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A gorgeous collection of music – brought together in an equally gorgeous package! We'll rave about the latter in a minute – but first onto the music, which is the most important part! The sounds were all recorded by Paul Bowles in Morocco at the end of the 50s – at a time when Bowles and other key counter culture figure were drawn to the nation, and began richly extrapolating its various cultures in ways that went onto have a huge global impact. Bowles' fascination with the music of Morocco led to some of the first wider exposure of the unique vocal strains and hypnotic qualities of Moroccan sounds – and in a way, his efforts with this project were almost as important to the Saharan scene as the previous field recordings by Alan Lomax were to the south of the United States. Some of these recordings have been issued in the past, but this is the most complete set we've ever seen of Bowles' recordings – served up in a lavish fabric-covered box, along with a leather-bound book that feels like one of Paul's journals from the trip – complete with photos, notes on the music, and even writings on the overall project and its legacy. Very much in the best Dust-To-Digital presentation – and stunning throughout! CD

A great return to form for this legendary Somalian group – a combo who made some important records in the 80s, but were part of the huge diaspora on their scene as the troubles of the following decade forced a long pause in cultural activity! Here, the group are reborn with new youthful energy – as Dur Dur Band International, and working here with vocals from three different singers – Fadumina Hilowle, Zabiib Sharabi, and Cabdinuur Alaale – three different voices who really help expand the sound of the set! There's still plenty of East African roots here – in both the rhythms, and the exotic currents of the keyboards and saxophone lines – and despite the Berlin setting for the album, the record has a very traditional approach to production and presentation. Titles include "Love My Love", "Duurka", "Jija Love", "Sallal", "Heeyaa", "Hasha Geel", and "Riyo". CD

A killer Fela Kuti album from the mid 70s – one of the more obscure releases from the glory days, but a set that's overflowing with all the greatness the man and his Africa 70 group could bring to the proceedings! Side one features the wonderful "Noise For Vendor Mouth" – a long tune that begins slowly, but funkily – building to a tremendous crescendo as the lyrics deliver some words of wisdom about Fela's Kalakuta Republic, and its reputation in Nigeria – all while saxophone solos and keyboard parts really egg the proceedings on! Also great is the flipside "Mattress" – a rare stab at feminism, as Fela explains the relation between sexuality and gender in African society. The cut's got a great tripped-out break on the intro, with these mad riffing horns that sound equally cool! LP, Vinyl record album

Two killers from the glory days of Afro Funk! Side one features the title cut "Excuse O" – a tune that begins with some of the most complicated rhythms Tony Allen had given the group to date – a skittish groove that has the electric piano jumping eagerly, driven onward by horns – while the tune moves into a crescendo after Fela's tremendous tenor solo in the middle! "Mr Grammarticalogy" is on the flipside, and is an equally unique groove – one that builds more slowly, and almost dubbily – really letting the bassline set the tone before an incredibly soulful saxophone solo sets the tone for Fela to then deliver a powerful message on Education. LP, Vinyl record album

A wild little record from the Korean scene of the 70s – served up by a band of boys (and one gal), but not the sort of boy band that you'd hear in contemporary K-Pop! Instead, there's a heady, growling sort of groove to the whole record – not entirely hard rock, but touched with an understanding of that mode, which is then carried out in varied ways that really make the most of the dramatic vocals in Korean! Lyrics are sometimes very bold, sometime sweeter – and the instrumentation has fuzzy guitars and organ lines that echo some of the Japanese modes of the late 60s, but with some slightly different phrasing. All titles are in Korean, as are the lyrics – but there's a very groovy, universal sort of appeal to the set! (Rock, Global Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

An early gem from Ghana legend Ebo Taylor – a smoking little set with a really hypnotic feel overall! The tracks here are all nice and long – and build energy with kind of a minimal layering of sound – an approach that's different than some of the longer Nigerian jams you might know from the time, but with a style that's equally compelling – especially give the great use of guitar and keyboards! These instruments are heard to best effect on the sublime "Peace On Earth" – a tune that features this wonderful other-worldly electric piano – ringing out with tones that are almost vibes-like at times, and which almost have a Sun Ra-ish sort of quality. Also great is "Atwer Abroba" – a tune with some funky horns riffing along with the tight percussion, and captivating vocal refrains over the top. The title cut, "Twer Nyame", has wonderfully chromatic guitars – really let loose, and allowed to build slowly – creating this warm electric energy on the tune! LP, Vinyl record album

Really mindblowing work from Fela – a seminal 70s set that may well open up even more than any other album from the time – as the leader and Africa 70 stretch out on a single track that takes up the entire record! "Confusion" is almost proggish at the start – with a long passage that just features drums from Tony Allen and some really offbeat electric piano from Fela – slowly building up a groove out of the darkness, then letting the rest of the group come into the mix – all at a level that definitely sets the tune on fire for the righteous politics of the lyrics! The whole thing's no sloppy, over-extended jam – and instead, the record's a great demonstration of the care and craft that Fela brought to his musical vision at the time. The Gentleman LP is represented here by 3 songs – "Gentleman", "Igbe (Shit)", and "Fe Fe Naa Efe" – all of which are brimming with angry energy, and a heavy brassy overdrive! Loads of African funk grooves, packed onto one superbly done CD! CD

A collection of work from one of the biggest bands on the scene in Sao Tome & Principe years ago – combo who rocked the small island nation with a great blend of West African modes and more tropical sounds! The guitar work is often very lively, and percolating strongly with the rhythms – which themselves maybe have a bit more punch than usual, almost hitting funky drummer moments at times – while the larger ensemble top the sound with these gently cascading horn parts that have the same unified feel as the vocals! Given that the group never got much circulation at the time, and that some of the cuts here were only issued on cassette, the well-done collection is a great addition to our ever-growing knowledge of sounds from this part of the globe – served up on titles that include "Saozinha", "Vence Vitoria", "Carambola", "Ple Can", "Zun Zon Pedelelu", "San Tome Plodozu", "Pedlelo", and "12 De Julho". LP, Vinyl record album