The title certainly gets it right – as there's a strongly unified sense of spirit here from Family Atlantica – even more so than on their debut album! As before, there's a range of global elements moving through the mix – currents of South American and African styles, given a slightly more contemporary European presentation – but somehow these guys have really found a way to put everything together with an even tighter, more cohesive sound – one that expands through jazzy solo work on tenor, alto, trumpet, and trombone – and which really draws a lot from the wide range of percussion and other instrumentation used by co-leader Jack Yglesias. The lovely Luzmira Zerpa handles most of the vocals – and some percussion too – and the album also features guest appearances from 70s legends Orlando Julius on tenor and Marshal Allen on alto sax. Titles include "Baiao Infinito", "Near The Ocean", "Efik", "Cosmic Unity", "Canto De Pilon", "El Rio", "Cacao", "Okoroba", and "Neti Neti". LP, Vinyl record album

A rare Brazilian album from the early 80s, but one that's quite different than you might expect – as these guys have a clear love of keyboards that resonate with some of the bigger electro pop acts of the UK and European scene of the time! The group's really just a duo – Billy Jaguar and Gel Valiery, who play keyboards, guitar, drums, and also trade vocals – usually in a mode that's relatively spare, and which makes for these melodic numbers that are a few steps back from more produced work of the mainstream. That quality really gives the songs a lot of charm, even if you can't understand the Portuguese lyrics – and titles include "Panico Geral", "A Festa E Nossa", "Barra Pesada", "Primavera", "Noite Eterna", "Sentimentos", "O Gato E O Rato", and "Vital O Marginal". LP, Vinyl record album

A record that seems to show a whole new side of the Heliocentrics – music that's every bit as trippy and funky as before, but which also seems open to a lot more musical currents as well – possibly because the record marks the group's debut on the Soundway label! This time around, they've got a moody female singer in the lead – Barbora Patkova, whose voice has a way of tripping out in the same was as the drums of Malcolm Catto, vibes and bass of Jake Verguson, and organ and flutes of Jack Yglesias! We've loved Catto's work for years, and the sound of the group is very much in his best legacy – even stretching back to his early Mo Wax material – but also augmented strongly by the more far-out and creative exotic elements that come to play here. Titles include "Human Zoo", "A World Of Masks", "Capital Of Alone", "Dawn Chorus", "The Silverback", "Oh Brother", and "Made Of The Sun". CD

The debut album from the Mauskovic Dance Band – a compelling combo who bring together rhythms from around the globe, then fuse them together in a dark and moody sort of way – often with the kind of early 80s elements you might expect to hear from ESG or Quando Quango! The production is great – with some spare but stunning use of analogue electronics, which almost makes us feel like Martin Hannett's on hand in the studio – while the group themselves work through rhythms in a range of acoustic and programmed modes, often with a nice degree of complexity, yet never in a way that fails to groove! You'll hear lots of different strands of influences going on here, but the group really makes the sound their own – with a unique quality that almost takes us back to Danceteria, circa 1983. Titles include "Percussione & Spazio Sounds", "Alto In Vacanca", "Late Night People", "Space Drum Machine", "Drinks By The Sea", "Dance Place Garage", and "It's The Wrong Goodie". LP, Vinyl record album

The Meridian Brothers have been making music for quite a few years now – and with each new release, they seem to open up another fresh corner of southern hemisphere sounds, and continue to find a way to weave them together into something quite fresh and unique! Few other folks could navigate a territory this rich, and not get lost in the forest – and The Meridians manage to change rhythms strongly with each new track, utilize both ancient elements and contemporary production, and even, this time around, occasionally reach for some larger arrangements that only seem to give their music an even loftier vibe than before! Most tracks have vocals in Spanish, and instrumentation that speaks in a lot more languages – and titles include "No Me Traciones", "Donde Estas Maria", "Entra El Ritmo Antillano", "El No Esta Muerto", "Cumbia Eres La Cumbia", "Como Estoy En Los Sesenta", and "Yo Soy Tu Padre Yo Te Fabrique". CD

Amazing sounds from The Meridian Brothers – not a family act at all, but really just a one man operation – yet with a sound that's more than large enough to bring in a whole host of South and Central American influences! Eblis Alvarez uses elements of cumbia, merengue, and other Latin styles – all to create these weirdly offbeat rhythms which are then peppered with acoustic and electric instruments – never in ways that are gimmicky, and always with this organic, spontaneous quality that makes you feel like you've unearthed a crate of obscure Colombian singles in the back corner of an urban flea market! Only a few tracks have a relatively contemporary vibe, but even those echo with older sounds and styles – and titles include "Salvadora Robot", "Somos Los Residentes", "Jefe Indio Vengara", "Doctor Trompeta", and "Un Principe Miserable Y Malvado". LP, Vinyl record album

