The title structure hear hearkens back to some of the anagram puns that Fela Kuti used to twist the political knife back in the day – and Olumo Soundz have definitely inherited some of the spirit of that scene! Yet the group also have a different sort of vibe, in part because a number of players come from the Swedish jazz scene – most famously keyboardist Roman Andren, an artist we always love on his own record, and one whose warmth really sets the tone here! There's plenty of horns, lots of percussion, and mighty long tracks – all topped by vocals from Positive Olumo, on titles that include "UN (United Nonsense)", "Sunday Jump", "Wahala Dey Come", and "Chasin". LP, Vinyl record album

A really great compilation put out by the folks at Red Hot – an organization dedicated to "Fighting Aids Through Popular Culture". Previous sets by the group have focussed on jazz, bossa, and other music – and this time around, the focus is Africa, currently suffering from a rampant AIDS epidemic. As a response to the problem, Red Hot have brought together a host of different artists in a set of new Afro Funk tracks that would do Fela proud! In fact, over and above the politics, the set's actually one of the best new Afro Funk projects we've ever heard – with a list of artists that includes Archie Shepp, Lateef, Gift Of Gab, Talib Kweli, Jorge Ben, D'Angelo, Femi Kuti, Macy Gray, Meshell Ndegeocello, Cheikh Lo, Tony Allen, Positive Black Soul, Kelis, and others – all coming together in a really wonderful set of tracks that crackle with excitement! Unfortunately, one of Aids most famous African victims includes Afro Funk pioneer Fela. As a loving tribute, the set's made up of new versions of Fela tunes – with titles that include "No Agreement", "So Be It", "Gentleman", "Shakara/Lady", "Water No Get Enemy", "Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake", "Colonial Mentality", and "Shuffering & Smiling". CD

Really rare grooves from an incredibly obscure scene – and that's saying a lot, given how many global sounds have been circulating in recent years! The cuts here represent a unique outpouring of funky club styles from the nation of Surinam – tracks recorded by a handful of groups in the wake of their mid-70s independence – and as filled with as much joy and positive energy as you might imagine from such a political moment! The grooves are surprisingly great – upbeat funk, with lots of jazzy inflections – in a space that's somewhere between the sound of Fantasy Records in the mid 70s, and Capitol soul at the start of the 80s – tight, but never too slick – and as cool as it is classy. Lyrics are in English, and titles include "Sweet Dream" by Alwin Reingoud, "Groovy Weekend" and "Disco Party" by Erwin Bouterse & The Group Roetoe, "Try Try Try" and "You Are Gonna Miss Me" by Solat, "Funkin In Your Mind" and "Going Insane" by Sumy, "Here's To You" by Thunderstorm, and "Waiting For Your Love" by Usje Sukatma. CD

Music as lively and colorful as the image on the cover – upbeat work from the second half of the 80s scene in South Africa – music that has a very positive vibe overall, and a sound that's perfect for the mix of keyboards and beats used in the rhythms! The styles here are those which were borrowed – or plundered – by artists in the mainstream up north – but these are the tracks that really made the SA scene back in the day, and have a wonderful blend of synth, basslines, and vocals that often trade back and forth nicely – warming up the music a lot more than you'd expect! Titles include "Crocodile's Rock" by Black Moses, "I Was Born In Africa" by Richie S, "Blackout" by Tools & Figs, "Dayshift" by Dieketseng, "Ximamane" by Joy White, "Chomesa" by Chicco, "Nwananga Washanesera" by Joe Masunga, "Pusa Twala" by Sky Jinx, "Khombora Mina" by Paul Ndlovu, "Johnny Boy" by The Angels, "Don't Follow Me" by Mafika, and "Special Angel" by Babsy Mlangeni. CD

One of the best collections of music from Mali that we've ever heard – and a set that nicely gets past some of the overdone cliches of that scene, to really focus on the kind of overlooked 70s gems that showcase sides of the music that are funky, jazzy, and plenty soulful throughout! There's a fast-flowing vibe here that's linked a lot more closely to Nigerian sounds of the 70s than you might expect – music that's different than some of the bluer tones of bigger Malian artists that get more global exposure – and which showcase a huge explosion of sounds during one of the nation's most fervent cultural moments! The focuses on music that's upbeat, righteous, and plenty positive – work from some of the best groups on the scene of the time, who were urging each other on to find newly joyous means of expression. Titles include "Fama Allah" by Idrissa Soumaoro Et L'Eclipse De L'Ija, "Fadinga Kouma" by Zani Diabate Et Let Super Djata Band, "Komangi Bela" by Alou Vane & Daouda Sangare, "Mandjou" by Salif Keita & Ambassadeurs International, "Moudilo" by Rail BAnd, "Mangan" by Super Tentemba Jazz, "Yayoroba" by Sory Bamba, "Worodara" by Super Djata BAnd, "M'Bouram Mousso" by Les Ambassadeurs Du Motel De Bamako, and "Nissodia" by Idrissa Soumaoro Et L'Eclipse De L'Ija. CD

