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Lots of earthy percussion here – especially on the leadoff 12" mix of "Alegria" – a flurry of bumping basslines and heady rhythms, peppered here and there with these echoes of older African grooves – almost drifting into the mix as if they're coming from a radio in the next room! The tune's also featured in a radio edit – and the flipside features the very percussion "Cuca (Manga Bo rmx)", which is almost a batucada cut at points – plus the heavier "Puxa (Beat Laden rmx)".

A mixing of modes – although basically music that has a bouncy Batida touch on all tracks! "Ncongo J'Ami" is an older groove, remixed by Batida – and given a jumpy finish that's mighty nice – almost a 70s African vibe, filtered through contemporary Columbia – with just a few twists and turns along the way! The group's own "Yumbala" is reworked by AJ Holmes in an equally bouncy version – one that's got plenty of great basslines that move things along!

Wow! The one-and-only album by Trinidadian combo Black Truth Rhythm Band – a completely incredible one at that – hypnotic Caribbean funky soul, jazz and wildly impressive musicianship all around by this group led by singer and multi-instrumentalist Oluko Imo. The record was made in the mid 70s era in which the Afro Funk sound was hitting it's peak – when African rhythms and James Brown style funk were being fused so furiously – but Black Truth Rhythm Band take a different approach, working more with sounds from African spectrum and the West Indies. It's really amazing stuff that takes unpredictable twists from stripped down rhythms, to jazzy guitars and cosmic synths – always with straight up brilliant playing by the group. A fusion of African rhythms, strains of Calypso and boundary free jazzy grooves that balance and exploratory sensibility with tight, irresistible rhythms. Soundway raises the bar once again! Titles include "Ifetayo", "You People", "Saved Musician", "Kilimanjaro", "Aspire", and "Umbala" – plus a bonus 7" single with the track "Imo".

Wow! The one-and-only album by Trinidadian combo Black Truth Rhythm Band – a completely incredible one at that – hypnotic Caribbean funky soul, jazz and wildly impressive musicianship all around by this group led by singer and multi-instrumentalist Oluko Imo. The record was made in the mid 70s era in which the Afro Funk sound was hitting it's peak – when African rhythms and James Brown style funk were being fused so furiously – but Black Truth Rhythm Band take a different approach, working more with sounds from African spectrum and the West Indies. It's really amazing stuff that takes unpredictable twists from stripped down rhythms, to jazzy guitars and cosmic synths – always with straight up brilliant playing by the group. A fusion of African rhythms, strains of Calypso and boundary free jazzy grooves that balance and exploratory sensibility with tight, irresistible rhythms. Soundway raises the bar once again! Titles include "Ifetayo", "You People", "Saved Musician", "Kilimanjaro", "Aspire", "Umbala" and the bonus track "Imo".

The best album so far from this up-and-coming Colombian group – a great mix of rootsy elements and more electronic production – served up in the forward-reaching style we've come to love in recent projects from the Soundway label! Bomba Estereo are easily one of the most contemporary groups to hit the imprint of late – and they've got no trouble at all moving between upbeat, soulful styles and more earthy levels of instrumentation – all fused together with the kind of warmth and joy we might expect in some of the older productions from Luaka Bop, but with a bit more edge too. Titles include "Bosque", "Bailar Conmigo", "Pa Respirar", "Mozo", "Pajaros", "Pure Love", and "Caribbean Power".

The best album so far from this up-and-coming Colombian group – a great mix of rootsy elements and more electronic production – served up in the forward-reaching style we've come to love in recent projects from the Soundway label! Bomba Estereo are easily one of the most contemporary groups to hit the imprint of late – and they've got no trouble at all moving between upbeat, soulful styles and more earthy levels of instrumentation – all fused together with the kind of warmth and joy we might expect in some of the older productions from Luaka Bop, but with a bit more edge too. Titles include "Bosque", "Bailar Conmigo", "Pa Respirar", "Mozo", "Pajaros", "Pure Love", and "Caribbean Power".

Rare Afro Rock from Nigeria – a really cool fusion of African funk and dexterous guitar – served up with plenty of hypnotic touches! Although we've dug their tracks on compilations over the years, we've never been lucky enough to hear a full album by Colomach – and are blown away at the range of sounds the group deliver on this rare gem from the 70s! Tracks range from Sahel rock with electric guitar over rumbling bass and percussion, to grooves centered around some sweet and spare acoustic guitar – often touched with a bit of flute and emotive vocals as well. Production is top shelf too – given that the set was recorded by EMI in Nigeria – and titles include "Enoviyin", "Ottoto Shamoleda", "Cotocun Gba Gounke", "Bernadetta", "Sweet Sounds from Colomachi", "K Assa Kpa Sama Kpa", "Pipan", "Yebo Blues", and "Sonorites Sahelienne".

One of the most contemporary sets we've ever heard on the Soundway label – a record that's much more in line with the London base of the label than most of its other global projects! Drumtalk definitely lives up to his name here – working on some hard, raw grooves that are heavy on percussion patterns – not really house or club, but with echoes of the sharper sides of Detroit and London. Most beats are pretty bassy, and mixed with some pretty bass-heavy sounds too – and titles include "Airbourne", "Strata", "Petro", and "Realm".

