Review: Some high-grade re-edit action here, as dusty-fingered Chicagoan crate diggers Sadar Bahar and Marc Davis join forces with pal (and credited mixer) Rahaan on two fine tweaks of suitably obscure tracks. A-side 'Disco' is a groovy, funky, horn-heavy affair; a sumptuously string-laden, orchestrated blend of righteous gospel-soul, Philadelphia International style proto-disco and grooves reminiscent of those frequently employed on Steely Dan's most up-beat moments. 'Beat Down' meanwhile is a jaunty, percussive and sun-soaked slab of dancefloor-ready Latin jazz that speeds up as it goes along. The jazz dancers will love it!
Review: ,Joe Bataan has been busy in East L.A. with Orquesta Rene for this new Latin jazz double 7" courtesy of Steady Beat. It features four all new pieces drenched in soul and percussion, starting with 'So Fine' (feat Big Sandy), a mid tempo groove with vocal longing and languid horns. 'Mestizo' is a more steamy and intimate piece with sung-spoken lyrics and glowing, golden chords. 'Mom & Dad' (feat Claudia Lennear) has s steamy shuffle to its rhythms and classic Latin percussive sounds next to a call and response vocal and 'Time After Time' closes with a sentimental feel.
Review: Admittedly, we're as in the dark now about Cheeba's Prestige Allstars as we were when it first dropped last year, but it sold out so has done well. This reissue of the limited 7" release is a steamy blend of Afro and Latin funk. 'Dig This!' (vocal version) delivers a raw, energetic cut with punchy drums and lively James Brown samples, complemented by bold saxophone riffs. On the flip side, the instrumental version retains the groove, albeit slightly stripped back, maintaining the essence of James Brown's mic presence. While details about the band remain elusive, their music speaks volumes, offering a vibrant fusion of sounds that captivate dancefloors.
Review: Over the last couple of years, Matasuna Records has developed a tried-and-tested formula. It revolves around finding and licensing killer cuts - think funk, Afrobeat, tropical flavours and Latin beats - and then pairing them with a fresh, floor-friendly re-edit. Their latest find is something of an overlooked gem: a gorgeously sunny 1983 number from Ghanaian musician Mawuli Decker that's piled high with infectious, EWE-language vocals, Highlife guitars, spacey Moog sounds and cute electric piano solos. The accompanying Renegades of Jazz re-edit is pleasingly faithful to its source material, deftly showcasing Decker's brilliant music while beefing up the bass, subtly tightening up the drums and layering on some complimentary hand percussion.
Happening In The Streets (Domo rework 7" edit) (4:24)
Happening In The Streets (DJ Tool) (3:25)
Review: Domo Domo are the duo of Japanese sound engineer Yas Inoue and DJ Takaya Nagase, both based in New York. Their latest 'Happening In The Streets' pays due homage to jazz-funk supergroup The Voltage Brothers, who released their discographic standouts in the 70s and 80s. Two cleverly put-together edits of the eponymous rare groove original come with many filtrations, lengthenings, effects and sonic tweaks.
Review: Few bands live up to their name in the way Jungle Fire do; fusing Cumbia, Afrobeat and trad funk, each JF jam blazes the floor with real power. "Firewalker" is the buzz-cut here, swaggering with Afro-disco confidence; it's all about the epic horn Q&A and cutlass-sharp guitar lick. "Chalupa" takes a deeper route into the dancefloor by way of a classic soul riff that sways to-and-fro before breaking down into a more staccato rhythm. Watch out for the pay-off... Those jazz horns are a delight to behold!
Review: Spanish reissue label Rocafort present this wonderful slice of highlife from Konkolo Orchestra, this time on nice blue wax as well as a plain black version. It's not exactly clear where, or indeed when, exactly the band came from, but their sound is all you need to worry about. 'Blue G' is a lilting, shuffling message of love and support for future generations, and from the message to the effervescent musicality, it's a no-brainer. On the flip, 'That Good Thing' is an instrumental that spirals outwards on the sweetest keys, joyous brass and dreamy guitar, driven by a pattering drum section to radiate good vibes wherever it's played.
