Soul — All Formats  

Here's a group who definitely live up to their name – a damn funky 70s act from Nigeria, with a tight, righteous groove that's completely outta sight! The Funkees have an approach that's a lot more compact than Fela, and a lot more soulful than some of their more tripped-out contemporaries – and they also had some recording experience in London, which possibly gave them an even hipper focus – like some of the great post-colonial combos that were brewing up sounds on the British scene of the 70s! This wonderful package brings together the best of the group's work – their rare early Nigerian 45s, and key cuts from the UK albums – all with the incredible Soundway ear for a groove – meaning that The Funkees sound pretty darn funky all the way through. Titles include "Mimbo", "Dancing Time", "Break Through", "303", "Life", "Ole", "Akpankoro", "Abraka", "Acid Rock", "Slipping Into Darkness", "Point Of No Return", and "Dancing In The Nude".

Here's a group who definitely live up to their name – a damn funky 70s act from Nigeria, with a tight, righteous groove that's completely outta sight! The Funkees have an approach that's a lot more compact than Fela, and a lot more soulful than some of their more tripped-out contemporaries – and they also had some recording experience in London, which possibly gave them an even hipper focus – like some of the great post-colonial combos that were brewing up sounds on the British scene of the 70s! This wonderful package brings together the best of the group's work – their rare early Nigerian 45s, and key cuts from the UK albums – all with the incredible Soundway ear for a groove – meaning that The Funkees sound pretty darn funky all the way through. Titles include "Mimbo", "Dancing Time", "Break Through", "303", "Life", "Ole", "Akpankoro", "Abraka", "Acid Rock", "Slipping Into Darkness", "Point Of No Return", and "Dancing In The Nude".

Some of the funkiest, clubbiest work we've ever heard from the African scene of the 70s – great grooves that would be right at home on the New York dancefloors of the time! The style here is definitely drawn from disco, yet is a lot more funk-based too – more in the farther reaches of the disco underground of the late 70s – with some of the offbeat touches you might hear from some of the P&P family of labels. Basslines are often stronger than the beats – and although strings and other elements are sometimes used to sweeten the grooves – the approach is never too commercial, and never softens up the funky rhythms at the bottom. Kiki plays keyboards, sings a bit, and does a great job on production – working under his own name, and with some other key projects as well. Titles include "Disco Dancer", "24 Hours In A Disco", "Sexy Dancer", and "Keep On Dancing" by Kiki Gyan – plus "Loving You" and "Disco Train" by KG Band, and "Pretty Pretty Girls" by The Twins.

Seminal Afro Funk from Monomono – a killer combo from singer/percussionist Joni Haastrup, with a groove that's right up there with the best acts on the Lagos scene of the 70s! There's a nice degree of warmth in the music – thanks to some complicated guitar and basslines, which don't just have the usual highly-rhythmic groove, but inflect things with a melodic energy that's mighty nice! The blend is instantly entrancing – tight, but never overly polished – with a quality that really sets the record apart from other Afro Funk you might own. Tracks include "Plain Fighting", "Get Yourself Together", "Awareness Is Wot You Need", "Tire Loma Da Nigbehin", and "Ipade Aladun".

Massive music from Monomono – and a set of Afro Funk put together with a wonderful criss-crossing of sounds! The style here isn't just the familiar grooves you might expect – and instead, there's almost a post-colonial vibe going on – an ear towards London, and another towards Jamaica – bringing in basslines that give some tracks a great dubby energy, and which almost puts the record in the same territory as the best by Cymande! There's a blend of darkness and light on many tracks – some moody undercurrents that really draw us in, then redemptive vocal passages, often in English, which really tie the whole thing together beautifully. Monomono could have been huge at the time – and they did reach out pretty far with their few recordings – but it almost feels like their music has been waiting for the 21st Century to finally get the appreciation its due! Titles include "Find Out", "Lida Lou", "Kenimania", "Give The Beggar A Chance", "Ema Kowa Lasa Ile Wa", and "The World Might Fall Over".

Massive music from Monomono – and a set of Afro Funk put together with a wonderful criss-crossing of sounds! The style here isn't just the familiar grooves you might expect – and instead, there's almost a post-colonial vibe going on – an ear towards London, and another towards Jamaica – bringing in basslines that give some tracks a great dubby energy, and which almost puts the record in the same territory as the best by Cymande! There's a blend of darkness and light on many tracks – some moody undercurrents that really draw us in, then redemptive vocal passages, often in English, which really tie the whole thing together beautifully. Monomono could have been huge at the time – and they did reach out pretty far with their few recordings – but it almost feels like their music has been waiting for the 21st Century to finally get the appreciation its due! Titles include "Find Out", "Lida Lou", "Kenimania", "Give The Beggar A Chance", "Ema Kowa Lasa Ile Wa", and "The World Might Fall Over". This package also includes bonus tracks on a single – "Adele", "Wake Up The Dead Onez", and "Layipo".

Some of the funkiest, clubbiest work we've ever heard from the African scene of the 70s – great grooves that would be right at home on the New York dancefloors of the time! The style here is definitely drawn from disco, yet is a lot more funk-based too – more in the farther reaches of the disco underground of the late 70s – with some of the offbeat touches you might hear from some of the P&P family of labels. Basslines are often stronger than the beats – and although strings and other elements are sometimes used to sweeten the grooves – the approach is never too commercial, and never softens up the funky rhythms at the bottom. Kiki plays keyboards, sings a bit, and does a great job on production – working under his own name, and with some other key projects as well. Titles include "Disco Dancer", "24 Hours In A Disco", "Sexy Dancer", and "Keep On Dancing" by Kiki Gyan – plus "Loving You" and "Disco Train" by KG Band, and "Pretty Pretty Girls" by The Twins.

Some of the funkiest, clubbiest work we've ever heard from the African scene of the 70s – great grooves that would be right at home on the New York dancefloors of the time! The style here is definitely drawn from disco, yet is a lot more funk-based too – more in the farther reaches of the disco underground of the late 70s – with some of the offbeat touches you might hear from some of the P&P family of labels. Basslines are often stronger than the beats – and although strings and other elements are sometimes used to sweeten the grooves – the approach is never too commercial, and never softens up the funky rhythms at the bottom. Kiki plays keyboards, sings a bit, and does a great job on production – working under his own name, and with some other key projects as well. Titles include "Disco Dancer", "24 Hours In A Disco", "Sexy Dancer", and "Keep On Dancing" by Kiki Gyan – plus "Loving You" and "Disco Train" by KG Band, and "Pretty Pretty Girls" by The Twins.

Massive funk from the Panama scene of the 70s – three heavy grooves together in one set! "Soul Chombo" is a funky monster right from the start – a cut that sounds almost Jamaican right at the start, but then picks up with a kicking drum part that's completely brilliant – and interlaced with horns that riff away madly with the guitar – all to support these vocals that call and shout out over the course of the extended tune! "Just Love One Another" has a bold trumpet line at the top – strutting proudly along with the righteous vocals – over a groove that has fast piano moving along with the rhythms! "We're Still Strong" feels the most like an American funk tune in the set – a really proud little number with guitar that feels like it was lifted from "Clean Up Woman", layered over a soaring groove!