A second pairing of the Art Ensemble Of Chicago and the Amabutho Male Chorus – one that's indicated not just in the title of the record, but in a changing of the group's name! The sound here is even more Afro-styled than the previous effort – coming across right from the start with a bold, righteous vibe that's quite unique – almost a bit more confident than some of the Ensemble's other work of the time – and executed in a way that really shows that confidence! The male voices aren't always in strong focus, which still leaves plenty of space for the group's creative instrumental interplay – and titles include "Colors One", "US of A/U of SA", "Zola's Smile", "America", and "You Got It". (Jazz, Global Grooves) CD

A second pairing of the Art Ensemble Of Chicago and the Amabutho Male Chorus – one that's indicated not just in the title of the record, but in a changing of the group's name! The sound here is even more Afro-styled than the previous effort – coming across right from the start with a bold, righteous vibe that's quite unique – almost a bit more confident than some of the Ensemble's other work of the time – and executed in a way that really shows that confidence! The male voices aren't always in strong focus, which still leaves plenty of space for the group's creative instrumental interplay – and titles include "Colors One", "US of A/U of SA", "Zola's Smile", "America", and "You Got It". (Jazz, Global Grooves) CD

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A group with a name that might not easily roll of the tongue, but one who've got a sublime harmony sound that's wonderfully fluid overall – a combination of nine young voices from the scene in Soweto, working without any other instrumentation at all! The combination of vocals almost takes us back to the sound of Take 6 on their first album – and as with that group, the message here is spiritual, but not entirely pointed at the church – with much more of a universal appeal that's perfect for the subtly righteous power of the harmonies! Titles include "Too Late For Mama", "Nomalizo", "My Brother", "Who Knows", "Sip", and "Baninzi". LP, Vinyl record album

Music from Kati Elimnyama, Kid Malume, Philip Encobo, Amentkentshane, Umazambane, Zuleliphezulu, the Special Five, Abafana Besishingishane, the Editions, Super Tens, and Uthawolfu Amentkentshane. CD

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There's no disco going on here, and no battling either – as the set's got this wonderfully warm, fluid groove that mixes township rhythms with some sweet jazzy touches – plenty of reed work from Bra Sello on the top, but also plenty of great ensemble instrumentation too! The record features two side-long tracks, but the vibe is very different than Nigerian funk records that follow a similar format – as the musicians here are all rooted in jazz, and really stretch things out with plenty of jazzy solo action, even though the rhythms are more grooving in an extended way. Titles include "Washa" and "Call & Go" – both long, both great! LP, Vinyl record album

A record with a really unique vibe – definitely jazzy, but different than most other South African jazz of the time – as the set spins out two very long tracks that take their groove from township modes of the period, but then use some of the longer-form rhythmic jazz instrumentation that bubbled up on the SA scene from the 60s onward! Bra Sello plays some great alto on the set, but there's also guitar, flute, organ, and other solo instrumentation too – and although some vocals might come into the mix here and there, they never get in the way of the solos – on the extended tracks "African Queen" and "Butterfly". LP, Vinyl record album

A sweet Soweto group from the start of the 80s – one who have a nice current of funk in their mix, but who also serve up some well-crafted solos on both guitar and flute! The vocals are often warmly in that more familiar South African style of the period – but the record's nicely rougher around the edges than both the hits or some of the more electronic sets of the time – and the use of flute really makes things stand out on some tracks, with a warm, organic quality that really keeps things interesting – especially next to more standard keyboards. Titles include "Walking In The Jungle", "Rainbow Children", "Mafeteng", "African Sunset", "Sengiyesaba", "Happy To Be Me", and "Awundiva". CD

One of the hippest albums ever cut by Letta Mbulu – a perfect mix of her Soweto roots and the funky styles of her adopted California home! The album's the only one that Mbulu ever recorded for Fantasy Records – and the style brings together those great sing-song vocal modes perfected on her 60s records, with some of the funky jazz elements that were bubbling in the Fantasy scene during the years of Cannonball Adderley and David Axelrod! No surprise, both Cannonball and Nat Adderley appear on the record, and the set's produced by their own company – with lots of great early arrangements from the great Wayne Henderson. Some of the best tracks have a spacious groove that leaves plenty of room for funky basslines – and titles include "Afro Texas", "Learn To Love", "Never Leave You", "Zimkile", "Setho", and "Saddest Day". LP, Vinyl record album

