Review: JKriv's classic Bukom Mashie Rework gets a deluxe revival in a delectable 7-inch package having long been hard to find if not out of print entirely. And now what's more it also features a fresh acid dub. The original eight minute opus has been expertly trimmed for a streamlined A-side stomper, while the B-side showcases a brand-new version with a reimagined arrangement. This edition is embellished with vibrant 303 acid lines and live flute by the talented Domenica from Underground System all of which ensure that it is sure to become a big summer anthem once more in 2024.
Review: Faze Action's Afro series hits a fourth and final volume with Zeke Manyika and Faze Action themselves at the helm of two new singles. The vibes on this one take their cues from Afro Latin and Balearic worlds with opener 'Maswera' bringing nice open-air festival sounds, rich horn work and expressive drum funk. Manyika's chants are the icing on the cake for this one. Then comes a nice dubbed-out remix of 'Rugare' by Faze Action with lively disco drums and loose-limbed percussion. The original on the flip is a more straight-up and dazzling disco cut while a paired back instrumental of 'Maswera' closes things down in style. Timeless Afro bombs for sure.
Evasion 85 - "Van La Ka Vante" (Omar Mendez TD Fix) (3:55)
Bessoso - "Para Decir Que Te Quiero" (4:45)
Goma-Laca - "Do Pila" (feat Karina Buhr) (4:38)
Equipe Radio Cidade - "Bon Tempos" (2:34)
Voilaaa - "Spies Are Watching Me" (4:56)
Blyk Tchutchi Loy Dtchutchi - "Mandamento De Deus" (3:43)
Gordon Henderson - "The Highest Bidder" (3:21)
Simon Jurad - "Macadam" (3:35)
Mubashira Mataali Group - "Emaali Ya Bamulekwa Orphans Property" (2:42)
Eko Roosevelt Louis - "Tondoho Mba" (4:41)
Slim Young - "Otan Hunu" (4:48)
Jacinta Sanches & Pedro Ramos - "Vizinha Ka Bale" (3:13)
Andre Marceline - "Candencedisco" (4:17)
Misumami First Touch - "Prove Your Love" (4:01)
Alma Luma - "Princesa Isabel" (3:36)
Review: While he's been offering up some sizzling solo albums of late, French DJ/producer GUTS is still arguably better known as the seasoned selector behind the excellent "Beach Diggin'" compilations. Here he offers up another compilation, this time showcasing tried-and-tested tracks that have been rocking his DJ sets for the last few years. Mostly focused around club-friendly global sounds past and present, the 17-track selection is full of little known killers, overlooked dancefloor workouts and forgotten gems. Highlights come thick and fast throughout, from the horn-sporting boogie-zouk bounce of Evasion 85's "Van La Ka Vante" and the cheeky "Rappers Delight" re-write "Bon Tempos" by Equipe Radio Cidade, to the sparkling Afro-disco heat of Eko Roosevelt Louis' "Tondoho Mba" and the righteous Afro-Brazilian drum workout that is Alma Luma's "Princesa Isabel".
Ze Spirits Band - "Tucheza" (Esa extended mix) (5:00)
Nonku Phiri - "Sifo" (feat Dion Monti) (4:27)
Os Panteras - "Melo Do Anjo" (Outra edit) (4:54)
Pascal Latour - "Lague Yo" (Boulo edit) (5:58)
Masalo - "Yera" (feat Doussou Koulibaly) (6:24)
Esa - "Pantsula Traxx" (4:38)
Narchbeats - "Cheeks" (3:41)
DJ Spoko - "#Justsnares" (4:02)
Review: Inspired by his own experiences growing up in apartheid-era South Africa and his travels through music, Esa Williams has put together a compilation of contemporary electronic music from around the world. "Amandla: Music To The People" is well worth your attention and contains some genuine gems. Highlights come thick and fast throughout, from the percussive, chant-along sweatiness of Penny Penny's "Shilungu" and the loved-up, pitched-down dreaminess of Alaska's "Accuse (Instrumental)", to the sweet, life-affirming cheeriness of Os Panteras' "Melo Do Anjo (Outro Edit)" and the thrusting, Italo-disco style dancefloor masculinity of Masalo's "Yera". Esa's own late '80s style pitched-down South African house jam "Pantsula Traxx" is also superb.
