Great Ghana grooves from Ebo Taylor – a tremendous collection of his funkiest 70s work – and a much-needed reintroduction of his talents to the world at large! Much of the music here has strong links with more familiar Afro Funk – but the overall approach is often a bit unique, too – lots more guitar in the rhythms at times, in ways that echo the lighter lyricism of highlife, yet all without losing the commitment to bottom sounds that made 70s changes in African music so great! The package does a great job of archaeology – bringing together not just cuts recorded under Taylor's own name, but also work with other groups too – all in a set that offers plenty in the way of notes and historical details, too. 2LP set features 12 titles that include "Heaven", "Aba Yaa", "Atwer Abroba", and "Peace On Earth" by Ebo Taylor, "Tamfo Nyi Akyir" by Apagya Showband, "Ohiani Sua Efir" by Asasse Ase, "Ene Nyame Nam A Mensuor" by Pat Thomas & Ebo Taylor, "Egya Edu" by Ebo Taylor & The Pelikans, and "Love & Death" by Ebo Taylor & Uhuru Yenzu. LP, Vinyl record album

Way way more than just the usual roots reggae collection – a stunning set that documents the growth of Rastafari ideals in Jamaican music – with examples that range from years before the birth of reggae, through that style's bit growth in the 70s! The set includes this very large booklet of notes and images – giving plenty of historical context for the spiritual movement, and linking it's roots to Ethiopian political freedoms of the early 20th century, which then became a huge inspiration for oppressed Jamaicans. Styles of the music vary nicely – and include pre-reggae styles, mento, and other folkloric modes – which then give way to more familiar sounds, but always with an ear for the unique, and spiritually powerful. Titles include "Zion I" by Winston & Ansell, "Ethiopia" by Lord Lebby & The Jamaican Calypsonians, "Soul Drums" by Count Ossie & Leslie Butler, "His Imperial Majesty" by Rod Taylor, "Jah Will Cut You Down" by Earth & Stone, "Haile Selassie" by Laurel Aitken, "None Shall Escape The Judgement" by Johnny Clark, "African Drums" by Bongo Herman & Jah Lloyd, "Hail The Words Of Jah" by Ashanti Roy, "Salaam" by Bongo Herman, Les & Bunny, "Narration" by Count Ossie & The Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari, and "Rasta Dreadlocks" by The Heaven Singers. (Reggae, Global Grooves) CD

The definitely got the title right on this one – because the set is filled with some of the most heavenly tracks from the legendary Ethiopiques series – that legendary run of compilations that was the first introduction for most of us to the amazing music of Ethiopia! This package really zeros in on all the best bits – and has a special focus on the early 70s, with some other bits from the 60s as well – all the wonderful vintage material that captures that special time in Ethiopian music when the artists were really taking some new chances with their sound – and creating an otherworldly blend of jazz and funk with more local elements as well. The range of artists is great – a really compelling blend of singers and instrumentalists, not just a handful of tracks by Mulatu – and titles include "Presentiment" by Tsegue Maryam Guebrou, "Ene Negn Bay Manesh" by Girma Beyene, "Hedetch Alu" by Muluquen Mellesse, "Lantchi Biye" by Tlahoun Gessesse, "Tchereqa" by Menelik Wesnatchew, "Ashasha Beyew" by Abbebe Tessemma, "Ati Fettun Isani Infedhani" by Ali Birra, "Mela Mela" by Seyfou Yohannes, "Teredjew Neber" by Ayalew Mesfin, and "Hametegnaw" by Seyoum Gebreyes. LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful celebration of the first ten years of Heavenly Sweetness – a fantastic French record label that's not only given us spiritual jazz from giants of the 70s, but also opened our ears to both new sounds from contemporary artists, and a wide array of rhythms from around the globe! All those elements are perfectly balanced here – showing Heavenly Sweetness as an imprint that can live up to the legacy of earlier European giants – with a similar culture-crossing vibe as MPS or Saravah, but a much more contemporary approach too! Titles include "We People" by Doug Hammond, "Blue Train" by Byard Lancaster, "Mother Of The Future" by Anne Wirz, "Don't Stress Me Out" by Monette Sudler, "Valse Pour Helene" by Florian Pellissier Quintet, "Flow Like A River" by Robert Aaron, "Rip With John Coltrane" by Patchworks, "Journey To The Shore" by Dopegems, "September Sun" by Jacaranda Muse, "Sam's Intro" by Rongetz Foundation, "Where's My Soul" by Baron Retif & Conception Perez, "Our History" by Anthony Joseph, "Voices" by Blundetto, "Don't You Know" by Leron Thomas, "Want It Back" by Guts, "Womanarium" by Sly Johnson, "Untitled/Inspiration From Home" by Don Cherry, "Dead Sea Scrolls" by Raphael, "Ode To Ethiopia" by John Betsch Society, and "NT" by Tagi with Georgia Anne Muldrow. 40 tracks in all! (New Grooves, Global Grooves) CD

