Back catalogue: International

Review: Mulatu Astatke's 1972 album Mulatu of Ethiopia stands as a seminal work introducing listeners to the innovative sounds of Ethio-jazz. Born out of Mulatu's unique blend of Ethiopian melodies with Western instruments and influenced by his experiences in Boston and New York, the album exudes a captivating fusion of styles, as Mulatu's mastery of the vibraphone, paired with organ, flute and horns creates a mesmerising sonic landscape across seven tracks. Straying from traditional Ethiopian vocal-centric music, Mulatu's instrumental compositions showcase his singular vision. The album's reissue provides a deeper understanding of its creation, with additional outtakes revealing the bandleader's meticulous direction and experimentation. Over the years, Mulatu's influence has extended beyond jazz, inspiring artists across genres and spurring renewed interest in his timeless work.

Review: As part of their 20th anniversary celebrations, Strut has decided to bring back the compilation series that first put the label on the map: "Nigeria 70". Curated by Duncan Brooker, this latest volume in the series is the first for eight years. It's another history lesson, with Brooker largely focusing on exposing the musical links between the music of Nigeria and Benin. You get a white-hot mixture of Highlife, Afro-Funk and Ju-Ju, mostly hand-picked from albums and singles that are near impossible for mere mortals to find. Interestingly, this edition doesn't just contain heavy cuts from the '70s, but also more synth-powered songs from the 1980s, too. As you'd expect, it makes for terrific listening.

Review: A Dancefloor in Ndola, curated by East African DJ Kampire for Strut Records' 25th anniversary, is a great example at the broad sounds of classic East and Southern African music. With 13 tracks that span genres like Congolese rumba, South African bubblegum, and Zambian kalindula, the compilation pays homage to the rich musical heritage of the region. Kampire's personal connection to the music, shaped by her upbringing in Ndola, Zambia, adds depth to the compilation. Through her own edit of 'Ririmi Rotsombela' and personal liner notes, she traces her links to the music, creating a nostalgic experience for listeners. The compilation not only celebrates well-known artists but also shines a spotlight on women in African music from the 80s, including legends like Pembey Sheiro, Feza Shamamba, and Princesse Mansia M'bila. It's a testament to the diversity and richness of African music history. With its blend of classic tracks and Kampire's personal touch, A Dancefloor in Ndola is more than just a compilation; it's a cultural journey that highlights the beauty and significance of African musical traditions.

Review: Always keen to break new ground, Strut's latest compilation comes not from a well-known European or American crate-digger, but rather Kenyan-born, Uganda-based DJ Kampire. A Dancefloor in Ndola sees her look back to her time growing up in Zambia and specifically the music she heard and loved during these formative years. It's a great idea, executed brilliantly, with Kampire showcasing an enticing and highly entertaining mix of East and South African music from the 70s and 80s, including Congolese rumba and soukous, bubblegum, and kalindula, a guitar-led style native to Zambia. It's a joyous an eye-opening collection all told and notable for - aside from the high quality throughout - Kampire's decision to showcase a high number of tracks from legendary and little-known female artists. A genuinely essential collection all told.

Review: Strut proudly presents the first official remastered reissue of Lafayette Afro Rock Band's funk/Afro classic, Soul Makossa from 1973. Originally known as the Bobby Boyd Congress, the seven-member Afro-American ensemble relocated from the U.S. to France in 1971. After lead singer Bobby Boyd returned to the US, the group rebranded as Ice and collaborated with producer Pierre Jaubert, whose credits included work with Charles Mingus and John Lee Hooker. Inspired by Motown's work ethic, Jaubert initiated daily rehearsals, leading to the band's unique sound. Immersed in Paris's African-dominated Barbesse district and frequently performing with Cameroonian composer Manu Dibango, the group evolved into Lafayette Afro Rock Band, embracing a heavier, more intricate Afro-funk style. Their debut album, Soul Makossa, featured a dynamic rendition of Dibango's classic, alongside the intense break of 'Hihache' and the infectious 'Nicky.' This meticulously crafted remaster by The Carvery from the original tapes includes the full original artwork, celebrating an iconic album's legacy.