One of the best collections of music from Mali that we've ever heard – and a set that nicely gets past some of the overdone cliches of that scene, to really focus on the kind of overlooked 70s gems that showcase sides of the music that are funky, jazzy, and plenty soulful throughout! There's a fast-flowing vibe here that's linked a lot more closely to Nigerian sounds of the 70s than you might expect – music that's different than some of the bluer tones of bigger Malian artists that get more global exposure – and which showcase a huge explosion of sounds during one of the nation's most fervent cultural moments! The focuses on music that's upbeat, righteous, and plenty positive – work from some of the best groups on the scene of the time, who were urging each other on to find newly joyous means of expression. Titles include "Fama Allah" by Idrissa Soumaoro Et L'Eclipse De L'Ija, "Fadinga Kouma" by Zani Diabate Et Let Super Djata Band, "Komangi Bela" by Alou Vane & Daouda Sangare, "Mandjou" by Salif Keita & Ambassadeurs International, "Moudilo" by Rail BAnd, "Mangan" by Super Tentemba Jazz, "Yayoroba" by Sory Bamba, "Worodara" by Super Djata BAnd, "M'Bouram Mousso" by Les Ambassadeurs Du Motel De Bamako, and "Nissodia" by Idrissa Soumaoro Et L'Eclipse De L'Ija. LP, Vinyl record album

A really fantastic little collection – a look at the way that sounds from the Caribbean changed over nicely when brought to the UK scene – where immigrants from former British territory really helped to transform the sound of London in the 70s! The music here is served up in a range of different styles – certainly reggae, but with plenty of funk and soul too, mixed with other elements from the islands – all brought into new play together when taken up in the UK! Right from the start, the English artists were starting to put their own spin on things – so the cuts within offer up all these great new directions – maybe even more surprises than you're used to finding on some of the other collections from the Soul Jazz label! The presentation of material is superb, and there's some very detailed notes as well – with cuts that include "No Time For Hello" by Harry Beckett, "Ooh Boy" by Sandra Reid, "Don't Call Us Immigrants" by Tabby Cat Kelly, "RK1" by The Terrorist, "Black Pride" by Brown Sugar, "Don't Let It Go To Your Head" by Black Harmony, "Positive Vibrations" by Pebbles, "Love Money" by Funk Masters, "Ragga Trip" by Ragga Twins, "Be Thankful For What You've Got" by Winston Curtis, "Fug" by Cymande, "Sticks Man" by Black Slate, "Rising To The Top" by Dee Sharp, "Misty Winter" by Digital Mystikz, "Compelled" by Cosmic Irden, and "Still In Love" by Janet Kay & Alton Ellis, and "Java Bass" by Shut Up & Dance. (Funky Compilations, Global Grooves) CD

Music as lively and colorful as the image on the cover – upbeat work from the second half of the 80s scene in South Africa – music that has a very positive vibe overall, and a sound that's perfect for the mix of keyboards and beats used in the rhythms! The styles here are those which were borrowed – or plundered – by artists in the mainstream up north – but these are the tracks that really made the SA scene back in the day, and have a wonderful blend of synth, basslines, and vocals that often trade back and forth nicely – warming up the music a lot more than you'd expect! Titles include "Crocodile's Rock" by Black Moses, "I Was Born In Africa" by Richie S, "Blackout" by Tools & Figs, "Dayshift" by Dieketseng, "Ximamane" by Joy White, "Chomesa" by Chicco, "Nwananga Washanesera" by Joe Masunga, "Pusa Twala" by Sky Jinx, "Khombora Mina" by Paul Ndlovu, "Johnny Boy" by The Angels, "Don't Follow Me" by Mafika, and "Special Angel" by Babsy Mlangeni. LP, Vinyl record album