Outernational Sounds Schallplatten & CDs

Review: This is a rather epic transatlantic hook up between hip-hop legend and Ultramagnetic MC Kool Keith and We Are The Horsemen. The artists got together in London for this one with the very special help of the great Kaidi Tatham, a broken beat innovator who helps make this one a future-jazz-flavoured trip with next level mic work. The original of 'London Is The Place' is a dark and menacing cut with muffled but dynamic beats and mystic distant sax lines as well as plenty of sci-fi effects and metropolitan glow. The B-side features a version with Kaidi Tatham and also a Kool Jazz mix. What a potent EP this is.

Review: The Mallory-Hall Band was a legendary South African group back in the 70s. They toured the country far and wide during apartheid times and are best known for their Song of Soweto album. It was recorded in Johannesburg by a skilled 12-piece orchestra but was never released outside fo the band's homeland, and has been out of print until this month when Outernational Sounds reissued it. They are also putting out this super vital album, The Last Special, featuring four more majestic tunes of the band's signature township jazz. There is deriving sax and polyrhythm to get lost in on 'The Last Special', dense jazz madness on 'Princess Of Jo'Burg' and a more laid back groove on 'Amafu' before 'Blue Mabone' ups the funk.