Tu Mens Devant Moi (feat Ramatou Traore - Voilaaa remix) (4:08)
Spies Are Watching Me (feat Sir Jean - Patchworks remix) (7:50)
Review: It's a while since we last heard from Bruno 'Patchworks' Hovart's Afro-disco focused Violaaa project, so this surprise set of remixes of back catalogue tracks is more than welcome. Fittingly, three of the versions come from Hovart himself under different aliases. There's a fine, tropical-tinged, sun-splashed Violaaa revision of 'Tu Mens Divant Moi' that doffs a cap to zouk music, and two deep house-tinged Patchworks versions of classic cuts. The mix of the outfit's underground hit 'Spies Are Watching Me' is a brilliant alternative take on a familiar favourite (it certainly breathes new life into the track), while the samba-house-in-Ghana revision of 'Ben Bene La' is brilliant. Throw in a quality J Kriv deep nu-disco version of 'Ku La Foon' and you have an excellent EP of tasteful, club-ready cuts.
Review: London producer Scott Ferguson, aka Robot84, continues his superlative run through 80s speckled gear on his own label. This time he's cooked up a killer slice of proto house with an Afro vocal boost from TAMA. From the slick reverse edits to the warm thrum of the bassline, the classic drum machines patter to the spangled arps, this is feel good business rendered with reverence and love for the roots of dance music as we know it today. Stick on the A side for the vocal version, flip it over for the dub, or better still bag two copies and get creative in the mix.
Review: A cool piece of post-Apartheid South African pop history, and a major success for the blog-turned label Awesome Tapes From Africa. Originally re-discovered by the site in 2010, it's taken the label three years to track down Penny Penny - who is now a South African politician! Unashamed early 90s dance-informed pop music with a Shangaan twist, it's a fine balance of catchy chants, warm synth work and lush female harmonies. Completely of its time... But that's the idea. Stunning.
Review: Over the last three years, DJ/producer Mimmo "MoBlack" Falcone has turned MoBlack Records into arguably the World's leading label for African house music. Defected clearly thinks so, because the label has decided to put out this EP featuring tracks from remixes from Falcone and some of his regular collaborators. On side A Falcone joins forces with Armonica to deliver two sparkling, rubbery, positive and heavily electronic reworks of Fela Kuti classic 'International Thief Thief'. Both hit the spot, though it's the Dub, with its extended vocal breakdown and trippy effects, that floats our boat. Over on the flip we're treated to two versions of MoBlack, Emmanuel Jal and Henrick Schwarz hook-up 'Chagu': a bouncy Afro-tech take from Schwarz and a warmer, deep Afro-house interpretation by Falcone.
Review: The Saint Wax Edit Service is back with more offerings for us to bow before. This latest eclectic disco sermon comes from Pleasure Voyage and kicks off with the topical Afro disco heat of 'Jongkoloni'. 'Arzaa' has a similarly international feel with Arabic-sounding vocals over a nice striped back but simple synth-heavy groove and 'Xibi' then sinks into a lovely deep house groove with 90s influences and more worldly vocals. Last of all is 'Tudod' which has nice tight bassline twangs under pirouetting chords and vocals. A fine EP.
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Gledd brings a great mix of funk, disco, Afro and plenty of extra special magic to this hot new 12" on Saint Wax. It opens with 'Papa Bel' which is a steamy cut with florid melodic leads and tribal percussion. 'Tanda' then brings wailing vocals and more organic and jumbled grooves that ooze summer heat. The Afro rhythms continue through 'Rewild' which has a lively broken beat that rides stiff drums and last of all is the most intense of the lot - 'Guado Loop' is heavily layered with drums and perc, vocals, congas and background chants that will get any dancefloor in a sweat.
Review: Salif Keita's 'Madan' gets a fresh spin with Martin Solveig's Exotic Disco Mix and Exotic Disco Dub, originally released in 2002. One Side-1, Exotic Disco Mix, merges disco beats with Keita's distinctive African vocals, creating a high-energy dance track. On Side-2, the Exotic Disco Dub emphasizes tribal elements and heavy drums, focusing more on background vocals and the song's groove. Even after 22 years, these remixes continue to be staples at festivals far and wide. Anyone who has set foot on a dancefloor in the past two decades will instantly recognize this Afro house classic infused with a French touch.