Review: Seun Kuti has released his highly anticipated album Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) via Record Kicks to great excitement. This album, executive produced by Lenny Kravitz and featuring Fela Kuti's original engineer Sodi Marciszewer, marks a significant milestone in Kuti's career. Following his Grammy-nominated album Black Times, this release showcases his evolution as both an artist and activist. The album features six powerful tracks, each embodying themes of resistance, resilience, and revolution. The track 'Dey,' featuring Damian Marley, emphasises self-empowerment, while 'Emi Aluta' pays homage to revolutionaries, featuring the innovative Sampa The Great. 'T.O.P.' critiques societal values, promoting empathy and a connection to nature. 'Love and Revolution' highlights Kuti's belief in love as a catalyst for change. Kuti expressed gratitude for Kravitz's brotherly support and Sodi's guidance during the production process. He continues to uphold the legacy of his father, Fela Kuti, using his music to inspire social change. This album promises to redefine contemporary Afrobeat while staying true to its roots. Fans can expect an album that entertains, inspires and ignites activism.
Review: Original Gravity, Luchito Rodriguez and Nestor Alvarez return with yet two more Latin groove versions of funk and soul classics, emulating two sounds not yet brought together enough. 'Dap Walk' is a shot-by-shot cover of the song of the same name by Ernie And The Top Notes - a slick and slippery interpretation that translates the original AAVE of the song's intro into Spanish. 'El Barrio', meanwhile, opts for 70s crime thriller vibes, instrumentally verging on expressionism via djembe, brass sections and vibraslaps.
Review: Latin Fever Vol. 3 offers a vibrant collection of tracks from Luchito & Nestor, as well as solo efforts by Nestor Alvarez (a.k.a. Neil Anderson). Luchito & Nestor's rendition of The Olympics' 'Good Lovin' kicks things off with a blistering Latin boogaloo twist, featuring infectious rhythms and lively brass. The instrumental Part 2 replaces lead vocals with a dynamic flute topline, adding a fresh layer to the classic hit. On the flip side, Nestor Alvarez's 'La Gordita Americana' is an uptempo boogaloo groover led by horns and piano, delivering an energetic and danceable vibe. The collection concludes with 'Ixo's Taxi,' a skeletal xylophone-led funk track that brings a unique, nostalgic charm. Each track on this release has a rich blend of Latin rhythms and boogaloo energy, making this an exciting 7" to hit the dancefloor to.
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou-Dahomey - "It's A Vanity" (4:21)
Clement Melome Et Le Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - "Nougbo Vehou (La Verite Blesse)" (4:49)
Review: The legendary Afro funk fusionists Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou Dahomey have got unlimited amounts of big tunes in their back catalogue and the fiery 'It's A Vanity' is one of them. It has fat and chunky drums with trademark horns leading the way next to the impassioned vocals. The tune twists and turns on a vibe as it funks you up and then on the flip is the more lo-fi and stripped back, earthen funk sounds of 'Nougbo Vehou' (La Verite Blesse). Anotehr killer 7" reissue from this great collective.
Review: Powers That Be is a heavyweight modern funk outfit which counts some serious talent in its ranks. Antibalas drummer and bassist Miles Francis and Phenomenal Handclap Band's guitarist Luke O'Malley are but two of the gifted players laying down a vintage style of deep funk on this sureshot 7" for Mighty Eye. You'd be forgiven for thinking this was a holy grail cut from the 70s, given how warm and natural the sound on the record is, but there's also a degree of finesse on both sides of the record which speaks to the band's collective endeavours in pushing classic funk forwards in the modern era.
Review: Rahaan is a Chicago legend and master of the most soulful sounds in the studio. His new EP for BBE, 'We Are The Ones,' sees him joining up with a whole host of top musicians such as Marcus J. Austin and Nancy Clayton on vocals, Carnell C. Newbill on keys, Todd Swope on guitar and Lou Terry on bass. Between them they bring real dance floor adventures that are steeped in proper musicality. Ohio Players' Kenny Anderson on the horns brings some real soul to these four-to-the-floor cuts which mix up disco and house in the finest of fashion.
Review: Mongo Santamaria's 'Green Onions' here (a cover of the iconic Booker T standard) is a classic cut that showcases the legendary Cuban percussionist's mastery on the drums. First released in 1969 alongside the nighttime swayer 'In The Midnight Hour' , the single hears a funking reissue here that once more shines a blinding light on Santamaria's deft ability to blend originally American compositions with Latin rhythms and soul-jazz structures.
