Hard to go wrong with a set like this – because in our opinion, just about every track recorded by Fela is a "best" – which makes the collection a massive batch of goodness all the way through! Every track here is presented in its original extended version – a dozen... read more
A totally amazing little package – every single album recorded by Fela Kuti, served up in tiny LP-style sleeves, and brought together in one excellent box set – with a bonus movie as well! The collection features a total of 46 albums, most of which are paired up with crucial... read more
A killer array of funky grooves from Fela Kuti – served up in a 6LP box set, with records chosen by Ginger Baker! Baker's a key choice to work on the set – given his famous recordings with Fela, heard here on the album's leadoff record – Fela & Ginger Baker Live! Next up is... read more
About as classic as you can get for 70s Fela – 2 albums that are overflowing with righteous politics, heavy rhythms, and super-extended grooves! The CD features the complete tracks from the albums Yellow Fever and Na Poi – both recorded in 1976, but compiled here with a bonus alternate... read more
Filifin —
Siran ... CD
Frikyiwa,
2003. Used ....
$8.99
Spare duets between guitarist N'Gou Bagayoko and vocalist Filifin. The album's got a nice rootsy feel – recorded mostly on location in Mali by Frederic Galliano. As with other of Galliano's Frikyiwa productions, the album has a bright consciousness that transcends its roots, yet firmly... read more
The great second album from Ghana's K. Frimpong – backed by the group Vis-a-Vis (though billed in the title as his Cubano Fiestas) – a stunning blend of Ghanian Highlife music and rawer Afro Funk & soul! A few K. Frimpong numbers appeared on some of our favorite African... read more
The great K Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas self-titled set from 1976 – trailblazing work that helped cement Frimpong's legend! The singer is backed on it by the group Vis-a-Vis, as he would be on the equally great and similarly titled album from the following year, appearing as his... read more
A wicked dip into Colombian music – focused around the work of two true giants of the scene! CD1 features 21 massive tracks from Fruko – one of the hardest-hitting artists working in Colombia in the 70s – often in a sound that starts out in New York salsa, but takes all these... read more
The Funk Ark floats mighty high on this sweet little set – charting a course on the sea of grooves with strong currents of African and Latin rhythms in the mix! The group are a funk combo at the core, but they've got a great ear for all sounds global – complex rhythms, unusual... read more
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... read more
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... read more
A beautiful set of solo piano work by Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou – pulled from one of the CDs in the Ethiopiques series of compilations, and probably the most delicately melodic material in the series! Pianist-composer Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou has an extraordinary personal history – she is a... read more
Gjallarhorn —
Grimborg ... CD
Northside,
2002. Used ....
$8.99
Nico Gomez & His Afro Percussion Inc. —
Ritual ... CD
Omega/P-Vine (Japan),
Early 70s. Used ....
$19.99
Fierce funky grooves from the legendary Nico Gomez – a set cooked up in Europe, but heavy with influences from the other side of the Atlantic – from Havana all the way up to New York! There's definitely a Latin groove to the record – one that's similar to other Gomez productions... read more
Fierce funky grooves from the legendary Nico Gomez – a set cooked up in Europe, but heavy with influences from the other side of the Atlantic – from Havana all the way up to New York! There's definitely a Latin groove to the record – one that's similar to other Gomez productions... read more
Beautiful Persian pop from Faegheh Atashin, aka Googoosh (alternately, Gougoush)– and like some of the best, adventurous pop music from around the world at the the time, it's steeped in myriad styles – from emotionally string-laden to funky and danceable! Googoosh is a genuine... read more
The coolest grooves we've ever heard from percussionist Henri Guedon – a really wonderful blend of Latin, Caribbean, and jazz-based influences – all filtered into a very special sound! There's plenty of percussion at the core, but there's also some sweet keyboards too – used... read more
The coolest grooves we've ever heard from percussionist Henri Guedon – a really wonderful blend of Latin, Caribbean, and jazz-based influences – all filtered into a very special sound! There's plenty of percussion at the core, but there's also some sweet keyboards too – used... read more
Some of the best material from Gambian psych funk pioneers Guelewar – a double-length collection, pulled from stellar albums of the late 70s and early 80s! Guelewar's got a really great sound here – one that brilliantly blends heavy, hypnotic rhythms, passionate vocals, swirling... read more
Some of the best material from Gambian psych funk pioneers Guelewar – a double-length collection, pulled from stellar albums of the late 70s and early 80s! Guelewar's got a really great sound here – one that brilliantly blends heavy, hypnotic rhythms, passionate vocals, swirling... read more
Jonas Gwangwa & The African Explosion —
Who (Ngubani)? ... LP
Jamal,
Late 60s. New Copy Gatefold (reissue)....