The Movers were one of the all-time great groups on the South African scene at the start of the 70s – a tight little combo who originally began with an organ-heavy groove, then one who picked up some mighty soulful singers as the years went on! At the start, the group were maybe a South African take on territory of The Meters and Booker T & The MGs, but within a few short years they also hit more righteous territory that had them stepping out to be a voice of pride and power on the scene – a transition that's captured perfectly here in a really well-chosen array of cuts! Analog Africa really outdid themselves here – going to great lengths to tell the group's story, and provide some of their best cuts from the first years of their existence – in a smoking set list that includes "Soul Crazy", "Give Five Or More", "Gig Soul Party", "Hot Coffee", "Kudala Sithandana", "Oupa Is Back", "Ku Ku Chi", "2nd Avenue", "Six Mabone", "Plenty Time", and "Soweto Inn". CD

An incredible album of early 60s soul tracks from South Africa – issued here in the US by Mercury! The record's got some amazing stuff – including at least 2 tracks that seem to be directly ripped off later by Hugh Masekela for "Grazing in the Grass". Titles include "Brown Pepper" by Cassius The Great, "Ice Cream & Suckers" by Soweto Stockvel Septette, "Mr Bull No 4" by Mr. Bull, "Sweetie Love" by Jabulani Quads, "School In" by SDV Swing Band, and "Lindi" by TV Sisters. Great stuff! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most compelling albums we've heard from the African scene of the 70s – a rare set from a Soweto group, and one that's got a heavy dose of spiritual jazz in the mix! The album almost feels more like the kind of set you'd hear by a Paris group, extrapolating African sounds in the post-colonial era – or an American group, inspired by roots from the homeland – and the group sports some especially great work on tenor, played by Themba Koyana, a player we've never heard before! Rhythms are great, with lots of percussion, and some nice funky undercurrents at times – and other instrumentation includes organ, which often works well with the echoey production. The album does have some occasional vocals, but the main focus is instrumental, which is very jazzy too – and titles include "Itume Leng", "Anishilabi", "Lishonile", and "Emampondweni". LP, Vinyl record album

Mid 80s recordings from Hugh Masekela – one set recorded live at the Glastonbury Festival in 1985, the other recorded at a Nelson Mandela concert in 1988. Hugh's style here is greatly expanded from his work of the late 60s – more vocal-oriented, still with African roots, but also stretching out in kind of a pan-global pop sound. The overall feel isn't bad, although the work as a whole lacks the edge of Masekela at his better moments. Titles include "Tonight", "Politician", "Serhasa", "Zulu Wedding", "Stimela", "Amampondo", and "Soweto Blues". CD

A record as earthy as you might expect from its cover – a rare 70s gem from the Kenyan scene, and one that mixes some killer funky nuggets with a few more straightforward tunes! There's lots of driving rhythms on the album, and snakey guitar that criss-crosses in a great way underneath the vocals and horns – all on short tracks that pack plenty of punch throughout! The whole thing's got the harder-hitting approach of Nigerian work of the same generation – and titles include "Mambo Bado", "Wacha Maneno", "Africa Tuungane", "Mama Come Home", "Nifanye Nini", "Baruwa Ya Soweto", "Mapendo Mapendo", "Bring Your Love", and "Wacha Tabia Mbaya". LP, Vinyl record album

Nubiyan Twist really open up their sound here – in part by opening the door to a rich array of guest singers and instrumentalists – a lineup that includes Cherise, Pat Thomas, Soweto Kinch, Ria Moran, and Nick Richards – all artists who help bring a different personal flavor to each track, helping to expand the mix of contemporary soul and global elements that we loved on the last record by the group! The vibe is very much in the best contemporary London mode – right down to the rhythms, which are continuously shifting and fresh – on titles that include "Keeper", "Buckle Up", "Morning Light", "Tittle Tattle", "24/7", "Wipe Away Tears", "if I Know", and "Ma Wonka". LP, Vinyl record album

A dozen songs from Araketu, Bamdamel, Negritude Jr, Soweto, Grupo 100%, Karametade, Ronaldo & Os Barcelos, and Vinny. CD