Review: Ottawa's Afro-jazz-funk collective returns with a limited 7" showcasing two dynamic tracks that highlight their genre-blending prowess. Originally released in 2014 on Inner Fire, 'One Life To Live' kicks off Side-1 with an exhilarating fusion of funk, Latin and Afro rhythms. The track's lively horn arrangements and tight percussion create an infectious groove, balancing intricate musicianship with danceable energy. On Side-2, 'Kingdome Come' dives deeper into jazz territory, merging Afro-Cuban jazz with jazz-funk and Latin jazz elements. The result is a richly textured piece that moves fluidly between laid-back grooves and vibrant, rhythmic bursts. The percussion is sharp, and the brass shines with both restraint and exuberance, highlighting the band's ability to navigate complex arrangements while maintaining a relaxed, natural flow.
Review: Columbian Afro-cumbia sensation Wganda Kenya drew acclaim for their group excursions in dance music, not least for the huge ensemble cast of nine-plus musicians that made them up. 'Shakalaode' came in 1976 as the infectiously slackened cover of Fela Kuti's 'Shakara', released five years earlier. Colombian Afrobeat leant more heavily on diasporic rhythmic elements, which differed from Nigerian Afrobeat in that these used regional cumbia, porro and mapale, descending from Afro populations who had settled along the Pacific and Caribbean coast. Less polyrhythmic and perhaps more tropical in feel, the A-side serves as a shining example, with rushy plucks and strident shouts intro'ing a flavoursome shakedown, and 'El Abanico' follows up as a surpriser Fatback Band cover.
Review: After forming from the ashes of a lauded jazz group in 1972, Sierra Leone's Afro National went on to release countless killer singles and albums that effortlessly joined the dots between jazz, highlife, funk and more traditional West African sounds. Here, the laudable Africa Seven label celebrates the band's legacy not by gathering together their most famous tracks, but rather cuts with the most insatiable dancefloor chops. The hits come thick and fast, from the punchy Afrobeat/highlife fusion of opener "Jokenge" and the rolling, low-slung goodness of "Mr Who You Be", to the jaunty, celebratory brilliance of the Juju-influenced "Sonjo" and fuzzy sweetness of the compilation's closing track, "Mother In Law" (which, incidentally, is far more enjoyable than any weekend visit from the in-laws).
Review: Ajate's third album, Dala Toni, is a vibrant fusion of Afro groove and Japanese traditional Ohayashi music, showcasing the band's innovative approach to blending diverse musical traditions. Founded by Japanese musician Junichiro "John" Imaeda after a revelatory experience in West Africa, Ajate brings together ten passionate musicians to create music that transcends cultural boundaries. Utilizing a mix of traditional instruments like drums, flutes, and bells, as well as handmade bamboo instruments crafted by Imaeda himself, such as the unique 'Jaate' and 'Piechiku,' Ajate's sound is both powerful and distinctive. Their incorporation of Afrobeat rhythms and Japanese vocals adds further depth and richness to their music, reflecting themes of human connection, unity, and the joy of life.Having gained acclaim for their explosive live performances in Japan and beyond, including appearances at prestigious festivals like Sukiyaki Meets The World and WOMAD UK, Ajate's music resonates with audiences worldwide. With Dala Toni, they continue to push the boundaries of global music, solidifying their position as pioneers of the genre "made in Japan."
Review: Two titans of African music come together for a collaboration that will sadly never be repeated after the passing of the late Hugh Masekela. Allen's instantly recognisable drumming and Masekela's iconic trumpet are a match made in heaven - after all their paths first crossed back in the 70s thanks to Fela Kuti's galvanizing energy. Forget the throwback stuff trying to capture the spirit of the originators, this IS the originators sounding cool and deadly in every way. Funk lovers, Afrobeat heads, curious ears and dancing souls take heed - this right here is an unmissable transmission from two grandmasters in their field.
Review: 1975's "Simigwa" album not only launched the career of Afro-funk fusionist and eventual Highlife great Gyedu Blay Ambolley, but also inspired a Ghanaian dance craze. The album was co-produced by another Highlife great, Ebo Taylor, and has long been exceptionally hard to find on vinyl. For this official vinyl reissue on Mr Bongo, Ambolley's landmark set has been fully re-mastered for the very first time. It sounds spectacular, with great clarity on the ear-catching brass solos, serious weight to the bass and superb stereo separation. Highlights include - but certainly aren't limited to - the Afro-blues brilliance of "Toffie", the jaunty dancefloor fuzziness of "This Hustling World" and the heavyweight swing of ear-catching opener "Kwaakwaa".