$9.99
A rocketing bit of South African funky soul – and of the few great records released on Ahmad Jamal's short-lived Jamal label! The session's a lot hipper than some of the South African work that was issued in the US around the same time – and the feel here is almost more in a London... read more
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... read more
Joni Haastrup —
Wake Up Your Mind ... CD
Tummy Touch/Soundway (UK),
1978. New Copy Gatefold ....
$11.9912.99
Funky funky solo work from Joni Haastrup – an artist who's also known for his work in Monomono, and who sounds equally great on his own! Joni's got this tight approach that wraps together Nigerian grooves of the 70s scene, and some bolder soul star energy that would be right at home in the... read more
African grooves meet European club – in a totally sweet session with a very unique feel! Sandra Hallvey sings in French, sometimes with a breathy Euro style – but arrangements are by Jo Tongo, and have lots of funky undercurrents – offbeat grooves that electrify some deeper... read more
Surprisingly fantastic bit of funky sitar tracks! The project's a recent one, but it's got a classic 70s global crossover funk sound that's very much in the vein of the weird Indian-funk work of Ananda Shankar or The Dave Pike set. The record's got a raw Meters-esque groove at the base –... read more
A dozen tracks of "ska-lip-so": "Ska-motion", "Bollo Man", "Chiney Baby", "Ska & Fall Back", "Jack-Ass", "Jamaica", "Shame & Scandal", "The Dove", 'Seven Bells", "Ethiopia", "Tom... read more
Hoquets —
Belgotronics ... CD
Crammed (Belgium),
2011. New Copy Gatefold ....
$11.9913.98
A Belgian take on the Congotronics vibe – not done in the same musical style necessarily, but definitely grabbing that great spirit for homemade instruments and unique stylistic hybrids! There's a punky, funky sort of vibe going on here – but one that also has more laidback qualities... read more
One of the most starkly beautiful recordings in Paul Horn's career – with spiritually resonant, almost spine tingling solo flute and some chants, all recorded in the Taj Majal one day in April of 1968! It's really all about the atmosphere, as it would have to be given the location –... read more
An amazing, career-spanning compilation of pioneering psych and earlier material, mixed with more traditional elements of Korean music by Shin Joong Hyun – including his own numbers, great songs with his combos over the years and tunes he wrote for others to sing – from the late 50s to... read more
``A heady set from mid 70s South Korea – the debut album from a mighty edgey little trio! The album's not nearly as psych as some of the other Korean efforts from the period – as the group's got a tight groove on most numbers, with a definite funk influence on the drums and bass –... read more
A heady set from mid 70s South Korea – the debut album from a mighty edgey little trio! The album's not nearly as psych as some of the other Korean efforts from the period – as the group's got a tight groove on most numbers, with a definite funk influence on the drums and bass –... read more
Abdullah Ibrahim/Dollar Brand —
Journey ... CD
Chiaroscuro/Downtown Sound,
1977. New Copy ....
$11.9916.99
A landmark New York session from Dollar Brand – recorded in the late 70s, with a larger group than usual! Brand spins out some really magical African-tinged jazz grooves – stretching forth in his usual modal mode, but augmented by a great set of horn parts that includes work by Don... read more
Igniters —
Jump Up ... LP
ISB Records,
Early 70s. Very Good ....