Review: London's Rose Robinson aka Tigerbalm delivers a stunning debut EP on New York's Razor-N-Tape, showcasing her versatile and soulful sound. 'Nina' arrives in three different mixes, all infused with her smooth vocals and lush keys.The original is a low slung affair (feat Farafi) that provides ample mood music, while the thumping Elado mix sets its eyes on the main room, and finally the Voilaaa remix is definitely our favourite - which infuses Afro boogie elements for one seriously infectious version.
Review: South African funk outfit Stimela, named after the Zulu word for locomotive, formed out of the ashes of bandleader Ray Phri's previous band, The Cannibals, and soon became an institution in their homeland. Five albums deep in 1986, they also released the astounding Rewind EP, which now gets faithfully reissued by Mr Bongo for a fresh audience. Every track on here is a winner, from the epic, proggy groove of 'I Love You' to the low slung, synth-rich funky angles of 'Shaka Doo Ba'. You won't regret copping this slab of wax, trust us.
The Afro-American Conundrum (Where Does That Leave Us?) (3:56)
Dream Boy (5:53)
Tonight (feat Kamaal) (4:03)
Every Party Must Come To An End (feat Kamaal) (3:59)
Running Out Of Time (3:16)
Ha Ya! (Eternal Life) (7:30)
I Don’t Remember The Last Time I Saw Stars (11:11)
Carlos Sanchez Interlude (1:25)
Hello? (feat Aden) (5:06)
Circles I (Prelude) (1:37)
Circles II (feat Toribio) (6:08)
There's Space For Us All (9:33)
Water (feat New Past) (8:47)
Review: Sugar Honey Iced Tea! is the highly anticipated debut album from Musclecars, comprised of Brandon Weems and Craig Handfield, delving deep into the Afro-American experience. With 13 tracks that span themes of joy, loss, intimacy, perseverance and more, Musclecars craft a profound narrative that captures the nuances of daily life in native New York. From the exploration of Afro-dystopia to moments of self-discovery and self-preservation, the album offers a rich blend of sound that resonates with authenticity, emotion, and rhythm. It's a musical adventure to throw yourself in and get lost in the essence of the urban experience, crafted with intentionality, depth and a touch of magic.
Review: Sol Power Sound is back in a big way with a reissue and remix EP from the legendary Nigerian Ju-Ju king, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey. The double A-side EP features 'Eyi Yato', a tune from 1981, that captures Chief Commander and his band at their absolute funkiest. It's as if there's something in the name itself - 'Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey' - that commands an almost godlike, daresay tyrannical command over each conjunctive performance here; every one of the All-Stars' parts play back as though they've puppeteered to an autocratic degree, resulting in a funky tightness that only obedience to the most just of authorities can muster. The original, with its boinging jews' harps and wahhing guitars, is the patent highlight; but we're sure you'll be no less pleased to learn of the (double-time! dub disco!) Mad Professor flip (...!) that's on there too (winky face).
Review: Italian duo Souldynamic have been releasing a steady stream of work on respected labels from King Street and Tribe to BBE, with support from industry heavyweights like Louie Vega and Dennis Ferrer. Their latest release the 'West Side of Afrika' EP see's them land on Samosa Records, comprising of four tracks of Afro-centric house. From the spiritual life music of opening track "Guinee" to the uplifting sunshine vibe of "Faranah" with its uplifting group vocal harmonies, while closing cut "Beyla" is an evocative deep house number with the most killer bassline you will hear on a record this year. Terrific work by these Neapolitan scene veterans!
Glass Slipper - "Unification Vibration" (Atjazz main mix) (6:32)
Diephuis - "Listen To This Drum" (feat Ursula Rucker - Turbojazz & Sean McCabe remix) (7:03)
Review: Reel People Music's latest Foliage Records sampler, the second so far, is another magnificent celebration of the deeper and more spiritual end of the house music spectrum. Freerange label boss and deep house don Jimpster opens up with a shimming and warm remix of Thakzin & Ray T's 'Don't Let Me See.' Atjazz also shows off his signature sound and deftness of design with his remix of Glass Slipper's 'Unification Vibration' and Turbojazz & Sean McCabe remix Diephuis's' 'Listen To This Drum' (feat Ursula Rucker) into a steamy house jam for cosy back room sessions. A rich EP for those who like their disco house musical.
Review: CWPT will play home to Palms Trax's original productions. His latest offering is 'Petu', a new single featuring South African vocalist, Nonku Phiri. Originally debuting in dub form (featured for your convenience over on the flip) during his appearance on The Music Locker as part of Grand Theft Auto Online, it is an absolutely emotive number reaching near spiritual moments and complemented by Phiris' wonderful vocal. Masalos' remix takes the track into neon-lit disco territory and is equally worthy of your attention.