Review: Aron and the Jeri Jeri Band's debut album Dama Begga Nibi (I Want To Go Home) is a dynamic fusion of Senegalese tradition and global influences. Founded by Berlin-based composer Aron Ottignon and Senegalese griot Bakane Seck, the album blends Mbalax, jazz, afrobeats, reggae and electronic sounds, reflecting the rich interplay of cultures in today's music scene. The title track, 'Dama Begga Nibi;, opens with Pape Diouf's evocative vocals and a poignant longing for home amid lockdown isolation. 'Sunugal', with Ale Mboup's expressive voice and a children's choir, underscores the central role of music in Senegalese culture with a heartfelt homage to the country's traditions. Tracks like 'Mama Djuma' and 'Teddoungal' bring funk, soul, and rhythm that invite movement, while 'Bongo Boys' and 'Jeri Jeri' deliver pulsating electronic beats ideal for lively settings. 'The Return Of The Golden Egg' in particular is very exciting with its blend of pop, rhythm and blues, Calypso and the unique electronic sounds. The album closes with 'Strange People', featuring Aicha's stunning vocals recorded by the Saloum River, providing a serene conclusion. Dama Begga Nibi beautifully illustrates the seamless blend of historical and contemporary influences, celebrating both tradition and modernity.
Review: Campania-based combo Asakaira has delivered a genuinely brilliant debut album here. Rooted in improvisation and the collective's combined love of jazz, Afrobeat, jazz-funk, hip-hop and the Afro-cosmic sounds that have long been a staple of Italy's underground music culture, the album's six original tracks (the seventh is an alternate 'Night' take on the jaunty, energetic and percussive 'Skijii') bristle with imagination and inventiveness. For proof, check the tropical disco delights of 'Night Tales', the head-nodding hip-hop-jazz of 'Chatting With You' and the dubby jazz-not-jazz shuffle of 'Moon Phases', a track that just intensifies and gets bigger as it progresses.
Review: Chris Bangs is widely, albeit not so, known for coining the term 'acid jazz'. If it weren't for him it's likely we wouldn't have modern day future jazz pushers like Soul Jazz or Brownswood. This new compendium, 'Firebird', charts the DJ and producer's latest sonic explorations, blurring the boundaries between every influence from contemporary jazz, UK electronic dance, and Latin dance styles from bossa nova to salsa. It also contains several examples of what is known as his 'East Coast' sound, which pays homage to the fusion of jazz and funk and which spread throughout UK nightclubs as far back as the early 80s.
Review: Acid jazz pioneer - and "acid jazz" coiner (!) - Chris Bangs returns with a brand new album for 2024, 'Dream World', which follows on from his early 2023 release 'Firebird'. Corralling his friends - Argentine keyboardist Luciano De La Rosa, Italian Massimo Morganti on trombone, Chile's Juan Pi Salvo on trumpet, and Fabio Tiralongo on sax - together for a supergrouped set of nine Bangers, Dream World hears the artist transcend borders in a mondialised fashion, in doing so paying homage to many of his inspirational greats such as the Mizell Brothers, Wayne Henderson and George Duke, whom together produced the joint groundwork for the latter-day genre.
Joe Bataan - "Latin Soul Square Dance" (alternate version) (5:24)
Joe Bataan - "(Goodbye Adios) Roberto Clemente" (4:19)
Eddie Lebron - "My Vows To You" (feat Little David) (2:31)
Eddie Lebron - "Sigue Tu Vida" (3:42)
The Edwards Generation - "Someone Like You" (2:59)
The Edwards Generation - "School Is In" (2:57)
One Sy Mack - "Never Listen To Your Heart" (2:39)
One Sy Mack - "A Part Of A Fool" (3:00)
Review: Previously unreleased, Joe Bataan (real name Bataan Nitollano) recorded the bulk of the material making up Drug Story in 1972. This new, highly limited box set hears seven revered, rarely-heard gems of Latin jazz, deep soul, raucous boogaloo, and heavy salsa by the legend, most of which were largely salvaged from his very own self-run Ghetto Records vaults. Drug Story was inspired by true events, and hears Bataan croon graciously over themes of destitution, lost family members and friends, and addiction. One of three definitive reissues of Bataan's greatest works, licensed from Bataan himself, with his oversight and input into a 15 page oversized book by Pablo Yglesia,s that details Bataan's larger-than-imagination life and his little Latin label that could.