A beautiful celebration of the first ten years of Heavenly Sweetness – a fantastic French record label that's not only given us spiritual jazz from giants of the 70s, but also opened our ears to both new sounds from contemporary artists, and a wide array of rhythms from around the globe! All those elements are perfectly balanced here – showing Heavenly Sweetness as an imprint that can live up to the legacy of earlier European giants – with a similar culture-crossing vibe as MPS or Saravah, but a much more contemporary approach too! Titles include "We People" by Doug Hammond, "Blue Train" by Byard Lancaster, "Mother Of The Future" by Anne Wirz, "Don't Stress Me Out" by Monette Sudler, "Valse Pour Helene" by Florian Pellissier Quintet, "Flow Like A River" by Robert Aaron, "Rip With John Coltrane" by Patchworks, "Journey To The Shore" by Dopegems, "September Sun" by Jacaranda Muse, "Sam's Intro" by Rongetz Foundation, "Where's My Soul" by Baron Retif & Conception Perez, "Our History" by Anthony Joseph, "Voices" by Blundetto, "Don't You Know" by Leron Thomas, "Want It Back" by Guts, "Womanarium" by Sly Johnson, and "NT" by Tagi with Georgia Anne Muldrow. 17 tracks in all! (New Grooves, Global Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

The Heavenly Sweetness label celebrates its first ten years in business – with a special birthday present of all-exclusive unreleased tracks! This set doesn't look back at the previous decade of the label, but instead points the way forward – with a wonderful selection of newly-recorded tracks by some of hte label's best artists – including some who've helped define their groove strongly in recent years, and some whose talents are soon to be presenting full length sets for the company! As with the previous ten years of records, the music here is a fantastic blend of new styles and global elements – some strands of soul, jazz, and hip hop influences – but often used in ways that are completely fresh and contemporary – at a level that's made Heavenly Sweetness one of our go-to labels for new and interesting sounds over the past decade. Titles include "You Party Too Much" by The Mule, "O Circo" by Cotonete", "Have A Little Faith" by Blundetto and Ken Boothe, "An Ba Galba" by Roger Raspail and Vincent Segal, "Tijan Ka (2017 version)" by Edmondy Krater and I Live, "Tijan (Hugh LX rmx)" by Edmondy Krater, "F*ck With The Police" by Florian Pellissier Quintet with Roger Raspail and Nawer, "Hip Hop Muse (Lefto rmx)" by Rongetz Foundation, "Be The River" by Anthony Joseph and Hanyo, and "Move In Silence" by Guts with Patrice, Feve, Djeuhdjoah, and Lieutenant Nicholson. (New Grooves, Global Grooves) CD

The Heavenly Sweetness label celebrates its first ten years in business – with a special birthday present of all-exclusive unreleased tracks! This set doesn't look back at the previous decade of the label, but instead points the way forward – with a wonderful selection of newly-recorded tracks by some of hte label's best artists – including some who've helped define their groove strongly in recent years, and some whose talents are soon to be presenting full length sets for the company! As with the previous ten years of records, the music here is a fantastic blend of new styles and global elements – some strands of soul, jazz, and hip hop influences – but often used in ways that are completely fresh and contemporary – at a level that's made Heavenly Sweetness one of our go-to labels for new and interesting sounds over the past decade. Titles include "You Party Too Much" by The Mule, "O Circo" by Cotonete", "Have A Little Faith" by Blundetto and Ken Boothe, "An Ba Galba" by Roger Raspail and Vincent Segal, "Tijan Ka (2017 version)" by Edmondy Krater and I Live, "Tijan (Hugh LX rmx)" by Edmondy Krater, "F*ck With The Police" by Florian Pellissier Quintet with Roger Raspail and Nawer, "Hip Hop Muse (Lefto rmx)" by Rongetz Foundation, "Be The River" by Anthony Joseph and Hanyo, and "Move In Silence" by Guts with Patrice, Feve, Djeuhdjoah, and Lieutenant Nicholson. (New Grooves, Global Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