Super-rare Ghanaian funk from Edzayawa – one of the most unique and insistently appealing Afro Rock albums we've heard in years – with a hypnotic groove all its own! The album shares some of the same influences and instrumentation as many other groups from the time, but, there's really nothing else quite like it – a wicked blend of rhythms and sounds that's completely compelling! The percussion and the rhythms pull you right in and hold on tight – with thick layers of organ floating throughout. The vocals are great, too, mixed with some occasional flute – and overall, there's a heavy vibe, but it's not an ominous one – kind of an undercurrent of rock mixed in with the funk – although never totally tripped out. One of the most amazing albums from Soundway in a long time! Includes "Darkness", "Gondzin", "Edzayawa", "Naa Korle", "Amanehun", "Abonsan", "Obuebee" and "Adesa".

A brilliant criss-crossing of group from this cool trans-global group – a set recorded in London, but with roots in Venezuela, LA, and Ghana – served up with a sound that's even greater than the sum of its parts! Malcolm Catto recorded the record – and really helps bring a funky energy to the record, by working alongside lead studio help from Jack Yglesias of The Heliocentrics – pushing here into a space that's even more offbeat than the grooves of that group! There's loads of rich acoustic instrumentation – especially percussion – and Mulatu joins the record at one spot, furthering the exotic appeal of the set. Some tracks have an almost ethnographic vibes, while others are a bit more contemporary – although the overall sound is more than worthy of placement on the Soundway label. Titles incude "Arena", "Cumbacutiri", "Fly Through The Lightning To Speak With The Sun", "El Negrero", "Escape To The Palenque", "Manicero", "La Familia", and "Speak To The Spirit Of The Sea".

A brilliant criss-crossing of group from this cool trans-global group – a set recorded in London, but with roots in Venezuela, LA, and Ghana – served up with a sound that's even greater than the sum of its parts! Malcolm Catto recorded the record – and really helps bring a funky energy to the record, by working alongside lead studio help from Jack Yglesias of The Heliocentrics – pushing here into a space that's even more offbeat than the grooves of that group! There's loads of rich acoustic instrumentation – especially percussion – and Mulatu joins the record at one spot, furthering the exotic appeal of the set. Some tracks have an almost ethnographic vibes, while others are a bit more contemporary – although the overall sound is more than worthy of placement on the Soundway label. Titles incude "Arena", "Cumbacutiri", "Fly Through The Lightning To Speak With The Sun", "El Negrero", "Escape To The Palenque", "Manicero", "La Familia", and "Speak To The Spirit Of The Sea".

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.

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 US – a kind of powerhouse approach that really sends these tunes home beautifully! The lyrics are in English, which really helps broaden the appeal of the cuts – and the production has these cool compressed elements that are partly like the more psych-inspired modes of other Afro Funk groups, and partly those of the UK soul scene of the 70s. We've never heard a record exactly like this, and the whole thing's a truly memorable treasure from this key moment in African music. Cuts include "Watch Out", "Do The Funkro", "Greetings", "Free My People", "Wake Up Your Mind", and "Champions & Superstars".

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 fuses the Afro Funk rhythms all down at the bottom, then packs an even more powerful punch than before! Auntie Flo take on "Handkerchief" – bristling up the cut with a crackle on the beats – and Debruit remix "Kpanlogo", to give the whole thing a really tribal feel!

Some of the tightest tracks we've ever heard from Chico Mann – and some of his most soulful too – a great set of work that really has him stepping past some of the rougher structures of earlier years, and showing a new love of 80s keys and beats as well! The album's got a skittish funky quality that's mighty nice – still with the messed-up edges we've always loved in Mann's funk, but with some tight guitar riffs and bumping basslines that push things forward more strongly than ever before! There's lots of nice vocals, too – some from female singers (including Kendra Morris), some from Chico himself – on cuts that include "Edge Of It", "Long Time Gone", "Magic Touch", "Esta Bueno", "Comes & Goes", "One Day Late", "Vengo A Ti", and "Oye Mira".

Some of the tightest tracks we've ever heard from Chico Mann – and some of his most soulful too – a great set of work that really has him stepping past some of the rougher structures of earlier years, and showing a new love of 80s keys and beats as well! The album's got a skittish funky quality that's mighty nice – still with the messed-up edges we've always loved in Mann's funk, but with some tight guitar riffs and bumping basslines that push things forward more strongly than ever before! There's lots of nice vocals, too – some from female singers (including Kendra Morris), some from Chico himself – on cuts that include "Edge Of It", "Long Time Gone", "Magic Touch", "Esta Bueno", "Comes & Goes", "One Day Late", "Vengo A Ti", and "Oye Mira".

A sweet limited-edition single – one that features four of the best tracks from Chico Mann's second and third volumes of Manifest Tone! Grooves are spare, sharp, and funky – great beats on the bottom, some 80s-styled keys, and lots of other elements that really complicate things without ever losing the funky core of the tune! "Luz" has an Afro Funk sort of vibe, while "His Favourite Thing" percolates with an 80s street soul style – as "El Paragua (2010 edit)" echoes a touch of Colombian sounds – and "Dilo Como Yo" is one of the simplest, most elegant grooves on the set!

