Groovy South African soul from Linda Bab Majika – a singer who's part of that new generation of positivity that was flowing out of the scene, reaching out here with a sound that's pretty universal in appeal! The music is more conventional 80s soul than you might expect – and richer and fuller than some of the synth-heavy work of the period in South African soul – still with lots of beats and keyboards, but a bolder production sound that really suits Linda's vocals! There are occasional elements that you might recognize from bigger crossover world acts – such as the South African artists who were getting play on US radio – but the overall sound is more soul than anything else, on titles that include "Let's Make A Deal", "It's Our Home", "Don't Treat Me So Bad", "Play Boy", and "Kunzima". (Soul, Global Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

A surprisingly strong set from Osibisa – one that's got a full, rich, soulful feel – much better than we might have expected for an album recorded at the Royal Festival Hall! The venue's no surprise, though, given that Osibisa were clearly on top of their game at the time – and able to draw a big crowd at a prestigious event. The band has been expanded considerably for this live set to include extra percussion and backing vocals – all coming together with a majestic sound that almost beats the style used on some of the studio versions of these tunes! Titles include "The Dawn", "Living Loving Feeling", "Music For Gong Gong", "Sunshine Day", "Beautiful Seven Y Sharp", and a nice take on Roland Kirk's "Spirits Up Above". LP, Vinyl record album

A wicked bit of 80s electro soul – one that's heavy on Yamaha keyboards and beats, but which was also recorded in Gabon – which gives the whole record a very different sound than New York material of the time! The rhythms are definitely in the funky soul side of the spectrum, but have different inflections and directions than big city beats from the street – maybe more complexity at points, but also a willingness to step back and allow some spots of bluesier inflections in the other instrumentation, which is mostly guitar – an instrument that has less of a rhythmic role here than on the usual soul album. Titles include "Butter Fly", "Ogoue", "We Gonna Have Some Fun", "Believe Me", "Back To LBV", and "Will Be The Only One". (Soul, Global Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

A revelatory selection of tracks recorded on a Nairobi music scene that was really overflowing with creative energy – so much so that the music here doesn't just come from Kenyan talents, but from Tanzania and the Congo as well! There's a positive spirit that imbues most of the grooves – sounds that are upbeat and pulsating with rhythm – yet also put together at a level that's never too commercial at all – especially resisting the temptations that over-polished so much other music from the continent during the big world music boom of the 80s. Instead, these tunes revel in long, open interplay between guitars, bass, percussion, and voice – on selections that include "Ochieng DJ Komoro" by Victoria Chomeka, "Maria" by Orchestra Moja One Band, "Remmy Belesa" by Biashara Jazz Band, "Gilbert Wambida" by International De Nelly, "Amemiki (part 2)" by Orchestra Bana Ekanga, and "Nakuomba" by Baba Ilunga Wa Ilunga – a lost archive track, which appears here for the first time ever. LP, Vinyl record album