TURNTABLE LAB

Amerigo Gazaway
Fela Soul: Fela Kuti vs De La Soul EP

classic rap meets afrobeat

Just as the clever title suggests, Fela Soul pairs De La Soul acapellas with Fela's afrobeat rhythms. Gummy Soul artist Amerigo Gazaway hand picks samples from the legendary Nigerian musician - expect lots of funky horn and guitar riffs - and layers them under verses from De La gems like "Stakes Is High(1)," "Trouble In The Water(2)," "Ooh(3)," "Rock Co.Kane Flow(4)," "Itsoweezee(5)," and "Breakadawn(6)," and the album offers a completely new way to enjoy classic sounds.
reviewed by nakinboots

file under:
latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk + soul + latin + disco / new vinyl - hip-hop / vinyl new arrivals / and more

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Black Truth Rhythm Band
Ifetayo (180 Gram w/ Bonus 7" & FREE Mp3 Download) LP

deep afrobeat gem repressed on 180g

Another incredible afrobeat gem repressed by the good folks at Soundway. Ifetayo is the only album ever released by Black Truth Rhythm Band, a super rare and sought-after piece originally released in 1976. The group was led by Oluko Imo (who would would eventually play in Fela's Africa 80 band) and are rooted in super heavy afro vibes. Just check the shakin' funk grooves of "Umbala(1)," "Ifetayo(2)," the tropical flavor of "Aspire(3)," or the deep rhythms of "You People(4)" and "Kilamanjaro(5)" for a taste. Pressed on beautiful 180g vinyl with bonus 7" featuring a non-album bonus cut. Not to be missed for fans of afro sounds!Recommended.
reviewed by Extravagant Traveler

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - albums / funk + soul + latin + disco / and more

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Canadoes Dance Band & Mpese Mpese Band
Highlife Underground (Sofrito & DrumTalk Edits) 12"

highlife edits

The Sofrito crew joins forces with London's DrumTalk for a couple of pumping Highlife edits aimed straight at the dancefloor. Loving the hype energy on the modernized remix of Mpese Mpese Band's "Mpese Theme(1)" from DrumTalk that's sure to set off the party with chopped samples and fat bass, while Sofrito give a subtle rework to Canadoes Dance Band's "Fine Woman(2)" that will spread feel good vibes all across the floor.
reviewed by Extravagant Traveler

file under:
funk soul disco 12" / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk + soul + latin + disco / re-edits - disco + italo + cosmic + rockish / and more

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DJ Dus
Pssy Marijuana Cumbow (Brazilian Girls) 7"

rmx of Brazilian Girls hit

Cumbia specialist DJ Dus drops an ingenious DJ-friendly remix of the Brazilian Girls' hit "P*ssy." Is there a better chorus in the history of ganja-music? B-side goes deeper into the Cumbia crates for a drum-enhanced version of Andres Landero's "Cuando Lo Negro Sea Bellow(2)." Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / new disco / cosmic / edits - reviewer recommended / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / dance + house + new disco + electro + nujazz / and more

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Fela Kuti
Beasts Of No Nation 12"

gems from the Fela catalog on 12"

Paul Nickerson and Francis Englehardt continue their mission to re- introduce the world to the timeless music of the past with another highly limited 12" release on Slow To Speak, this time from the genius of Fela Kuti. Fela is the king of afro-beat and really needing no introduction and here we have two semi-hidden gems that wouldn't exactly be the most obvious jams (sleepers!) from his prolific career. Check the 16 and half minute monster "Beasts Of No Nation (1)" and the slow burner "Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am(2)." Super high quality pressing with screen printed covers. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / funk soul disco 12" / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco

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Fela Kuti
Vinyl Box Set #1 (Compiled by ?uestlove)

contains six of Fela's most sampled and covered albums

Recalling his first encounter with Fela Kuti's music, ?uestlove, the curator of this 6-LP boxset, mentions how delighted he was to discover such "rhythmically funky" African music. Further, in reference to the first Fela song he heard, "Sorrow Tears & Blood," ?questo is amazed at how intertwined the afro-beat master's life was with his music, something akin to the story of hip-hop. The Roots drummer goes to to accept and embrace the influence of Kuti's sound in hip-hop, soul, and r&b, and as he cites specifics - "whether it's his melodic structure, the counter guitar parts clashing against each other, the syncopated slow rhythm, the strong horns" - he explains why he chose Expensive Shit, Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense, Beats Of No Nation, Sorrow, Tears & Blood, Fear Not For Man, and Everything Scatter for this boxset; because they contain songs that were sampled and covered most. If you're unfamiliar with Fela Kuti's music, this release is the perfect place to start, and for fans and collectors, this is an opportunity to own some of the Afro-beat records in a well packaged set. Contains 1986 concert poster, color booklet with detailed liner notes, lyrics, and photos. Recommended.
reviewed by nakinboots

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps / funk soul disco / and more

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George Danquah
Hot And Jumpy (w/ FREE MP3 Download) LP

rare funk and high life sounds from Ghana

Another rare piece of wax rescued from obscurity by the good folks at Secret Stash. This time it is George Danquah's Hot And Jumpy, a sought-after slice of 70's funk and high life from Ghana. Obviously these rare Ghanian records go for loot (original copies of this one go for upwards of $300), so get with this fully licensed, exact reissue at the nice price! Danquah honed his skills playing with many of Ghana's top bands (including Benya Beats, Blue Monks, Uhuru Dance Band, etc) before releasing the incredible sounds on Hot And Jumpy. The album is much more diverse than the usual Ghana LP from this time and includes funk bombs like "Just For A Moment(1)," and "Araba Soso Wo Ndzema(2)," to mellow reggae vibes like "African Reggae(3)," classic high life styles on "Why Worry - Let's Do Highlife(4)," and unique fusions like "Mbesiafo(5)," and "Chain Of Love(6)." Must have for collectors of funky African sounds. Hand numbered copies with MP3 download card too. Recommended.
reviewed by Extravagant Traveler

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - albums / vinyl with free mp3 / and more

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Kid Gusto
BSTRD Boots, Vol.15 EP

cumbia reworks for the floor

LA producer/DJ Kid Gusto is tapped for the 15th volume of Brooklyn's BSTRD Boots series and he's coming strapped with that latin heat. Right out the gate he drops a killer version of Afrosound's "Tiro El Blanco(1)," a track that's been popping up on mixes and other cumbia edit records lately, and with good reason - the track is the bomb! Kid Gusto adds some new drums to it for extra bang on the dancefloor. A similar rework treatment is given to "Angola(2)" with fat boom baps added for more of a head nod feel. On the flip "La Zenaida(3)" gets a subtle bump, while "Safari Salvaje(4)" murders with powerful breaks, big horns, and tropical chants galore. Recommended.
reviewed by Extravagant Traveler

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / downtempo + electronic - recommended / midtempo - vinyl / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / and more

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Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
The 1st Album (1973) LP

rare recordings from prolific Benise Afrobeat band

First in the new Analog Africa - Limited Dance Edition series, The 1st Album showcases rare tracks from Orchestre Poly-Rhthmo, one of the most prolific Benise Afrobeat bands. Benin, a West African nation nestled in between Nigeria and Ghana, is credited with having birthed "some of the most raw and psychedelic Afro sounds," and OPR's first LP is one of the country's rarest and one of its best works of music. The story goes, it took the band 2 tries to record The 1st Album - the first edition, which contained "far too much background noise," was rejected and, OPR was able to put out an official release only after getting rid of "an obnoxious organ amplifier". This recording from Analog Africa contains the two tracks from the REJECTED first recording, as well as two tracks from the official vinyl, all composed by Vincent Ahehehinnou (legendary Benin Afrobeat/funk artist) in 1973. Heavy Afrobeat business for sure, highly recommended for fans.
reviewed by nakinboots

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco

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Orlando Julius
Disco Hi-Life 12"

ultra rare Nigerian disco

Excellent example of late 70's disco from Nigeria and with the popularity of disco and those Nigerian Soundway compilations these days, this reissue couldn't have come out at a better time. Orlando Julius is a legend in Nigeria and a pioneer of the afro soul scene (who worked with other legends like Hugh Masekela and even co-produced and wrote Lamont Dozier's "Going Back To My Roots"). On "Disco Hi-Life(1)" he combines the vibes of Hi-Life with funky disco sensibilities for an irresistible jam for the dancefloor. Check those sweet horns, keys, and bass that'll get people feeling good. This repress comes with the original '79 version as well as Percussion Edit(2) and bonus beat, which is just the stripped down drums. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / funk soul disco 12" / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco / and more