$6.99
The first new music in years from Nigerian singer Bongos Ikwue – backed by musicians from Nigeria, the UK and US working together as Double X – and the record has the diverse and accessible vibe to show for it! Highlife, American soul, reggae and global folk inform the material –... read more
Way different than any other Indian film music you might have heard before – hardly the festive jams of Bollywood classics – and instead, a fresh funky electro mode that's mighty nice! If it weren't for the lyrics, some of these tracks might well have come from the New York street... read more
Great electronics from the Indian scene of the 80s – music that's a lot warmer and more evocative than you might guess from the "robotic" in the title – thanks to plenty of roots in the Kollywood soundtrack scene! The instrumentation is often spare, but still echoes the... read more
Great electronics from the Indian scene of the 80s – music that's a lot warmer and more evocative than you might guess from the "robotic" in the title – thanks to plenty of roots in the Kollywood soundtrack scene! The instrumentation is often spare, but still echoes the... read more
A pastiche of of styles from the late 70s and early 80s Kollywood cinema scene – amazing stuff produced and arranged by Ilaiyaraaja – music that trades as much in heavy funk as it does electronic pop! Over the span of a few decades, maestro Ilaiyaraaja recorded hundreds of scores, many... read more
Rikki Ililonga —
Sunshine Love ... LP
Sepiso/Now Again,
1976. New Copy (reissue)....
$18.9919.98
A fuzzy, freaky little set – and one that shows the Zambian scene really moving into some heady sounds for the second half of the 70s! The set's a standout effort from singer Rikki Ililonga – an artist who's now much more of a fully-fledged rocker than in previous years – singing... read more
Rikki Ililonga —
Zambia ... LP
Now Again,
1975. New Copy (reissue)....
$18.9919.98
The sound of Zambia, circa 1975 – a heady brew of psychedelic styles and deeper African roots – served up in the unique blend of modes that would come to be known as Zamrock! The album's got a dark feel right from the start – one of those records where it feels like something's a... read more
An amazing set that documents the early years of the Zamrock scene – the funk and psych informed Afro Rock pioneered by vocalist and African guitar legend Rikki Ililonga and his group Musi-O-Tunya in Zambia from 1973 to 1976 – and compiled beautifully in this great set from Now... read more
Imitshotshovu —
Icala ... LP
Soul Brothers (South Africa),
1985. Near Mint- ....
$9.99
Titles include "Into Yami", "Hamb Uyogana", "Icala", "Ungazi Ngabo", "Wangithanda Ungaqondanga", and "Ungenwe Yini".... read more
A wonderfully weird project from Alan Bishop – famous member of Sun City Girls, and also the man who's given us the Sublime Frequencies label! The sound here is a great mix of both of those worlds – some of the exotic tones that SF has explored in its groundbreaking global releases,... read more
A wonderfully weird project from Alan Bishop – famous member of Sun City Girls, and also the man who's given us the Sublime Frequencies label! The sound here is a great mix of both of those worlds – some of the exotic tones that SF has explored in its groundbreaking global releases,... read more
Ipi 'N Tombia —
Warrior ... LP
Stax,
1973. Very Good Gatefold ....
$6.99
Weird album that came out in the early 70s, when Stax was getting their hands into so many other styles of music besides southern soul and funk. Margaret Singana's the lead vocalist of this group that plays in a sort of Afro Pop/Afro Funk style, and she lays down the lyrics on tracks like "The... read more
Isithembiso —
Soul Brothers ... LP
Soul Brothers (South Africa),
1984. Near Mint- ....
$13.99
Itadi —
Itadi ... CD
Hot Casa (France),
1977. New Copy ....
$16.99
A rare Afro funk gem from Itadi – filled with righteous sounds and knowledge, and served up in a dubby groove that's pretty unique! Itadi hails from Togo, but already had experience in the US by the time of this recording – and the sound carries some cross-Atlantic styles that really... read more
A rare Afro funk gem from Itadi – filled with righteous sounds and knowledge, and served up in a dubby groove that's pretty unique! Itadi hails from Togo, but already had experience in the US by the time of this recording – and the sound carries some cross-Atlantic styles that really... read more