Wonderful work from the Kasai All-Stars – a group we first discovered in the Congotronics series with Konono No 1 – and who still have the same wonderful blend of raw rhythms, fuzzy distortion, and very powerful vocals! Their music has this powerfully organic vibe – with acoustic and electric elements bumping together in a fantastic way – that special sort of immediate power that really grabs you, and never asks for deeper cultural understanding as the price of admission. And the record's also got some interesting surprises too, in that a few numbers are performed by the larger Orchestra Symphonique Kimbanguiste, used in the soundtrack of which the main Kasai music is a part – versions of a few compositions by Arvo Part, which creates a heavenly juxtaposition next to the earthier numbers – with a vibe that's quite unusual, and makes the Kasai music seem even more powerful. Titles include "Kapinga Yamba", "In Praise Of Homeboys", "Tshalemba", "Mabela", "Quick As White", and "Tshitua Fuila Mbuloba". 2LP package also features some bonus remixes – including "Drowning Goat (Daedalus rmx)", "Felicite Three (Ramzi rmx)", "In Praise Of Homeboys (Africaine 808 rmx)", "Quick As White (Clap Clap rmx)", and "Salute To Kalombo (Ekiti Sound System rmx)". LP, Vinyl record album

The first album in many years from Edmondy Krater – an overlooked musical genius from the scene in Guadeloupe – and one who maybe sounds better here than ever before! Krater's always had an ear for blending jazz with some of the more recent currents of the island – but that concept is maybe expressed here most perfectly in the handling of his music by Heavenly Sweetness – a label who've been a recent champion of his classic records, and a great choice for bringing him back into the studio. Krater vocalizes, and plays trumpet, flugelhorn, djembe, and other percussion – with a tight quintet of bass, drums, and additional percussion – plus some great Fender Rhodes – and titles include "A Pa Jodi", "Mi Yo Rive", "Ti Jan Ka", "Lage", "An Ka Sonje", "Nou Kontan", and "Jouwe Tanbou". LP, Vinyl record album

A hypnotic blend of electric guitars and female voices – and a record with a sound that's every bit as trippy as the cover! These guys might represent a new step forward for the Tuareg scene – as the music here still has the same guitar and rhythmic core of previous work, but also seems to take on a new sort of heavenly spirit – a vibe that, while not exactly upbeat and positive, seems to have a slightly more joyous, righteous quality overall! The group are really onto something, and we have a feeling we'll be hearing a lot more from them in the future – and titles include "Tihilele", "Eghass Malan", "Jori", "Imigradan", "Telillite", and "Inssegh Inssegh". CD

Great work from Guadeloupean percussionist Roger Raspail – a set that offers up an unusual blend of jazz and island modes, but in a way that's very rich and organic – without any sort of self-conscious attitude about its presentation! Raspail's worked for years on the Paris scene – and has always been part of that city's rich post-colonial criss-crossing of modes – especially the side of the French jazz scene that has always been very open to non-Anglo rhythms, and allowed very open interplay of different ideas! That approach is definitely in place here – on sounds that maybe offer up more of Raspail's roots than some of his early records – but in a way that also shows his warm absorption of continental modes too. Guests include Vincent Segal, Alain Jean-Marie, Anthony Joseph, and Dao – and titles include "Kalypso Ka", "Rara", "Manza Rene", "Nuite Douce", "Bossa De La Plage", "Papa Yaya", "Ballade A Ilet Perou", and "Anty Kaz La". CD

Great work from Guadeloupean percussionist Roger Raspail – a set that offers up an unusual blend of jazz and island modes, but in a way that's very rich and organic – without any sort of self-conscious attitude about its presentation! Raspail's worked for years on the Paris scene – and has always been part of that city's rich post-colonial criss-crossing of modes – especially the side of the French jazz scene that has always been very open to non-Anglo rhythms, and allowed very open interplay of different ideas! That approach is definitely in place here – on sounds that maybe offer up more of Raspail's roots than some of his early records – but in a way that also shows his warm absorption of continental modes too. Guests include Vincent Segal, Alain Jean-Marie, Anthony Joseph, and Dao – and titles include "Kalypso Ka", "Rara", "Manza Rene", "Nuite Douce", "Bossa De La Plage", "Papa Yaya", "Ballade A Ilet Perou", and "Anty Kaz La". LP, Vinyl record album