Chico Mann's cosmic funky soul tune "Same Old Clown" – featuring some sizzling vocals by Kendra Morris – plus a trio of remixes on this great 12-inch single on Soundway! Ain't nothing funny about "Same Old Clown" – it's a straight-up scorcher of a clubby soul tune – with a thick synth groove that nods to 80s boogie without falling into a throwback vibe – it's timeless all the way! Kendra's vocals are great, too, reminding us a little bit of I Feel For You era Chaka Khan! Also includes the Linkwood and KON remixes, plus the KON dub version.

Weird and wild sounds from contemporary Bogota – music that's got a very old school quality at its core, yet which also mixes in plenty of experimentation with the rhythms! Think of this as an old Colombian record with analogue electronics and sound samples – or some other-worldly sounds from the left side of the Peruvian scene – still with plenty of Latin elements at the core, especially in the grooves – but done with some really cool keyboards, tape tricks, and other nice bits! Titles include "Fiesta", "Guarach UFO", "Desesperanza", "Salsa Caliente", and "Salsa Del Zombie".

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".

Colombian music, both classic and contemporary – as a group of older all-star players comes into contact with Will "Quantic" Holland! The set's easily one of the most smoking Latin-styled projects we've heard from Quantic so far – recorded in Colombia with work from Fruko, Anibal Velasquez, Alfredito Linares, and Michi Sarmiento – alongside Quantic's Combo Babaro, and the Frente Combeiro group of Mario Galeano! The sound is all classic throughout – no tricks or gimmicks, or modern remix modes at all – just old school instrumentation, filtered through a new school approach to funk – one that's come from years of digging older Colombian numbers, and finding a way to make new music that packs an equal punch. Every bit as smoking as older Central American grooves compiled by Soundway – with tracks that include "Bomba Tropica", "La Tranca", "Cien Anos", "Papi Shingaling", "Mi Negra", "Dos Lucecitas", "Libya", "Punkero Sonidero", "I Ron Man", "Suena", and "Swing De Gillian".

A motherlode of music from the legendary Tunji Oyelana – a key figure in Nigerian music from the late 60s onward – with an influence that's almost as important as Fela's! Tunji's style is pretty darn funky, but different too – almost a pan-African sort of range that encompasses older styles from folklore, grooves from highlife, and the growing turn towards soul, funk, and rock that really sparked on the Nigerian scene once the 70s came around. This double-length package is a great illustration of this range – a wealth of wonderful songs, all graced by the rich vocals of Oyelana, and backed with hip grooves from The Benders – a very cool combo who really know how to change things up! Titles include "Ojo", "Which Way Africa", "To Whom It May Concern", "Jewele Jewele", "Ifa", "Fiya Jemi", "Osekere", "Aiye Nla", "Omonike", "Agba Lode (45 version)", "Aduke", and "Lenle".

A motherlode of music from the legendary Tunji Oyelana – a key figure in Nigerian music from the late 60s onward – with an influence that's almost as important as Fela's! Tunji's style is pretty darn funky, but different too – almost a pan-African sort of range that encompasses older styles from folklore, grooves from highlife, and the growing turn towards soul, funk, and rock that really sparked on the Nigerian scene once the 70s came around. This double-length package is a great illustration of this range – a wealth of wonderful songs, all graced by the rich vocals of Oyelana, and backed with hip grooves from The Benders – a very cool combo who really know how to change things up! Titles include "Ojo", "Which Way Africa", "To Whom It May Concern", "Jewele Jewele", "Ifa", "Fiya Jemi", "Osekere", "Aiye Nla", "Omonike", "Agba Lode (45 version)", "Aduke", and "Lenle".

A compilation of Ghana music like we've never seen before – and straight up beautifully put together by Soundway – 70s sounds that fused regional traditions with boundary free soul, rhythm & blues, and rock! Ghana in the 1970s was in a transition from a more prosperous, and less militarily tenuous culture, and the music at the time is really wonderful. This collection of obscure album tracks and singles from the time feature many smaller combo groups, rather than large scale dance bands, with highlife jazz & soul, guitar and percussion based Afrobeat, and Ghana traditions fused with international styles wonderfully. Fantastic stuff that sits proudly up there with the great Nigeria Special sister series from Soundway! The vinyl box set version has 2 tracks on on the CD version or digital download, and 2 more tracks previously only available on the CD version of the Ghana Soundz compilation: 37 tracks on 5 LPs, plus a 12 page booklet with rare photos and history: "Kai Wawa" by The Mercury Dance Band, "Din Ya Sugri" by Cristy Azuma & Upper International, "Nya Asem Hwe" by City Boys Band, "Edinya Benya" by Hedzoleh Soundz, "Odo Mmera" by Pa Steele's African Brothers, "Wompe Masem" by African Brothers International Band, "Akampanye" by The Sweet Talks, "You Can Go" by Bokoor Band, "Owuo" by Sawaaba Soundz, "Sisi Mbon" by Honny & The Bees Band and more.