Review: Mr. Bongo takes us back to the release of Waltel Blanco's jazz-funk masterwork, 'Meu Balanco', first released in 1995. Noted for its accumulation of Blanco's various skills picked up over the course of his years as a session musician in Brazil - for the likes of Marcos Valle and Elis Regina, to name a few - this LP is a rollicking instrumental ride, just as suitable for film soundtracking as it is for home listening. Many-an electric piano, bass lick and buzzing horn cement the vibe of the boom in Latin cinema at the time of its release.
Review: The Budos Band are the quintessence of Staten Island Soul. Since the release of the 2005 debut, their exciting new afro-influenced take on the instrumental music has been captivating listeners across the globe. "The Budos Band II" is an amazing release on Daptone.
Review: Central, the "salsa band closest to the club scene" based in Tokyo, follows up former consecutive singles hits ('Samurai, 'Pastime Paradise') with the new full-length album in which they're housed, Flor De Roble. With a core primetime salsa cover of Stevie Wonder's 'Pastime Paradise' leading the charge, we've then a string of originals here, from 'Flor De 1.1 Rb.' and 'Samurai'. Also included are Carabali's 'Was I Surprised' and Crazy Ken Band's infamous soul masterpiece 'Towel', both again adorned in a bold salsa arrangement. An honorific 25th Anniversary album, though it is new.
Review: Mr Bongo present a staunch retro vision of Cuban-born violinist Alfredo De La Fe, one of whose sonographic creams was the debut salsa-and-more fusion album, Alfredo. Based between New York and Colombia, Alfredo worked with many of the greats in Latin music, including Eddie Palmieri, Willie Colon and Roberto Roena, as well as disco and soul icons Sylvester and Aquarian Dream. For a debut solo record, Alfredo is a real charm offensive, and a valiant experiment at that, mixing Latin dancefloor crunches with De La Fe's own, unusually additive violin, placed centre stage as he solos. The record - a favourite of legendary New York club The Paradise Garage - tonally shifts past the halfway mark, eschewing the A-side's chroma-jazzy clavier discombobulations for an early four-to-the-floor, daresay proto deep house excursion, 'Hot To Trot'.
Review: Esperanto is widely heralded as a Venezuelan jazz-Ffsion masterpiece. It was first released in 1980 and is a real collector's item that is hard to find an expensive. French label Favourite now presents a first ever reissue of the eponymous LP that was recorded in Caracas by a number of talented musicians. It has strong Latin and funk overtones. Squelchy synth sounds and is a must-have for anyone interested in this fine fusion sound. The band started off playing jam sessions that grew ever more refined to the point that they eventually lay down this enduring masterclass.
Review: Ferry Djimmy is quite the character - he is a mysterious Afrobeat figure who also was a former schoolteacher, boxer, Jacques Chirac's bodyguard, and well as being a legendary Beninese musical visionary. He recorded this album sometime in the mid-1970s in support of the revolutionary leader of Benin at the time - Mathieu Kerekou. A fire is reported to have turned all but 200 copies to dust so it is mega rare and expensive to get an original. Acid Jazz reissues it here in all its fiery, lo-fi, gnarly Afrobeat glory. This is a fully licensed project with all new and in-depth sleeve notes by Florent Mazzoleni.
El Hijo Del Buno - "La Danza Del Espiritu" (feat Los Gaiteros De Pueblob Santo) (3:32)
De Mar Y Rio - "Bailen Y Gocen" (3:52)
Umu Obiligbo - "Udemba" (3:35)
Amadou Balake - "Massa Kamba" (4:33)
Joi N'juno - "Samemala" (5:18)
Avila Santo - "Wole" (3:44)
Oliver N'goma - "Icole" (5:15)
Patrick Saint-eloi - "Ay Pwan Van" (5:53)
Timothee Et Pot & Co - "Rentre Dans Ton Hlm" (2:59)
Adelasio Muangole - "Nao Fatiga Muangole" (5:24)
Locobeach - "Idea Desesperada" (4:05)
Review: Guts is a renowned French producer, DJ and vinyl connoisseur known for curating impeccable selections of global sounds. He has done so three times before for this series on Heavenly Sweetness and now returns with a fourth volume that arrives just in time for party season. This essential compilation traverses vibrant Latin rhythms, dynamic Afrobeat, soulful grooves and infectious tropical rhythms to make for a far-travelling listen. Again it shows off Guts' unmatched ability to uncover hidden gems and present them with fresh energy in an eclectic yet cohesive celebration of music's global spirit.
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