Afrobeat

Buy on iTunes: http://bit.ly/1bTNynC
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1g6OsUj
Ubiquity Shop: http://bit.ly/1c4xyn7
Spotify: http://spoti.fi/1BN1Rc9

Warsaw Afrobeat Orchestra (WAO) scorches with their sound, rooted in Lagos while adding their own unique flavors.“Only Now” is the first-single from their upcoming full-length album which also includes this remix by Bosq.

Buy on Bandcamp

WARSAW AFROBEAT ORCHESTRA "ONLY NOW BOSQ REMIX"

Dele Sosimi is musical director of the critically acclaimed Fela! at London’s National Theatre, and Band on the Wall is thrilled to announce that he'll be performing on our stage with his very own Afrobeat Orchestra.

From his early discovery as a 16 year old keyboardist by world-famous Fela Kuti, who brought him into his band Egypt 80, Dele rose to prominence as musical director of the 30 piece band during the 80’s and 90’s.

Fela Kuti - Zombie - Dele Sosimi

Coco - FM Laeti ft. Fatoumata Diawara

BKO Quintet’s music is born from a meeting between five established artists.
This gathering provides a journey into the heart of the contemporary Mali. 

Ibrahima Sarr, powerful percussionist, masters with ease the sounds of the djembe drum and has traveled the world alongside Oumou Sangare.  Fassara Sacko whose voice takes you from aback, differs from other griots in traditional celebrations. Yoro Sidibé’s grandson, Nfali Diakité , with his infernal « tournes », also sings and plays his donsongoni in animist ceremonies celebrated by his peers.  Abdoulaye Kone, master of djelingoni develops a unique psychedelic style.  He is the descendant of Djeli Baba Sissoko, and has been solicited before this quintet by great artists like Tiken Jah Kafoly, Salif Keita to tour outside of the Mali borders.  Finally Aymeric Krol, experienced of internationals stages grooves on its strange drums. For the past 10 years he often settled in Bamako where he worked with several artists. Today, his encounter with Ibrahima Sarr gives birth to the project: BKO Quintet.

The first EP recorded « Live » in January 2012 in Bamako in the popular district of Medina Coura.  In the new edition, some tracks recorded in January 2013 have been added to the EP. The present arises from the past, this « inhabited » music is far from the « World » standardized sound.

After a European tour of 25 dates, BKO QUINTET decides to return in the studio during their tour to record a debut album that will be available in 2014.

03 Strange Wassolon

"African Offering" is a 17-track sojourn through Ubiquity's catalog of Afro-inspired tunes from NOMO's excursions into Afro-beat and Electronic music, to the Lion's Funk-tinged Reggae meets Soul, to Bosq's modern take on the Afro-disco sound. Other gems include the horn-driven Funk of Brooklyn hard-hitters Ikebe Shakedown, library-inspired tunes by Shawn Lee's Ping-Pong Orchestra, percussion-driven Funk by Orgone, and heady Jazz from the Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra. To round out the compilation the Warsaw Afrobeat Orchestra pay homage to the diversity of the African musical diaspora with 2 songs from their upcoming debut album.

iTunes: http://apple.co/1OEWtSF
Amazon:http://amzn.to/1RrPE5I
Spotify: http://spoti.fi/1SUhkls

Tracklist
01. NOMO - "Nu Tones" 
02. Orgone -  "A WOT"
03. Ikebe Shakedown - "The Offering"
04. Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra - "Gibbon's Dub"
05. The Lions - "Jungle Struttin"
06. Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra - "Ethio"
07. Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra - "Shaman"
08. Ikebe Shakedown - "The Hold Up"
09. Bosq of Whiskey Barons - "Dem Know feat. Kaleta"
10. Warsaw Afrobeat Orchestra - "Which Direction"
11. Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra - "Lagos Calling"
12. NOMO - "My Dear"
13. Ikebe Shakedown - "Tujunga"
14. Bosq of Whiskey Barons - "More Heavy feat. Kaleta"
15. Warsaw Afrobeat Orchestra - "Only Now"
16. Ikebe Shakedown - "Chosen Path"
17. NOMO - "Patterns"

Various Artists: African Offering (Teaser)

Music In Exile

IRGANDA

In conjunction with compiler and highlife researcher Dr. Markus Coester, Soundway Records present a very special release. Double CD & triple 180g gatefold vinyl (with a bonus 7 inch).

This 45 includes the two first ever recordings by a certain Fela Ransome Kuti with his band The Highlife Rakers. Recorded by Melodisc in London in 1960 both tracks have been unearthed after more than fifty years in hiding.

In many ways this compilation is a prequel of sorts to Soundway's groundbreaking Nigeria & Ghana Special compilations, telling the early story of modern highlife's foundation & formulation. It traces the music from West Africa to London, adding elements of jazz, mambo and calypso along the way and paving the way for the afro sounds of the 1970s.

Accompanied by a 44 page CD booklet and 12 page vinyl booklet, the notes by Dr. Coester include rare photographs, labels and advert reproductions alongside some stunning and very rare recordings. 