A quartet of cool remixes – all pulled from vintage grooves on the Kenya Special – but brought together here with a slightly contemporary flavor! The work still echoes its roots quite strongly, but often has a more focused rhythmic approach – tilted towards the dancefloor with the remix energy, yet never with any sort of forced beats or gimmicky additions. Together, the tracks might well serve as a blueprint to show others the right way to remix older African grooves – and titles include "Tiga Kundega (Hide & Smile edit)" by Gatanga Boys Band, "Mapenzi Hayana Daktari (Frankie Francis edit)" by Nairobi Matata Jazz, "Ndiri Ndanogio Niwe (Batida 1977 rmx)" by Mbiri Young Stars, and "Kivelenge (Busy Twist rmx)" by Kalambya Boys.

Essential work from the African scene of the 70s – a collection of tracks that goes way beyond the more familiar grooves of Fela Kuti and Manu Dibango! The set may well be the deepest so far we've heard from the always-amazing Soundway Records – a package that digs into a wealth of under-heard music from early 70s Nigeria, all of it beyond simple stylistic definitions and overplayed world music cliches! Many of the grooves here are wonderfully unique – odd fusions of styles that include highlife, jazz, soul, Afrobeat, and other regional influences – sifted and shaken together, and spilled out in the studio with a really fresh sort of feel. Rhythms are at the core of most numbers here, but even those are often unfamiliar – skittish, soulful, and often somewhat playful – and the other instrumentation on the tracks is great too, and often resonates with some of the odd sounds and tunings we love in work on the Ethiopiques series. 2CD set features 26 tracks that include "Okwuke Na Nchekwube" by Celestine Ukwu & His Philosophers National, "Nekwaha Semi Colon" by The Semi Colon, "Osalobua Rekpama" by Sir Victor Owaifo & His Melody Maestros, "Onwu Ama Dike" by St Augustine & His Rovers Dance Band, "Feso Jaiye" by The Sahara All Stars Of Jos, "To Whom It May Concern" by Tunji Oyelana & The Benders, "Akula Owu Onyeara" by The Funkees, "Koma Mosi" by The Harbours Band, "Belema" by Opotopo, "Asiko Mi Ni" by Nigerian Police Force Band, "Alabeke" by Dan Satch & His Atomic 8 Dance Band, "Blak Sound" by Leo Fadaka & The Heroes, "Arraino" by Popular Cooper & His All Beats Band, "Ugali" by Tony Benson Sextet, "Akpaisong" by Etubom Rex Williams & His Nigerian Allstars, "Eguae Oba" by Osayomore Joseph & The Creative 7, "Torri Wowo" by Godwin Ezike & The Ambassadors, "Buroda Mase" by Bola Johnson & His Easy Life Top Beats, "I Want A Break Thru" by The Hykkers, and "Eguae Oba" by Osayomore Joseph & The Creative 7.

Essential work from the African scene of the 70s – a collection of tracks that goes way beyond the more familiar grooves of Fela Kuti and Manu Dibango! The set may well be the deepest so far we've heard from the always-amazing Soundway Records – a package that digs into a wealth of under-heard music from early 70s Nigeria, all of it beyond simple stylistic definitions and overplayed world music cliches! Many of the grooves here are wonderfully unique – odd fusions of styles that include highlife, jazz, soul, Afrobeat, and other regional influences – sifted and shaken together, and spilled out in the studio with a really fresh sort of feel. Rhythms are at the core of most numbers here, but even those are often unfamiliar – skittish, soulful, and often somewhat playful – and the other instrumentation on the tracks is great too, and often resonates with some of the odd sounds and tunings we love in work on the Ethiopiques series. Vinyl part 1 features 12 tracks that include "Okwuke Na Nchekwube" by Celestine Ukwu & His Philosophers National, "Nekwaha Semi Colon" by The Semi Colon, "Osalobua Rekpama" by Sir Victor Owaifo & His Melody Maestros, "Onwu Ama Dike" by St Augustine & His Rovers Dance Band, "Feso Jaiye" by The Sahara All Stars Of Jos, "To Whom It May Concern" by Tunji Oyelana & The Benders, "Akula Owu Onyeara" by The Funkees, and "Koma Mosi" by The Harbours Band.

Essential work from the African scene of the 70s – a collection of tracks that goes way beyond the more familiar grooves of Fela Kuti and Manu Dibango! The set may well be the deepest so far we've heard from the always-amazing Soundway Records – a package that digs into a wealth of under-heard music from early 70s Nigeria, all of it beyond simple stylistic definitions and overplayed world music cliches! Many of the grooves here are wonderfully unique – odd fusions of styles that include highlife, jazz, soul, Afrobeat, and other regional influences – sifted and shaken together, and spilled out in the studio with a really fresh sort of feel. Rhythms are at the core of most numbers here, but even those are often unfamiliar – skittish, soulful, and often somewhat playful – and the other instrumentation on the tracks is great too, and often resonates with some of the odd sounds and tunings we love in work on the Ethiopiques series. Vinyl part 2 features 14 tracks that include "Belema" by Opotopo, "Asiko Mi Ni" by Nigerian Police Force Band, "Alabeke" by Dan Satch & His Atomic 8 Dance Band, "Blak Sound" by Leo Fadaka & The Heroes, "Arraino" by Popular Cooper & His All Beats Band, "Ugali" by Tony Benson Sextet, "Akpaisong" by Etubom Rex Williams & His Nigerian Allstars, "Eguae Oba" by Osayomore Joseph & The Creative 7, "Torri Wowo" by Godwin Ezike & The Ambassadors, "Buroda Mase" by Bola Johnson & His Easy Life Top Beats, "I Want A Break Thru" by The Hykkers, and "Eguae Oba" by Osayomore Joseph & The Creative 7.

