Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou: Volume 3- The Skeletal Essences Of Afro Funk (Analog Africa)

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou: Volume 3- The Skeletal Essences Of Afro Funk (Analog Africa) - A sweet combination of funk, soul, psychedelia and rumba colored by their Benin heritage. Their hypnotic Farfisa solos, gritty guitar riffs, distorted bass lines and warm horns will definitely get the party going. Start on  2  3  5  6  11  13

Sidi Touré: Sahel Folk (Thrill Jockey)

Sidi Touré: Sahel Folk (Thrill Jockey) - The sophomore release from Mali guitarist Sidi Touré's was recorded at his sister's house in Gao, Mali. The nine field recordings feature Touré with a different friend on each piece. Touré's half-fingerpicked and half-strummed style creates both melody and rhythm simultaneously – similar to the late, unrelated Ali Farka Touré. These bluesy, repetitively hypnotic and deeply soulful tracks are truly inspiring. Recommended. Play 2 4 5 6

Ebo Taylor: Love & Death (Strut)

Ebo Taylor: Love & Death (Strut) - Thanks to his inclusion on several Soundway and Analog Africa compilations, Ghana highlife legend Ebo Taylor is finally reaching a wider audience. Known for fusing Ghanaian Highlife with Afrobeat and jazz, the now 74-year-old master presents a new album. Supported by Berlin based collective Afrobeat Academy (featuring members of Poets Of Rhythm, Kabu Kabu and Ghanaian legends Marijata) the tracks crackle with energy and authenticity. The propulsive rhythmic grooves open for incendiary rotating solos. His re-worked classic "Victory" is totally smoking. Nearly Highly Recommended. Start on 1 2 3 4 6

Various Artists: Fania Essential Recordings: Salsa Explosion: The New York Salsa Revolution 1969-1979 (Strut)

Various Artists: Fania Essential Recordings: Salsa Explosion: The New York Salsa Revolution 1969-1979 (Strut) - Without a doubt, NYC's Fania Records and its artists produced some of the best Salsa music ever recorded. The genera's formative heavy hitters are well represented on this 65+ minute collection guaranteed to get you dancing. This is the inaugural release in Strut's mining of Fania's rich catalog. Nearly Highly Recommended.
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Harappian Night Recordings: The Glorious Gongs of Hainuwele (Bo'Weavil)

Harappian Night Recordings: The Glorious Gongs of Hainuwele (Bo'Weavil) - Dr Syed Kamran Ali creates his own impressionistic reflections of Hainuwele, 'The Coconut Girl', a figure from Maluku Islands folklore. Exotic arrangements of ouds, mizmars, jouhikkos, monosynths, harmoniums and more sound like rare field recordings. Recommended. Play 2 4 6 9 11 12 13