We Are Busy Bodies Canada Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Funky Africa is an album that, as the title suggests, totally embodies the sound of Africa. Composer, guitarist, and producer Almon Memela imbues his sounds with everything that makes Afro music great from the wild trumpet lines to the throbbing rhythms and spiritual vibes that run through each tune. It first came in 1975 and has long been one of those cornerstone albums for those in the know. It has been ultra rare since first issue and packs in romantic sounds next to dance floor bait, all with great style and showmanship.

Review: Finnish jazz collective Oiro Pena is fronted by the prolific composer and saxophonist Antti Vauhkonen and this new album was recorded in a studio as well as some bedrooms and less salubrious locations around Helsinki, It was recorded in 2022 and mixes up lo-fi jazz, experimental sounds, spiritual overtones and avant-garde musical forms with four vocal tracks featuring Merikukka Kiviharju. As well as original lines, she sings parts from some classic Finnish folk songs. It makes for a powerful and timeless record that comes in heavily limited quantities.

Review: Last year the We Are Busy Bodies label reissued pianist Lionel Pillay's album Shrimp Boats with saxophonist Basil "Mannenberg" Coetzee. Now his solo album Deeper In Black is in the spotlight and it is one that was inspired by a 1969 Blue Note recording of American trumpeter Blue Mitchell. There are a wealth of great arrangements and compositions here with the opener offering lush sax and funky bass that is overlaid with shivering keys. 'Deeper In The Black' is a real dancer with more leading sax lines and drums that take you to the dance floor.

Review: Fans of international sounds will know just how big Vis A Vis's contribution has been to the scene over the years. In all they put out around 13 albums between 1975 and 1982 and were both talented studio artists and live musicians. Vocalist Isaac "Superstar" Yeboah led the group with able assistance from Sammy Cropper on guitar, Slim Manu on bass and Gybson "Shaolin Kung-Fu" Papra on drums. Di Wo Ho Ni is one of their many vital albums and this limited edition repress means you won't have to fork out eye waveringly high prices for an OG.

Review: Vis-A-Vis released a hugely impressive 13 albums between 1975 and 1982. Both talented studio artists and live musicians, the band was led by vocalist Isaac "Superstar" Yeboah with Sammy Cropper on guitar, Slim Manu on bass and Gybson "Shaolin Kung-Fu" Papra on drums. The We Are Busy Bodies label is in the process of rolling out reissues of plenty of those records and this is one fo the best . A real listening joy, it brings with afro grooves and noodling jazz melodies, richly textured organ and bass work that all help take you to warmer, earthier climes in an instant.