One of the coolest collections of rare psychedelia we've heard in a while from anywhere in the world – this one focusing on Afro Rock & psych from 70s Nigeria – among the greatest releases to date on the Soundway label, which only does great work! The music has the touchstone elements of raw garage funk & rock sounds from around the globe at the time – fuzzed out guitars and organs, searing solos, hard grooving rhythms and passionate vocals. But the guitars and rhythms are uniquely African, too, with highlife and Afrobeat gestures along with the global psychedelic soul sounds! Titles on this first volume of the vinyl include "Oli Nkwu" by Cicada, "All Night Long" by Bongos Ikwue, "Soundway" by Wrinkar Experience, "Eti Ufok" by Ceejebs, "Yem Efe" by Tony Grey Super 7, "Rough Rider" by The Hygrades, and "Mr Bull Dog (45 version)" by The Mebusas – plus vinyl-only cuts "Soul Generation" by Big John Oaikhena, and "Afam Efuna" by The Wings.

One of the coolest collections of rare psychedelia we've heard in a while from anywhere in the world – this one focusing on Afro Rock & psych from 70s Nigeria – among the greatest releases to date on the Soundway label, which only does great work! The music has the touchstone elements of raw garage funk & rock sounds from around the globe at the time – fuzzed out guitars and organs, searing solos, hard grooving rhythms and passionate vocals. But the guitars and rhythms are uniquely African, too, with highlife and Afrobeat gestures along with the global psychedelic soul sounds! Titles on this second vinyl volume include "Isi Agboncha" by The Semi Colon, "Egwu Aja" by Ofo The Black Company, "Bullwalk" by The Comrads, "Active Action" by Action 13, "Chokoi & Oreje" by The Elcados, In Concert" by Ofege, and "The World Ends" by The Black Mirrors – plus vinyl-only tracks "Straight To My Heart" by Celstine Nyam & The Voices Of Darkness, and "You've Got To Try" by T-Fire.

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.

A very cool version of "Purple Haze" – and one that sounds nothing like the original! The tune's handled here with some weird bubbling beats that kind of sway back and forth, and instead of guitar, the tune uses a very thin keyboards – while a female voice sings the lyrics in Spanish – all with a recording quality that makes it feel like a tune by The Residents!

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".

Colombian music, both classic and contemporary – as a group of older all-star players comes into contact with Will "Quantic" Holland! The set's easily one of the most smoking Latin-styled projects we've heard from Quantic so far – recorded in Colombia with work from Fruko, Anibal Velasquez, Alfredito Linares, and Michi Sarmiento – alongside Quantic's Combo Babaro, and the Frente Combeiro group of Mario Galeano! The sound is all classic throughout – no tricks or gimmicks, or modern remix modes at all – just old school instrumentation, filtered through a new school approach to funk – one that's come from years of digging older Colombian numbers, and finding a way to make new music that packs an equal punch. Every bit as smoking as older Central American grooves compiled by Soundway – with tracks that include "Bomba Tropica", "La Tranca", "Cien Anos", "Papi Shingaling", "Mi Negra", "Dos Lucecitas", "Libya", "Punkero Sonidero", "I Ron Man", "Suena", and "Swing De Gillian".

Excellent stuff – and a much-needed look at the funky 70s scene in Ghana! Much of the Afro Funk that's been revived over the past few years has come from the Nigerian scene – so it's great to hear this set of funky tunes from Ghana, a rich selection of grooves with a slightly harder edge than some other African work we've heard, and a rhythmic pulse that leans heavily towards work of American funk acts of the time. Drums, bass, and other percussion abound – and the tunes have a sweetly bubbling funky feel that's nice and soulful! Very well done – with a total of 14 tracks, and a very thorough set of notes – and including the cuts "Because Of Money" by The Third Generation, "Mother Africa" by Marijata, "Heaven" by Ebo Taylor, "Simigwado" by Gyedu Blay Ambolley, "Psychedelic Woman" by Honey & The Bees Band, "Make It Fast Make It Slow" by Rob, "Nite Safarie" by The Black Star Sound, and "Bukom Mashie" by Oscar Sulley.

