African

Originally released in 1980 on the Alberika label, Orchestre Les Volcans du Benin Vol. 1 has long been a 'holy grail' LP for Afro-Cuban aficionados. It now sees its first official reissue on Acid Jazz Records, with four infectious tracks across the two sides, including Oya Ka Jojo - Latin dancefloor dynamite and a DJ must-have. Remastered by Nick Robbins at Sound Mastering and presented in a wonderful colour sleeve, it's an opportunity to finally own this special and highly sought-after LP. Afro-Cuban music is some of the most infectiously joyous music out, do yourself a solid on this one!

Lagos, Nigeria-based brass band, Obadikah is a group of seven old friends who gather to play in churches of Logos’ Ikeja and Isale Eko districts. They include founding members of the Eko Brass Band, who’ve played with the best of Nigeria’s long-rooted reggae bands. Their tunes are based on Yoruban melodies “often sung at bed-time” and it’s fair to say there’s a nursery rhyme charm to songs such as Iwo Ore Mi, which is sung in Yoruba to deliciously woozy and shuffling backdrops. A very special Brass-heavy release from London's legendary label Honest Jon's.

Hedzoleh Soundz were one of the first and most original 'Afro' bands from 1970s Ghana, mixing traditional African music and western rock. In late 1973 Fela Kuti introduced them to South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela. Unfortunately, this record was recorded right before the meeting and was overshadowed by their joint afro-jazz classic LP 'Masekela - Introducing Hedzoleh'. The self-titled LP 'Hedzoleh' has since vanished from the public domain despite the success of the band's collaboration with Hugh Masekela... until now! Gorgeous Ghanian afro-jazz for any and all joyful occasions.

Written after a trip home to Swaziland, now known as eSwatini, the Brownswood Future Bubblers artist Sydney recorded the sounds of life there after completing studies of sonic signatures and comparison of traditional instruments around the world. Oozing with an authentic and rich atmosphere, Sydney has crafted seven deep and spiritual cuts with indigenous percussion, tumbling drums and rich spoken word samples. Broken beats with drifting sax lines, horizontal deep house and jazzy hip-hop all contribute to making this an ode to a special place, and people. BIG recommend!

Habibi Funk co-founder Jannis Stuertz first came across this record that he called "the Holy Grail of Sudanese funk" while browsing eBay a while back. Interest piqued, he went to Sudan and tracked down these musicians whose ridiculously rare LP was selling for thousands of pounds online. Some four years later, Stuertz's wish to reissue the record has finally come through. It was originally recorded in Kuwait in 1980 and brilliantly joins the dots between American funk, soul and rhythm and blues, traditional Sudanese vocals and rhythmic arrangements, and even a dash of Congolese soukous. Wow.

Initially released in 1982, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley's sophomore album is now regarded as a boogie-era Highlife classic. Long out of press, the album features the Ghanaian star brilliantly joining the dots between disco-funk, jazz-funk, intoxicating slow jams, calypso, dub reggae and his beloved highlife. Highlights come thick and fast throughout, with standouts including heavy percussion jam "Simigwa", the boogie-dub skank of "Adwoa", the down-low grooves of "Walking Down The Street" and the killer disco highlife anthem "It's Highlife". Simply essential.

As its title suggests, Analog Africa has compiled the band's work across the lion's share of the 70s. Tracks like 'Hot Coffee' and '2nd Avenue' are irresistibly, instantly groovy, but overall there is also a fascinating sonic crossroads where African jit music meets the funk and soul of the US. All are executed in the most natural, free-flowing style, which makes this package even harder to resist. Gorgeous comp from one the best African music reissue labels.

After a few mega EP's, Kokoroko finally deliver their expansive and rich debut release on Giles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings label. Incredibly joyous compositions that beg to be heard live pull oodles of inspiration from the highlife and jazz sounds of West Africa, the Afrobeat and psych-funk sounds of the 70s and plenty of modern broken beat styles that have been perfected in their home city of London. Guaranteed to brighten up your day. Stunner! LTD edition on beaut blue vinyl.

Recorded between Kyoto, Tokyo, Bath, Freetown and London, Duval Timothy's own Carrying Colour label reissues this incredible hyper-contemporary jazz album. His own solo piano and layered instrumentals form the backbone of each track and are often bookended with intimate Whatsapp voice notes from family and friends in Sierra Leone. A very special and unique release from an artist who's this year played on and produced four tracks on Kendrick Lamar's latest double album. Comes as a two-tone dipped vinyl!

Another terrific release from Gut's live band on Heavenly Sweetness, this time leaning into Afro and Brazilian jazz-funk. Totally joyous and carefree rhythm, this is made for the beach or a sunny dance floor. Worth the pickup alone for the jazz flute and drum breaks on 'Daddy Sweet'... Ooofff!

This 1983 cult classic Belgian Electro-Afro-fusion LP from Crammed Disc gets an overdue reissue! Constantly being (re)discovered by generations of fans, musicians and DJs, this record was once described as "Fela Kuti-meets-Kraftwerk-on-the-dancefloor!". Landmark stuff for multiple genres here!

The first-ever compilation to focus on the phenomenon of ‘Burger Highlife', a blending of West African melodies with synthesizers, disco and boogie that took over Ghanaian airwaves from the 80s. Loaded with critical tracks and obscure gems, this is as much a historical artefact as it is a must-have for DJs and music lovers.

Fantastic Afro-Cuban four-track release with the highly sought-after tracks 'Gnekelhe Mohi' and 'Temedy' by Orchestre Massako with Amara Touré on vocals. The label added two tracks (and the album cover) from the band's super rare 'VOL.1' LP from an obscure Nigerian label. Highly addictive grooves from Gabon (West Africa). Biggest tip!!

A monumental collaboration between two of music's most influential innovators and performers, created from a Nigerian tour in '79 with Ayers opening up for Kuti... Essential!