Tags: Afrobeat

Review: Italian duo Nu Guinea has previously proved adept at creating humid, sultry deep house and tropical-infused electronics. Here, they focus a little more on the latter with a concept album based around the distinctive Afrobeat rhythms of legendary drummer Tony Allen. With his blessing, and that of the Comet label on which he's been releasing since the 1980s, the Early Sounds Recordings pair has cut-up and re-constructed Allen's drums, combining them with their own steamy electronics, vintage synthesizer lines and classic drum machines. It's an intoxicating and hugely entertaining blend that sits somewhere between their previous outings, Danny Wolfers' material under the Nacho Patrol guise, and the dreamy late '80s/early '90s work of forgotten Italian producer Mr Marvin.

Review: Brazillian Yoruba artist Eduardo Brecho has been snapped up for this new series and limited run of 7"s on Barbershop Records. It features a pair of classic remakes starting with the cult Fela Kuti tune 'Water Get No Enemy.' His version is an uptempo take in which he sings purely in Yoruba and it is beautiful to hear. London poet Juno then joins in on the flip as the pair remake Gil Scott Heron's 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised'. It is a well-worn classic by now but takes on new charms in this sublime version.

Review: Rahaan is a Chicago legend and master of the most soulful sounds in the studio. His new EP for BBE, 'We Are The Ones,' sees him joining up with a whole host of top musicians such as Marcus J. Austin and Nancy Clayton on vocals, Carnell C. Newbill on keys, Todd Swope on guitar and Lou Terry on bass. Between them they bring real dance floor adventures that are steeped in proper musicality. Ohio Players' Kenny Anderson on the horns brings some real soul to these four-to-the-floor cuts which mix up disco and house in the finest of fashion.

Review: The Sol Power All-Stars are back once more on the Rocksteady Disco label with some superb new covers of much-loved British funk band Cymande. Each one brings a fresh perspective while paying heed of the Afro-roots of the originals. 'Anthracite' (feat Denise Henderson) opens up and is designed for moaner dance floors with cosmic synth work and big, bouncing drums. There is a deeper and more steamy sense of rhythm to the tropical sounds of 'Getting It Back' while the Parkway dub of 'Anthracite' sounds like early house music. Two versions of 'Genevieve' offer shuffling rhythms and big horn stabs and stomping, ass-wiggling Afro-jazz.

Review: Nephews of Phela debuted in 2005 with 'Mulah 2' but haven't done anything that we can find since. This mysterious outfit have now resurfaced with this vinyl-only limited edition 12" of fascinating electronic Afro sounds that are hypnotising and intoxicating. 'Innaghetto' opens with some hefty percussion over corrugated basslines and raw slapping hits. It's got a playful flute adding a little light to the otherwise mood vibes. 'Ozymandias' is a lively tune with twisted funk sounds and hints of Ethiopia in the magical melodies that lead you late into the night.