A cool collection of sounds when the music was really making a change in the French West Indies – especially in Guadeloupe, which was always trying to set itself apart from some of its Caribbean neighbors! The music here has all the electric touches you'd expect from the "digital" in the title – but the sound is still nice and warm overall – kind of an updating of older rhythms, maybe even a bit of biguine – but using both acoustic and electric drums, as well as a good deal of keyboards in the mix! The groove has an open, natural flow that's quite different from Haitian music or soca at the time – quite seductive in the way the songs progress – never trying too hard at all, but coming out with a sweet 80s funk sound in the end. The collection was put together by Diggers Digest – who did a great job of finding lesser-known gems – and titles include "Devenn" by Pierre Edouard Decimus, "Indiano" by Eddy La Viny, "Mande Moin On Lajan" by Group Nsi, "Vacance Union" by Raymon Pyrme and Jean Claude Cornely, "Nou Ke Sa Enmew" by Swanha Desvarieux, "Poutchi" by Zanma, "Biguine Inferno" by OREA, and "Mizik Nou" by Milton. LP, Vinyl record album

Funky sounds from the French West Indies scene – tunes from a time when the grooves were showing a lot of 80s elements, but still burst forth in some of the unusual rhythmic currents you'd expect from Martinique and Guadeloupe! The grooves here almost feel like New York material from the first part of the 80s – given their use of keyboards, beats, and basslines – but there's lots of pan-global currents moving through the grooves, and a melange of modes that almost reminds us of the way that earlier acts were borrowing from the Caribbean and West African for US and UK funky club – a favor that seems to be returned here as these artists borrow back, and make sounds that are completely their own! We love this volume even more than the first Digital Zandoli – and especially groove on the positive, upbeat spirit of many of the tracks – music that has an undeniable effervescence, and a hell of a sense of rhythm too. Titles include "Melodi" by Osmose, "Ban Di Fwan" by Coco/Fabert, "Confrontation (inst)" by Wach'Da, "Pou Jaloux" by Michel Alibo, "L'Anmouw Aw" by Champagn, "Pou Qui Ca" by Patrick Nuissier, "Sun Plash" by Djeminay, "Pina Colada Coco Loco" by Joyeux De Cocotier, "Sistem" by Alex Rosa, "Demare Mwen" by Jo Star, and "Tension La Ka Monte" by Vik'In. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the coolest variations on the Ethiopiques series we've ever seen – a release that presents six different records exactly as they appeared as 7" singles – right down to representations of the original covers and labels! The grooves are great – definitely the funkier, more upbeat side of Ethiopian 70s music – with titles that include "Afer Yemegnshale" by Alemayehu Eshete, "Awash" by Ali Mohammed Birra, "Sew Manen Yimeslal" by Tilahun Gessesse, "Mar Teb Yilal Kafesh" by Mahamoud Ahmed, "Yebekagnale" by Girma Beyene & Mulatu, and "Antchi Hoye" by Getachew Mekuria. 7-inch, Vinyl record

One of the coolest Turkish singers we've heard so far from the 70s – an artist who's maybe a bit more funky and a bit less fuzzy than some of her contemporaries – blessed with a heavenly vocal style that's often set to these very groovy arrangements! The language is beyond the reach of our comprehension, but there's a quality to the overall tunes we totally love – very much like some of the coolest, grooviest French or Scandinavian pop of the time – thanks to some very well-placed electric bass, sweet soaring strings, and the occasional Turkish touch to make for a nicely exotic vibe. A few cuts also feature some nice moog, too – which is especially wonderful, and gives things a really spacey quality – and titles include "Yorgun Gozler", "Falci", "Kabahat Seni Sevende", "Dane Dane Benleri", and "Evet Mi Hayir Mi". CD

A hypnotic blend of electric guitars and female voices – and a record with a sound that's every bit as trippy as the cover! These guys might represent a new step forward for the Tuareg scene – as the music here still has the same guitar and rhythmic core of previous work, but also seems to take on a new sort of heavenly spirit – a vibe that, while not exactly upbeat and positive, seems to have a slightly more joyous, righteous quality overall! The group are really onto something, and we have a feeling we'll be hearing a lot more from them in the future – and titles include "Tihilele", "Eghass Malan", "Jori", "Imigradan", "Telillite", and "Inssegh Inssegh". LP, Vinyl record album