A much-needed look at the massive amount of music recorded in Kenya during the 70s and 80s – an incredibly fertile time for local culture in the nation – and a time when it seemed like there was a great new groove coming out nearly every day! The work here really rivals the best of the classic Soundway compilations – especially their strong surveys of Ghana and Nigeria, with an ear for grooves that go way beyond the usual mainstream sounds of world music! There's more than enough grit and funk here to please any fan of American funk and soul – but the sounds also go way way deeper, too – and echo not only a long Kenyan cultural heritage, but also reflect the unique place the nation had at the crossroads of East Africa – a site that often made the scene especially vibrant in these years. The presentation is superb – with detailed notes and wonderful imagery that includes vintage label scans – and titles include "Mu Africa" by The Rift Valley Brothers, "Wendo Ti Mbia" by Gatanga Boys Band, "Ware Wa" by The Loi Toki Tok, "Sweet Sweet Mbombo" by Orchestre Baba National, "Cha Umheja" by Afro 70, "See Serere" by Sophia Ben & The Eagles Lupopo, "Mutumia Muriu" by The Lulus Band, "Nzaumi" by Ndalani 77 Brothers, "Teresia" by Huruma Boys Band, and "Week End" by Afro 70.

A much-needed look at the massive amount of music recorded in Kenya during the 70s and 80s – an incredibly fertile time for local culture in the nation – and a time when it seemed like there was a great new groove coming out nearly every day! The work here really rivals the best of the classic Soundway compilations – especially their strong surveys of Ghana and Nigeria, with an ear for grooves that go way beyond the usual mainstream sounds of world music! There's more than enough grit and funk here to please any fan of American funk and soul – but the sounds also go way way deeper, too – and echo not only a long Kenyan cultural heritage, but also reflect the unique place the nation had at the crossroads of East Africa – a site that often made the scene especially vibrant in these years. The presentation is superb – with detailed notes and wonderful imagery that includes vintage label scans – and titles include "Mu Africa" by The Rift Valley Brothers, "Wendo Ti Mbia" by Gatanga Boys Band, "Ware Wa" by The Loi Toki Tok, "Sweet Sweet Mbombo" by Orchestre Baba National, "Cha Umheja" by Afro 70, "See Serere" by Sophia Ben & The Eagles Lupopo, "Mutumia Muriu" by The Lulus Band, "Nzaumi" by Ndalani 77 Brothers, "Teresia" by Huruma Boys Band, and "Week End" by Afro 70.

Forget the "rock" in the title, and just focus on the "funk" – because this set of tracks is a massively heavy batch of Nigerian numbers from the 70s – all with the same solidly soulful feel as more familiar Afro Funk work of the time! There's a definite emphasis on guitars – which are often used in freaky and fuzzy ways, to offer up a more tripped-out take on the music than you might expect – but they never go too far into mainstream rock territory, certainly not in an Anglo sort of way. Most of the rhythms are still very much in an Afro Funk mode – but again a bit more tripped-out than usual – sometimes with a nice sense of space and laidback timing, which is often augmented by production techniques that pull out some of the cooler aspects of the music. There's a fair bit of keyboards too, often used in ways that are similar to the guitars – and in a way, the vibe here is often in the mode of British cross-cultural groups of the post-colonial years – like Cymande or Demon Fuzz, both of whom would sound right at home here. As usual with Soundway, the whole package is put together with a great deal of love and care – and full notes on all the wonderful music within! 15 tracks in all – including "Finger Toe" by Tabukah X, "Odenigbo" by The Wings, "Adieu" by Ofege, "In The Jungle (inst)" by The Hygrades, "Freaking Out" by Question Mark, "Omoboa D'Eru Ri" by Tunji Oyelana, "Another Man's Thing" by Joe King Kologbo & His Black Sound, "Acid Rock" by The Funkees, "Kenimania" by Mono Mono, "Ku Mi Da Hankan" by The Elcados, and "Eniaro" by Ofo The Black Company.

Soundway Records delves deep into the great history Colombian cumbia and porro – beautifully putting together an expansive set that traces the evolution of the sounds throughout 3 decades – and keeping it coming feverishly and furiously well paced the whole way through! They do a terrific job of making this set reverent of the history – it was very well researched by Will "Quantic" Holland – with one half featuring earlier Columbian cumbia and one half of the evolving sounds and instrumentation that came into play over the years. The sound is beautiful, even on the earliest recordings, and it's heated, intensely rhythmic all the way. Holland and Soundway's Miles Cleret here deliver as exciting and informative a set of benchmark cumbia as we could have hoped for – and it includes nice set of notes and photos. CD 1 features material culled from original Colombian 78s and CD 2 features original 45 & LP cuts: titles include "Cumbia del Puerto" by Conjunto Los Rumberos, "Judith" by Lucho Perez, "Senbrando Café" by Alberto Pacheco Y Su Conjunto, "Samoria" by Los Alegres Del Valle, "La Maragarita" by Los Ases Del Ritmo, "Cumbia Del Mar" by Los Hermanitos Ferreyra, "Sangria Goajira" by Los Indigenas, "Cumbia Del Carnaval" by Betoyep, "Rosa Y Mayo" by Andres Landero, "Guayabita Colora" by Alberto Pacheco, "Elionora" by Miguel Duran, "El Secuestro" by Celia Estremor Y Su Grupo De Baile Cantalo, "La Gaita Del Pato" by Lucho Yepez, "Tambo, Tambo" by La Cumbia Soledena and many more. 55 tracks in all!

