Jams

Afro

Sweet as

Global Funk Party Ltd

The World Ends is the latest title from Soundway Records showcasing a wave of guitar driven and psychedelic groups that sprung up in Nigeria during the early 1970s. Featuring 32 electrifying and funk laden grooves, this is the sound of a generation attempting to pick up the pieces after the devastation of the Nigerian civil war.

Spread over 2 CDs and 2 triple gatefold LPs, this bumper collection is brimming with youthful exuberance, fuzzed out guitar and cosmic organ vibes and owes much to the psychedelic sounds of Jim Morrison, Santana, Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane and James Brown.

CD Double Digi Pack with 44 page booklet
Triple Gatefold Vinyl (Version 1 & 2) – BONUS TRACKS

www.soundwayrecords.com

The World Ends: Afro Rock & Psychedelia in 1970s Nigeria

afro electro, funk & disco

intro to sndcld

Afrobeats

Mi Mujer

AfroLatin

Soundway present a very limited vinyl-only re-issue of an obscure LP by the enigmatic Nigerian artist Easy Kabaka Brown. The LP was originally released and recorded by Philips / Phonogram in 1976 and only sold in very small numbers. Musically it's a intriguing mix of mostly Nigerian highlife with a bit of afro-jazz sung in the language of Kalabari from the Delta region of Southern Nigeria.  From the bouncy good times of Belema to the deeper extended afro workout of Agboho this unique album stands out from thousands of others of it's time with a sound of its own that draws on many influences, with Congolese and latin touches to jazz trumpet and psychedelic organ lines.

Easy Kabaka Brown (Opotopo was his nickname) was a versatile and eccentric musician who recorded two full length albums (this is the first) and only a couple of 45s. We at Soundway have deemed this record way too sweet  to be forgotten, only to gradually ebb away and disappear with time. It's a record that will give you a golden, warm feeling. Your toes will tap, your face should smile and it certainly deserves to be heard by far more than only the few hundred people who bought it nearly 40 years ago. Strictly limited to 1000 x 180g vinyl copies and released in a rigid paste-on sleeve, these will not last long so don't sleep!

Pre-order

Easy Kabaka Brown - Belema

Soundway Records present ‘Africa Special’, a digital only collection that draws on some the best songs from their genre defining African compilations ('Ghana Special', 'Nigeria Special' & 'Kenya Special'). Compiled by label boss Miles Cleret, ‘Africa Special’ focuses on tracks that are particularly 'African' in sound as opposed the US influenced 'Afro' records that also feature on these compilations. From Ghanaian highlife to Nigerian blues, Kenyan benga and Congolese influenced sounds, ‘Africa Special’ is a condensed volume featuring musicians from all over Africa that were resident in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya in the 1960s, 70s & 80s (the golden era of African music).

The earliest Soundway compilation to feature on this new compilation is the now seminal ‘Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-6’. Described by NPR as "essential", 'Nigeria Special' was the start of a series that spawned the equally vital ‘Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968 – 1981’ and this year’s acclaimed ‘Kenya Special: Selected East African Recordings from the 1970s & ‘80s’.  

Soundway Records was conceived in 2002 by label owner Miles Cleret whilst returning from Ghana in 2001 with bags of dusty old 45s and LPs that had mostly not been heard outside the former Gold Coast since their original release. Soundway’s first release 'Ghana Soundz - Afro-beat, Funk & Fusion in 70's Ghana' was the start of a series of well recieved compilation albums that made available classic and obscure recordings that had previously never made it out of the countries they were originally recorded in.

ALSO FEATURED ON: Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968 - 1981

Order

Kyeremateng Stars – I Go Die for You

Ibibio Sound Machine are set to release their debut LP through Soundway Records. Fronted by British / Nigerian vocalist Eno Williams, they combine elements of West African highlife, disco, post-punk & psychedelic electro soul. Preceded by the pulsating first single 'Let's Dance', ‘Ibibio Sound Machine’ will be released 17th March.

Folk stories, recounted to Eno by her family as a child in her mother's South-Eastern Nigerian Ibibio language form the creative lyrical fabric of the album. A large dose of electronic elements and an approach as influenced by London as much as by West Africa, give the vocals and guitar lines space to breath without being overwhelmed.

