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

Viva Panama!

Over the last 6 years, the London based label Soundway has continued to release an impressive collection of compilations and reissues focused on rare Afro, Latin, and funky international grooves. Their label has turned into a stamp of quality when it comes to these hard-to-find sounds. Looking back now at their extensive collection of releases, the Latin and Cumbia focused compilation series Panama! is definitely one of the labels crowned achievements. This three part series highlighted extremely rare sixties and seventies Latin, Calypso, and Cumbia selections out of North and South America. I've highlighted some of the newer additions in this series on this site (see Panama! 3), however today I thought I would pay tribute to the entire series by sharing one of my favorite tracks off the first Panama! release in the very fitting selection "Viva Panama" by Papi Brandao Y Sus Ejecutivos. A superb funky tropical gem that really gives good insight into the overall sound of the entire compilation series. As more years continue to go by, I think record collectors and music critics will come to the agreement that Panama! was one of the best crafted Latin focused compilation series ever crafted.

Papi Brandao Y Sus Ejecutivos - Viva Panama

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

Horse Meat Disco III

When it comes to throwing disco parties, there probably is nobody out there doing it better than the London based DJ collective Horse Meat Disco . For over seven years now resident DJs James Hillard, Jim Stanton, Severino, and Filthy Luka have been putting on packed residencies at The Eagle in London’s Vauxhall, Lux in Lisbon and Tape in Berlin. These incredible parties are inspired by the music and culture that surrounded the New York club scene during the 70's and early 80's. The DJ collective have once again teamed up with Strut Records to put out the third Horse Meat Disco compilation, full of rare disco gems and edits. This amazing compilation includes superb originals like T.S. Monk's "Candidate For Love", "Seconds" by Salsoul Orchestra feat. Loleatta Holloway, Two Tons of Fun's "Just Us", Idris Muhammad's "For You Love", and many others. The compilation also features a number of great edits including Todd Terje's reworking of Claudja Barry's "Sweet Dynamite", Ron Hardy’s famed and previously bootleg-only cut-up of First Choice’s “Let No Man Put Asunder, as well as a funky edit by Leftside Wobble titled "Grapevine Boogie". I highly recommend picking up a copy of this compilation, as it is easily one of the best disco compilations of the year.

Here is a very interesting video of Jim Stanton and James Hillard of London's Horse Meat Disco collective speak about the history of the 'sleaze' disco subgenre, and the UK's unique perspective on American dance music.



Purchase the Horse Meat Disco III compilation by clicking here.

Calypsoul

Even though a few years have past since it's release, I thought I would feature a track titled "The Little You Say" by The Revolution Of St. Vincent from one of my all-time favorite compilations in Calypsoul 70. This well crafted comp was released by Strut Records back in 2008 and features a funky collection of rare seventies-era gems from within the Caribbean region. Some of the highlights include Amral's Trinidad Cavaliers Steel Orchestra's version of Gwen McCrae’s "90% Of Me Is You", Duke's Afrobeat-flavored "Freedom in Africa", Juan Formel & Los Van Van's latin gem "A Ver Que Sale", Biosis Now's funky "Independent Bahamas", Boris Gardiner's psychedelic organ-based jam "Negril" and the superb disco cut by The Checkmates titled "Disco Groove". The compilation was compiled by Duncan Brooker, the man behind Strut’s Nigeria 70 selections. Unfortunately, this album was only released in CD/ Digital format, leaving us vinyl collectors scratching our heads. Hopefully the people over at Strut will possibly consider doing another edition of this Caribbean focused compilation in the future, with of course a vinyl format release. Regardless, there has been a number of amazing compilations that have been released over the past couple of years that have focused on this culturally and musically rich region, however there might not be a better compilation that has paid homage to the area's more dancefloor friendly gems than Calypsoul 70. Enjoy!

The Revolution Of St. Vincent - The Little You Say

Cartagena!