Super-rare Ghanaian funk from Edzayawa – one of the most unique and insistently appealing Afro Rock albums we've heard in years – with a hypnotic groove all its own! The album shares some of the same influences and instrumentation as many other groups from the time, but, there's really nothing else quite like it – a wicked blend of rhythms and sounds that's completely compelling! The percussion and the rhythms pull you right in and hold on tight – with thick layers of organ floating throughout. The vocals are great, too, mixed with some occasional flute – and overall, there's a heavy vibe, but it's not an ominous one – kind of an undercurrent of rock mixed in with the funk – although never totally tripped out. One of the most amazing albums from Soundway in a long time! Includes "Darkness", "Gondzin", "Edzayawa", "Naa Korle", "Amanehun", "Abonsan", "Obuebee" and "Adesa".

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.

A contemporary Afro combo, but one with a really unique twist – a focus on older Ghanaian styles of grooves, which makes them sound different than a lot of other groups of this nature! Unlike some of the more Nigerian-grooving groups out there these days, Konkoma take their inspiration from Ghana – and do a really good job of echoing the older funky styles we've been digging on compilations and reissues from the Soundway label – working here with a tight lineup of London musicians, and getting some sharp help in the studio from Nostalgia 77 and Prince Fatty! The sound is right in line with vintage work on Soundway – and honestly, the album could easily pass itself off as some under-discovered 70s rarity – just on the strength of its grooves. Titles include "Lie Lie", "Another Day", "Yoo Eh", "Jojo's Song", "Senture", "Me Kyin Kyin", "Sibashaya Woza", "Handkerchief", and "Accra Jump".

Weird and wild sounds from contemporary Bogota – music that's got a very old school quality at its core, yet which also mixes in plenty of experimentation with the rhythms! Think of this as an old Colombian record with analogue electronics and sound samples – or some other-worldly sounds from the left side of the Peruvian scene – still with plenty of Latin elements at the core, especially in the grooves – but done with some really cool keyboards, tape tricks, and other nice bits! Titles include "Fiesta", "Guarach UFO", "Desesperanza", "Salsa Caliente", and "Salsa Del Zombie".

The second album from Ghanaian funk singer, composer and arranger Rob – issued for the first time ever outside of Ghana, thanks to the deep diggers at Soundway! Rob sings in English throughout – and there's a slinky, slow-cooking, kinda strange groove on most of the numbers – a mix of funk with lots of offbeat, oddball touches – of the sort that some folks these days might dub Afro Psych – but which was just pretty darn experimental back in the day! Rhythms are heavy on guitar, bass, and drums – and plenty of offbeat percussion – all topped with some great heavy horns too. The memorable title track is one of the most unique Afro Funk songs you could ever hope to hear – , with dexterous opening horn blasts, clattering bell-like percussion, and undeniably carnal English vocals – and the rest of the album's pretty darn amazing too! Other titles include "Loose Up Yourself" "Not The End", "I've Got To See You Again Lord", "He Shall Live In You", "But You", "Bargain" and "Back On You".

Soundway Records delves deep into the great history Colombian cumbia and porro – beautifully putting together an expansive set that traces the evolution of the sounds throughout 3 decades – and keeping it coming feverishly and furiously well paced the whole way through! They do a terrific job of making this set reverent of the history – it was very well researched by Will "Quantic" Holland – with one half featuring earlier Columbian cumbia and one half of the evolving sounds and instrumentation that came into play over the years. The sound is beautiful, even on the earliest recordings, and it's heated, intensely rhythmic all the way. Holland and Soundway's Miles Cleret here deliver as exciting and informative a set of benchmark cumbia as we could have hoped for! Vol 1 of the vinyl features original 78s – with 29 titles that include "Judity" by Lucho Perez, "San Jacinto" by Anibal Velasquez, "Samaria" by Los Alegres Del Valle, "Me Quedo Con El Viejo" by Cresencio Salcedo, "Dulce Lamento" by Nacho Paredes, "Sangre Goajira" by Los Indigenas, and "La Muerte" by Tono Fernandez.

One of the most unique Afro jazzy soundtrack you could ever hope to hear – African drummer, keyboard player and composer Remi Kabaka's soundtrack to Black Goddess! The film is from Nigerian director Ola Balogun, but was actually cast and shot in Brazil – and this soundtrack is really amazing and covers a whole lot of territory! The opening track is heavy with this fuzzed out bit of keyboards that's almost a precursor to 80s computer grooves – mixed with some laid back electric guitar and sax, it's a strange, really cool vibe that's totally unlike most Nigerian recordings we can think of. As the tracks roll on, though, the sax and percussion get more play and the sound as a whole more dexterously Afro jazzy and funky. Recorded in Lagos, it features Dele Okonkwo on tenor and soprano sax and BD Wright on keys and bass – both contribute additional percussion - plus Joni Haastrup on guitar and keyboard. Includes "Brothers And Sisters", "The Quest", "Slave March", "Black Goddess", "The Quest (Piano Solo)" and "The Warrior".