From the banging sub-bass of 'Lets Dance' to the spiritual, gospel-tinged notes of the album's opening track 'Voice of the Bird', the band have turned in a dynamic and, at times, beautiful take on modern afro-soul music.

The 8-piece live band made their official live debut at this year's Transmusicales in France and will be a name to look out for in 2014.

PRE-ORDER IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE - OUT 17th MARCH

iTunes: smarturl.it/y860kf
Piccadilly Records: ow.ly/sPLXP 
Amazon UK: ow.ly/sPLtn 
FNAC: ow.ly/sPMdz 
Norman Records: ow.ly/sPMrg
www.soundwayrecords.com/
www.facebook.com/IbibioSoundMachine?fref=ts

Let's Dance (Yak Inek Unek)

Follow @edoheart @batida

About the EP: http://www.akwaabamusic.com/countries/nigeria-countries/edoheart-sosomoneycockplease-ep/

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/album/sosomoneycockplease-ep/id717276799
Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/album/7bWR3AxSiWQoqqaTaMuFWM
Beatport: https://pro.beatport.com/release/sosomoneycockplease/1169315
Deezer: http://www.deezer.com/album/6983905
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FGSJC4G/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp
Traxsource: http://www.traxsource.com/title/249267/sosomoneycockplease

iTunes

Edoheart - Sosomoneycockplease (Mpula's Cuca And Castrol Oil Can Remix)

Barton Hollow

Falling

To Whom It May Concern

Poison & Wine

Forget Me Not

You Can Go by Bokoor Band taken from the critically acclaimed album Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds, Ghanaian Blues 1968 - 1981, released last year via Soundway Records.  

You Can Go by Bokoor Band

Chokoi & Oreje by The Elcados taken from the new Soundway album The World Ends: Afro Rock & Psychedelia in 1970s Nigeria. 

Featuring 32 electrifying and funk laden grooves, this is the sound of a generation attempting to pick up the pieces after the devastation of the Nigerian civil war.

CD Double Digi Pack with 44 page booklet
Triple Gatefold Vinyl (Version 1 & 2) – BONUS TRACKS 

www.soundwayrecords.com


Chokoi & Oreje by The Elcados

Breakthrough by The Funkees taken from the new Soundway album The World Ends: Afro Rock &amp; Psychedelia in 1970s Nigeria. 

Featuring 32 electrifying and funk laden grooves, this is the sound of a generation attempting to pick up the pieces after the devastation of the Nigerian civil war.

CD Double Digi Pack with 44 page booklet
Triple Gatefold Vinyl (Version 1 &amp; 2) – BONUS TRACKS 

www.soundwayrecords.com


Breakthrough by The Funkees

Be Kind, Be Foolish, Be Happy by Chuck Barrister & The Voices of Darkness taken from the new Soundway album The World Ends: Afro Rock & Psychedelia in 1970s Nigeria. 

Featuring 32 electrifying and funk laden grooves, this is the sound of a generation attempting to pick up the pieces after the devastation of the Nigerian civil war.

CD Double Digi Pack with 44 page booklet
Triple Gatefold Vinyl (Version 1 & 2) – BONUS TRACKS 

www.soundwayrecords.com


Be Kind, Be Foolish, Be Happy by Chuck Barrister & The Voices of Darkness

Bepu N'Gali - I Travel To You (Original) (Release Date 11th June)

This is Bob Marley's Jamming, I just added a kick drum and a simple bass line. The quality is mediocre, for I am poor.


Bob Marley - Jamming ++

The Lijadu Sisters - Life's Gone Down Low

The Lijadu Sisters - "Bayi L'ense"

The Lijadu Sisters - "Reincarnation"

The Lijadu Sisters - "Orere-Elejigbo"

500 limited edition 180 Gram vinyl double album that comes with 32 page comic novel. Written and illustrated by Ulrich Troyer. Songs for William is the first in a trilogy of experimental dub projects from Ulrich Troyer and Deep Medi Musik. Ulrich Troyer was born in Innsbruck and raised in Tyrol Austria, he studied Architecture and music at university and now resides in Vienna where he lives and works as a freelance artist and musician. Ulrich has been producing music and experimenting with electronics for over 10 years on various projects that include soundtracks for movies, dance productions, exhibitions and sound installations. Since 2005 Ulrich has also been performing live as a member of the Vegetable Orchestra.
Songs For William sees Ulrich explore his love for Dub music and the experimentation's of pioneers such as King Tubby, Sound Dimension and Rhythm and Sound alongside the influences of Mulatu, Tony Allen and the psychedelic sounds of Selda. To accompany this release is the first part chapter of a comic novel featuring the main character William (A guitar effect pedal!) and his journey! All analogue synthesizers, effects, stompboxes, samplers, guitars, percussion and melodica played, programmed, recorded and dubbed by Ulrich Troyer at the 4Bit Studio Vienna.

