Tags: Afrobeat

Review: David Walters's new album Soul Tropical on French label Heavenly Sweetness is perfectly titled. It is a lush collection of soul so tropical you feel as if you're dancing deep in a steamy jungle as the music uplifts and truly nourishes. It draws on his family heritage in the West Indies and finds David once again singing about this famous string of sun-kissed islands across 13 joyful cuts. These are tracks with rich arrangements and plenty of world instruments making a fusion of disco, zouk, Caribbean, Afrobeat and funk that make a lasting impression. An essential album as summer approaches.

Review: Four years since their last album, German DJ duo and genre-benders Mo' Horizons have become renowned for their mastery of the latin, and the world at large. You probably already know their music without even realising: Ikea, Renault, Kia and over 500 different music compilations can all attest to the genius of Ralf Droesemeyer and Mark Foh Wetzler. Nu-club, bossa nova and Brazilian funk culminate together in groovy, one-of-a-kind tracks that combine the best of all worlds. 2000s euroclub aesthetics combine with ska guitar lines and killer Latin soul drums. No better is this demonstrated on single 'Anotha Bossa' with Guida da Palma, a feel-good carnival anthem.

Review: Since switching to original production following years spent offering up killer remixes and re-edits, Sam Redmore has released an increasingly impressive stream of singles. The consensus has been that has long-promised debut album, Universal Vibrations, would be extra-special. And so it has proved. Put simply, it's brilliant - a musically rich and expansive affair full of quality sung (and occasionally rapped) vocals, organic instrumentation (including inspired string and horn arrangements) and effortlessly good fusions of soul, broken beat, jazz-funk, disco, hip-hop, Afrobeat, Latin grooves, tropicala and head-nodding R&B. It's little less than a triumph and could end up being one of the most acclaimed albums of 2022.

Review: This latest offering is a testament to Guts' curatorial flair, stitching together rhythms from across the globe. Each track is carefully chosen to highlight soulful grooves and infectious melodies, all while maintaining a sense of discovery. The release moves effortlessly between vibrant Afrobeat, laidback funk, and hypnotic Caribbean influences, creating a natural flow that feels like an intimate DJ set. This is music with heart and authenticity, a celebration of the dancefloor's rich diversity.

Review: Guts is a renowned French producer, DJ and vinyl connoisseur known for curating impeccable selections of global sounds. He has done so three times before for this series on Heavenly Sweetness and now returns with a fourth volume that arrives just in time for party season. This essential compilation traverses vibrant Latin rhythms, dynamic Afrobeat, soulful grooves and infectious tropical rhythms to make for a far-travelling listen. Again it shows off Guts' unmatched ability to uncover hidden gems and present them with fresh energy in an eclectic yet cohesive celebration of music's global spirit.