Colombian music, both classic and contemporary – as a group of older all-star players comes into contact with Will "Quantic" Holland! The set's easily one of the most smoking Latin-styled projects we've heard from Quantic so far – recorded in Colombia with work from Fruko, Anibal Velasquez, Alfredito Linares, and Michi Sarmiento – alongside Quantic's Combo Babaro, and the Frente Combeiro group of Mario Galeano! The sound is all classic throughout – no tricks or gimmicks, or modern remix modes at all – just old school instrumentation, filtered through a new school approach to funk – one that's come from years of digging older Colombian numbers, and finding a way to make new music that packs an equal punch. Every bit as smoking as older Central American grooves compiled by Soundway – with tracks that include "Bomba Tropica", "La Tranca", "Cien Anos", "Papi Shingaling", "Mi Negra", "Dos Lucecitas", "Libya", "Punkero Sonidero", "I Ron Man", "Suena", and "Swing De Gillian". LP, Vinyl record album

A motherlode of music from the legendary Tunji Oyelana – a key figure in Nigerian music from the late 60s onward – with an influence that's almost as important as Fela's! Tunji's style is pretty darn funky, but different too – almost a pan-African sort of range that encompasses older styles from folklore, grooves from highlife, and the growing turn towards soul, funk, and rock that really sparked on the Nigerian scene once the 70s came around. This double-length package is a great illustration of this range – a wealth of wonderful songs, all graced by the rich vocals of Oyelana, and backed with hip grooves from The Benders – a very cool combo who really know how to change things up! Titles include "Ojo", "Which Way Africa", "To Whom It May Concern", "Jewele Jewele", "Ifa", "Fiya Jemi", "Osekere", "Aiye Nla", "Omonike", "Agba Lode (45 version)", "Aduke", and "Lenle". LP, Vinyl record album

The People Rock Outfit really knock it out of the park with this dark-edged classic from the 70s – one of the heaviest albums we've heard from the Nigerian scene at the time, and a record that's almost got more of a South African spirit overall! These guys effortlessly mix together funk and psych – the former in these stark, forward-moving rhythnm that are mighty nice – the latter in these long-spun guitar lines that have a nice fuzzy vibe, as the solos cascade effortlessly from the hands of the guitarist! Vocals are all in English – sometimes with a slow-stepping approach that's very moody, more often in a lively spirit to match the rhythms – and the record also features a bit of guest work on moog and Hammond, which really adds a lot to the sound. Titles include "Blacky Joe", "Mary Jane", "Faded Jeans", "Freedom", "Movement", "Tell Me", "Midnight Woman", and "Looking Round". LP, Vinyl record album

The second album from Ghanaian funk singer, composer and arranger Rob – issued for the first time ever outside of Ghana, thanks to the deep diggers at Soundway! Rob sings in English throughout – and there's a slinky, slow-cooking, kinda strange groove on most of the numbers – a mix of funk with lots of offbeat, oddball touches – of the sort that some folks these days might dub Afro Psych – but which was just pretty darn experimental back in the day! Rhythms are heavy on guitar, bass, and drums – and plenty of offbeat percussion – all topped with some great heavy horns too. The memorable title track is one of the most unique Afro Funk songs you could ever hope to hear – , with dexterous opening horn blasts, clattering bell-like percussion, and undeniably carnal English vocals – and the rest of the album's pretty darn amazing too! Other titles include "Loose Up Yourself" "Not The End", "I've Got To See You Again Lord", "He Shall Live In You", "But You", "Bargain" and "Back On You". LP, Vinyl record album

The world of Dexter Story just keeps getting bigger and bigger – not just because he's a richly collaborative player, but also because he's got this musical style that really opens up to so many different elements – but without ever sounding like he's trying to crash them together in any sort of inorganic way! Instead, Dexter draws evenly from spiritual jazz, Ethiopian rhythms, underground soul, and some of the best strands of 21st Century grooves – opening up the door for his own wonderful lead lyrics, while creating and exploring a planet of his own. Guests on the record include Carlos Nino on percussion, Te'Amir Sweeney on drums, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson on strings, and Randal Fischer on tenor – and the set features guest vocals from Haile Supreme, Marie Daulne, Endeguena Mulu, Sudan Archives, Jimetta Rose, and Kibrom Birhane – although Dexter gets plenty of time in the lead too. Titles include "Mamdooh", "Buna Be Chow", "Gold", "Techawit", "Shuruba Song", "Bahir", "Abebaye", and "Jijiga Jijiya". LP, Vinyl record album

