Forgotten Treasure: Oby Onyioha “Enjoy Your Life” (1981)
One fine morning last spring, bright and early, my friend played this Disco song at full volume across the empty shop we were working in. It was a song I had never heard before but instantly loved and needed to have in my collection. Without even trying, an incredible new …
Musica Afro Funky “Volume 1” (Stargazer)
via Sounds Of The Universe (Record Store in London, UK) Super cool 12” vinyl double pack featuring a superb selection of obscure slo-mo gems from the 70s and early 80s that found favour on Italy’s Afro Funky / Cosmic disco scene receiving heavy rotation from legendary DJs like Daniele Baldelli & …
Forgotten Treasure: Kiki Gyan “24 Hours In A Disco” (1978-82)
Kiki Gyan (real name Kofi Kwarko Gyan) was a Ghanaian superstar who was celebrated as “Africa’s answer to Stevie Wonder”. Starting with piano at age five, he took music very seriously, to the point where it had caused him to quit school when he was twelve and join a huge …
Future Classic: Owiny Sigoma Band “Power Punch” (Brownswood Recordings)
Usually when I say that a record or a song is “interesting”, it’s a polite way of saying it’s not really my thing or doesn’t inspire any sort of overly positive or negative reaction. But when it comes to the Owiny Sigoma Band, for once I really mean it!! When …
Mix of the day: “Cultures of Soul” (Laidback Radio)
Deano Sounds has been DJing and collecting vintage records for over a decade now. In 2008 he started DJing for Viva Radio and created his Cultures of Soul Radio Show which features eclectic vintage music for the dancefloor from across the globe. Soon after he started his own record label, …
Forgotten Treasure: Hugh Masekela “Don’t Go Lose It Baby” (1984)
Today I am happily sharing one of my favorite Afro-Funk songs, a jam that I believe still has the ability to create disco delight on the dance floor today. The track I’m talking about is Hugh Masekela’s legendary underground dance classic, Don’t Go Lose It Baby and it is one …
Video Dig: Fela Kuti Interview extract from film Konkombe
“Yes if you are in England, the music can be an instrument of enjoyment. You can sing about love, you can sing about whom you’re going to bed with next! But in my own environment, my society is under developing because of an alien system on our people so there’s …
Jazz Amnesty Sound System “J.A.S.S #9” – African Special
The maternal sensibilities of African music took a different path when it landed in the West, and in doing so became a large part of the genesis of Western culture. Starting with slave works songs and their “call and response” code of communication working it’s way up through story-telling, negro …
Forgotten Treasure: Benis Cletin “Jungle Magic” (1979)
Loving this one because it’s a great pick for both my daily selections. It is both a forgotten treasure (originally released in 1979) and a future classic because since it has just been reissued for a whole new generation to hear. A pair of killers from Sofrito to wreck the …
Future Classic: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 “Rise”
As they say, it began in Africa! There is an important message in this song and you should pay attention to the lyrics. Don’t get too distracted by the infectious afrobeat groove! This is about the need for a people to take control of their resources, and not be subjected …
Fela + The Beatles = The AfroBeatles
I’m usually not a big fan of mash-ups. They usually sound like they were made in 5 seconds and are usually on the level of putting 50 cent vocals on top of Tears for Fears instrumentals… Ohhhh real inventive. Ok, in this case I can’t say it’s the production quality …
ANDY WILLIAMS presents “My Favorite South African Tracks”
My good friend Andy Williams just finished his collaboration with the Pan African Space Station festival in South Africa. The P.A.S.S is an annual 30 day radio intervention and of course who better to represent us over there than the teacher himself. Andy has been hanging out with people like Dudley …