Review: Strut proudly presents the first official remastered reissue of Lafayette Afro Rock Band's elusive funk/Afro original album, 'Malik,' originally released in 1974, on Limited Edition coloured vinyl. In 1971, the seven-member Afro-American ensemble, initially known as the Bobby Boyd Congress, moved from the U.S. to France. Bandleader Frank Abel recalls, With lead singer Bobby Boyd's return to the US, the group rebranded as Ice and collaborated with independent producer Pierre Jaubert, who had worked with legends like Charles Mingus and Archie Shepp. Inspired by Motown's work ethic, Jaubert initiated regular rehearsals with Ice. The band, immersed in Paris's African-dominated Barbes district, began infusing African elements into their music, often performing with Cameroonian composer Manu Dibango. As the Lafayette Afro Rock Band, they shifted to predominantly instrumental compositions with a dense Afro-funk sound. Their debut as Lafayette included 'Soul Makossa' and the impactful break in 'Hihache.' A year later, 'Malik' refined their sound with tracks like the percussive 'Conga,' atmospheric 'Djungi,' and robust 'Darkest Light.' Though initially limited in impact, 'Malik' gained appreciation as hip-hop culture flourished in the 80s, becoming a rich source of samples. This remastered reissue, crafted by The Carvery from the original tapes, has the full album and original artwork.

Review: Acclaimed South African folk singer Vusi Mahlasela joined forces with singer songwriter Norman Zulu as well as the superb Swedish jazz and soul collective Jive Connection for this album back in 2002. It was thought to be a lost recording until it recently showed up and now gets fully revived by Strut. There are strong political links between these countries which no doubt adds weight to this musical link up. It is a great exchange of cultures from parables to laments on child abuse to tunes that fuse reggae, jazz and post-punk with township styles.

Review: Recorded in New York in 1966, Miriam Makeba's "Pata Pata" - her first for the legendary Reprise Records imprint - has long been considered one of the most important and influential South African albums of all time. Strut certainly thinks so and has offered up a "definitive version" that contains both mono and stereo mixes of the album, alongside new sleeve notes that tell the singer's remarkable story in vivid detail. Musically the set is rooted in jazz, but also incorporates sounds, rhythms and instrumentation not only reflective of Makeba's home country, but also nods to American soul, Latin rhythms and calypso (the latter showcasing the influence of her mentor, Harry Belafonte).

Review: Strut introduces the highly anticipated third volume in the Disques Debs International series, diving deeper into the archives of one of the greatest French Caribbean labels, Disques Debs, based in Guadeloupe. Founded by Henri Debs in the late 1950s, the Debs studio naturally doubled as a record label and ran for over 50 years, releasing more than 300 7" singles and 200 LPs, cementing it as one of the foremost record labels to prize Caribbean music history. Not just limited to Guadeloupean musicians but also Martinicians and Parisians, the likes of Jocelyn Mocka, Mariz, Dominique Parol, Christian Yeye and Alex Rosa make this a thixotropic record, mercurial and restless as it is rooted in forms of zouk, biguine, gwoka and, of course, the nascent electronica. This third volume flaunts the label's dynamic latter-day period, as it interpreted the analog electronic dreams of the 1980s.

Review: In the summer of 2018, Strut offered up a compilation that mined the extensive back catalogue of Disques Debs International, a Guadeloupe-based label that showcased the finest music to come out of the French-speaking Caribbean between 1950 and 2000. While that set focused on material released between 1960 and '72, this belated sequel showcases cuts featured on Henri Debs' legendary imprint between 1973 and '81. The musical palette is therefore even brighter, breezier and more sun-kissed, offering up cuts that touch on mambo, rumba, Zouk, tropical disco, reggae and the kind of cross-cultural fusions that belie easy categorization. As you'd expect from Strut, the selections are spot on and the re-mastered sound superb. In other words, it's another must-have release from Quinton Scott's imprint.

Review: Strut's definitive vinyl edition of Nigeria 70 brings fresh vitality to a landmark compilation first released in 2001. This collection, renowned for its role in popularizing 1970s Lagos music, remains a vital exploration of Afro funk and Afro jazz, showcasing a vibrant cross-section of Nigerian music that extends beyond Fela Kuti's legacy. The reissue offers a rich tapestry of sounds that captured Nigeria's dynamic musical landscape. Starting with Monomono's 'Loma Da Nigbehin,' the album dives into deep, rhythmically complex Afrobeat grooves. Fela Kuti's iconic tracks 'Upside Down' and 'Jeun Ko Ku (Chop 'n' Quench)' highlight the revolutionary funk that defined the era, while Tony Allen's 'No Discrimination' from 1980 exemplifies the genre's evolving sophistication. The compilation's strength lies in its diversity. Tracks like Ofo & the Black Company's 'Allah Wakbarr' and BLO's 'Chant to Mother Earth' introduce psychedelic rock influences, while Joni Haastrup's 'Greetings' and Shina Williams & His African Percussionists' 'Agboju Logun' infuse disco and electro-funk elements into the Afrobeat foundation. William Onyeabor's 'Better Change Your Mind' offers a glimpse into how Nigerian artists engaged with global funk and synthesiser sounds. Nigeria 70 is a great example to the innovative spirit of Nigerian music in the 1970s, reflecting a rich interplay of local and global influences.