Ariya Astrobeat Orchestra - Ariya Astrobeat Orchestra
(CD/LP/Download) First Word Records, 2010-11-15

From Lagos to Leeds with Love... Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra formed in late 2007 when members of the kidkanevil live show and First Word stalwarts Homecut began a series of late night afrobeat sessions at Leeds Jazz venue Sela Bar. It was out of these jam sessions that the 8 piece band was born, combining their love of afrobeat with their appreciation of the space jazz pioneers of the 70's and the free jazz trailblazers of the 60's, coupled with a hefty nod towards James Brown. The album includes nine original compositions as well as debut single Crosstown Traffic, a firing cover of the Jimi Hendrix classic. From the infectious horn stabs of opener African Kings to the hi-life influenced Big Grammar and the languid groove of Same Same this is an album of real consistency and quality. "Fela would be proud!" said DK & DJ Food from Ninja Tune; "Hell yeah...a full on afrobeat assault. Supa hot!" said Mad Mats from Raw Fusion & GAMM.

Sorry Bamba - Volume One 1970-1979
(CD/2LP) Thrill Jockey THRILL272, 2011-06-21

Thrill Jockey Records are very proud to announce a collection of songs from legendary Malian musician Sorry Bamba. Produced and compiled by Alex Minoff and Ian Eagleson of Extra Golden - with the direct input of Sorry Bamba himself - Volume One compiles some very rare, never before released tracks from the Bamba's greatest legacy: his time as the leader of the Regional Orchestra of Mopti, which later became known as the Kanaga Orchestra. Many of these songs are previously unreleased and most are highly sought after as originals are nowhere to be found. 2xLP version is limited to 1,000 copies worldwide and includes artworked inner sleeves with photos and notes as well as a free download coupon.

‪Nigeria - African Music Legends - Fela Kuti in Concert 1‬

Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Mercato
(CD/LP/Digital) Mental Groove Records/Absinthe Music AMMGCD002/AMMGLP002, 2011-05-02

I discovered this Swiss band playing Ethiopian Jazz in 2007 through their first demo CD. The intention was noble, but the production was... well it was just a demo. A few "live in the studio" tracks in order to get some dates. I tried extracting a track for an Afro/Ethio mix but it never fitted with other more "studio productions". Then came the Addis Abeba single and its takes on the Golden Age of Modern Ethiopian music (1969-1978) with covers of Muluqen Mellesse, Mulatu Astatqe and Mahmoud Ahmed... But it still sounded a bit too electronic & acid jazz, and still couldn't really compete with the Ethio-Jazz/Funk/Rock releases from Akalé Wubé, Souljazz Orchestra or Getatchu Mekuria & The Ex. The critic stops here with this new record, Mercato, which should raise some concerned interest from all Afrojazz lovers. The band has been traveling to Ehtiopia, they've been touring & rehearsing a lot... and you can hear it on this brilliant new album of great grooves and pure Ethiopian sounds coming straight from Switzerland. If you enjoy deep and hypnotic Afrojazz grooves mixing the modern and the traditional, this band will soon become your favorite new one!

Antibalas - Rat Race
(12") Exactamundo Records EX 001, 2011-06-07

After a lengthy recording hiatus, Antibalas is back in the game with the release of a new 12-inch single on June 7, 2011. Recorded at Don’t Trip Studios in Gowanus, Brooklyn, and produced by Victor Axelrod, the 12-inch features an innovative arrangement of the Bob Marley classic Rat Race, along with Se Chifló, a lively, swinging tune that revives the links between Afrocuban music and Afrobeat, featuring Spanish vocals by Marcos García. Side B features dub mixes of each song, as well as bonus breakbeats. [P.S. The antibalas.com website has just been revamped, go check it out!]

Rob - Funky Rob Way (1977)
(CD/LP) Analog Africa Limited Dance Edition AADE02CD/AADE02LP, 2011-06-07

In 1977, a young Rob travelled to the city of Takoradi in western Ghana to approach an army band named Mag-2 whom he had seen perform in Accra. Mag-2 was essentially filled with the best elements of The Parrots, a highlife band in which Amponsah Rockson was the lead guitarist. Their primary task was to entertain soldiers and with the army tour bus, perform from town to town as well as in reputable venues in the captial. Enticed by the style of music Rob had proposed, Mag-2 backed the Ghanaian sensation on two of his most astonishing records - his first and second albums - both of which were recorded at Essiebons studios in Accra. Analog Africa is re-issuing the first album Funky Rob Way, replacing the track Forgive Us All by Loose Up Yourself from the second album, Make it Fast, Make it Slow, because the former has already been licensed by the Hippo Records label for their Ghana Funk series...