Review: House music has been huge in South Africa for some time, and not just in the underground but everywhere - it can be heard on radio, bleeding from car stereos and out of boomboxes all over the townships. It has its own distinctive twist and influences and some of those are explored on this new Voom Voom 12", which is just the second from this label. It features different remixes of two originals and all are steeped in sun-drenched synths, with funky Afro rhythms underpinning the lush vocals. A heart warming EP of real house depth.
Review: German producer Kapote has previously been involved in a number of Toy Tonics compilations, so it's little surprise to find him at the controls on Mushroom House, a rather fine trawl through the more Afro-cosmic and Balearic-influenced ends of the label's vast back catalogue. There's much to set the pulse racing across the set's two slabs of wax, from the rubbery, dubbed-out Afro-house bounce of Ponty Mython's 'Slippin' Into Darkness' and the dusty Afro-disco haziness of Munk's 'Nigerian Jam', to the intergalactic electro trip of the Asphodells' killer remix of 'The Circular Path' by the Deadstock 33s, and the deep space Italo-disco chug of Baldelli's sparkling 'Phobos (2020 Version)'.
Review: Beastie Boy Mike D Edit has decided to rework Malian artists Idrissa Soumaoro and L'Eclipse De L'I.J.A. and their track 'Nissodia' - from the 1978 album Le Tioko-Tioko - for this new one on Brighton label Mr Bongo, the second time it has landed on the label, having previously been on The Original Sound Of Mali in 2017 Both tunes are pumping, full flavour Afro jams with screeching melodies and big, jangling, angular guitars all powered by funky beats. Each one is guaranteed to light up any cultured dancefloor.
Review: K.O.G's Zone 6 Agege album was recorded back in November 2020 and it pays homage to a small coastal suburb in Accra, the Ghanaian capital where he grew up. Now it gets revisited for a series of superb remixes alongside a couple of the original standout tunes. Poirier, Captain Planet and Aroop Roy all bring the class here. Each one is a fresh fusion of Afro-jazz with compelling rhythms at their heart. Originals 'Shidaa' and 'No Way' are still fresh, too.
AFRO GO! (Vick's Jazz Playground extended mix) (10:25)
Ambrosia (Vamp Funk mix) (6:00)
Tonight (with Robert Owens - Vick's extended vocal remix) (9:58)
AcidOutpost (extended Mood 3 AM mix) (8:25)
Review: Sophisticado label head Vick Lavender is back with more of his effortlessly cool and timeless deep house vibrations. He kicks off this latest tasteful missive with the title track 'Afro Go' which has a call & response style, Afro-jazz influenced groover that is perfect for both head and heel. 'Ambrosia' flips the script with a bass lead groove that is a perfect foundation for the smooth undulating synths then on the flip is a previously release collaboration with Chicago vocal legend Robert Owens himself. The lush 'Tonight' his smoky tones and keys from the late D. Millz then 'Acid Outpost' shuts down with a blend of late night jazz chords and potent house depths.
Review: The always highly anticipated and in-demand Louie Vega 5 pack 12" vinyl sampler has arrived! Featuring 18 unreleased tracks, special versions, and dubs, this vinyl set promises to light up dance floors and house parties alike. The incredible lineup includes Bebe Winans, Msaki, NV, Funki Cadets, Axel Tosca, Boddhi Satva, and more. With fresh reworks by DJ Erv and contributions from seasoned artists and emerging talent, this release journeys from Brazil to Africa, Cuba, and New York. Pressed with pristine quality, this limited edition vinyl is an essential for collectors and DJs everywhere.
Review: When Osunlade first conceived and released Pyrography in 2011, it was meant to be the closing chapter of his house music journey. Of course, his attitude has changed since, but the album remains a fine statement from one of house music's most singular producers. This reissue from BBE puts the original set on vinyl for the first time, packaging it inside a brilliantly presented book featuring images, prayers, and information on the Yoruba culture that has long inspired the producer. Musically, the set expands on his usual spiritual house blueprint, fusing elements of jazz, broken beat and soul with influences as diverse as 80s talk box funk, hazy disco and 90s NY house. It remains one of Osunlade's finest works, so it's great to see it on wax at last.
