International Recommendations October 2016

Review: Destination Guadeloupe: Sofrito Super Singles' second "Percussion Series" EP takes us deep into the legendary work of Erick Cosaque a man who began as a singer but has become progressively more experimental ever since. His work in the late 80s and 90s is especially inspiring as he combined dense layers of African percussion with subtle drum machines and folk singing. The result is a hypnotic weave of ageless elements drawn with honesty, clarity and rhythmic allure - especially in these crystal clear remastered forms.

Review: The Budabeats imprint is a welcomed addition to the funk and soul reissue game, and this third instalment from the label is exactly what we need to be hearing right now - something upbeat, tropical and rare in its original format. On Side A, you got 1971's "O Telefone Tocou Novamente" by the Brazilian Singers, and it's a wavy, magical psych-funk bombshell in the same vein as Marcos Valle's best work. On the flip, there's a special surf-rock-inspired song by Peru's Los Belkings and, yes, it's from 1969 and still sounding like a total monster almost forty years later. Recommended!

Review: Another work of Soul Jazz curatorial gold: Nigeria Soul Fever is a detailed gatefold trip into one of Nigeria's richest chapters in music. Heavy trade restrictions allowed them to develop their own style without too much US or European influence and the result is an array of national talent who largely remained legends within their own borders. The range is mesmerizing; the sinewy synth and playground vocal Q&A of Benis Cletin's "Get Up & Dance", the ballroom disco soul of Tee Mac's "Living Everyday", the soulful afrofunk folk of Jimmy Sherry's "Nwaeze", the gut-punching power of Arakatula's album finale "Wake Up Africa". This is a treasure trove of unreleased gems that capture a truly unique time.

Review: A limited double 7" from Nickodemus's essential summer compendium of the same name, "Turntables On The Caribbean" takes four of the album's finest sun-splashed Cuban and Caribbean gems for your party pleasure. "Rive" is loaded with Latin lashings of funk and a sprightly samba slap, "La Ciudad De Le Eterna Primavera" takes us on more mystical Peruvian jaunt while "Aguacero" is a stately moombahton pop track splashed with premium levels of Calypso soul. And if that's not enough, the perennial Poirier shuts up the shop with a beautiful piece of favela house "Pale Mal". Beautiful.

Review: Coming straight outta the streets of Sao Paolo, the Goma Gringa label bring you the best of the city's contemporary music. To Brazilian music fanatics, Sao Paolo isn't always associated with the country's best or most traditional music, but this compilation brings together a sublime collection of artists and songs from different yet related genres. There are several highlights on here, but we're particularly vibing on the warm, tranquil psych rock of "Karina" by Vicente Barreto, Rodrigo Campos' more traditional strain of Brazilian tropicana on "Velho Amarelo", Thiago Franca's space jazz track "Abdu", and the absurdly hazy hippie excursion called "Obatala" by Meta Meta. World release of the week!