Tags: Afro Funk

Review: Under the Guts guise, instrumental hip-hop beat-maker turned tropical soul enthusiast Fabrice Franck Henri has become one of Heavenly Sweetness' most reliable artists. "Philantropiques" is Henri's first album for three years and could well be his most expansive and adventurous to date. The set's 14 tracks are as colourful and musically rich as you'd expect, with the storied producer and a range of vocal collaborators conjuring up tracks that draw influence from a myriad of Central American, Caribbean, South American and African styles. The results are uniformly excellent, with highlights including the tropical shuffle of "Mucagiami (feat Vum Vum)", the sun-kissed French Caribbean funk of "Daddy Sweet (feat Pat Kalla)", the Afro-Tropical rush of "Kenk Corner" and the synth-powered brilliance of "Shake It & Rise Up".

Review: The Yoruba Singers reinterpreted Guyana folk music and infused it with Afro-roots and culture on this double A-side 7". Now for the first time every it gets reissued on vinyl. This release came a year after the group's debut album Ojinga's Own and were recorded in Barbados and released on the Green Shrimp label. They were big regional has with dancers lapping the grooves throughout the Caribbean and South America. The sounds are said to be the building blocks for what went on to become known as the Champeta Criolla sound in the Caribbean coast of Colombia.

Review: The Black Truth Rhythm Band is renowned for its Afrobeat fusion - a sound that very much epitomizes the vibrant spirit of 1970s funk and soul. Their iconic album 'Ifetayo (Love Excels All)' stands as a testament to their musical prowess and social consciousness. It has been fully remastered here with all its pulsating rhythms, infectious brass, and impassioned vocals transcending time to deliver a message of love and unity. Rooted in the African diaspora experience, the band's music serves as a rallying cry for social justice and cultural pride. Ifetayo remains a timeless work that still resonates with audiences worldwide thanks to its potent blend of groove and meaning.