Pre-order: 

Pre-order

Fela Ransome-Kuti & The Highlife Rakers - Fela’s Special

Brownswood are delighted to announce that we have signed Cuban singer Daymé Arocena.
Daymé was part of the Havana Cultura Mix project, which saw Gilles Peterson mentoring selected producers from around the world to make a record in Cuba with local musicians. She auditioned, prompting all producers to decide they wanted to work with her... In the end, she sung on three tracks on the album, including the massive "U Knew Before”. Seeing huge potential in her, Gilles invited her to London to perform at the album launch event, where she enchanted the packed out audience, and it was decided she should record a solo project for Brownswood Recordings / Havana Cultura. The announcement brought out a loud, rich, infectious laugh instantly recognizable as Dayme’s deep and chocolaty voice. “My first record, here,” she squeals. “It’s a crazy dream.”

Credits: 
Vocals & Campana - Daymé Arocena 
Produced by Simbad 
Thumb Pianos, Bass Cajon, Djembe,  Shakers, Small Percussions, 
CP 70 & B3 Organ - Simbad  


itunes

Daymé Arocena - Madres

Brownswood Recordings are proud to present this latest track from the Havana Cultura Sessions EP due for release on the 30th March. "Drama" showcases Daymé's trademark mix of influences from classical Cuban Rumba to US Jazz. 

Credits: 
Vocals: Daymé Arocena; 
Bongos, Congas, Cajon & Shakers:  Oli Savill; 
Piano: Rob Mitchell; 
Double Bass: Neil Charles; 
Cajon & Shakers: Simbad; 
Djembe: Maitre Samsou
Produced by Gilles Peterson and Simbad

Daymé plays the following European shows 
Duc Du Lombards Paris on the 16th April 
St Pancras Church London on the 20th April

Like Daymé on Facebook! 
https://www.facebook.com/dayme.arocena

With thanks to Havana-Cultura.com




Daymé Arocena - Drama

Africa 45, number 7 http://www.mrbongo.com/products/the-apagya-showband-tamfo-nyi-ekyir-mumude-7

Hailing from Ghana, The Apagya Showband was formed by the legendary Ebo Taylor and Ambolley after they left ‘Uhuru Dance Band’. The group produced only a couple of singles.

‘Tamfo’ is a joyous, uptempo Afro-funk groover, laced with horns and highlife guitar lines.

‘Mumude’ is a fast paced, drum and percussion-heavy, folklore-based song from 1974. Originally released on Essiebons 7”.

Buy vinyl

The Apagya Showband - Mumude

The Apagya Showband - Tamfo Nyi Ekyir

Africa 45, number 8 www.mrbongo.com/products/honny-th…boofs-simigwado-7

Ghanaian group Honny & The Bee’s Band recorded ‘Psychedelic Woman’ for a release on Essiebons in 1973. Little is known about the group.

‘Psychedelic Woman’ is, as you would expect from the name, a psychedelic mid tempo groover. Punctuated with a hypnotic guitar line, percussion and a catchy sung chorus.

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley & The Steneboofs - Simigwado

Breaks and grooves, underpin this upbeat call-and-response JB-esque afro-funk gem, from Ghanaian legend Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and his group The Steneboofs.

Originally released on a Capeside 45 in 1973. Ambolley released the highly sought afer ‘Simigwa’ LP on Essiebons in the same year.

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley & The Steneboofs - Simigwado

Africa 45, number 9 - http://www.mrbongo.com/products/rail-band-mariba-yassah-les-ambassadeurs-du-motel-de-bamako-get-up-james-7

A. Rail Band - Mariba Yassah ft. Mory Kanté

One of Mali’s best known outfits, also known as Super Rail Band and the Bamako Rail Band. Led by the legendary Salif Keita. Their unique style came about as a result of the fusion of Afro-Latin-Jazz and traditional styles.

This track is super funky and tight from the first beat, with a catchy trumpet line running over the top and throughout. Mory Kanté features here on lead vocals.

Originally released on their album entitled ‘Super Rail Band Of The Buffet Hotel Del La Gare De Bamako, Mali - Rail Band’, in 1973 on RCAM. 





B. Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako - Get Up James


Salif Keita becomes the subject of some unusual A-side/B-side drama here - he left Rail Band to join Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako! Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako are considered to be one of Africa’s greatest bands, assembled in the early 70’s in Mali.

This record is a James Brown cover with a psychedelic-West African twist. Loud and proud JB style call-and-response vocals, driving organ, drums and guitar.

BUY VINYL

Les Ambassadeurs Du Motel De Bamako - Get Up James

2- Bamanaya

This Is my 2nd set of my fav Highlife songs... some from Nkrumah times and most from the Burger-Highlife era....which was the time I was born and my parents where kinda hip and having alot of parties back when we were living in South East London. If you like what you hear or didn't hear something you thought you would leave a comment...cas most likely I got it or can get it within a couple of hours. check out my blog where from time to time I post tracks tracks from time to time....... citizins.tumblr.com

Pat Thomas - Sika Ye Moga

"Qui ne danse pas sur ce son, ne pourra chasser le lion".


Back to Bamako Janvier 2013 - N'tana

Here's one from my personal stash, the very first edit I did. Another artist that makes perfect arrangements as they are. Just made it a little more friendly for the dancefloor.
Enjoy!

Afrobeat

Silver Surfer