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Tandem - Ein Typ Wie Du (Barrio Katz Edit)

Creation Rebel - Swiftly (The Right One)

"La Rumba Konpa" is an Afro house track inspired by Haitian konpa with a Congolese twist by Drummer & producer Modrums in collaboration with Yohni Loboko of the band Loboko (NYCT) on guitar, synths and lead vocals. It's their 1st release of more to come.
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La Rumba Konpa

“Cacti Traveler” follows an intergalactic journeyman through tropical landscapes, uncovering layers of history and glimpses of the future—from lush forests to barren wastelands shaped by independence, industry, and modern life. Brass melodies narrate his path, capturing wonder, sorrow, and hope. As the journey unfolds, hip-hop beats emerge, echoing his steps, and it all culminates in a spiritual jazz finale—a tribute to the roots that shape BABON’s evolving sound.

BABON - Cacti Traveler

Been working all day? Been sweating all week? Time to throw down the hammer and have a dansi time! 

In the spotlights: The irresistible dance music coming out of East Africa! Kenyan Benga, Congolese Rumba's, Muziki Wa Dansi from Tanzania, they all have something in common: Untamable Hi-hat samurai's, tireless guitar terriers, scattering songbirds forming a tidal wave of uplifting dance music. 

Umoja picked some their favorite songs & elements and went for a session to add some Umoja flavours. Keeping a wide range of tempo's and moods, there should be something for all your moves and moments. Put on your brightest socks, sprinkle some glitters and join the Dansi! 

Much love, 
Umoja

Download & Support

D.O. Misiani & Shirati Jazz - Dora Mamy (Umoja Edit)

Follow me into the depth of the rainforest and enjoy listening to this precious collection from my journeys through the jungle.

≈ JUNGLE JUICE ≈

From Cosmic Cabo Verde to synth-reggae at the Horn of Africa.

(Special Mix for Vinyl Factory)
Frankfurt-based label Analog Africa is easily one of the most noteworthy labels rescuing and reissuing Afro sounds.

In 2015, the label gave us an exceptional anthology of Afro-Cuban pioneer Amara Touré, not to mention a compilation of tracks plucked straight from the dance floors of ’70s Senegal. Last year, they blew our human minds with some of the most extraterrestrial synth music we’ve ever heard on Space Echo.

This year, the label turns ten. To celebrate label boss Samy Ben Redjeb and his DJ partner Pedo Knopp have recorded a special mix which we’re delighted to share here.

“What is special about this mix is the fact that all the songs, except one, will be released on Analog Africa in 2017,” says Samy. “They have all been handpicked by myself and mixed in real time, without loops or any other kind of gimmicks by Pedo.”

It’s a synth-ridden journey from reggae in the Horn of African to Cosmic sounds of Cabo Verde, wavey soca-boogie monsters and other proto-electronic Afro jams.

Get The Music

Analog Africa Selection Vol.6 (2017) - 10 Years Anniversary Mix - Download and Share it !!!

DELFiNE UNTER SiCH

Its been a long time coming and finally after 5 years in the making we are very proud to have the chance to present to you instrumental music of a different kind created by the iconic Brazilian musician - Camarão.      

One of the very first Forró songs I ever heard was Camarão’s “Retrato de um Forró,” courtesy of a mix that Fred Thiphagne – founder of the Goma-Gringa label – had made for the music blog Les Mains Noires. But it wasn’t until my friend, the Australian DJ Carlo Xavier, dragged me to Brazil that I got hooked.

Our Brazilian record safari started in Belém, the capital of the Pará state in the north of the country, and although Forró music originated in the northeast of Brasil, it was here in Belém that my Forró education began. 

In the first two days of our trip we had the good luck to bump into a record stand at Praça das Mercês, in the old part of the city; its owner, known as Max Alvim, is considered to be one of Belém best record dealers, and he certainly lived up to his reputation. We found many records of interest almost immediately, but Max advised us to leave a want-list and come back a few days later. When we returned, Max had manage to lay his hands on many of the Carimbó and Siriá LPs we had been looking for. But what surprised us most about Max was his extensive knowledge of Forró music and where to find it. Two weeks into our adventure, not only had we managed to find most of the Pará music we were after, but we also ended up with about half of Camarão’s musical output. 

Some of Camarão’s tunes had a wonderful sense of humour, while others sounded as if they had come from the soundtrack to some imaginary Brazilian Western movie, but all of them were united by a special drive and positive energy. The music surprised me, and anything that tickles my curiosity is destined to be thoroughly scrutinised.

We started toying with the idea of a compilation and decided to travel to Recife, not only to continue our Forró education but also to meet Camarão himself. 

During our stay in Recife, whenever the word Forró was spoken there was always someone coming out of nowhere eager to explain how the word came to be. Apparently in the 1940s, so the popular story goes,  British train-line manufacturing companies based in northeastern Brazil would throw parties for their employees and the best thing about these parties was that everyone was invited. These events were advertised on the radio and in the newspapers as being “for all” which, when spoken with a Brazilian spin, became “Forró”.

But according to historians this explanation is nothing more than humorous folklore. The term Forró, so they say, comes from the bantú word Forrobodó and had already been used in a song called  “Forró Na Roça” composed by Manuel Queirós and Xerém in 1937, five years before the British had arrived. Even before that, in 1912, Chiquinha Gonzaga composed the song Forrobodó, which was classified as a burlesque piece and earned her the Mambembe Prize in 1915.

No matter which version you decide to believe, Forró developed into a general term referring to a group of musical styles, including Xote, Marchinha, Coco de Roda, Baião and other mixtures of African, European and indigenous rhythms. 

We had manage to arrange for an interview with Camarão who was notorious for being a man of few words. His peers would say that “his accordion speaks for him”. We had high hopes that Camarão would not only shed some light on his own legacy but also give us a sense of the vibe in Pernambuco during the heydays of Forró music. We met Camarão at his house in Recife and found him in excellent spirits.

Interviewed by Carlos Xavier himself on the 29th of November 2012, Camarão gave us an in-depth look at his own musical story in the context of the state of Pernambuco during the 60s and 70s. We also received about 50 pictures, half of which have been used to craft the beautiful LP/CD booklet that will come with the music.

Camarão - Ma Nah Ma Nah

A worldwide ride, xclusive mix for my friends of the mellotron site. Enjoy.

Mellomix 01

Blundetto