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.

Wake Up Your Mind

This week the French label Hot Casa Records released an official re-issue of Joni Haastrup's classic Afro-funk album Wake Up Your Mind. This was the Nigerian-born and now Oakland, Ca. based solo album, however not his only music contribution to the world. Before releasing his solo record back in 1978 off of the Afrodisia label, Haastrup was featured on many notable African-based records including Orlando Julius' 1966 album Super Afro Soul, as well as playing guitar and keys in Ginger Baker's African inspired group Ginger Baker's Air Force. During the mid seventies Haastrup led the Afro-funk/ Afrobeat band MonoMono, who released a couple of amazing records which have just been re-released by Tummy Touch and Soundway Records. Overall, the man once known as Nigeria's "Soul Brother Number One" has contributed quite a bit musically to the world, and his late seventies masterpiece Wake Up Your Mind is an absolute gem that helps capture the brilliance of this legendary artist. Please go do yourself a favor and purchase all of these recent released re-issues!!!

Joni Haastrup - Greetings

Highlife Underground

Here's a preview of the forthcoming release from Sofrito titled Sofrito Super Singles 004 - Highlife Underground EP. This amazing new twelve-inch single features two new funky tropical Afro edits. The A-side track has the Sofrito crew teaming up with London based producer DrumTalk in remixing Mpese Mpese Band's 1986 bass heavy gem "Mpese Mpese Theme" into a futuristic highlife dancefloor cooker. The flip continues to turn up the heat with a reworking of an early eighties Afro-funk track from the Canadoes Dance Band. It's safe to say that there will be no standing around on the dancefloor when either of these heavy-hitting Afro gems get spun. Overall, Sofrito continues to prove once again that they are kings of the tropical discotheque. Enjoy!

Sofrito Super Singles 004 - Highlife Underground EP by Sofrito

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

Enjoy the Boogie

A while ago I featured a track off the amazing, yet less known, compilation Rare Afro & Caribbean Funk Volume 2 (See Afro-Caribbean Funk. Today I thought I would post one of the many gems from the compilation series' first volume in Oby Onyioha's Afro boogie cut "Enjoy Your Life". This funky gem was originally featured on Onyioha's 1981 album I Want To Feel Your Love and features a solid disco groove throughout the track. Overall, just another superb cut from what I find is one of the most slept-on and well-crafted compilation series. Enjoy! (No pun intended)

Oby Onyioha - Enjoy Your Life

Simbareré

Let's get the week going with the funky Brazilian gem "Simbareré by the duo Antonio Carlos & Jocafi. This amazing track was featured on the group's 1972 album Cada Segundo and was later included on Strut's superb 2000 compilation Club Africa 2. A great track with a funky Afro groove. Enjoy!

Antonio Carlos & Jocafi - Simbareré

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

Flight Of The Shaolin Afronauts

As I've mentioned countless times over the past six months, 2011 has been a great year for funky new Afro-centric music. Many fresh new group's have been arriving on the scene with some solid new releases that have been nicely capturing the sound of seventies-era Afro funk and Afrobeat.

One of the best new Afro funk tracks of the year, in my opinion, is "Journey Through Time" by the group The Shaolin Afronauts. This funky track is featured on the group's superb debut album Flight of the Ancients, which was just released off the UK label Freestyle Records. The new LP features some other standout gems including "Kilimanjaro", "Shira", and the title track "Flight Of The Ancients" to name just a few. I find that many of the songs off the record have a sound that falls somewhere in between the heavy Afrobeat of Fela Kuti and the Ethio-Jazz grooves of Mulatu Astake. Definitely a new group and record worth checking out! Enjoy!

The Shaolin Afronauts - Journey Through Time

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

Sofrito's "Jungle Magic" Now Available!

The funky tropical crew Sofrito just released another great twelve-inch titled "Jungle Magic" (Previously discussed on this blog. See Jungle Magic). Click Here to purchase the new amazing 12" single. Definitely one of the year's best twelves!

Sofrito Super Singles 003 - Jungle Magic EP by sofrito

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

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

Jungle Magic

About a week ago, Hugo Mendez from the Sofrito crew kindly shared with me their newest single titled the Jungle Magic EP. This new 12" release, which will be out in a couple of weeks, features two superb new Nigerian disco edits. The A-side track is a reworking of Benis Cletin's rare 1979 Afro synth gem "Jungle Magic", while the B-side cut "Money Makes Man Mad" is a funky slice of Afro disco that is primed perfectly for the dancefloor. With any of the Sofrito releases, I assume this new twelve won't last long in record shops once it drops, therefore I highly recommend snatching this new release up as soon as it comes out. Just as the weather begins to warm up, Sofrito drops another dose of tropical heat! Enjoy!

Sofrito Super Singles 003 - Jungle Magic EP by sofrito

Freedom Train

Here is the funky Afro jazz gem "Freedom Train" by Feso Trombone (aka Fesobi Olawaiye). This uptempo cut was the title track to the trombonist's 1980 rare full-length album. This is one of the record's Feso cut after he left Nigeria and moved to Belguim to pursue a solo career. Before moving to Belguim, Feso got his start by playing with Fela Kuti. Overall, "Freedom Train" is a solid track that nicely blends together Afro funk with some nice instrumental trombone-led melodies. Enjoy!

Feso Trombone - Freedom Train

Move Up

Here is the funky Afro gem "Move Up" by the group BLO. This soulful cut was featured on the group's classic 1976 albym Phase IV which features a number of great tracks including "Trace Of Suicide", "Scandi Boogie", and the classic breakdance gem "Number One". On a side note, I originally posted this song about a week ago, however due to recent technical issue, the post was removed because of a "roll-back" by Blogger. The track had only been up on the blog for about a day, therefore I thought it would be worth re-posting. As a special bonus, I also included the funky "Number One". Enjoy!

BLO - Move Up



BLO - Number One

Sweet Music

This week Strut released the third volume to their pioneering Nigeria 70 series with a funky batch of seventies Afro funk, Highlife, and Juju gems in this new compilation titled Sweet Music. This compilation, which was compiled by series curator Duncan Brooker, continues in the same great spirit as the past two releases in the series by digging deep into Nigeria's forgotten label archives and highlighting some of the regions lost treasures. Each song is very different from the next, as group's across the region at this time began to experiment with fusing many different sounds which crossed over into many sub-genres. Some of the records best cuts include Tunde Mabadu's "Viva Disco", Admiral Dele Abiodun & His Top Hitters International's "It's Time For Juju Music", Eji Oyewole's "Unity In Africa", Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey & His International Brothers' "Ajoyio", and my personal favorite Moneyman And The Super 5 International's "Life". Overall, Sweet Music is a solid new compilation and great new addition to the always superbly crafted Nigeria 70 series. Enjoy!

Moneyman And The Super 5 International - Life



Purchase Nigeria 70: Sweet Music by Clicking Here.