... LP, Vinyl record album

A classic album from this great group from Ghana – one that probably got more exposure than usual, thanks to the fact that they were taken under the wing of Brian Eno, who produced the album, in a tradition that would stretch back to Ginger Baker's work with Fela! The group have a great sound here – bold, fast-moving rhythms – with elements in Eno's production that almost recall his work with the Talking Heads – especially his way of bringing out the most robust elements in the basslines and percussion! The whole thing is done with a great balance – nicely respectful, but also with a slight updating of the sonic quality – yet never in a way that's got the more commercial inclinations of the world music boom to come. There's some cool moogy moments at time – almost bursting out of the mix in the way that Eno's electronics would pepper some of his early work with Roxy Music – and titles include "Gbenta", "Something Lefeh-O", "Blinking Eyes", and "Moonlight Africa". CD

Incredible late work from the great West African dance band Vis-A-Vis – a brilliant set from 1977 that demonstrates good and well why the band were so greatly in demand both live and in the studio! The group had spent quite a bit of time backing the great Ghanaian singer K. Frimpong in the mid-to-late 70s, sometimes billed as the Cubano Fiestas, but as you're hear on this great set, they're just as great out on their own. They show a pretty amazing range – with a raw, yet dexterous African funk sound on some numbers and the entwining melodies of high life on others. The 12-piece group features a trio of vocalists led by "Superstar" Isaac Yeboah, plus Anthony Yeboah and Ayim Bediako, with Sammy Cropper on guitar, Slim Mau on bass, drummer Gybson "Shaolin Kung-Fu" Papra, George Asante on conga, Tonny Dozis on keys and synth, Kofi Abrokwaa on tenor sax, Paul Winter on trumpet, Daniel Asare on maracas and Alex Jubin on cowbells. Includes "Obi Agye Me Dofo", "Kankyema", "Gyae Su", "Gladys Mmbobor" and "Susan Suo". LP, Vinyl record album

Monumental Afro Soul from El Rego Et Ses Commandos – El Rego's best recordings from the late 60s to early 70s – a beautifully done compilation put together by Daptone and Frank Gossner, the deep digging West African music expert behind Voodoo Funk! Theophile Do-Rego is a legend in his native Benin, essentially credited as the godfather of Benin funk – but to date, he hasn't been celebrated around the world nearly as famously as the superstars of African music hailing from Nigeria and Ghana. That's something that can change really quickly if enough people pick up this truly great compilation of pioneering recordings. Singer El Rego and his excellent, diversely capable band – sax and flute by Baboni Oudou, sax by Michel Diogo, guitar by Oscar De Souza, trumpet by Emmanuel Ganssounou, guitar by Roger Coffi, tumba by Marcelin Kpohonon, additional vocals by Christian Agueh, and bass by band leader Paul Hounnou – take a tighter approach to funky soul. Just a couple tracks on this set roll past the 4 minute mark – which gives it a tighter soul sound, along with some Benin blues and some riveting JB-indebted vocal affections. We owe Voodoo Funk and Daptone big for putting this together! The CD comes with a great booklet featuring notes by Gossner and personal reflections by El Rego. Includes "Feeling You Got", "Zon Dede", "E Nan Mian Duku", "Dkobime", "Dis-Moi Oui", "Djobime", "Hessa" (the centerpiece of the album, 3 minutes of Afro Soul perfection. . .the whole set is great, but this track is unforgettable), "Kpon Fi La", "Do Do Baya", "Vive Le Renouveau", "Achuta", "Cholera" and "Ke Amon-Gbetchea". CD

Monumental Afro Soul from El Rego Et Ses Commandos – El Rego's best recordings from the late 60s to early 70s – a beautifully done compilation put together by Daptone and Frank Gossner, the deep digging West African music expert behind Voodoo Funk! Theophile Do-Rego is a legend in his native Benin, essentially credited as the godfather of Benin funk – but to date, he hasn't been celebrated around the world nearly as famously as the superstars of African music hailing from Nigeria and Ghana. That's something that can change really quickly if enough people pick up this truly great compilation of pioneering recordings. Singer El Rego and his excellent, diversely capable band – sax and flute by Baboni Oudou, sax by Michel Diogo, guitar by Oscar De Souza, trumpet by Emmanuel Ganssounou, guitar by Roger Coffi, tumba by Marcelin Kpohonon, additional vocals by Christian Agueh, and bass by band leader Paul Hounnou – take a tighter approach to funky soul. Just a couple tracks on this set roll past the 4 minute mark – which gives it a tighter soul sound, along with some Benin blues and some riveting JB-indebted vocal affections. We owe Voodoo Funk and Daptone big for putting this together! Includes "Feeling You Got", "Zon Dede", "E Nan Mian Duku", "Dkobime", "Dis-Moi Oui", "Djobime", "Hessa" (the centerpiece of the album, 3 minutes of Afro Soul perfection. . .the whole set is great, but this track is unforgettable), "Kpon Fi La", "Do Do Baya", "Vive Le Renouveau", "Achuta", "Cholera" and "Ke Amon-Gbetchea". LP, Vinyl record album