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The first record in years from these Afro Funk giants – but don't hold it against them, as the whole thing's pretty darn wonderful! There's a rich, vibrant sound here that really lives up to the group's legacy from years back – and production is right on the money to keep things right – recorded in Paris with a relatively stripped-down quality – just right for bringing all the tight rhythms of the set right to the foreground, without any overdone mass market cliches to hold things back! Even the appearances of a few famous guest stars can't get in the way of the energy of the Orchestre – and this new album should be more than proof that the originators are still alive and well. Titles include "Pardon", "Von Vo Nono", "Oce", "Koumi Dede", "Tegbe", "Lion Is Burning", "Ne Te Fache Pas", and "Gbeti Madjro".

The first record in years from these Afro Funk giants – but don't hold it against them, as the whole thing's pretty darn wonderful! There's a rich, vibrant sound here that really lives up to the group's legacy from years back – and production is right on the money to keep things right – recorded in Paris with a relatively stripped-down quality – just right for bringing all the tight rhythms of the set right to the foreground, without any overdone mass market cliches to hold things back! Even the appearances of a few famous guest stars can't get in the way of the energy of the Orchestre – and this new album should be more than proof that the originators are still alive and well. Titles include "Pardon", "Von Vo Nono", "Oce", "Koumi Dede", "Tegbe", "Lion Is Burning", "Ne Te Fache Pas", and "Gbeti Madjro".

A record with a really timeless feel, and a great mix of classic and contemporary – rootsy Ghanaian instrumentation, modern production, and just a touch of electronics – all wrapped up in a mix that's mighty nice – and one that's a lot more earthy than you might expect! Bola's not exactly in Konono territory, but his approach isn't that far off, either – as there's a core element to the music that relies strongly on older traditions – and an execution that just makes slight use of contemporary electronics – often used very sparely, just to underscore the key aspects of the music – in ways that almost make the acoustic elements sound even more fragile and crisp! The set's hardly a remix-type project, and has a gritty appeal that goes way beyond any of the too-sweetly recorded sessions of recent years – almost more in an Analogue Africa mode overall. Titles include "Yine Mmema", "Abayetidu Ma", "Hoyenbesa Nini", "Makamiba", and "Burilbunbol Suma".

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 the suburbs of Kinshasa as a collective of musicians experimenting with the relation of sound and rhythm – using a fair bit of distortion to push the boundaries of their style. There's a unique relationship here between traditional African rhythms and newer electronic music – almost a primitive electronica, if you will – but with a style that goes way beyond such a facile tag. Titles include "Paradiso", "Mama Liza", "Kule Kule", "Lufuala Ndonga", and "Masikulu".

A nice early 70s Italian western score – with Spanish-styled horns, a range of strings, groovy horns and galloping percussion – all the familiar elements, but done with creative style by genre master Carlo Rustichelli! Mariachi music is at the core – with sweeping movements and inventive instrumentation fleshing it out greatly. The soundtrack is peppered by some great use of vocalists – whether it's lovely female singing or the yelping, hooting and hollering crowd chatter. 28 tracks in all: the soaring title and finale sequences of the title theme and various sequences in between – plus "I Soldati Blue", "Amore Nonostante Tutto" and "Caco El Bastardo".

The brilliant follow up to the first Congotronics album – and a set that goes even deeper than the initial groundbreaking work by Konono! This album follows in a very similar spirit to Konono's Congotronics set – and like that one, focuses on musicians with a unique electro/acoustic approach to African rhythms! Groups on the set all hail from the Kinshasa scene, like Konono, they retro-fit older styles with homemade amplification – in a way that electrifies the grooves, but often with a sound that's highly distorted – creating great fuzzy tones and noises alongside the rhythms! Konono appear on one track in the set, but the real strength comes from these other groups working in a similar mode – as they bring new instruments, sounds, and modes of expression to the format – showing that the style is not just a happy accident, but a powerful new wave of music from the urban African scene! Titles include "Mulume" by Basokin, "Bosamba Ndeke" by Bolia We Ndenge, "Kiwembo" by Sobanza Mimanisa, "Wa Muluendu" by Masanka Sakayia & Kasai Allstars, "Soif Conjugale" by Kisanzi Congo, "La Laboureur" by Masanka Sakai, "Koyile/Nyeka Nyeka" by Kasai Allstars, and "TP Coleur Cafe" by Konono No 1.

Massive music from the Congotronics series – most of it making an initial vinyl appearance here in this luxurious box set! There's way more here than you'd expect – six full records of music, a bonus single, and a beautiful book too – plus digital information for all the music too, so you can download everything to your favorite portable device! The set's overflowing with some of the most killing contemporary sounds from Africa – including the albums Congotronics 1 by Konono No 1, the compilation Congotronics 2 – Buzz'n'Rumble From The Urb'n'Jungle, the album In The 7th Moon by Kasai All-Stars, the album Tres Tres Fort by Staff Benda Bilili, and the brand-new Konono No 1 album Assume Crash Position! The box also has a specially designed book with loads of photographs from the contemporary scene in Kinshasa, plus a 7" single with two exclusive tracks – "Coupe-Jarret" by Kasai Allstars & Akron/Family, and "Bana Mbende" by Kasai Allstars. And if that's not enough, the bonus USB drive includes 9 more videos, in addition to all the music from the albums above!

Heady sounds from Karthala 72 – a group with a very vintage sound – one that rings out with plenty of offbeat funky elements, African percussion, and maybe even a sense of bassline borrowed from Colombian music! The group have a wonderful criss-crossing of styles – and this full length set mixes electric and acoustic elements brilliantly – almost with a Konono approach at times, but with a groove that's much more expansive overall! The liner notes try to bill the record as an obscurity from the past, but it's our guess that these guys are contemporary – which is even more reason to love them. Titles include "Delores", "Diable Du Feu", "Marche De La Mort", "Bahari Farasi", "Armour Sombre", "Trop Fort", and "Le Vieux Chien Marcel".

One of the most compelling combinations of global styles we've heard in awhile – a great second set from Belgian-Congolese artist Baloji! The set's got an unusual approach that's rooted in African instrumentation, run through European filters, and imbued with a bit of hip hop energy – particularly in Baloji's sharply-spoken lyrics – which are more bold messages than straight hip hop rhymes – especially set amidst some of the warmer, more flowing musical passages. The set features guest work from a wide range of talents – including Konono No.1, soukous stars Zaïko Langa Langa, American soul maverick Amp Fiddler, brass band Fanfare La Confiance, and the choir Choeur La Grace – all of whom leave their unique imprint on the set – creating a great sense of change as the music flows along. Titles include "Tshena Ndekela", "De L'Autre Cote De La Mere", "Genese 89", "Kesho", "Tout Ceci Ne Vous Rendra Pas Le Congo", "Nazongi Ndako", and "Karibu Ya Bintou".

A record with a really timeless feel, and a great mix of classic and contemporary – rootsy Ghanaian instrumentation, modern production, and just a touch of electronics – all wrapped up in a mix that's mighty nice – and one that's a lot more earthy than you might expect! Bola's not exactly in Konono territory, but his approach isn't that far off, either – as there's a core element to the music that relies strongly on older traditions – and an execution that just makes slight use of contemporary electronics – often used very sparely, just to underscore the key aspects of the music – in ways that almost make the acoustic elements sound even more fragile and crisp! The set's hardly a remix-type project, and has a gritty appeal that goes way beyond any of the too-sweetly recorded sessions of recent years – almost more in an Analogue Africa mode overall. Titles include "Yine Mmema", "Abayetidu Ma", "Hoyenbesa Nini", "Makamiba", and "Burilbunbol Suma".