Afrobeat 23 Items

The Villain I Never Was is the debut studio album from Ghanaian singer and rapper, Black Sherif. Originally released on October 6, 2022, the 14-track album was supported by five singles, “Second Sermon (Remix),” “Soja,” “45,” “Konongo Zongo,” & the smash hit, “Kwaku The Traveller,” which debuted at number 2 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart. Since the release of The Villain I Never Was, Black Sherif’s career has seen considerable growth and accolades, such as Artist of the Year (Ghana Music Awards UK 2022), West African Artist of the Year (The Headies 2023), & Best International Flow (bet Hip-Hop Awards 2023). Now for the first time, fans are able to enjoy this momentous album on vinyl. First pressing limited to 500 copies worldwide.

Mukatsuku back on the Afro funk vibe with two exclusive instrumental tracks from legendary Ghanian artist Gyedu Blay Ambolley .Both tracks originally appeared in vocal form from the Austrian label Agogo 'Ketan' album from 2017 .
A couple of timeless & exclusive infectious afro funk instrumentals that work just aswell with lashings of organ and brass stabs with hypnotic driving rhythm guitar. Only 300 hand numbered & pressed on 180 gram wax.

" Brand new vinyl reissue to celebrate the 40the anniversary of zouk pioneers Kassav’ .

Who hasn’t retained at least one memory of the group Kassav’ from their youth? For whether in concert, or onthe radio or TV, the image of Kassav’ remains vivid inthe minds of listeners and spectators.

The group,founded in 1979 by Jacob Desvarieux, Georges andPierre-Edouard Décimus, has become legendary, putting Guadeloupe and Martinique on the musicalmap of the world. Touring the world with zouk, amusical movement introduced and popularized by Kassav’, their albums have repeatedly been rewarded with both gold and platinum discs .A victim of Covid in 2021, the loss of Jacob Desvarieux leaves a huge void. The mix of Jacob Des varieux and George Decimus with Jocelyne Béroard, Jean-Philippe Marthély, Patrick Saint-Éloi and Jean-Claude Naimro has played soldout concerts in 82 countries. With texts recounting reallife in the Caribbean world their lively music draws on the rhythms of Guadeloupe’s gwo-ka and Martinique’sti-bwa. Transcending the well-defined codes of Caribbean music, they have turned the 1980s and all the succeeding decades into a fabulous ballroom.

They have been welcomed in Japan and the Ussr, where they became the first group of black musicians to tour. Forty years after the group’s creation, their timeless hits continue to resonate. "

Words from Discothèque Tropicale: Guadeloupe’s Manix is a self taught musician drawing inspiration from traditional Caribbean Folk and Beguine, to Salsa, Reggae and beyond. In 1980 Manix met the group ‘Tamtam 2000’ in Mulhouse, France. Embarking on many worldwide tours, Manix cemented his place in the group with 'Ti Cherie’ becoming a global hit beloved throughout the Antilles, Cape Verde, and La Réunion. Describing his singular philosophy of inciting joy ”At this moment I realised quickly that the simple act of playing wasn't just about one’s own satisfaction, but rather the need to create and share music”.

Browsing the French Football Federation's website, Dijon’s ‘Under Radaar’ was able to track down Manix as he was once the match report coordinator for his club ‘Red Star Richwiller’. It’s now our pleasure to share his music once again.

Words from Manix: "Now in my 70s, what a joy it is to discover my songs now being loved in new parts of the world that I could never have imagined them spreading to in the mad 80s. A reissue is like a renaissance, a second wind that reaffirms my believe that both music and love will never die”

We are so excited to share our debut release which has already received support from Antal, Hunee and Palms Trax.

Anthology of Zamrock musician Mike Nyoni’s funky, psych-rock and folkloric 1970s recordings Zambian guitarist and singer/songwriter Mike Nyoni’s music is Zamrock only because he came of age during the countryís rock revolution. He preferred wah-wah to fuzz guitar, James Brown to Jimi Hendrix. His 70s recordings - often politically charged, and ranging from despondent to exuberant - are amongst the funkiest on the African continent. He was also one of the only Zamrock musicians to see his music contemporaneously issued in Europe. This anthology collates works from his three 70s LPs - his first, with the Born Free band, and his two solo albums Kawalala and I Can’t Understand You - and presents a singular Zambian musician on par with celebrated artists Rikki Ililonga, Keith Mlevhu and Paul Ngozi.

Nanga Boko Records is very proud to present you "Njitna !" ("I'm Coming" in Bamoun
vernacular langage of Cameroun), the official compilation of the finest early recordings (1979/1980) of the Cameroonian composer & musician Théodore Mounta, known on scene as "Ometh".
Deluxe hand-numbered edition, limited to 500, includes a bonus track never released on vinyl before!
Each record comes with an insert that includes exclusive pictures and very detailed biographies in both English and French languages and an HQ Digital Download Card.
Approved by the artist himself, 100 % legit, all 8 tracks are under exclusive license of Nanga Boko Records.

