A really cool record by a very unique group – a set of singers from Guyana, working together in chorus formation – but with an approach that's nicely suited to the funkier modes of the instrumentation! The approach is a bit hard to describe – this isn't soul or jazz choral work, and the structure is often loose at points too – which means that there's almost a casual sense of collaboration as the vocals come together in all these really great ways – adding a heck of a lot of spirit to the percussion, guitar, and other elements that keep things nice and funky! Titles include "Ojinga's Own", "Stay Away", "Neighbor Jean", "Massacura Man", "Go Go", "Woman A Dead Ya Fuhn Man", "No Intention", "Ka Duma", and "I've Got To Be Somebody". LP, Vinyl record album

A stunner of a joint effort from Ethio jazz funk visionary Mulatu Astatke and psych funk genre-busting combo the Heliocentrics – a record we had the highest hopes for and still find wildly above and beyond our loftiest expectations! The collective touch on some classic Mulatu compositions, but the bulk of the material here is brand new, and purely collaborative – if you know the Helioecentrics or you know Mulatu, you can clearly hear what each bring to the table – and it works together brilliantly! There's often a gritty funk bottom end, the best drums and percussion, fat electric bass lines underneath Ethio jazz inspired sax, trumpet, trombone and flute – swirling psychedelic flourishes with theremin and other effects that never take away from the groove. Mulatu's on vibes, percussion, Wurlitzer, drums and keyboards – and his compositions and the Helios trade back and forth throughout the set. There's some additional Ethiopian instrumentation and atmospheric vocals in the mix on some tunes, and more of an astral, avant funk vibe on others, but there's always a brilliant confluence of styles. Bottom line, the album is everything we wanted it to be and more – this will undoubtedly be favorite for years to come! Titles include "Masenqo", "Cha Cha", "Addis Black Widow", "Mulatu", "Blue Nile", "Esketa Dance", "Chik Chikka", "Live From Tiger Lounge", "Chinese New Year", "Phantom Of The Panther", "Dewel"., "Fire In The Zoo", "An Epic Story" and "Anglo Ethio Suite". (Deep Funk, Global Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

The great Dollar Brand is a wonderful pianist, no matter what the setting – but he seems especially great when in collaboration with other contemporary giants – which is definitely the case here in a superb live performance with trumpeter Don Cherry from the early 70s! As you'll guess from he cover, Don's in the throes of his globally expansive style on the performance – and there's this majesty to the music that's really wonderful – sounds that are organic, yet which quickly grow from little sprouts to a powerful force in spiritual music – with Brand on additional flute, alongside Johnny Dyani on bass and Nana Vasconcelos on berimbau and percussion. All players vocalize slightly at points, and the set spins out with a great sense of spontaneous imagination and creativity – on titles that include "Kalahari", "Blues For America", "The Pilgrim", "Bra Joe From Kilimanjaro", "Cherry", and "Waya Wa Egoli". (Jazz, Global Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album