A great set that moves towards the farther reaches of the Caribbean scene in the 80s – music that's much more underground than some of the bigger soca and tropical hits of the time! As you might expect from the Soundway label, the work here is a very unusual, very well-done presentation of a fresh slice of global music – Caribbean cuts that borrow bits from electro soul, house music, and other styles of the time – and weave the newer elements into island rhythms with a very forward-thinking feel! The tunes are heavy on keyboards and beats, yet still have a indie soul sort of charm – and as usual with Soundway, the whole thing comes with very detailed notes on the music. Most tunes are b-sides, dubs, or edits – and titles include "Last Days" by The Millers, "Wild Indian Band" by Andre Tanker, "Zion Gates (dub)" by Mohjah, "I Want Your Love" by Peter Britto, "Hotter & Hotter (dub edit)" by Juno D, "D'Jab Jab Dance (bad lad mix)" by Colin Jackman, "Fighting Soldier" by Cito Jarvis, "Stand Up & Rock Your Body (inst)" by Roger Bain, "Fire (ext dub edit)" by D Ivan, "Body Beat" by Bill Campbell, and "It's Alright" by Adonijah. CD

A great set that moves towards the farther reaches of the Caribbean scene in the 80s – music that's much more underground than some of the bigger soca and tropical hits of the time! As you might expect from the Soundway label, the work here is a very unusual, very well-done presentation of a fresh slice of global music – Caribbean cuts that borrow bits from electro soul, house music, and other styles of the time – and weave the newer elements into island rhythms with a very forward-thinking feel! The tunes are heavy on keyboards and beats, yet still have a indie soul sort of charm – and as usual with Soundway, the whole thing comes with very detailed notes on the music. Most tunes are b-sides, dubs, or edits – and titles include "Last Days" by The Millers, "Wild Indian Band" by Andre Tanker, "Zion Gates (dub)" by Mohjah, "I Want Your Love" by Peter Britto, "Hotter & Hotter (dub edit)" by Juno D, "D'Jab Jab Dance (bad lad mix)" by Colin Jackman, "Fighting Soldier" by Cito Jarvis, "Stand Up & Rock Your Body (inst)" by Roger Bain, "Fire (ext dub edit)" by D Ivan, "Body Beat" by Bill Campbell, and "It's Alright" by Adonijah. LP, Vinyl record album

Easily the greatest collection of Colombian grooves we've ever seen – a beautifully-done package from Soundway Records, and one that lives up to the high standard we first found in their compilations of African and Panamanian funk! This time around, the focus is on the legendary Discos Fuentes – a label as important to Latin music in Columbia as Fania was in New York – but also one that's got a much richer history, and much deeper range of grooves! The tunes here are all from the 60s and 70s – and the set focuses on Fuentes tunes that have a current appeal to crate-diggers around the globe – the kind of hard-edged Latin cuts that are finally getting some respect after years of New York dominance on the record collecting scene. Styles here range from salsa to cumbia to descarga modes – and the collection is far different than any previous Fuentes compilations that have hit the market – thanks to a focus on the harder side of the groove! The package features great images of classic Fuentes releases, notes on each track, and even a great essay about shopping for vinyl in Cali – the mecca for Colombian collectors. 2LP set features 17 tracks that include "Salsa Na Ma" by Fruko Y Sus Tesos, "Hong Kong" by Michi Sarmiento Y Sus Bravos, "Cumbia En Do Menor" by Lito Barrientos, "Tifit Hayed" by Wganda Kenya, "La Samaria" by Orquesta Nunez, "Cumbiamba" by El Sexteto Miramar, "Las Calenas Son Como Las Flores" by The Latin Brothers, "La Picua" by Pedro Laza Y Sus Pelayeros, "Improvisando" by Fruko, "El Mondongo" by Los Corraleros De Majagual, "Pacifico" by Afrosound, "La Piojosa" by La Sonora Cienaguera, and "La Pata Y El Pato" by Climaco Sarmiento. LP, Vinyl record album