Sleeve Records & Dig This Way teamed back to bring to light the history and the tracks of this iconic early 70' Psychedelic Afro-funk East Nigeria group.
The Hygrades's album will include all 4 rare 45"s united in a single LP with an insert of their story told by a true Uchenna narrator.

Classic South African house / Kwaito album on vinyl for the first time ! Originally released on CD in 1995, this album which is associated with the birth of South African street music genre – ‘Kwaito’ and dance/dress style ‘Pantsula’ is now remastered for vinyl from the original tapes – resulting in the best sounding version of the recording to date.

Regarded as one of the earliest full length Kwaito albums, ‘Sigiya Ngengoma’ was released just one year into South Africa’s new democracy in 1995. Characterised by ‘mid-tempo’ beats, heavy bass hooks, adapted breakdancing and vocals in informal Zulu and other South African languages; ‘Sigiya Ngengoma’ would form a critical part of the South African street music movement that now has its own fashion, crews and dance style.

It helped post-democratic South Africa define its own musical identity and would pave the way for other Kwaito releases that ultimately led to the emergence of Amapiano years later.

1981. A new South African band is making waves. Produced by the team “Van Blerk/Roos & Greg Cutler", it includes succulent voices and melodies, psychedelic Moog, Fender Rhodes surrounded by some Afro-folky guitars. This album is definitely a winner. Between 1972 and 1973 Poy-Poy Makhubela appeared on 4 singles with The Young Movers produced by David Thekwane. In 1975, as a lead guitarist, he decided to bring together four musicians to form the band Unity. Jeff Radine (Fender Rhodes, Moog), George Legobye (bass), Edward Modiselle (percussion) and Robert Moema (drum). The members were all from the group The Sound Jaws, except Jeff Radine who was with Rugare and played with Harari, Chicco, The Black Five or Prince Nico. In 1978, after hearing Unity playing in a club, Mike Tswai joined the band as a manager. Poy-Poy has gone on to have a long career, touring the world and playing with some of the South African’s greats including Brenda Fassie, Don Laka, Blondie & Pappa, Dorothy Masuka as well as Kwaito bands like Alaska, Boom Shaka or Trompies.

Soundway presents a collection of 18 burger highlife, electronic afrobeat and reggae tracks, highlighting a time when the burgeoning Ghanaian diaspora across Europe and North America was utilising new music technology and recording techniques. A period of movement, emigration and innovation. The dawn of the 80s saw an increase in emigration following a period of political upheaval at home, with many Ghanaians moving to Europe - especially Germany - to find work. Musicians recording both at home and abroad began to blend highlife with outside influences, taking inspiration from US disco and boogie, European new wave and Caribbean zouk and soca, reflecting new surroundings and cementing musical connections forged in London, Hamburg, Toronto and New York. Ghana Special celebrates this key period of musical innovation and cultural exchange that redefined the parameters of Ghanaian music and accelerated the cultural exchange between West Africa and Europe. Features rarities from legends including Pat Thomas, Rex Gyamfi and Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and deep cuts from lesser known artists like Abdul Raheem, Starlite and The Godfathers. Includes extended liner notes, original covers and neverbefore-seen photos. Gatefold 3LP includes deluxe 8pg booklet; 2CD is 6-panel wallet including 24pg booklet.

Hot Casa Records present Togo Soul 2: Selected Rare Togolese Recordings from 1974 to 1989 .

A treasure-trove of rare and unusual recordings mostly recorded in Lomé during the 70’s and 80’s . A fusion of traditional voodoo chants, raw soul and even Electro Funk . Finding these tracks and their rights holders hasn’t become any easier even after few trips all over this west African country bordered by Ghana , Benin & Burkina Faso. After 8 years, We , at Hot Casa Records with the kind help of Roger Damawuzan decided to select thirteen tracks, a snapshot of some hundreds of rare and often forgotten tapes from the most prolific, professional and exciting phase of the country’s recording history included international stars like Akofa Akoussah, Gregoire Lawani to Roger Damawuzan compared as the James Brown from Lomé to forgotten tapes and brilliant songs in Mina, Kabyié and Fon language.

Many of the tracks featured here are peppered with innovation and experimentation highlighting how diverse, the music scene in Togo was at the time even if the political context influenced their creation. Many of the original albums these tracks are taken from high prices online due to their rarity and so it’s with great pleasure that we present a selection here that evokes a golden boomtime in Togolese music history. Includes biographies and rare photos Remastered by Frank Merritt at The Carvery