(New Grooves, Global Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A groundbreaking array of material from the first in a legendary series of festivals – the important Womad concerts of the 80s, which were a crucial effort in opening the doors to a globe's amount of music! Womad was famously helmed by Peter Gabriel, who was drawing on many currents of cultures in his own recordings of the time – and the initial weekend concert in England was the start of a huge tradition that would impact countless audiences for many years to come. This package restores some lost recordings from that initial festival, and is a great mix of global styles and more groundbreaking work of the time – with titles that include "Gahu" by Ekome, "Kama Kiwacu" by Drummers Of Burundi, "Womad II" by Robert Fripp, "Tabla Iqae" by Musicians Of The Nile, "Zimbo" by Echo & The Bunnymen with Royal Burundi Drummers, "Raindrops Pattering On Banana Leaves" by Tian Jin Music & Dance Ensemble, "Salsa De Hoy" by Salsa De Joy, "You're My Kind Of Climate" by Rip Rig & Panic, "A Ritual Mask" by Peter Hammill, and "Biko" by Peter Gabriel with Ekome. LP, Vinyl record album

A classic session of pounding percussion – quite possibly the most successful entry into this earthy genre that hit the recording scene at the end of the 50s! Babatunde Olatunji is joined here by a great assemblage of players – including Montego Joe and Baba Hawthorne Bey on percussion, who further flesh out the rumbling, rhythmic groove at the bottom. There's also a group of vocalists on the record, soaring over the top of the percussion with a nicely righteous feel – and the record's a key crossover moment that heralds later African expressions in the American mainstream. Titles include "Odun De Odun De", "Oya", "Jin Go Lo Ba", "Baba Jinde", and "Shango". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the best compilations of Afro Funk titles we've ever stocked – one that goes way past the obvious titles and minor hits of the 70s! Ever tune on here is a gem – and the package even includes a few tunes that were either previously unreleased, or which were only ever issued on cassette, a popular form in 70s Africa. The "rock" in the title should be taken lightly – because the groove here is more funky, with drums, guitar, and horns coming together in glorious rhythmic cacophony! The whole set's got a great raw sound – and titles include "Mabala" by Yahoos, "Onukpa Shawarpo" by Bokoor Band, "Sweeper Soul" by Super Mambo 69, "Yuda" by Dackin Dackino, "Envy No Good" by Mercury Dance Band", and "Fever" by Jingo. LP, Vinyl record album