The first album in many years from Edmondy Krater – an overlooked musical genius from the scene in Guadeloupe – and one who maybe sounds better here than ever before! Krater's always had an ear for blending jazz with some of the more recent currents of the island – but that concept is maybe expressed here most perfectly in the handling of his music by Heavenly Sweetness – a label who've been a recent champion of his classic records, and a great choice for bringing him back into the studio. Krater vocalizes, and plays trumpet, flugelhorn, djembe, and other percussion – with a tight quintet of bass, drums, and additional percussion – plus some great Fender Rhodes – and titles include "A Pa Jodi", "Mi Yo Rive", "Ti Jan Ka", "Lage", "An Ka Sonje", "Nou Kontan", and "Jouwe Tanbou". CD

An unusual blend of jazz, fusion, and gwo ka rhythms from Guadelopue – served up here in a classic album from trumpeter Edmony Krater! Krater blows some beautiful solos on the record – a bit like Don Cherry in some of his more globally-oriented projects – but the overall approach is more rhythmic, and tied together by keyboards and basslines, which are then offset by rootsier percussion elements that trace back to the earlier days of the genre – while Edmony and his compatriots continue to inflect some modern touches over the top! The group's got some sweet guitar lines from Freddy Tisseur, whose playing nicely skirts both sides of this sound – and titles include "Crepuscule", "Tijan", "Gwadloup", "Chimin Spirit", and "Occitan Dance". CD features two bonus tracks – "Rime A La Vi" and "Sonje Pa Plere". CD

Mad grooves from the Ethiopian scene of the 70s – featuring work by the enigmatic Mulatu, plus some of the other extra-cool artists on that country's groundbreaking soul and funk scene! Mulatu plays Fender Rhodes and organ on his tracks – grooving with a slow, snakey approach that's almost a bit like the work of Sun Ra, but which also has distinct African touches. The sound here is quite different than the Nigerian funky work of the 70s – much more laidback and open-ended, with less American influences, and a really unique approach! Titles include "Yekermo Se", "Yegele Tezeta", "Munaye", "Metche Dershe", "Kasalefkut Hulu", and "Tezeta" by Mulatu Astatque; "Heywete" and "Bemgnot Alnorem" by Bahta Gebre Heywet; and "Yetesfa Tezeta" by Tesfa-Maryam Kidane. Vinyl release of tracks pulled from the Ethiopiques CD-only series, done with some good notes. LP, Vinyl record album

Mad funk from Ethiopia – classic work by the legendary Mulatu, one of Africa's heaviest artists of the 70s! Mulatu's been kind of a beathead secret for years – as most of his exotic grooves were never issued properly outside of Africa, and have only been the province of collectors who had the money and cash to get their hands on the work. The music's got a strange, other-worldly feel – a mix of bass-heavy dubby rhythms and spaced-out jazzy solos played on saxophone and electric piano – all coming together in a unique style that will blow your mind! The LP is the first-ever proper vinyl reissue of Mulatu's work – and collects together the best tracks from the recent Ethiopiques CD series, 9 titles that include "Yekatit", "Nesanet", "Sabye", "Ykermo Sew", "Asmarina", "Gubelye", "Dewel", and "Ene Alantchi Alnorem". LP, Vinyl record album

Funky sounds from the French West Indies scene – tunes from a time when the grooves were showing a lot of 80s elements, but still burst forth in some of the unusual rhythmic currents you'd expect from Martinique and Guadeloupe! The grooves here almost feel like New York material from the first part of the 80s – given their use of keyboards, beats, and basslines – but there's lots of pan-global currents moving through the grooves, and a melange of modes that almost reminds us of the way that earlier acts were borrowing from the Caribbean and West African for US and UK funky club – a favor that seems to be returned here as these artists borrow back, and make sounds that are completely their own! We love this volume even more than the first Digital Zandoli – and especially groove on the positive, upbeat spirit of many of the tracks – music that has an undeniable effervescence, and a hell of a sense of rhythm too. Titles include "Melodi" by Osmose, "Ban Di Fwan" by Coco/Fabert, "Confrontation (inst)" by Wach'Da, "Pou Jaloux" by Michel Alibo, "L'Anmouw Aw" by Champagn, "Pou Qui Ca" by Patrick Nuissier, "Sun Plash" by Djeminay, "Pina Colada Coco Loco" by Joyeux De Cocotier, "Sistem" by Alex Rosa, "Demare Mwen" by Jo Star, and "Tension La Ka Monte" by Vik'In. CD