Damn great work from the early 80s Nigerian scene – music that's evolved strongly past the Afro Funk of the 70s, and often has the same electro soul sound as work from the US at the time! These cuts are unabashedly upbeat, and aimed at the dancefloor – full of the kind of basslines and keyboard lines that folks treasure in rare American boogie singles – and topped with English language lyrics that give these tunes a really universal appeal! There's a nicely offbeat vibe to the cuts at times – almost a P&P club sort of style – which makes the whole thing a real treasure for any fan of funky club music, not just Nigerian sounds. Titles include "Only You" by Steve Monite, "Don't You Know" by Peter Abdul, "Fellas Doing It In Lagos" by Hotline, "Too Hot" by Rick Asikpo & Afro Fusion, "Funk With Me" by Danny Offia & The Friks, "Don't Give Up" by Willy Roy, "Groove I Like" by Veno, "Don't Stop That Music" by Sony Enang, "Where Is The Answer" by Burnis Moleme, and "Enjoy Your Life" by Oby Onyioha. The LP version includes detailed booklet and bonus 45 with "On The Air (rap mix)" by Lexy Mella and "Burning Jungle" by Ofege! LP, Vinyl record album

An amazing set on Soundway that not only captures Highlife On The Move from the early 50s to mid 60s, it's essentially the roots of the music and dancefloor culture of some of greatest Ghanaian and Nigerian grooves to come! The historical relevance of the material is monumental to say the least – not only showing the diverse impact of calypso, mambo and jazz music that was being combined in the nascent-to-prime years of highlife, from Lagos to London – but it also includes what's thought to be the first ever recordings by Fela Kuti, with his Highlife Rakers combo. It's compiled by Markus Coester, who also penned the thick, insightful booklet, and true to Soundway tradition, it's impeccably packaged, and the sound quality is pristine as can be. 38 tracks in all, with "Highlife No 5" by Ginger Folorunso Johnson & His Afro-Cuban Band, "Son Of Africa" by Kwamalah Quaye Sextetto Africana, "Niger Mambo" by Bobby Benson & His Combo, "Afro Mood" by Chris Ajilo & His Cubanos, "Obaa Amponsa Pandogo" by Black Star Band, "Donaldo's Samba" by Afro Rhythm Kings, "Marabi Dance" by Afro Rhythm Kings, "Maggie" by Jhn Santos Martins & Zeal Onya & His Band, "Ghana, Forward Forever" by Lord Ganda & Rupert Nurse's Calypso Band, "Highlife Comes To Europe" by Rans Boi's African Highlife Band, "Uwa D' Arejere" by West African Rhythm Brothers, "Eyo Mano Mi" by T Odueso's Akesan Highlifers, "Wa Sise" by Willie Payne & The Starlite Tempos, "Anyin Gan Na" by Victor Ola-Iya & His Cool Cats and more – plus "Fela's Special" and "Aigana" by Fela Ransome-Kuti & His Highlife Rakers. CD

A much-needed look at the massive amount of music recorded in Kenya during the 70s and 80s – an incredibly fertile time for local culture in the nation – and a time when it seemed like there was a great new groove coming out nearly every day! The work here really rivals the best of the classic Soundway compilations – especially their strong surveys of Ghana and Nigeria, with an ear for grooves that go way beyond the usual mainstream sounds of world music! There's more than enough grit and funk here to please any fan of American funk and soul – but the sounds also go way way deeper, too – and echo not only a long Kenyan cultural heritage, but also reflect the unique place the nation had at the crossroads of East Africa – a site that often made the scene especially vibrant in these years. The presentation is superb – with detailed notes and wonderful imagery that includes vintage label scans – and titles include "Mu Africa" by The Rift Valley Brothers, "Wendo Ti Mbia" by Gatanga Boys Band, "Ware Wa" by The Loi Toki Tok, "Sweet Sweet Mbombo" by Orchestre Baba National, "Cha Umheja" by Afro 70, "See Serere" by Sophia Ben & The Eagles Lupopo, "Mutumia Muriu" by The Lulus Band, "Nzaumi" by Ndalani 77 Brothers, "Teresia" by Huruma Boys Band, and "Week End" by Afro 70. LP, Vinyl record album