Just as the days begin to be longer and the weather starts to warm up, Soundway has released the perfect compilation to compliment the beginnings of spring with the release of Cartagena! which pays tribute to Curro Fuentes and "The Big Band Cumbia and Descarga Sound of Colombia" during the sixties and early seventies. Very remeniscent of other great Latin Soundway compilations like Panama!, "Palengue Palengue!", and " Tumbele!", Cartagena! is solid from start to finish featuring a collection of extremely rare Latin gems that could easily cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars if you tried to collect the originals separately. The compilation is easily one of the best releases so far this year, therefore I highly recommend snatching up a copy. Is summer here yet?!?!

Lucho Bermudez y su Orquesta - Fiesta De Negritos



You purchase a copy of Soundway's Cartagena! compilation by Clicking Here.

The Future of Afro Beat

The superb German label Tramp has just released the third, and in my opinion, most impressive volume of their Contemporary compilation series, this time with the focus on the exciting wave of new Afro beat music and groups that have been arising over the past few years. Some of the group's featured on this amazing new compilation, Contemporary Afro Beat, are Fanga, Odu, N'Ghare Hi Power Band, Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble, Kokolo Afrobeat Orchestra, Jojo Quo & His Challengers, and many many more. One of my favorite tracks is Express Brass Band's funky Afro gem "Radio Kabul", which has an overall soulful feel-good groove. Overall, Tramp Records has done an amazing job of putting together a solid compilation that truly highlights the future of Afro beat. Enjoy!

Express Brass Band - Radio Kabul



Click Here to purchase Tramp's new compilation Contemporary Afro Beat.

Tropical Discotheque

Two heavy-weights in Strut Records and Sofrito have come together to release the best new compilation of the year so far in Tropical Discotheque. This highly anticipated release, which was put together by Sofrito deejays Hugo Mendez, Frankie Francis, and The Mighty Crime Minister, bring together fifteen unmixed, dynamite tropical grooves old and new ranging from raw cumbia, heavy Congolese soukous, bassline calypso, and cosmic highlife. Some of the many highlights found on the compilation include an exclusive cumbia jam by Quantic Y Su Conjunto Los Mỉticos Del Ritmo titled "Cumbia Mochilla", a funky re-edit of Victor Uwaifo's disco gem "Ohue", alongside classic cuts like Gnonnas Pedro's "Yiri Yiri Boom", Roaring Lion's "Carnival Long Ago", Adolfo Echeverria's "Sabroso Bacalão" and one of my personal favorites in Frente Cumbiero's funky intrumental gem "Pitchito". If you've been following Sofrito over the past half decade, you already know that everything these guys put out is of the up most quality and the same can be said about this incredible new release. From what I've been able to notice, this compilation has already been flying off the record shelves, therefore I highly recommend picking up a copy while some still exist. Strut and Sofrito, between the two of them, have definitely put out a number of amazing records, however their collaborative release of Tropical Discotheque might be their best yet. Enjoy!

Frente Cumbiero - Pitchito



You can purchase a copy of Sofrito and Strut's new compilation release Tropical Discotheque by Clicking Here.

Mambo Rock

Here is a heavy-dose of Latin funk titled "Mambo Rock" by the group Seguida. This is just one of the many solid selections from the Chicano Spirit Vol.02 compilation that was released back in 2003 off of the French label Follow Me Records. The record features some rare Latin funk gems from the seventies including Harvey Averne Barrio Band's "Cucaraca Macara", Nico Gomez And His Orchestra's "Baila Chiquiban", Katunga's "Bailando Despacito", and Willi Bobo's "A Koko", among others. Even though it seems like this compilation fell a bit under the radar during it's initial release in 2003, the record is solid from start to finish and is a nice addition to any one's record collection. Enjoy!