Colombian music, both classic and contemporary – as a group of older all-star players comes into contact with Will "Quantic" Holland! The set's easily one of the most smoking Latin-styled projects we've heard from Quantic so far – recorded in Colombia with work from Fruko, Anibal Velasquez, Alfredito Linares, and Michi Sarmiento – alongside Quantic's Combo Babaro, and the Frente Combeiro group of Mario Galeano! The sound is all classic throughout – no tricks or gimmicks, or modern remix modes at all – just old school instrumentation, filtered through a new school approach to funk – one that's come from years of digging older Colombian numbers, and finding a way to make new music that packs an equal punch. Every bit as smoking as older Central American grooves compiled by Soundway – with tracks that include "Bomba Tropica", "Dos Lucecitas", "Libya", "Punkero Sonidero", "I Ron Man", "Suena", and "Swing De Gillian". 19 tracks in all!

We've always loved these guys – but they really blow us away with this smoking album – a set that has them funkier than ever, yet also reaching out to embrace some great new styles too! The Afro Funk of their core is still firmly in place – yet there's also wider echoes of global sounds really being embraced by a younger generation – bits of Colombian rhythms, psychedelic inflections, and really vibrant instrumentation that helps make this record sparkle even more than their already-great previous efforts! Production is totally smoking, too – and makes the set feel more like a Soundway compilation of rare tracks from the 70s than a contemporary set – definitely another plus in our book. Titles include "Cartao Postal", "Kelen Ati Leen", "Bibinay", "Kingpin", "Conquering Lion", "Tanbou Lou", and "Nijaay".

The Africa Issue of Wax Poetics – with Fela on the front cover and Tony Allen on the back – plus pieces on The Rail Band, Orchestra Baobob, Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo, Soundway's Ghana Special and so much more! You know Wax Poetics is going to go deep, and Issue 39 doesn't disappoint – from the pivotal Afro funk & soul of the cover artists to the Cuban-influenced vibe of Senegal's Orchestra Baobob, the griot sounds of the Rail Band and well beyond – loaded with photographs we've never seen before (always a big draw to Wax Po) – Re:Discovery items on Mams & Hart, Buari's Disco Soccer and more, plus pieces on African vinyl collector Voodoo Frank, Shafiq of Sa-Ra, a Record Rundown of from African rhythms champion DJ Rich Medina and lots more!

Massive music we've never heard before – a really heavy helping of grooves from the Ivory Coast – an African scene that's hardly been tapped by crate diggers and collectors! There's a really fresh feel to the grooves overall – not just the familiar Afro Funk modes, but a nice range of styles that moves between rootsy local numbers through some great crossover styles, through even a few of the African Disco modes that are better known from other scenes! The tracks here are all massively funky – scoured out over the course of a number of different crate-digging trips to the coast – and the package presents the music with great images of the original record covers, too – so that you can still retain some of the feel of the rarity of the work, even though the collection presents things in an easy to handle format. Definitely one for fans of Soundway and Analogue Africa titles – with cuts that include "True Love" by Rato Venance, "Yatchiminou" by Jimmy Hyacinthe, "Kalabuley Woman" by Pierre Antoine, "Mammy Nia" by Nguessan, "Wazi Doble" by Gougoumangou, "Zadie Bobo" by Ernesti Djedje, "Unite" by Moussa Doumbia, "Mon Falou Nan" by Soro N Gana Et L'Orchestre Guilana-na, "Onginwe" by Prince Dgibs, and "Essemon Moupoh" by Jean Guehi.

We've always loved these guys – but they really blow us away with this smoking album – a set that has them funkier than ever, yet also reaching out to embrace some great new styles too! The Afro Funk of their core is still firmly in place – yet there's also wider echoes of global sounds really being embraced by a younger generation – bits of Colombian rhythms, psychedelic inflections, and really vibrant instrumentation that helps make this record sparkle even more than their already-great previous efforts! Production is totally smoking, too – and makes the set feel more like a Soundway compilation of rare tracks from the 70s than a contemporary set – definitely another plus in our book. Titles include "Cartao Postal", "Kelen Ati Leen", "Bibinay", "Kingpin", "Conquering Lion", "Tanbou Lou", and "Nijaay".

Massive music we've never heard before – a really heavy helping of grooves from the Ivory Coast – an African scene that's hardly been tapped by crate diggers and collectors! There's a really fresh feel to the grooves overall – not just the familiar Afro Funk modes, but a nice range of styles that moves between rootsy local numbers through some great crossover styles, through even a few of the African Disco modes that are better known from other scenes! The tracks here are all massively funky – scoured out over the course of a number of different crate-digging trips to the coast – and the package presents the music with great images of the original record covers, too – so that you can still retain some of the feel of the rarity of the work, even though the collection presents things in an easy to handle format. Definitely one for fans of Soundway and Analogue Africa titles – with cuts that include "True Love" by Rato Venance, "Yatchiminou" by Jimmy Hyacinthe, "Kalabuley Woman" by Pierre Antoine, "Mammy Nia" by Nguessan, "Wazi Doble" by Gougoumangou, "Zadie Bobo" by Ernesti Djedje, "Unite" by Moussa Doumbia, "Mon Falou Nan" by Soro N Gana Et L'Orchestre Guilana-na, "Onginwe" by Prince Dgibs, and "Essemon Moupoh" by Jean Guehi.