Ali Farka Touré’s Savane 20th Anniversary Edition Released on Coloured 2×LP by BMG
Ali Farka Touré’s seminal album Savane receives a meticulous 20th anniversary edition, offering a vivid revisit of the final solo work from the Malian guitar legend. Originally released in 2006 and recorded in Bamako, this album stands as a profound testament to Touré’s distinctive blend of traditional Malian sounds and the resonant nuances of African
Gilberto Gil’s 1967 debut album Louvação reissued on vinyl by Decca Records
Gilberto Gil’s debut album, Louvação, originally released in 1967 on Philips Records, marks a foundational moment in Brazilian music, arriving just before the explosion of the Tropicalismo movement. This seminal record captures Gil’s early exploration of blending traditional Brazilian sounds with influences drawn from global music styles, offering
T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo announces compilation “West African Beat: Rare 7s and EPs from Benin and Niger”
The archival double LP titled West African Beat: Rare 7s and EPs from Benin and Niger offers a significant dive into the vibrant and eclectic sonic world of T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, a group known for its stirring fusion of afrobeat, funk, and soukous styles. This curated compilation, slated for release in early May 2026 under […]
Marcos Valle announces album “O Compositor E O Cantor”
Marcos Valle’s album O Compositor E O Cantor, originally released in 1965, is set to be reissued on vinyl by Vampisoul in May 2026, offering a renewed opportunity to explore one of the pivotal works in the development of bossa nova and Brazilian jazz. This record marked a defining moment in Valle’s career, presenting his […]
The Trailblazing Journey of “Awesome Tapes From Africa” Amplifying African Music
Acknowledged universally, the music label “Awesome Tapes from Africa” started as a simple blog in 2006. The American label, stationed in Los Angeles, was founded by Brian Shimkovitz. At the time, Shimkovitz had just returned from his Fulbright scholarship in Ghana, where he discovered a treasure trove of various music genres distributed on casset
Unstoppable Melody: Unveiling the Charm of Tim Maia’s 1973 Masterpiece
An enchanting blend of Brazilian music and American soul in the 1973 eponymous album by Tim Maia conveys the genius of this pioneering artist in full glory. This collection of songs, the fourth in a series of Maia’s self-titled albums, was initially launched by Polydor Brazil and holds a special place of adoration amidst critics […]
Zena: Future Sounds of Ethiopia – Anchi Bale Gamé (2025)
Zena, the vibrant musical collaboration between keyboardist and synth player, Yohan Kebede of the London-based septet, Kokoroko, and British bassist and producer, Menelik, has become renowned for redefining the perimeters of ethio-jazz. The two musicians are united by their shared passion for Ethiopian heritage and music. Together, they are reimagining and r
Blending the Traditional and Modern: The Rising Star of Yussef Dayes
Emerging as an instrumental figure in the contemporary jazz scene, Yussef Dayes, a drummer and record producer, is known for his unique ability to blend diverse musical influences into a harmonious mesh of sound. Notorious for his collaborations with Minami Kizuki, Kamaal Williams, Tom Misch, and others, Yussef has been at the forefront of several […]
Gasper Lawal: The Percussive Symphony Behind Ajomasé
Gasper Lawal, the Nigerian-born master drummer, has etched his unique ‘Afriki’ sound into the heart of global music since he emigrated to the UK in the 1970s. His innovative rock-jazz-fusion style, blended with Nigerian percussive elements, has enriched many renowned collaborations, including ones with luminaries like Ginger Baker’s Air For
Revival of Tidiani Koné and T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo’s 1977 West African Masterpiece
A musical ensemble originating from Benin, T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, led by Mélomé Clément, is ready to allure an international audience with their genre-blending compositions. The music’s essence is rooted in Benin’s coastal town of Cotonou from the latter part of the 1960s into the initial phase of the 80s. The ensemble, with its versatili