Review: Some years back, Ben Norris AKA O'Flynn looked set for a major breakthrough, with his EPs on Blip Discs and Ninja Tune getting singled out for praise. Since then, his career has stalled, though we wouldn't be surprised if this impressive debut album propels him into the spotlight once more. It's a wonderfully fluid, evocative and enjoyable set that attractively sashays between languid ambience, Afro and Latin-influenced cut-up club cuts that cannily fuse disco, nu-disco and deep house, drum dubs and percussion jams, and off-kilter affairs that defy simplistic categorization. Highlights are plentiful throughout, from the dreamy dub disco flex of "Tru Dancing" and jazzy deep house warmth of "Painted Wolf", to the huggable dreaminess of two-step shuffler "Celestine" and the loved-up haziness of enveloping closing cut "Neptune".
Review: Heads High keeps up the good early work with a third interesting offering, this time in the form of a meeting of the fiendish minds of Mike Misiu and Eddie Smilie, aka Wednesday Club. They offer up late-night club sounds with plenty of musical nouse and worldly nuance that comes as a result of late-night sample mining across the African musical landscape. Their tunes are crafted on nice analogue gear so have that lovely freed edge feel and from the space-house of 'Magic Body' to the swaggering dub of 'Magic Dub' via the cosmic expressiveness of cruising groover 'Love & Care'. This one gets dubbed out to close a fine dancefloor adventure.
Review: Aiming squarely for the charts once again come German and American minimal maestros Adam Port and Stryv, together joining forces with the irresistibly tremolo'ing voice of singer Malachiii. Few songs in the contemporary climate do so well as those which blow up on social media, and 'Move' is one such case. The present zeitgeist's mode of "hip ennui" is achieved with great celerity here, with the track's instrumental weaving an excessive yet insouciant trance around Malachiii's neon croons. Impressively echoic, it's the fusion of minimal techno and contemporary Afrobeats - both fervently identifiable styles - that make this one catchy.
Sound's Good Inc - "Masen'hamba" (David Morales Red Zone mix) (6:07)
FNX Omar - "Ghomari" (feat Said Rifai) (6:36)
Re You & Soheil - "Mapawani" (main version) (7:33)
Review: After kicking off the year with the stellar MoBlack Gold Vol. 2 VA, Mimmo Falcone's label does it again with a crucial cluster of spiritually charged, Afro-rooted house jams from on-point producers. This 12" kicks off with Manoo's remix of KingSfiso, creating a delicate, melancholic trip out of 'Ilanga' with Mbuso Khoza's vocals front and centre. David Moralez gets seriously deep into the groove with his Red Zone mix of Sound's Good Inc's 'Masen'hamba'. FNX Omar offer up a brooding cut driven by organic tones on 'Ghomari', and Re You & Soheil bring a more electronic palette to bear on their own Afro-house throwdown, 'Mapawani'.
Review: Experienced American producer (and sometime Drrtyhaze member) Doug Gomez has been leaning into his Latin heritage in recent times. On Origenes, he continues on this theme by combining his love and knowledge of soul-flecked NYC deep house, with authentic South American percussion. He begins with 'Quiero Amor', a leisurely, sun-splashed slab of warming deep house rich in bright melodies, female vocals (in Spanish, of course), Nuyorican Soul-esque beats, warming bass and effortlessly colourful chords. There's a more traditional Latin jazz-goes-house flavour to 'Baile Espiritual' - think sustained pianos, percussion-laden house beats and undulating bass - while standout 'Celestial Dance' is an infectious, percussion-laden drum jam with a killer synth bassline that's guaranteed to delight jazz-dancers, Batacuda freaks and all those who like to let loose on the dancefloor.
Review: The Take It Easy label returns with a red hot one and limited edition one-sided 12" that features a Bugsy 'ReDrum' of Wema's 'Kiherehere' cut. The original artists are a five-piece Tanzanian outfit founded on community and they have a global approach to sound that plays out here. In Bugsy's hands, it becomes a club-ready cut that fuses house and techno with the original's traditional Tanzanian instrumentals and Afro-Latin rhythms. Add in a fiery vocal and the sort of unrelenting drum funk that sends crowds mad and you have another standout from this fledgling label.
