One of the earthiest recordings made by Bill Laswell during his run of classic productions on Axiom Records – a set that's very faithful to the unique sound of the Gnawa musicians of Morocco, and which features no performance at all from Laswell! Sometimes, Bill would like to insert himself in the proceedings, or inflect the music with his own identity – but he stays nicely aside here, and allows the large ensemble to really do their thing – making incredible music through interplay between vocals and percussion, touched with a few local instruments as well – including oud, sintir, and darbouka! Often, the percussion is augmented by handclaps, which really brings a sense of urgency to the record as the songs build up – and titles include "Tramin", "Chabako", "Toura Toura Tour Kelilah", "Hamouda", "Said Fafy Drum Solo", "Jillala", and "Mimoun Mamrba". LP, Vinyl record album

With 11 tracks and notes by Paul Bowles. CD

A funky psychedelic nugget from the Nigerian scene of the 70s – a record that's got more of a lean small group take on some of the bigger ensemble modes of the period, in a way that really seems to give the Moonrakers Band lots of flexibility with their sound! Some numbers might be a bit more guitar-heavy, others will have more organ – and the rhythms shift between rock, funk, and maybe even a bit of inspiration from Jamaican music – as the group serve up lyrics that are mostly in English, but with a definite offbeat vibe. There's occasional currents that resonate with Zamrock work of the decade, while other moments are straighter Afro Funk – on titles that include "Cut Your Coat According To Your Size", "We Got To Live", "What We Did Today Is Gone", "Wait For Me", "Little Sister Of Line", and "Enia Se Pele". LP, Vinyl record album

The second set of rare international work from this great Groove Club series – rare material from Cambodia, and even more unusual and obscure than the French material we loved in volume one! The package here is equally strong – detailed notes on all the music, to really get at the unusual blend of Anglo rock elements and more regional elements – the latter of which definitely come across in some of the phrasing and instrumental inflections – both of which make this "rock" very different than you might expect! 19 tracks in all, in a cool book-style cover – with tracks that include "Do You No Wrong Again" by Thra Kha Band, "Khnyom Jah Karake" by Tet Somnang and Meas Samon, "Pros Chang Reiy" and "Pail Loung Rom" by Pan Ron, "Jet Snaeh Theang Nov" and "Yuvachon Yuvatey Samai Tmai" by Sinn Sisamouth & Ros Dereysothea, "Duang Netra" and "Satt Thee Thuy" by Sinn Sisamouth, "Bong Rau Roub Khnyom" by Ros Sereysothea, and "Youm Os Tirk Pnake" by Pov Vannary. CD

Amazing work from Nomo – their greatest album so far, and an incredible step forward in styles! Nomo started out as an already-great Afro Funk combo – but over the past few records, they've picked up a really hip range of musical influences – spiritual jazz, electronica, Congotronics, and other cool sounds – all of which are filtered perfectly into this set! The grooves here are unlike anything else we can think of – as tight as Nigerian grooves from the 70s, but stretching out with really jazzy solos – all inflected with some cool electronic touches underneath, but in ways that jam along strongly with the acoustic instrumentation. Leader Elliot Bergman picked up some great added help for this set – including contributions from underground jazz players like Hamid Drake, Josh Abrams, and Adam Rudolph – all of whom help shape the sound wonderfully. Titles include "Nova", "Three Shades", "Last Beat", "Brainwave", "All The Stars", "Sound The Way", "Rings", "Ghost Rock", and "My Dear". CD

Haunting stuff, and one of Randy Weston's most globally-tinged recordings of the past years – a mix of jazz and many styles, recorded with assistance from the Gnawa Musicians of Marrakech and Tanger. Weston's core African Rhythms Quintet (with piano, flute, bass, trombone, and African Percussion), is joined by additional percussion and vocals in a suite of tracks that further continues Weston's exploration of pan-African styles and their relation to jazz. The record's a lot darker than some of Weston's other forays into this mode – showing a tremendous amount of growth in these recent unbridled years of his career. Titles include "Who Know Them", "Lalla Mira", "Receiving the Spirit", and "Chalabati". (Jazz, Global Grooves) CD

A dozen songs from Araketu, Bamdamel, Negritude Jr, Soweto, Grupo 100%, Karametade, Ronaldo & Os Barcelos, and Vinny. CD