Ulrich Troyer - Songs For William [MEDICD005]
© 2011 Deep Medi Musik

Purchase:
(MP3/FLAC/CD) http://www.surus.co.uk/Deep-Medi-Musik/Songs-For-William-126­50.aspx
(Vinyl) http://www.surus.co.uk/Deep-Medi-Musik/Songs-For-William-145­22.aspx
(iTunes) http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/songs-for-william/id4468680­67?uo=4

Track listing:
1. Shiraz Airport
2. Eurocity To Munich
3. Take Me To The Movies, Charlotte
4. At The Workshop
5. Driving to Cologne
6. Lost In Addis
7. Techtalk in the Echochamber
8. Shoegazing Muff
(Note: promotional copy) 

Ulrich Troyer
http://www.ulrichtroyer.com
http://soundcloud.com/ulrichtroyer

DEEP MEDi
http://www.deepmedi.com
http://www.facebook.com/deepmedi
http://www.twitter.com/deepmedimusik
http://deepmedi.tumblr.com

Take Me To The Movies Charlotte

Soundway Records return to Nigeria once more with ‘Tunji Oyelana: A Nigerian Retrospective 1966 – 79’ – a lovingly compiled anthology of one of Nigeria’s most revered sons.

During the golden age of Nigerian music in the 1970s, as thousands of records were produced in a wide spectrum of styles and marketed to an immense audience of ardent consumers, very few people—including the producers of the music themselves—seriously entertained the possibility that any of these popular entertainments could be considered as “Art.”

Enter the multifaceted artist Tunji Oyelana. Equal parts singer-songwriter, actor, bandleader, dramatist, comedian and academic, Oyelana elevated the realm of pop music by infusing it with the poetic storytelling of Yoruba folklore. Backed by his crack backing group, The Benders (named for their ability to traverse–and blend a variety of styles) Oyelana blended the fashionable sounds of highlife, afrobeat, afrorock, funk, calypso, juju and reggae and transformed them into something timeless and utterly unique.

Tunji Oyelana - Lisabi Egba

One of the unreleased tracks from the forthcoming label compilation, coming on 22nd Oct on Double CD

Rocha -  Love & Circumstance (Unreleased Track from forthcoming Label Compilation) - for the Ibiza closing parties you're holding in your own heads

New York City Born and New Jersey City based Chico Mann (aka Marcos Garcia), a multi instrumentalist and guitarist with the afrobeat orchestra Antibalas  is to release his solo ‘Manifest Tone EP’ through Soundway Records on 12th November. 

The EP represents four of the choicest cuts from Chico Mann’s ‘Manifest Tone’ Volumes 2&3 that until now were only available digitally. It signals the end of one phase and the start of a new chapter in Chico Mann’s career with a brand new album signed to Soundway Records for release in early 2013. 

The Manifest Tone journey began in 2004. During breaks from touring with Antibalas Marcos began crafting a more personal sound in his basement studio. A hybrid beast of culture and tone where Fela Kuti and Willie Colon meet Stevie B, Lisa Lisa, Afrika Bambaata and Kraftwerk, it lives in a landscape shaped by Africa, Cuba, New York and Miami.

These unique experimentations led to the release of ‘Manifest Tone Volume 1’ in 2006 and eventually morphed into Volumes 2 & 3 that were finished in 2008 and 2010 respectively. What sounds on paper like a meeting of styles past in reality emerges sounding incredibly fresh and original.

Over the three volumes Chico Mann’s own unique style has emerged and evolved (something he has dubbed 'Afro-Freestyle') and in 2010 he released the critically acclaimed 'Analogue Drift' album for Wax Poetics records. 