Essential work from the African scene of the 70s – a collection of tracks that goes way beyond the more familiar grooves of Fela Kuti and Manu Dibango! The set may well be the deepest so far we've heard from the always-amazing Soundway Records – a package that digs into a wealth of under-heard music from early 70s Nigeria, all of it beyond simple stylistic definitions and overplayed world music cliches! Many of the grooves here are wonderfully unique – odd fusions of styles that include highlife, jazz, soul, Afrobeat, and other regional influences – sifted and shaken together, and spilled out in the studio with a really fresh sort of feel. Rhythms are at the core of most numbers here, but even those are often unfamiliar – skittish, soulful, and often somewhat playful – and the other instrumentation on the tracks is great too, and often resonates with some of the odd sounds and tunings we love in work on the Ethiopiques series. 2CD set features 26 tracks that include "Okwuke Na Nchekwube" by Celestine Ukwu & His Philosophers National, "Nekwaha Semi Colon" by The Semi Colon, "Osalobua Rekpama" by Sir Victor Owaifo & His Melody Maestros, "Onwu Ama Dike" by St Augustine & His Rovers Dance Band, "Feso Jaiye" by The Sahara All Stars Of Jos, "To Whom It May Concern" by Tunji Oyelana & The Benders, "Akula Owu Onyeara" by The Funkees, "Koma Mosi" by The Harbours Band, "Belema" by Opotopo, "Asiko Mi Ni" by Nigerian Police Force Band, "Alabeke" by Dan Satch & His Atomic 8 Dance Band, "Blak Sound" by Leo Fadaka & The Heroes, "Arraino" by Popular Cooper & His All Beats Band, "Ugali" by Tony Benson Sextet, "Akpaisong" by Etubom Rex Williams & His Nigerian Allstars, "Eguae Oba" by Osayomore Joseph & The Creative 7, "Torri Wowo" by Godwin Ezike & The Ambassadors, "Buroda Mase" by Bola Johnson & His Easy Life Top Beats, "I Want A Break Thru" by The Hykkers, and "Eguae Oba" by Osayomore Joseph & The Creative 7. CD

A captivating slice of work from Brazil – not the samba, bossa, or even Tropicalia sounds you might be used to – but instead a selection of tracks that owe plenty to the changes in soul, rock, and pop that took place in the Anglo world during the 80s! Much of this music has a fair bit of electronics, in both the rhythms and melodic instrumentation – but there's also this warmth that bubbles up right from the start, as in some of the best crossover cuts from the UK during the early part of the decade – particularly cuts that played well on both the rock and soul charts! No surprise, there's a great Sade cover on the album – alongside lots of other cuts that share a similar vibe – titles that include "Saramandaia" by Dado Brazzawilly, "Cheira (7" version)" by Batista Junior, "Break Da Rua (long version)" by Villa Box, "A Festa E Nossa" by Grupo Controle Digital, "Voce Vai Se Lembrar" by Ricardo Bomba, "Tabu" by Vania Bastos, "Africamerica" by Dodo Da Bahia, and "Love Is All" by Via Negromonte. Also includes a few new mixes – "Contos De Escola (Milos Kaiser edit)" by Os Abelhudos, and "Livre Pra Voar (Milos Kaiser edit)" by Nanda Rossi. LP, Vinyl record album

An incredible musical discovery – and some really mindblowing grooves from a previously untapped source! As the title implies, Panama's a real crossroads of musical styles – bits of Latin, funk, and other Caribbean influences – all simmering together in the hot sun of the Isthmus, cooking up in grooves that are totally unique! The style here is still funk-based enough to appeal to fans of African or Brazilian grooves from the same period – but there's lots of unusual instrumental touches, twists, and turns that really make these tracks sparkle – a bit like some of the work from Belize on Numero's groundbreaking collection! As always with Soundway, the collection of tracks is no mistake – and each tune is presented with notes on the material and other helpful details – all to enforce the groove-conscious collection of music! Plenty funky throughout, and with a total of 15 tracks that includes "New Bag" by The Exciters, "Panama Esta Bueno Y Ma" by Los Exagerados, "Viva Panama" by Papi Brandao & Sus Ejecutivos, "Con Los Caballeros" by Los Caballeros De Colon, "Old Buzzard" by Los Silvertones, "Viva Tirado" by Los Mozambiques, "Let Me Do My Thing" by Los Dinamicos Exiters, "Soy Solo Para Ti" by Victor Boa Y Su Musica, "Nana Nina" by Busy Y Sus Magnificos, "Exciters Theme" by The Exciters, and "Descarga Tentacion" by Bolita Y Su Tentacion Latina. CD