Seguida - Mambo Rock

Ivory Coast Soul

Just when you thought 2010 couldn't squeeze out another funky African compilation into the year, the French label Hot Casa has recently released one of the year's best Afro funk records in Ivory Coast Soul. This funky compilation features lost Afro funk grooves from the West African region Abidjan during the seventies and early eighties. The compilation is a result of nearly 3 years of hard diggin' by hardcore record collector Djamel Hammadi, better known as "Afrobrazilero", when he travelled throughout Côte d'Ivoire (where Abidjan is located) twelve different times to come up with this incredible collection of rare finds. With major labels like Decca and EMI focusing on the music that was coming out of other African regions like Nigeria and Ghana during the seventies, most of the tracks that appear on the record were originally released by small labels who were only able to issue their releases in very limited runs. Some of the highlights from the record include the very Fela Kuti-inspired track "Kalabuley Woman" by Pierre Antoine, Nguessan Santa's Afro boogie gem "Mammy Nia", Jimmy Hyacinthe's disco masterpiece "Yatchiminou" and the funky "La ilaha illalahou" cut by Ali Ibrahim. Overall, Hammadi along with the help of the label Hot Casa, have done a great job here putting together a superb Afro funk compilation that in turn pays tribute to some of Abidjan's forgotten music roots. Certainly one of the year's best releases!

You can buy the Ivory Coast Soul compilation by Clicking Here.

Jimmy Hyacinthe - Yatchiminou

Tropical Discotheque Mix

I've been busy lately putting together my "Best of 2010" blog post, which will appear at the end of the month. As we start to wind down this year and look ahead to 2011, we already have some superb upcoming new releases to be excited about. One of those releases, as I've mentioned before on this site (SEE Sofrito: Tropical Discotheque), is Sofrito's upcoming compilation titled Tropical Discotheque off of Strut Records. This album doesn't make it's way onto record shelves until January 25th, however DJ Hugo Mendez of Sofrito fame has cooked up a great new mix featuring tracks from their upcoming compilation. Think of it as a little "tropical sunshine" to help de-frost the current cold winter days. Enjoy!


Sofrito: Tropical Discotheque mini-mix by DJ Hugo Mendez

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And if that isn't enough, here is Frankie Francis and Simbad's superb edit of Victor Uwaifo's funky tropical gem "Ohue", which is featured on the compilation.

Victor Uwaifo - Ohue (Frankie Francis & Simbad Edit)

Sofrito: Tropical Discotheque

I was excited to receive a press release from Strut Records this week that they have teamed up with tropical dancefloor label Sofrito to release an upcoming compilation titled Sofrito: Tropical Discotheque. This compilation, which was put together by Sofrito deejays Hugo Mendez, Frankie Francis, and The Mighty Crime Minister, bring together fifteen unmixed, dynamite tropical grooves old and new ranging from raw cumbia, heavy Congolese soukous, bassline calypso, and cosmic highlife. Some of the compilation highlights will include an exclusive cumbia jam by Quantic titled "Cumbia Mochilla", a funky re-edit of Victor Uwaifo's disco gem "Ohue", alongside classic cuts like Gnonnas Pedro's "Yiri Yiri Boom", Roaring Lion's "Carnival Long Ago", and Mighty Shadow's "Dat Soca Boat" among many others. If you've been following Sofrito over past half decade, you'll know that everything these guys put out is of the up most quality and definitely worth owning. The highly anticipated compilation release will begin to make it's way into record shops on January 25th. Mark your calendars!

Gnonnas Pedro - Yiri Yiri Boum

West African Shock Waves

The last few years their has been a major resurgence in African funk and Afrobeat releases. Most of the releases have centered around bringing together the more recently re-discovered lost gems from the African region that had previously been forgotten about for several decades. It's hard for me to say because I wasn't around during the original release of this material, however their could be an argument made that a good portion of this music is getting more praise now than it ever did. I suppose that it's more important that the music finally receives it's much overdue appreciation, than never at all.