Jacaranda Muse —
September Sun ... CD
Heavenly Sweetness (France),
2012. New Copy Gatefold ....
$16.99
A pretty compelling little quartet – a jazz combo from Zimbabwe, and one who play with a lot of spiritual jazz overtones – yet also throw in some occasional vocals in English! Instrumentation is pretty unique – like some of the hipper experiments on Strata East in the 70s –... read more
Jacaranda Muse —
September Sun ... LP
Heavenly Sweetness (France),
2012. New Copy ....
$16.99
A pretty compelling little quartet – a jazz combo from Zimbabwe, and one who play with a lot of spiritual jazz overtones – yet also throw in some occasional vocals in English! Instrumentation is pretty unique – like some of the hipper experiments on Strata East in the 70s –... read more
Jagwa Music —
Bongo Hotheads ... CD
Crammed (Belgium),
2012. New Copy ....
$12.9913.98
They're not kidding about the title of this one – because the group are definitely a bunch of hotheads on the bongos – playing percussion at a pace that's pretty darn quick, while also throwing in some cool Casio keyboard lines too – all to create a groove that's earthy, rootsy,... read more
Jazzy B —
Rambo ... CD
Moviebox (India),
2008. Used ....
$3.99
A hard-grooving, drum-heavy set from Jeri-Jeri – a project spearheaded by Berlin-based producer Mark Ernestus! 800% Ndagga is an incredible set of Sabar and talking-drum tracks – thunderous, unrelentingly thumped by a griot clan of drummers in Dakar – and taken to an even deeper... read more
A hard-grooving, drum-heavy set from Jeri-Jeri – a project spearheaded by Berlin-based producer Mark Ernestus! 800% Ndagga is an incredible set of Sabar and talking-drum tracks – thunderous, unrelentingly thumped by a griot clan of drummers in Dakar – and taken to an even deeper... read more
"Bamba" has a great skittish grooves – contemporary Afro Funk, but a lot more stripped-down – so that the percussion and bass are really taking the lead, and providing a perfect foil for the atmospheric vocals of the tune! This quality really continues on "Walo",... read more
Instrumental versions from the 800% Ndagga sessions – an absolutely incredible set of Sabar and talking-drum tracks – recorded in Dakar with an amazing group of players! The vocal versions are great, and bring in some beauty – but there's never a doubt that it's this amazing... read more
Instrumental versions from the 800% Ndagga sessions – an absolutely incredible set of Sabar and talking-drum tracks – recorded in Dakar with an amazing group of players! The vocal versions are great, and bring in some beauty – but there's never a doubt that it's this amazing... read more
Lovely sounds on the kora from Dawda Jobarteh – a player with a touch that's light, and pretty rhythmic too – a wonderful complement to his work on percussion and vocals as well! The set's got a really crisp feel, yet still retains all the best rootsy elements of the music – kind... read more
Juju (Oneness Of Juju) —
Chapter Two – Nia ... LP
Strata East,
1974. New Copy (reissue)....
$9.99
The rare second album from Juju – the avant jazz collective who'd later morph into funk band Oneness Of Juju, but who still sound pretty revolutionary here! There's a bit more focus than before – still energy that's a lot like the best righteous jazz groups coming out of Chicago or St... read more
The rare second album from Juju – the avant jazz collective who'd later morph into funk band Oneness Of Juju, but who still sound pretty revolutionary here! There's a bit more focus than before – still energy that's a lot like the best righteous jazz groups coming out of Chicago or St... read more
The first album by the group that later went on to become Oneness Of Juju! The album was recorded with a group that featured Plunky Nakabinde and Lon Moshe on reeds and percussion – plus Babatunde on congas and drums – and the overall sound is very much in kind of an Art Ensemble Of... read more
The first ever retrospective of Issa Juma & Super Wanyika Stars – excellent material from the heart of the early-to-mid 80s! The sound is a nice mix of delicacy and excitability, with a rhythmic interplay between the guitars especially wonderful. The percussion is lighter on this style... read more