All of this paves the way for the arrival of his most accomplished and polished sound yet that will touch down in early 2013.

Chico Mann will also add to his list of remixes for the likes of Little Dragon and Hess is More by remixing Soundway's London based Ghanaian afro band Konkoma in December 2012.

Tracklisting: 

A1. Dilo Como Yo (Te Están Llamando)
A2. Luz

B1. El Paragua (2010 edit)
B2. His Favourite Thing

Chico Mann - Dilo Como Yo (Te Están Llamando)

Soundway Records present ’24 Hours in A Disco 1978 - 82’, 7 cuts of relentless disco grooves from the sublimely gifted Kiki Gyan. Hailed as Africa’s answer to Stevie Wonder, Ghanaian multi-instrumentalist Kiki Gyan was a musical wunderkind who by 1975 had risen from the lowly status of high school dropout to being ranked eighth in a poll of the greatest keyboardists in the world (occupying the rarefied air of the top ten with heavyweights like Steve Winwood, Billy Preston, and Stevie Wonder) as well as becoming an in-demand session player in the top recording studios of London - all before his twenty-first birthday. 

Out on his own, he produced a series of highly ambitious disco records aimed at positioning him as an international star, but weighed down by the excesses of the era, Gyan saw his meteoric rise matched by an equally swift fall back into obscurity. 

Loved dearly by his contemporaries and sorely missed since his death in 2005 the story of the life of Kofi Kwarko ‘Kiki’ Gyan is one often told with warning by his friends to the new generation of aspiring Ghanaian popstars.

Soundway Records now collects the best of Gyan’s work as a frontman and solo artist, featuring an array of electrifying disco grooves that still sound contemporary (and in some cases futuristic) decades after their initial release.

Released on CD and 2xLP both formats are accompanied with detailed liner notes written by Uchenna Ikonne. LP version comes with a free MP3 download of the release. 

Kiki Gyan - Disco Dancer

Chico Mann is to release the ‘Same Old Clown EP’ on 4 March through Soundway Records ahead of his forthcoming full length album ‘Magical Thinking’. Featuring the sultry vocals of New York based Kendra Morris, the slinky and catchy album version of ‘Same Old Clown’ is joined here by deeper re-workings from USA DJ and re-edit king Kon (Kon & Amir, Nitetime), who provides both a vocal and dub remix as well as UK producer Linkwood, known in underground circles for his groundbreaking mix of future-boogie, house and detroit techno on Scotland’s excellent Firecracker Recordings imprint.

Guitarist with the band Antibalas, multi instrumentalist and guitarist, Chico Mann (AKA Marcos Garcia) has in the past worked with the likes of TV On The Radio, The Roots and Dam Funk as well as remixing Little Dragon and Alice Russell amongst others.

His most recent LP ‘Analog Drift’ (2010) was released through Wax Poetics Records, an album that he toured throughout the US. Jon Pareles (NY Times) praised his live show’s “far-reaching electronica” that had the ability “to dissolve decades, along with borders”.

Where previous Chico Mann material drew heavily on his afrobeat roots, his upcoming LP ‘Magical Thinking’ taps in to a new vein of thinking, where the 80′s funk, boogie and electro sounds of New York and Miami dominate the sonic landscape. Featuring a selection of guest vocalists, and mixed by Brooklyn producer / musician Jeremy Page (That Handsome Devil), ‘Magical Thinking’ is Chico Mann’s most ambitious and accomplished project to date.

Chico Mann - Same Old Clown (Featuring Kendra Morris)

Elegancia Tropical the third album from Bomba Estéreo is set for release via Soundway Records on February 4, 2013. 

The follow up to 2009’s Blow Up, was recorded in their native Colombia, near the coastal city of Barranquilla. Elegancia Tropical has been greeted with critical acclaim in the US - glowing reviews have come from the New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR and the Washington Post. 

Lead singer and MC, Li Saumet’s fiery vocals are underpinned by Colombian rhythms and contemporary electronica as supplied by Julián Salazar and Kike Egurrola. Originally formed by visual artist Simón Mejía in 2005, Rolling Stone Magazine has hailed Bomba Estereo as leaders of a Latin American scene that is “fusing old school folk sounds with more modern and electronic rap style.” 