The new compilation from Analog Africa titled "Afro-Beat Airways: West African Shock Waves Ghana & Togo 1972-79" is the latest release that pays tribute to the lost funky sounds from Africa's past. This record, as the titled suggests, focuses on the Afrobeat sounds that were being generated from the African countries of Ghana and Togo during the seventies. What stands out the most about this particular compilation, besides the amazing music, is the information, the interviews, and the archived photos that Analog Africa founder Samy Ben Redjeb collected while putting together this brilliant compilation. The evidence of these efforts can be found on the CD version of this compilation which comes with a 44 page booklet documenting all of his findings and interviews. The collection of music that makes up the compilation is also incredible, featuring some of the region's greatest artist like Ebo Taylor, Apagya Show Band, African Brothers Band, Marijata, Uppers International, and K.Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas among many others. Not only has Analog Africa put together another must-own compilation, they have put together a well-crafted 73 minute audio history lesson based around some of Africa's most funkiest and lost music. Enjoy!

K. Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas - Me Yee Owu Den

The Original Sound of Funky Africa

I'm slowly, but surely, recovering from last night's Grow Up. Thanks to Jon Blunck for playing an increadible set and to everyone who showed up. The night was a lot of fun as usual. A quick reminder, we will be throwing a very special Grow Up party on Saturday, October 23rd with special guest Sorcerer. Look for more info regarding that night to come.

Here is a funky African gem titled "Handsome Boy (E Wara)" by the group The Rwenzori's. This track is just one of the many great tracks that is featured on the amazing Afro funk compilation titled Africafunk: Return To The Original Sound Of 1970s Funky Africa that was released back in 2000 by the Harmless label. This compilation includes other great hard-to-find gems including Fela Kuti's "Roforofo Fight", Buari's "Ku Ka Maria", and Kongas' "Anikana-O" among many others. Occasionally I come across this record, however like many of the great African compilations, this record is becoming more difficult to find. Therefore, I highly recommend snatching up this compilation if you ever come across it. Overall, a solid Afro funk compilation full of lost numerous funky gems. Enjoy!

The Rwenzori's - Handsome Boy (E Wara) (Parts 1 & 2)

Afro-Caribbean Funk

When I was recently in Paris, I came across a lesser known African compilation that was released a few years ago called Rare Afro & Caribbean Funk Volume 2. This vinyl-only compilation was released by a label called Mokili Productions and like the title suggests, the record consists of some funky hard-to-find African and Caribbean cuts from some obscure groups like Jojo L'Explosif, Black Santiago, W.J.W. And Roots Trunks & Branches, and Super Tentemba Jazz to name a few. From the first listen, I was immediately impressed with this collection of tracks and I became surprised by the fact that this compilation didn't seem to get more praise or exposure when it was released back in 2007. Regardless, it's a great compilation that I would like to see reissued again in enough quantities to hopefully get the kind of exposure and credit that it definitely deserves. Enjoy!

W.J.W. And Roots Trunks & Branches - Rising (Power Disco Power)

Africa Boogaloo

Late last year, Honest Jons Records released one of my favorite African compilations in Africa Boogaloo: The Latinization of West Africa. This funky compilation focuses on the African music that was heavily influenced by the Calypso sounds that were coming out of the Caribbean and Latin America. In contrast to some of the more Afrobeat and psychedelic compilations, this record has a more overall laid back tropical feel to it much like Soundway's recent Tumbele! compilation release. Some of th record's highlights include Orchestre OK Jazz's "A Moins Que Namikosa", Charles Lembe 's "Quiero Wapacha", Orchestre Baobab's "On Verra Ca", and my personal favorite track "Abigbedoto" by Gnonnas Pedro. Overall, Africa Boogaloo is a great compilation featuring many rare gems that help shed light on this unique blending of African, Latin, and Caribbean music. I highly recommend picking up this record, putting it on, and listening to it as you enjoy a nice cold pitcher of Sangria. Enjoy!

Gnonnas Pedro - Abigbedoto

The Sounds of Jungle Music

It's safe to say that Strut Records has been very busy recently releasing some of the year's best albums and compilations. Their hot streak continues as one of the summer's most highly anticipated releases in Walter Gibbons' first multi-label retrospective tilted Jungle Music (which was first discussed on this blog back in late May-See 'Jungle Music') has started to makes it's way to record shops, with an official release being August 17th. This retrospective sheds light on some of Gibbons' best work, as he became a fixture in the studio while setting the blueprint for all disco twelve-inch mixes. Some of the album's highlights include Dinosaur L's "Go Bang", Jakki's "Sun... Sun... Sun...", Arthur Russell's "Calling All Kids", Gladys Knight's "It's A Better Than Good Time", Bettye Lavette's "Doin' The Best That I Can", and Double Exposure's disco classic "Ten Percent" among many others. It's hard to capture the brilliance of Gibbons' legendary music accomplishments in just one release, however Strut has done an impressive job of recapturing some of the magic and musical genuineness that was Walter Gibbons. Enjoy!

Gladys Knight - It's Better Than A Good Time (Walter Gibbons Mix)



You can purchase Walter Gibbons' Jungle Music by Clicking Here
For more info on the release check out waltergibbons-junglemusic.com

Jungle Music

I was excited to receive an email this week that the good people over at Strut Records are gearing up to release the first multi-label retrospective on legendary DJ/ remixer Walter Gibbons, titled Jungle Music. During the mid to late seventies, Gibbons became one of the first to make his own reel to reel edits that where specifically designed for the dancefloor. His multi-track re-working of Double Exposure's 1976 track "Ten Percent" became the foundation and blueprint for all disco twelve-inch mixes. Gibbons' went on to be a staple, re-working mixes for many of the Salsoul twelve-inch releases, and in the end became the only remixer that Arthur Russell trusted which led to his fabulous re-working of "Go Bang!", "Let's Go Swimming", and "Treehouse/ School Bell". He also went on to remix classic dancefloor cuts from artists like Gladys Knight, Arts & Craft, Sandy Mercer, and many others. This compilation, which includes many of Gibbons best remixes, is due out sometime in July. Here is a one of my favorite Gibbons' remixes, that unfortunately won't be on the compilation, titled "Rocket Rock" by Luv You Madly Orchestra. Some called his style "Jungle Music", I would just call it pure brilliance. Enjoy!

Luv You Madly Orchestra - Rocket Rock (Walter Gibbons Mix)

Disco Africa

As I'm sure you have noticed, I've been really listening to a lot of Afro grooves as of late. One of the tracks that have been on constant rotation is The Ogyatanaa Show Band's funky seventies gem "Disco Africa". This very rare track was recently released on the excellent Soundway compilation Ghana Soundz Volume 2, which features many great tracks including Ebo Taylor's "Atwer Abroba", The African Brother's "Sakatumbe " and Oscar Sulley & The Uhuru Dance Band's "Olufeme" among many others. On "Disco Africa", we find The Ogyatanaa Show Band successfully blurring the lines between Afrobeat and disco. However probably more importantly, it's nice to see labels like Soundway, Analog Africa, Honest Jon's, and Strut making lost songs like "Disco Africa" and compilations like Ghana Soundz Volume 2 available to new generations of music lovers, like myself. Enjoy!

The Ogyatanaa Show Band - Disco Africa

The Revolutionary Beats of Cuba

Over this past weekend, I was excited to pick up the first volume of the Waxing Deep Records' released Si, Para Usted compilation. The well-compiled collection of tracks that makes up the release, features rare and funky cuts from revolutionary-era Cuba. The double-vinyl record includes funky jazz and Latin flavoured cuts from groups and artists like Irakere, Los Reyes '73, Grupo Monumental, Jorge Reyes and Orquesta Riverside among many others. My favorite track on the compilation is probably the record's opener in "Son A Propulsion" by Juan Pablo Torres Y Algo Nuevo, who is featured three times on the release. Overall, the first volume in the two part series of Si, Para Usted is a solid compilation that gives great insight into the music and artists during a very controversial period in Cuba. Enjoy

Juan Pablo Torres Y Algo Nuevo - Son A Propulsion