Maqman & Joseph Junior - "Let It Go" (GU aka CVO remix) (7:45)
Maqman & Joseph Junior - "Let It Go" (GU aka CVO instrumental) (7:45)
Trinidadian Deep - "Jump & Move" (7:18)
Trinidadian Deep - "Hola Mamita" (6:15)
Review: The Makin Moves label hits relate number 13 which is unlucky for some but is another doozy deep house outing for them. It's a split EP that features Maqman & Joseph Junior's 'Let It Go' tune served up in two versions by Chicago house legend Glenn Underground. First off he brings warm synth smears and lush strings to the original which is a soulful gem, and then he strips out the vocal for a magical instrumental. On the flipside is Trinidadian Deep's 'Jump & Move', a blissed-out late-night house sound with lush instrumentation and spiritual pads. 'Hola Mamita' shuts down with shimmering pads and percussive broken beats for classy party vibes.
Review: Fresh from delivering the excellent El U Vee EP, Make a Dance welcome North-East titan Geoff Kirkwood AKA Man Power to M.A.D Records for the first time. This time round, Kirkwood has company: Kenyan singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rapasa Nyatrapasa. The pair set their stall out on opener 'Lou Land', where Nyatrapasa's Kenyan vocals and percussion slowly rise above a deep, drowsy and trippy deep house groove, before opting for an Amapiano-influenced Afro-tech-meets-Afro-House vibe on the more electronic 'Battle Hill'. Make a Dance deliver two takes on the latter on side B: a proto-house style vocal 'Remix' rich in vintage synth sounds, undulating acid bass, drum machine fills and echo-laden drum hits and a 'Dub Mix' that re-invents the track as a hazy, immersive slab of dub house/deep house fusion.
Elegua (feat Jose Cochise Claussell Of Rebel Tumbao) (3:45)
Makussa Part Three (Afrikan Basement extended demo mix) (9:14)
Diyi Mayo (live Jam extended mix) (9:32)
Afrofunkjazz (extended demo mix) (8:36)
Review: Edit king and remix master Joaquin Joe Claussell's 'Ancestral Food & Healing Medicine' 12" first dropped in 2020 and became another one of his instant classics. It found him taking things to an all-new level with the reuses all best heard on loud systems when it is impossible not to be enraptured by a religious experience of gel and soul-infused sound. The therapeutic grooves heal you to your core with their uplifting synths and meaningful messages. For that reason, an original copy has become rather experience but fear not as this new reissue allows you to cop these sounds in nice new red wax.
Review: Timmy and South African songstress Toshi Tikolo, who hails from Kwalanga Township in Cape Town, collaborate on this powerful Afro House track that showcases a deep, spiritual side of the genre. Known for its impact on Shelter Heads and beyond, the instrumental mix alone packs a punch. Joaquin Joe Claussell elevates things with his signature and sacred style that transforms the original Afro roots into something entirely unique. His remixes, including the wonderful Cosmic Arts Afro and Drum Gathering versions, add plenty of depth to an already captivating original. This is as authentic as Afro house gets.
Review: Opolopo and Alafia have hooked up here to work together on a new musical journey that takes the form of these two richly layered percussive monsters. 'Axxanxxan' and 'Axxiove' which arrive on this 12" from Canopy are as addictive as it gets - they fuse Afro rhythms and disco dazzle with synth innovation to create a pair of dance bombs with real tribal energy. The A-side is detailed with metallic bass, choppy guitars and swirling synths that add up to a nice tropical sotmg, while the flip has more prominent drums and hypnotic rhythms that have a subtle cosmos twist. Two gems from Canopy, then.
Review: For decades, the humble disco re-edit has offered wannabe-producers a way into music production. In recent years, there's been an upsurge in house 'edits' too - a trend that has seen countless producers combine bits of classic and obscure cuts with their own peak-time ready grooves. This debut from the previously unknown Jay Rook fits into that category. Check first opener 'Master Wonnin', where Rook turns what appears to be a classic Highlife jam into a bouncy, bass-heavy Afro-house workout, before further refining the same attractive, sun-splashed formula on 'Eme (Yeah Yeah)'. Over on side two, Rook changes tack on 'Do God a Favour', adding a touch of hip-swinging, disco-flexed gospel-house flavour to a bluesy old soul-jazz cut, while 'Jesus Saved Me (Glad)' is a filter heavy disco-house re-wire of a righteous gospel number.
