Global Grooves — All Formats  

Contemporary Ethiopian sounds – and some mighty nice ones at that – like finding a lost volume of the Ethiopiques series, with some of the best 70s styles that scene had to offer! There's nothing phony about these guys – as they get their instrumentation and vocals right on the money – and are produced in a stripped-down style that really preserves all the intensity of their performance – a quality that's really up-close and compelling. Titles include "Guragigna", "Oromigna", "Konso", "Wello", "Ende Eyerusalem", and "Ambassel".

Nicely priced reissue of this classic first album by the legendary British dub funk outfit Cymande – done with that gatefold cover and everything! A key part of the crumbling British colonial network that produced some excellent music in the postwar years, Cymande was comprised mostly of West Indians who'd emigrated to England in the 60s, eventually meeting up under a shared musical vision – a completely new blend of funk, dub, jazz, and soul that was unlike anything else that had been recorded before, save for the work of a few other Brit groups of a similar nature. This first album's one of their greatest – and it's a refreshing batch of tunes that mix together heavy basslines, laidback drumming, and a righteous soul vocal style that's got a bit of a stoner touch. The album includes the group's massive cut "The Message", a bit of a minor hit when it was released (and later sampled quite famously) – plus the funky classics "Dove", "Zion I", "Listen", "Bra", and "Rickshaw". Pick this up, and sample one of the 70's most unique funk groups!