A 70s treasure from Lebanese singer Fairuz – a vocalist who never broke big on our shores, but who gave the world this beautiful blend of traditional instrumentation and contemporary production! The music comes across in two different modes – side one has more acoustic elements, and uses compelling percussion alongside offbeat strings – and side two brings in some more contemporary elements, but never in a way that sounds pop or mainstream – thanks to the vocals of Fairuz. Ziad Rahbani arranged and composed the whole thing – and titles include "Ana Indi Hanine", "Al Bosta", "Wahdon", "Habeytak Tansit Al Nom", and "Baatilak". LP, Vinyl record album

A very cool record from saxophonist Robert Mavouzny and trombonist Al Lirvat – the latter of whom also cut some biguine albums on the French scene of the 70s! This set's maybe a bit straighter jazz, but you can definitely hear some unusual touches at play – as the group opens up with help from Xavier Chambon on trumpet, Wolf Schubert on piano, Jack Sewing on bass, and Michael Silva on piano. A few moments are more swing, but others are more offbeat – a very unusual session! (Jazz, Global Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

The earliest work we've ever seen from this legendary South African group – and music that's got a much rawer, more stripped-down vibe than the albums that made them famous in the 80s! These tracks are mostly just group vocals with a bit of percussion and guitar – billed as "zulu vocal jive" or "zulu vocal" on the back cover – and with a romping, joyous quality that resonates with some of the bigger South African stars who were getting some global exposure in the mid 60s – upbeat, lively, and really positive in spirit, despite the struggles taking place on the scene. Titles include "Dinaka", "Kuqale Bani", "Niyi Gcine", "Inxeba Lendoda", "Izinyoni", "We Boy", "Umoya", and "Elidlubedu". 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 great set that moves towards the farther reaches of the Caribbean scene in the 80s – music that's much more underground than some of the bigger soca and tropical hits of the time! As you might expect from the Soundway label, the work here is a very unusual, very well-done presentation of a fresh slice of global music – Caribbean cuts that borrow bits from electro soul, house music, and other styles of the time – and weave the newer elements into island rhythms with a very forward-thinking feel! The tunes are heavy on keyboards and beats, yet still have a indie soul sort of charm – and as usual with Soundway, the whole thing comes with very detailed notes on the music. Most tunes are b-sides, dubs, or edits – and titles include "Last Days" by The Millers, "Wild Indian Band" by Andre Tanker, "Zion Gates (dub)" by Mohjah, "I Want Your Love" by Peter Britto, "Hotter & Hotter (dub edit)" by Juno D, "D'Jab Jab Dance (bad lad mix)" by Colin Jackman, "Fighting Soldier" by Cito Jarvis, "Stand Up & Rock Your Body (inst)" by Roger Bain, "Fire (ext dub edit)" by D Ivan, "Body Beat" by Bill Campbell, and "It's Alright" by Adonijah. 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