Ke Nako (feat Sereetsi & The Natives - Kid Fonque Refix) (9:50)
Ke Nako (feat Sereetsi & The Natives - Ntokzin remix) (7:40)
Review: Brownswood Recordings proudly launches a new 12" series, The Remix Editions, highlighting remixes and reworkings from their rich back catalogue. Known for their dancefloor roots, Brownswood emphasizes extended versions and remixes, cut loud for extra bass-weight for club subwoofers. Each release will be on 45 and limited to 500 units, making them highly collectible. The inaugural release features two reworkings of South African pianist Bokani Dyer's 'Ke Nako' (feat. Sereetsi and The Natives). Side-1 showcases Kid Fonque's hypnotic house refix, stretching 'Ke Nako' into a 10-minute cosmic dance journey. This remix skillfully blends South African electronic sounds with the nation's jazz underground. On the flip side, Ntokzin, a key figure in Amapiano, reimagines 'Ke Nako' with soulful chords, soaring vocals, propulsive percussion, and thick, wriggly bass lines. His remix creates a dynamic tension and release, crafting a perfect summer dancefloor banger. This series not only celebrates exciting contemporary producers but also resurrects forgotten club gems.
Mowgan - "O Pa Mi Titi Deabe" (feat Jah Baba - Armonica remix) (7:08)
Yass & FNX Omar - "Fema" (6:15)
Review: Four cruel and bewitching dances are conjured on this split EP from MoBlack Records, the chart-topping Afro house label whose music has found itself on the well-used USBs of the likes of Dixon, Black Coffee and Ame. Immediately, one can hear the incipient threads of kwaito and amapiano on this shared vinyl slab, as traditional verbed-out Afro-style vocals hear neat processing along modern EDM production. Expository dreamers like 'Rahamah' segue calmly into headier and doomier cuts like 'Amanga' and 'O Pa Mi Titi Deabe'. All are replete with rare African call-and-response vocal samples lifted from evidently obscure sources.
Bessa Simmons - "Sii Nana" (JKriv Fit rework) (7:11)
Vincenzo - "Love Accurate" (6:54)
Ilija Rudman - "Discoteka Parmida" (5:25)
Yasmin - "Real High" (4:59)
Arnau Obiols - "Pagan Mambo" (5:04)
Review: On this sampler EP for the Razor N Tape label's latest Family Affair compilation, the Brooklyn based imprint showcases previously unheard cuts from a mixture of new artists and long-established names. In the latter camp you'll find long-serving deep house don Vincenzo, who delivers the gorgeous, tactile and loved-up deliciousness of 'Love Accurate', and Croatian nu-disco don Ilya Rudman (the acid-heavy dancefloor squelch of 'Discoteka Parmida'). Elsewhere, Yasmin impresses with the neo-soul/nu-disco fusion warmth of 'Real High', Arnau Obiols slams down the Fela-influenced Afrobeat excellence of 'Pagan Mambo', and label co-founder J Kriv turns Bessa Simons 'Si Naana' into an Afro-tinged analogue house treat
Theo Parrish, Tony Allen & Eska - "Day Like This" (Molo remix) (3:47)
Donso - "Awakening" (Krazybaldhead remix) (4:34)
Tony Allen - "Afrodiscobeat" (Africaine808 rework) (9:55)
Review: The term Afro-house seems to be getting chukka bout ever more freely and ever less responsibly these days. This second volume of Afro Rhythms from Comet France does have some credible and authentic claims on the term though with source material by Afro beat legend Tony Allen amongst others getting some fine remix treatment. Ricardo Villalobos & Max Loderbauer go first with an elastic dub, Jeff Sharel layers in more minimal textures to his remix of Brighter Nights and on the flip is a standout from Ed Banger's Krazy Baldhead which is all tin-pot percussion, shuffling broken rhythms and off grid madness.
Review: Sukuma by Sandy B & LJ Simon is a delightful blend of electronic funk and house music, released with an accompanying remix by Eddie C. On Side-1, the original track exudes a downtempo funk vibe infused with elements of house music, creating an irresistible groove reminiscent of 80s funk. Lead vocals by Sandy B add a dynamic and soulful dimension to the track, enhancing its overall energy and appeal. On Side-2, Eddie C's remix of 'Sukuma' injects fresh energy into the mix with additional dance elements that elevate the funk party to new heights. The remix lively rhythms and a captivating main synth line that transports listeners to a vibrant dancefloor atmosphere. With its infectious beats and charm, 'Sukuma' and its remix offer a unique chance to wow the dancefloor with something different and fun.
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