Jungle By Night —
Hidden ... CD
Kindred Spirits (Netherlands),
2012. New Copy ....
$16.99
An even cooler record than before from Jungle By Night – a set that still has lots of Afro Funk elements at its core, but which brings them together in some really unique ways! Some of the rhythms are nicely offbeat – not straight, and sometimes moving in weird patterns that really... read more
Kesarbia Kerkar —
Kesarbia Kerkar ... LP
Mississippi,
Late 40s/Early 50s. New Copy ....
$12.99Just Sold Out!
Amazing performances from Kesarbia Kerkar – a key Indian singer of the postwar years, heard here in a variety of beautiful vintage recordings! Kerkar's got a voice that influenced many in generations to come – but the original sound here is much more mindblowing than so many others... read more
Plenty of fanfare here – given the great horns that top the groove of Kingdom Afrocks! The ensemble have a Afro Funk vibe that's mighty nice – one that's slightly askew, but in the best way possible – with some cool flat-toned electric piano running ragged over the rhythms, while... read more
An amazing new sound from Kokolo – one that takes their Afro Funk groove, and turns it on a host of James Brown classics – all with a result that's completely unique! The album's hardly a copycat of James' original style – and instead, it reworks his funky favorites with a... read more
Three remixes from the Konomka project – all of which really expand the spirit of the original! Chico Mann remixes "Sibashaya Woza", and somehow manages to bring this really earthy, almost muddy vibe to the track – but we mean that in a good way – as his style kind of... read more
Konono No 1 —
Congotronics ... CD
Crammed (Belgium),
2004. New Copy ....
$14.9916.98
A group with a sound like no other – one that features home-made electronics and amplification, and an array of highly-percussive instrumentation that includes thumb pianos, megaphones, microphones, and old car parts! Konono's been making this music for the past 25 years – working in... read more
Erkin Koray —
Arap Saci ... CD
Turkofon/Pharaway Sounds (Spain),
Mid 70s. New Copy 2CD ....
$22.99
The Jimi Hendrix of Turkey? That may well be the case with the legendary Erkin Koray – a musician who may not have had the pure chops of Hendrix, but who definitely helped transform the guitar sound of an entire generation! Erkin's got this massively wicked groove – rooted in years of... read more
Erkin Koray —
Arap Saci ... LP
Turkofon/Pharaway Sounds (Spain),
Mid 70s. New Copy 2LP ....
$32.99
The Jimi Hendrix of Turkey? That may well be the case with the legendary Erkin Koray – a musician who may not have had the pure chops of Hendrix, but who definitely helped transform the guitar sound of an entire generation! Erkin's got this massively wicked groove – rooted in years of... read more
A masterpiece of Turkish psychedelia – and quite possibly the greatest album ever from Turkish psychedelic maestro Erkin Koray – a mad blend of sounds that definitely lives up to its "elektronik" title! Most numbers feature a weird blend of electric guitar and baglama –... read more
A masterpiece of Turkish psychedelia – and quite possibly the greatest album ever from Turkish psychedelic maestro Erkin Koray – a mad blend of sounds that definitely lives up to its "elektronik" title! Most numbers feature a weird blend of electric guitar and baglama –... read more
Excellent mid 70s work from one of the hippest dudes in Turkey – guitarist Erik Koray, a player who had a wonderful talent for mixing together a range of cross-cultural influences! The style here is a lot more sophisticated than that of Koray's first album – in a mode that shakes off... read more
Trippy Turkish rock from Erkin Koray – rarities and singles recorded in Istanbul, and every bit as brilliant as the work on his famous self-titled albums! The music is awash in a blend of buzzing, hypnotic folk sounds of Turkey – mixed with western and otherwise globally resonant... read more
