With Fury: Rise.

Afro Shakedown

Much like last year, 2011 has been a great year for not only good African compilations, however a remarkable year for new Afro-centric releases. It seems like there are a lot of new groups popping up from all over the world that are carrying on the torch that artists like Fela Kuti, Ebo Taylor, Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, Tony Allen, and once held when ity came to funky African music . One of the best new Afro funk albums of the year is easily Ikebe Shakedown's debut self-titled LP. It's honestly hard to get better than this new album by the Brooklyn-based group. The record, which came out on Ubiquity Records, features some amazing uptempo gems like Tame The Beats, Don't Contradict, and the incredible single "Tujunga", as well as a heavy dose of some superb downtempo cuts like "Kumasi Walk", "The Viking", and "The Hold Up". Do yourself a favor and go purchase Ikebe Shakedown's new album, which is truly one of the true gems of 2011. Enjoy!

Ikebe Shakedown - Tujunga

Alchemy Of The Blues

Here is the amazing instrumental version of the title track off Sarah Webster Fabio's 1976 album Jujus/Alchemy Of The Blues. This funky gem is one of the few instrumental tracks from the rare mid seventies record. That being said, this track is easily one of the funkiest songs I've ever come across. Brilliant work from the poet's solid back-up group, which featured a number of Febio's family members. Enjoy!

Sarah Webster Fabio - Alchemy Of The Blues (Instrumental)

Africa 2000

Here's a great African disco gem in Bolo Bolo by the Cameroon singer, musicians, and arranger Kemayo (aka Elvis Kemayo). This funky track was featured on Kemayo's 1976 hard-to-find album Africa L'an 2000. Simply put, this is another great African disco track and full-length LP that is well worth being at the top of anybody's wishlist. Enjoy!

Kemayo - Bolo Bolo

African Zombie

Here is Ephraim Uzomechina Nzeka's funky rendition of Fela Kuti's "Zombie". This African disco gem was originally released on Nzeka's very rare 1980 album Brother To Brother. The track was also more recently included on Comet Records' incredible compilation Bilongo - A Third Collection Of Modern Afro Rhythms, which is easily one of my favorite comps of all-time. Overall, Nzeka's does a nice job with the Afrobeat classic, speeding up the tempo a bit and giving the song a more disco feel. Simply a true African disco gem!

Ephraim Uzomechina Nzeka - Zombie

The Future of African Music

One of the most original and standout releases of 2011 comes from the 7-piece London based band Owiny Sigoma Band's, who have just recently released their debut full-length album on Gilles Peterson's label Brownswood Recordings. This project came together when Jess Hackett aka Elmore Judd, who is also the live keyboardists in the Gorillaz, traveled to Nairobi in Kenya and hooked up with Joseph Nyamungu, a traditional nyatiti player, and Charles Owoko, a heavy-backbeat percussionist. The group came together and produced a demo that eventually made it's way to Peterson, and the rest is history. The band's debut record combines traditional African music with funky dancefloor rhythms, that has an overall original feel. Peterson calls the album "a phat, wayward dance record with African leanings (that feels) completely right." Definitely one of the year's best releases. Enjoy!

Owiny Sigoma Band - Margaret Okudo - Dub

Crosstown Traffic

Here is a great new Afrobeat rendition of Jimi Hendrix's 1968 "Crosstown Traffic" classic by the group Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra. This funky Afro cut was released as a 7" single about a year ago on the Leeds based label First Word Records. The 7" single represents the first release from the group, which in November went on to put out their debut self-titled full-length album. Certainly a new school Afrobeat group worth checking out. Enjoy!

Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra - Crosstown Traffic



You can purchase Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra's 7" release of "Crosstown Traffic" by clicking here