Wah Wah 45s Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Wah Wah welcome the return of multi-talented Norwegian producer Espen Horne, following a 24 year hiatus. Sometimes, such resurfacings must happen - even after such long periods of time - if only to reaffirm the round-robin integrity of the label. The Anatomy Of Serene Eloquence is thus the logical, LP-form follow-up to 1999's acid jazz single/EP 'Magnetica', which, though released only to furtive acclaim, launched the label's reputation as a pusher of delights. This new one, however, makes for a remarkably different turn in sound, coming as a full-length of ambient, tremolo-ing and glistening jazz-funk verging on hip-hop (though certainly cut from the same cloth as 'Magnetica'). Vocalists and instrumentalists such as Olav Wollo, Faye Houston and Aich are kept firmly in tow, squeezing the icing onto an already spongy, delicious sonic gateau.

Review: Raz & Afla bring together the talents of producer Raz Olsher and Ghanaian percussionist Afla Sackey here in order to blend electronic beats with traditional African rhythms and create a bold new and innovative sound. Olsher's boundary-pushing electronic compositions and Sackey's rich African melodies and soulful vocals result in a unique fusion that started with their acclaimed debut The Cycle. Their follow-up album, Echoes of Resistance, continues to explore new sonic realms from politically charged tracks like 'What's Going On?' to dancefloor anthems like 'Mon Ni Fere' this is a record packed with big tunes but also some real meaning and emotion.

Review: Wah Wah 45s return to the world of reissues by offering up a fresh (and expanded) pressing of an overlooked acoustic soul gem from the early 1990s. SAM was a short-lived collaboration between singer-songwriter Sam Edwards and producer Alex Boyesen, who met while the was working for the Haringey Music Workshop community project, with the pair self-releasing a two-track single. You get both of those cuts here: the simply sublime, life-affirming acoustic soul-jazz brilliance of 'American Cars' and the even more jazzy 'Life', both of which feature staggeringly good lead vocals from Edwards. The EP also includes two fresh remixes: an extended, subtly beefed-up jazz-dance revision of 'American Cars' from Ashley Beedle's Afrikanz on Marz project, and a warming, colourful, synth-sporting take on 'Life' by Adam Scrimshire.