Since their debut performance at Roskilde (Denmark, 2010) Bomba Estéreo has received international acclaim for an eye popping live show, with over 250 shows in more than 100 different cities. Bomba Estéreo have performed at some of the most prestigious festivals around the world including Coachella, Bonnaroo and Lovebox.

Starting at SXSW, Bomba Estéreo will be supporting their new album with a full US tour followed by UK and European dates in April / May. 
“Represents a major step forward for Bomba Estéreo, as it thoughtfully builds on its success and promise.” KCRW


Bomba Estéreo - Pajaros

Thailand means different things to different people. Beyond the beaches and tourist spots lies a world of music still waiting to be discovered. Be it spaced out jazz, raw funk or the meditative sounds of the North East, Soundway has dug deep into the country’s vinyl archives to present a broad range of vintage sounds that underlines Thailand’s status as one of South East Asia’s musical hot spots.

As Soundway’s entry point into the Asian music world, The Sound of Siam CD and double LP offers a unique vantage point to the most experimental period in Thai musical history. The 19 tracks reflect the outcome of a twentieth century journey from Thai classical to Luk Krung and Luk Thung – music that incorporated western influences such as jazz, surf guitar, ballroom and even Latin and African.

The music maps changing social demographics, the movement of people, culture and language from countryside to city and all during a period when the record labels were at their most experimental.

My favourite comp of the year, really well sequenced & very entertaining – thumbs up all round. Mr Scruff

This is funky garage rock topped with idiosyncratic Thai vocals. If you want to know what an oriental Stone Roses would sound like, check out The Petch Phin Thong Band. Uncut 4/5

A fascinating trip through an alternate musical universe of Bangkok funk, traditional sounds and even reggae lilting nodders. Clash Music

Possibly my favourite retro release of the year but I would expect no less from Soundway. Congratulations again, and again, and again…Mary-Anne Kennedy (World on 3)

Thong Huad & Kunp’an – Diew Sor Diew Caan

MVIS236 - Lorca - If I told You

Juno - http://www.juno.co.uk/products/if-i-told-you-ep/485617-01/

Lorca - Searching

The Sonic Aesthetic: New Districts

Soundway Records present Kenya Special: Selected East African Recordings from the 1970s & ‘80s - a treasure-trove of rare and unusual recordings from East Africa. Spread out over two CDs and one triple LP, Kenya Special is accompanied by detailed liner notes, original artwork and photographs.It follows on from Soundway’s much acclaimed African ‘Special’ series that to date has focused on the highlife and afrobeat output from 1970s Nigeria and Ghana.

Kenya Special is a collection of 32 recordings (most of which were only ever released on small-run 45rpm 7" singles) that stand out as being different or unique as well as some classic genre standards. From Kikuyu language ‘liquid soul’, Luo benga and Swahili afrobeat to genre-bending Congolese and Tanzanian tracks recorded in Nairobi, Kenya Special sees Soundway yet again taking the less trodden path. Many of the tracks featured here are peppered with innovation and experimentation highlighting how diverse the music scene in Kenya was at the time. 

In 1970s Kenya the two threads of rumba and benga loosely dominated the music scene. Benga quickly became Kenya’s unique contribution to afro-pop; spreading like wildfire through the interior countryside with it’s fast, 4/4 machine-gun beat and intricate electric guitar layers. The Congolese take on Afro-Cuban rumba was introduced by touring bands many of whom settled in East Africa - influencing bands from Kenya and Tanzania to come up with their own take on this popular style. Alongside these styles were small ensembles and hotel-sponsored bands, playing a blend of music that often included rock ‘n’ roll riffs, elements of ‘afro’ music (influenced by West African musicians like Fela Kuti), and multiple other combinations from South African and Zambian guitar styles to disco, funk and Swahili coastal rhythms like chakacha.

Painstakingly compiled, assembled and researched over two years by a team of five people from five countries (Kenya included), Kenya Special is a collection that looks beyond the mainstream and brings new life and recognition to some little known gems and forgotten classics of Kenya’s past. 

The Rift Valley Brothers - Mu Africa (Kenya Special)

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TONY CURTIS - NUMBER ONE SOUND Dubplate (TIN MACKAREL RIDDIM)

MUSIC FROM PLANET EARTH: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE