Fresh selection to warm up ourselves for the summer!

Beats from Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Portugal, Holland and also Belgium with an unreleased beat of mine!

Artwork by Tim Colmant

Tracklist

Kwamz & Flava - Wo Onane No
Kooko - Od3 Remix feat. Guru & Yaa Pono
Kcee - Turn By Turn
Selegobo - Gon Gon
Gazza feat Uhuru & DJ Buckz - Shuna (Original Mix)
Xibeke - Frelimo
Sam Blans - Shout out Gaia Beat
DJ Over 12 - Hyu (Parte 2)
DJ Lilocox - La Party
Davido feat Uhuru - Skelewu (Uhuru Remix)
Lizha James - Quem Te Mandou feat Uhuru
Big One feat Vagabanda - Esta a Quencer Bue Mal
Skales - Shake Body
William Py - Batata Guda
Presh feat Davido - Say Dem Say
Waconzy - Ekpoh
Stay Jay - Formate Girls
Max le Daron - Eclipse
Sabota Music ft. Os Do Momento & Rolex - Maxuca
Star Million ft. Emerson Miranda, Ivan Aires, Vava Dji - Ta Acontecer (Remix)
Eazzy - Ginger ft. SK Originale
Yemi Alade - Taking Over Me

It's An Afrobeats Ting

Official Release Date 8 July 2016

PRE ORDER NOW !

http://diggersdigest.com/shop/product/digital-zandoli-zouk-synthetic-grooves-from-the-west-indies-selected-by-diggers-digest-nico-skliris/

Following the acclaimed Kouté jazz, we are glad to announce our new project compilation with parisian label Heavenly Sweetness in collaboration with afro/antilles record expert Nicolas Skliris. This project, that we introduced in mid February as Digital Zandoli with a limited mixtape, aimed to gather a wide spectrum of tracks from pre zouk era in the french West Indies. We picked 12 slept on tracks amongst piles of obscure caribbean records to show a broader spectrum to the Zouk music style that is poorly defined.  These tracks reveal the merger between traditional and other rhythmic genres (funk, disco, afro-beat, Latin Brazilian …), with the addition of synthesizers and drums machine to the creative process. Original, magnetic and highly danceable.



DIGITAL ZANDOLI - Zouk & Synthetic Funk from the French West Indies - The Official Compilation

KALABASH MIX - FAIZAL MOSTRIXX

On January 23 2018, the great South African trumpeter/composer/vocalist/humanitarian Hugh Masekela passed away. His music, message and giant personality touched many across the globe, influencing many new genres of music.

 To celebrate Bra Hugh's immense talents, #JazzOn45 brings you an all-Hugh 45 set of some favorites. Each 45 is played in it's entirety (A side/B side) and are sequenced in chronological order. 

Be sure to check in over at Wax Poetics for a proper tracklist/write up that will be posted as soon as possible... 

She's Comin' My Way
Unhlanhla
“Chisa”
What Is Wrong With Groovin’
Son Of Ice Bag
Up-Up and Away
Grazing In The Grass
Bajabula Bonke
Riot
Mace and Grenades

#JazzOn45 Vol. 5 - Hugh Masekela Special Edition

Mara - Reprezent Radio -  Carnival 2019

(Tracklist with timecodes below)

One of the go-to terms for anything “tropical” nowadays, Zouk is a music genre born in the late 70’s in the French Antillean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. Zouk's first iteration was crafted by the band Kassav’ when bandleaders Desvarieux and Décimus longed for a local "Disco-type music”, thus proudly proposing their own homegrown brand of pop. Carved around the foundation of an infectious pattern carried by hi-hat cymbals, Zouk was created as a weapon to elevate the status of frowned-upon Antillean cultural practices. It was a powerful response to the musical and political domination of France and other regions of the Caribbean. Kassav' paved the way for the groundbreaking genre to become both culturally relevant and commercially viable beyond the Antilles, reaching a career high in 1985 with a global hit in which they cheekily claim that Zouk is "the only medicine they need".

Borrowing elements from the neighboring islands - such as Cadence-lypso from Dominica and Compas from Haiti - Zouk’s signature sound was also shaped by the tools from the burgeoning digital age, as musicians and producers embraced the MIDI technology with its promise of fun through loop-programming. On top of the exciting new effects offered by other music-making machines, it opened up a whole new world of experimentation. Many of these eager pioneers jumped head in and didn't shy from manufacturing anvil-sounding snare drums, wacky vocal modulations, epic horns, saturated bass and sexy synths... all of it duly drenched in reverb!

Perceived right away by some stiff necks as low-brow entertainment inducing lewd motions of the hips, Zouk was actually the result of incredibly sophisticated recording technology and visionary talent. Although derided in the distant French “métropole” - with hits from bands such as “La Compagnie Créole” and “Zouk Machine” relegated to camping and carnival DJ playlists - Zouk invaded the African continent within a decade. The familiarity of Zouk’s underlying rhythm spoke to many through the deep and complex web of pre-slavery roots connecting Africa to the Caribbean.

Whereas most white French music snobs disregarded Zouk as a synonym for bad taste and cheesy regionalism - sometimes with the racist tinge of colonial contempt - African listeners loved it for what it was: a kick-ass beat to sweat to, especially while dancing close to a partner. Since the early 80’s, African musicians have been paying homage to the couple-friendly genre, quoting words from the creole lexicon (“Doudou”) and blending in their own territorial twists: be it in francophone (Makossa, Rumba, Soukous) or lusophone countries (Tarraxinha, Kizomba, Coladeira). A lot of Afro Zouk legends actually met, hung out and worked in recording studios and DJ booths of the cosmopolitan city of Paris, which has been acting as the cross-pollinating hub of French-speaking black diasporas since the 70's.

00:00 · Ibro Diabate - Nnamè Nnamè (Guinea-Conakry)
02:46 · Mathey - Nzoutio (Ivory Coast)
05:02 · Tshala Muana - Kokola (Congo-Kinshasa)
07:57 · Angelina Tezanou - La Vie (Cameroon)
11:50 · Mossia - Mowa (Ivory Coast)
15:03 · Chacha di Charmi - Tempo Urgente (Guinea-Bissau)
17:44 · Monique Seka - Ôkaman (Ivory Coast)
20:50 · Oliver N'Goma · Bane (Gabon)
23:01 · Alice Sofa - Yalé (Ivory Coast)
25:42 · Michel Moutouari - Albertina (Congo-Brazza)
28:24 · Loony Johnson ft. Zéca di Nha Reinalda - Homi Grandi (Cabo Verde)
30:14 · Papa Wemba - Moyi (Congo-Kinshasa)
32:23 · Tam Tam 2000 - Zouk en Avant (Cabo Verde)
38:51 · Empire Bakuba - Zouke Zouke (Congo-Kinshasa)
41:34 · Koffi Olomide - Tcha-tcho du sorcier (Congo-Kinshasa)
45:51 · Woya - Atépé (Ivory Coast)
48:28 · Joelle Seka - Chimoin (Ivory Coast)
52:10 · Patience Dabany - Chéri Ton Disque Est Rayé (Gabon)
55:17 · Abby Surya - Tant Pis Pour Toi (Congo-Kinshasa)
59:18 · Mayaula - Doudou A Mwen (Congo-Kinshasa)

(Thanks to @afrozouk in Toronto for letting us use their design!)

Afro Zouk, Vol. 1 • Homages Across Oceans

Available on 2LP vinyl, CD and digital formats: https://orcd.co/victorchukwu

BBE Music presents Akalaka and The Power, a double helping of old-school Igbo highlife from one of the genre’s acknowledged masters, Victor Chukwu.

Highlife was the music that the Igbo people made their own after the horrors of the Biafran war; music that rebuilt a sense of pride, identity and dignity. Tabansi recording star ‘Uncle’ Victor Chukwu’s super-rare, almost un-Google-able albums Akalaka and The Power are now in your hands, issued back-to-back by BBE for the first time anywhere in four decades.

These sets were probably recorded around 1977-79 at the Tabansi Studios in Onitsha, with Chief Tabansi also mixing and mastering: a 100% homegrown Tabansi product. Victor worked with a bassist, a drummer, and some brass- although he also doubled himself on tenor sax and arranged much of these glorious sessions.

The songs have an inimitable feel-good quality: happy, dignified, proud, spiritual, everything except one composition in major key. Perhaps it’s no surprise that many 70s and 80s Igbo highlife group members are today gospel singers and musicians.

Seven killer Igbo grooves combined in this first ever reissue of two impossible-to-find Tabansi LPs back to back, based around the traditional Ogene 6/8 bell ‘clave’ and brassheavy, spiritual highlife

Victor Chukwu – Akalaka / Uncle Victor Chuks & The Black Irokos – The Power (Album Sampler)

“I just go to the washrooms, I say a little prayer for myself. Then I go on stage, and I kill it.”&nbsp;&nbsp; Another Kenyan Hiphop Special! Justin and Coco Em interview @Monski254 at Aeipath Studios Nairobi. She is one of the most talented rappers in Kenya, an artist you should definitely get to know. We discuss her trajectory, some of our favorite tracks she’s released and recent awards she’s won.&nbsp; Find Monski’s music on all streaming platforms:  Free ressources, software for DJ’s and Producers:  Artwork by Akiba Haiozi.

SS005 pt. 1 : MONSKI (Kenya + Swahili Hiphop & Rap)

'ikangure' is the first single to the upcoming debut album 'room in a room'.

ikangure

ikangure ft andrew asare

Buy/Stream it here: https://orcd.co/victorchukwu

BBE Music presents Akalaka and The Power, a double helping of old-school Igbo highlife from one of the genre’s acknowledged masters, Victor Chukwu.

Highlife was the music that the Igbo people made their own after the horrors of the Biafran war; music that rebuilt a sense of pride, identity and dignity. Tabansi recording star ‘Uncle’ Victor Chukwu’s super-rare, almost un-Google-able albums Akalaka and The Power are now in your hands, issued back-to-back by BBE for the first time anywhere in four decades.

These sets were probably recorded around 1977-79 at the Tabansi Studios in Onitsha, with Chief Tabansi also mixing and mastering: a 100% homegrown Tabansi product. Victor worked with a bassist, a drummer, and some brass- although he also doubled himself on tenor sax and arranged much of these glorious sessions.

The songs have an inimitable feel-good quality: happy, dignified, proud, spiritual, everything except one composition in major key. Perhaps it’s no surprise that many 70s and 80s Igbo highlife group members are today gospel singers and musicians.

Seven killer Igbo grooves combined in this first ever reissue of two impossible-to-find Tabansi LPs back to back, based around the traditional Ogene 6/8 bell ‘clave’ and brass-heavy, spiritual highlife.

Akalaka / The Power

Victor Chukwu / Uncle Victor Chuks & The Black Irokos - Akalaka

MIMS is excited to premiere "Sketchy", the second single from saxophonist, composer & beatmaker, Thijsenterprise's forthcoming 'Lahringen' album, an addictive jazz tune with post punk energy. We are also excited to premiere a special DIY music video put together this week, just for us!

Reinier Thijs a.k.a. Thijsenterprise's new project 'Lahringen' begins where most of his previous creations have left off. Through reedy skronking sax, no easy listening aesthetics here, we get that passport to the '80s. The intersection between Lou Reed's old New York attitude and the encroaching rhythmic assault about to hit. Post-punk, featuring steady bass lines—peak demon Jaco to cool as fuck Slits era—in transit.

"Sketchy", an original arrangement, taps Reinier's dedication to skateboarding. Named for when skate rats land a trick sloppy, non-smooth, or ugly he does in fact match the sound of the bass with the feeling of ‘meh.’ “The drums and percussion in the track carry a driving pulse, and the saxophone plays a light melody, ping-ponging between the groove of the rhythm section. Which makes the track very repetitive, catchy," states Reinier.

Repurposing discordant sounds, as an alchemist traveling through time, Reinier sounds at home. Clearing out space, grounding up source material, for the cruise. Truth be told, he's confessed to pulling attitude and sound inspiration from The Lounge Lizards and James Chance. It’s unmistakable and you can hear it. But the combination of new school beat-making tactics, via scientists Makaya McCraven and Jeff Parker, who's shown it's far more interesting tossing out the rule book, see Reinier come full-circle with the wide spectrum of his sound jacket.

“When I started making beats, that came from a deep love for hip-hop but also to see if I could create music without my saxophone. In that sense, I’m more of a musician rather than I’m a beatmaker,” says Reinier.

'Lahringen' is an anagram for the Dutch city Harlingen, as used by author Simon Vestdijk in his Anton Wachter novel series, whom is Thijsenterprise's favorite writer. The album is part of his 'Elfsteden' ('Eleven Cities') series of releases, each named after a city in an infamous Dutch ice-skating race which only takes place in brutal winters.

"Sketchy" sees digital release on November 4 and ‘Lahringen’ (which we also love!) is out November 27th on vinyl and on all digital platforms. 

Full article & video; http://www.musicismysanctuary.com/video-premier-thijsenterprise-sketchy-forthcoming-on-rucksack-records

PRE-SAVE ‘SKETCHY’: https://smarturl.it/Sketchy-2020 
ORDER VINYL: https://thijsenterprise.bandcamp.com/album/lahringen

Lahringen

Bandcamp

Exclusive Premiere: Thijsenterprise "Sketchy" (Forthcoming on Rucksack Records)

French-born & Berlin-based Boris Paillard a.k.a. Mixanthrope has been shaking up dancefloors from Canada to Ghana since 2015 with African, Afro-diasporic and Afro-Caribbean songs & sounds. After working for the label "Akwaaba Music" in Accra, he created the monthly event series "African Beats & Pieces" in Berlin in 2017, inviting passionate DJs and underground live acts to explore specific musical themes.

► djmixanthrope@gmail.com

Resident DJ & organizer of regular Afro-centric music parties in Berlin since 2017: "African Beats & Pieces"
╚» https://www.facebook.com/AfricanBeatsAndPieces/

♬ ♬ ♬

P A S T     G I G S

Berlin: Monarch | Badehaus | Gretchen | MAAYA | Humboldthain Club | YAAM | HAU | Prince Charles | ACUD Macht Neu | ZK/U | Schrippe Hawaii | Haubentaucher | Crack Bellmer | Artistania | Suicide Circus | Alte Kantine
France : Connexion Live | Intermédiaire | Bric à Brac
Accra: Republic | Tea Baa | Rockstone's Office
Toronto: Alliance Française | Radio-Canada | Supermarket
Antananarivo: Chez Papa

Afro Zouk, Vol. 1 • Homages Across Oceans

Mixanthrope (African Beats & Pieces)