The great second album from Ghana's K. Frimpong – backed by the group Vis-a-Vis (though billed in the title as his Cubano Fiestas) – a stunning blend of Ghanian Highlife music and rawer Afro Funk & soul! A few K. Frimpong numbers appeared on some of our favorite African compilations of the late 90s & 00s – but this original album from 1977 has remained rare. K. Frimpong sings and he's backed up by the fairly large Vis-A-Vis players, but they deliver a pretty tight groove – drums, congas and other percussion, trumpet and sax, some really soulful electric guitar, some piano, and occasional waves of spacey synth. Amazing stuff! Includes "Hwehwe Mu Na Yi Wo Mpena", "Asaase Yi So", "Awisa" and the side-long "Adama Nana (Medley)". LP, Vinyl record album

A compilation of the Nonesuch Explorer series. It's split up into The Far East, which features "Ketjak", "Baris", "Frong Song", "Ketawang", "Echigojishi", and "Shrine Music"; India, which contains "Ni Ri Ni Ri Ga Ma", "Jogia", "Yaman", "Banturiti", and "Telisi Rama Chintanato"; Africa & The Americas, which contains "Me Voy A Belen", "Candomble", "Gumbukumbu", and "El Perro"; and Continental Europe, which includes "Krivo Horo", "Sto Limani Tou Piraea", "Ladarke", "Gaida Avasi", and "Sinoc M I Je Lane Mojo Dolazio Mile". LP, Vinyl record album

A funky Nigerian gem from this lost 70s group – a combo who have a way of folding Afro Funk styles with some of the leaner West African styles of the time! There's horns in the group, and lots of bold percussion – but the guitars are really the key to the whole set – mixing together and ringing out with all sorts of cool chromatic elements alongside the vocals! The approach hints at highlife, but has a vibe that's all its own – and a nicely rough around the edges sort of quality that really keeps things spontaneous! Side one features the long "Drunkard" – and side two features "Matine Yanzoni" and "Herve". LP, Vinyl record album