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

Brilliant grooves from the London scene – some of the greatest cuts to come out on the Afro Art label, a huge precursor to some of the groundbreaking British imprints in recent years! There's a really righteous vibe to most of these numbers – that first burst of post-jungle sounds from London, when beats were first getting broken, and lots of cosmic jazz elements were running through the mix! Titles include "Headspace Lullaby" and "Crusing Home" by Black Science Orchestra, "Space & Time (Phil Asher's Restless Soul mix)" and "E Side Story/Lude No 7" by Souldrummers, "Prophecy Reveal (night time is the right time mix)" by Ballistic Brothers, "In Dub" by Dance Freak, "Sambana" by United Eye Vs Souldrummers, "Phoenix Rising (a new beginning mix)" by Universal Jones, "Question (Phillysophical soul mix)" by The Man", "Keep On Keepin On (road to Washington mix)" and "Sunshine (sunset mix)" by Black Science Orchestra, and "Jazz Room" by Paul Murphy/Marc Woolford Project. CD

You know it's hot when the record kicks off with a fat Bobbi Humphrey/Larry Mizell loop! Early Ashley Beedle, mostly sample based acid jazz grooves, much of it downtempo. Includes the original version of "Blacker", plus "NYX2", "Gangstalene", "Uschi's Groove", "And It Goes Like This", "MCF 2870", "Valley Of The Afro Temple" and "Grovers Return". CD