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba —
Jama Ko ... CD
Out Here (Germany),
2013. New Copy ....
$15.99
A record that bristles with joy and life right from the very first note – a glorious celebration of sound, served up in a rich mix of percussion and melodic elements! The set was recorded in Bamako during the same stretch as key fighting in the capital of Mali during 2012 – but the... read more
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba —
Jama Ko ... LP
Out Here (Germany),
2013. New Copy 2LP ....
$24.99
A record that bristles with joy and life right from the very first note – a glorious celebration of sound, served up in a rich mix of percussion and melodic elements! The set was recorded in Bamako during the same stretch as key fighting in the capital of Mali during 2012 – but the... read more
Some of the most deft kora playing we've ever heard – a vintage recording from the legendary Sekou Batourou Kouyate, who plays the instrument with a quality we've never heard before! The overall sound of the set is still relatively spare – and Sekou's playing isn't too frenetic, but... read more
Incredible work from Sory Kandia Kouyate – not just an amazing singer, but also a powerful political force in independent Guinea as well! This 2CD collection brings together music from Sory's best period – very heavy on early 70s numbers that feature enigmatic instrumentation on kora,... read more
Some of the most deft kora playing we've ever heard – a vintage recording from the legendary Sekou Batourou Kouyate, who plays the instrument with a quality we've never heard before! The overall sound of the set is still relatively spare – and Sekou's playing isn't too frenetic, but... read more
Turns out, it DOES run in the family – a great talent for Afro Funk grooves, with the same deeply soulful elements that made Fela Kuti's music so great back in the 70s! This smoker from Femi was recorded at the legendary Afrodisia studios in Lagos – with a nice degree of edge in the... read more
Le Mystere Jazz De Tombouctou —
Le Mystere Jazz De Tombouctou ... LP
Mali Kunkan/Kindred Spirits (Netherlands),
1976. New Copy (reissue)....
$16.9919.99
Amazing music from Mali – quite different than most other albums we've heard from that scene in the 70s – with wonderful reed work that really lives up to the "jazz" in the group's name! The sound is bold and righteous, but with an other-worldly vibe too – a really... read more
Byron Lee & The Dragonaires —
Soca Girl ... LP
Dynamic (Jamaica),
1986. Near Mint- ....
$5.99Just Sold Out!
Lewlewal De Podor —
Yiilo Jaam ... LP
Mississippi/Little Axe,
2011. New Copy ....
$12.99
Timeless sounds from Lewlewal – a contemporary group from Senegal, and part of a vanishing culture in the city of Podor! The tracks were recorded recently, but have a feel that goes back decades – mostly acoustic instrumentation on percussion and guitar, played with an intimate... read more
Liberators —
Liberators ... LP
Record Kicks (Italy),
2011. New Copy ....
$16.99
Afro-inspired funk from Sydney's Liberators – impressive, energetic funky music from the fertile Oz scene! The feverish intensity of Afro Funk is certainly a big part of the equation, but there's ultimately a boundless funk & soul backdrop here – with some soundtracky grooves, slow... read more
Amazing work from the 70s Nigerian scene – and one of the few female funk records to come out of Africa back in the days! The Lijadu Sisters have a groove that's unlike anything else we've ever heard before – partly Afro Funk, but often changed up a lot in really weird ways –... read more
A beautiful album from the Lijadu Sisters to cap off the 70s – and it's among their best ever! Horizon Unlimited is a nice blend of their soulful, harmony-rich vocals with lots of talking drum and electric bass in the mix – along with some other spacey soul touches! Their inspiration... read more
The amazing second album from the Lijadu Sisters – and even more amazing than the first! Like their debut, there's a sound here that's unlike anything else we can think of from the 70s African scene – but the groove is even more complex, and has a truly unique quality that's almost... read more
Lijadu Sisters —
Sunshine ... CD
Knitting Factory,
1978. New Copy ....
$11.9912.99
A sweet step forward for the Lijadu Sisters – a record that's filled with a lot more keyboards than before, used in a way that creates this great spacey feeling in their sound! There's still some nice groovers here, but there's also some wicked tunes that have this laidback vibe that's... read more