...but don't worry you're not losing anything here really. Forgive Us All is an 8mn slow-funk burner, not really essential, while Lose Up Yourself is an funky as Rob can be. Considering those two albums were pressed at 500 copies at the end of the 70s in Ghana and are now worth 500-1000$ when they appear occasionnaly on Ebay, this reissue is more than worth your money!! Rob's first album is really a more uptempo affair than the next one, and with the inclusion of Make It Fast Make It Slow on the first Ghana Soundz compilation on Soundway, you should get plenty enough of Rob hard driving afro funk!!

...This review never ends apparently! It appears that finally Hippo records haven't licended the Forgive Us All track, so Analog Africa have finally announced that "as a friend would say "trust your audience", thank you guys. "Forgive Us all" was licensed and included, "Loose up yourself" removed. The Test pressing had to be recut, some money was lost but I dont regret. Bless". So the Rob album to be released is finally the original one, in its original track order!! And since the second album album isn't planned for a reissue yet, the lucky ones who got an early CD promo copy managed to grab a remastered version of Loose up yourself, which I don't think is available anywhere... Well all in all, thank you Analog Africa!!

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou-Dahomey - The 1st Album (1973)
(CD/LP) Analog Africa Limited Dance Edition AADE01CD/AADE01LP, 2011-06-07

Nestled in between Nigeria and Ghana, the traditional heavyweights of the golden West African musical axis, Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, has birthed some of the most raw and psychedelic Afro sounds to emerge from a continent blessed with artistic talent. From Lome to Luanda, Africa's coastal cities have constantly served as creative hubs and Benin's economic capital, Cotonou, is no exception. The former French trading post has spawned several bands and performers, the most indefatigable and prolific of which undoubtedly remains Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo. Limited One-off pressing.

Ikebe Shakedown - Ikebe Shakedown
(CD/2xLP/Gidital) Ubiquity Records UR292, 2011-06-07

Ikebe Shakedown, the self-titled album from the Brooklyn-based band, plays with elements of Cinematic Soul, Afro-funk, Deep Disco, and Boogaloo in all the right ways. After spending a few years together the group, named after a favorite Nigerian boogie record (and pronounced "ee-KAY-bay,") delivers a driving set of tunes featuring a mighty horn section anchored by tight, deep-pocketed grooves. The forthcoming Ikebe Shakedown debut for Ubiquity Records sees the band push their globally-informed sound and eclectic approach to tune-writing into new territory, "Self-titling the album is a way to introduce the audience to the many facets of the band - to provide a more complete understanding of what we do," bassist Vince Chiarito says. "Our sound has grown to incorporate our influences without overtly representing any one in particular. It just sounds like us," he adds. The album was ecorded at Dunham Studios with producer Thomas Brenneck and at Killion Sound in Los Angeles, home of engineer Sergio Rios of fellow Ubiquity act Orgone.

Superhuman Happiness - GMYL / The Hounds
(7") Electric Cowbell ECR 1000, 2010-08

Electric Cowbell Records is thrilled to announce that Superhuman Happiness has a brand new a 7-inch single and videos for the songs GMYL and The Hounds. Both tracks were recorded at the late great Stay Gold studio in Brooklyn on loan from Dave Sitek (TV On The Radio). Very catchy pop-leaning offerings with these two ditties. These songs channel Oingo Boingo, Talking Heads and MGMT with Nigerian beats over the course of three horn-fueled minutes. Initially released as a limited edition 45 in August 2010 we quickly ran dry and decided to repackage and press more of this little gem with new artwork and label. Superhuman Happiness is an apt moniker for the buzzed about Brooklyn-based band. In the words of Stuart Bogie who conceived and fronts the seven-piece collective: "Superhuman Happiness is a celebration in the now, philosophizing in the present, stripping music of its culture baggage in order to reach people in new and beautiful ways."

The Sway Machinery Feat. Khaira Arby - Gawad Teriamou / Youba
(7") Electric Cowbell ECR 011 (co-release with JDub Records), 2011-03-22

In Mali The Sway Machinery found inspiration in the form of Khaira Arby, a legendary Malian singer, and out of their epic journey the new album House of Friendly Ghosts was born. While the new album has the band's same basic building blocks (drums, guitar, bass sax and horns), the sonic picture is radically different. Traditional African instruments have been introduced into the mix, along with guest lead guitar players and Khaira's distinctive vocals. Combined with frontman Jeremiah Lockwood's lyrics, which remain rich in Jewish associations and memory reservoirs, House of Friendly Ghosts bridges its own path through religion, culture and tradition to once again connect seemingly disparate musical worlds in a way that never before seemed possible.