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Os Mutantes
Mutantes (180g) LP

classic brazilian counterculture music

If Mutantes' first album sounded like a bunch of Brazilian teenagers mashing up the Beatles and Marcos Valle while tripping on acid, their second LP sounds like the band falling completely over the edge. While the Baptistas didn't abandon their pop sensibilities altogether with Mutantes, the structure and bubblegum feel of their debut feels largely stripped away. Instead, songs like the spacey and vocodered "Dia 36(1)" and the layered "Dois Mil e Um(2)" feel like mini-suites, compact rock operas where Mutantes could accomplish in 3 or 4 minutes what took other bands 10. Of course, there's still the light-hearted "Rita Lee" and fuzzed-out "Magica(3)," not to mention the short and sweet "Algo Mais(4)" which probably could have been a hit in the US; if it weren't in Portuguese. In my humble opinion, this record comes in a close second to the debut record, but at the same time I can't deny the stoned beauty of the pair of closing tracks, "Qualquer Bobagem(5)" and "Caminhante Noturno." Nevermind the fact that the Omplatten reissue of this CD has been fetching major bucks on eBay – if you haven't heard Mutantes' first three albums, you owe it to yourself! 11 tracks, 42+ minutes.
reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red

file under:
latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - albums / funk soul disco

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Paper/Upper/Cuts
Illa Killa Yellow Space (colored vinyl, silk-screened cover) LP

orchestral tropical bass music

Paper/Upper/Cuts, aka Portland, Oregon's David "Papi" Fimbres, creates orchestral tropical bass music. It's pretty intriguing material. Here's what the label, Boomarm Nation, has to say: As an accomplished percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Fimbres wields an arc of pure infectious energy, and a rare cosmic control over the rhythmic and melodic spectrum. A deep exploration of Ancient and Future musics: The outcome falls somewhere between blissful dubbed out club music, ranchero taqueria jazz, and the musings of a Mayan Sun Ra composing for a tropical orchestra of synths, flutes, horns, and beats. Gulls contributes a remix of "Glacial Palms(1)" to round out the release. Special edition of 300 Marbled Yellow 12" records, packaged in beautiful letter pressed jackets.
reviewed by The Voice

file under:
latin + brazilian + afrobeat / new school beats - vinyl / downtempo + electronic - all / new disco / cosmic / edits / and more

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V/A
Bambara Mystic Soul: The Raw Sound of Burkina Faso 1974-1979 2LP

sahel psych-rock and afro-funk

For its commemorative 10th release, Analog Africa indulges in Burkina Faso, one of the jewels of the Sahel, a harsh and arid strip that straddles the southern Sahara, stretching from Dakar in the west to Djibouti in the east. Formerly known as Haute Volta, Burkina Faso's sound was organized and nurtured during the country's time as part of a vast patchwork making up French colonial West Africa. The raw sound of Burkina Faso combined Afro-Funk, traditional Islamic rhythms and subtle Afro-Latin sounds brought over by visiting Cuban ensembles. Mandingue melodies and guitar techniques from Mali and Guinea, however, were by far the most defining traits of a potent African mix that distinguished the Voltaic style between 1974 and 1979. Check out cuts from Afro-Soul System, legendary singer Amadou Ballake, Compaore Issouf, Orchestre CVD, Mangue Konde, Mamo Lagbema, and more spread over 2 lps. 16 tracks total, recommended.

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - albums / funk + soul + latin + disco / and more

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V/A
Black Man's Cry: The Inspiration of Fela Kuti Box Set 4x10"

covers and music inspired by the godfather of afro-beat

It's pretty common knowledge that Fela Kuti created afro-beat. His influence on not only that genre, but untold others is undeniable. This collection of Fela covers (approved by his estate) and Fela-inspired songs has been lovingly compiled by Egon and released by Now Again, who really know how to do it up when it comes to compilations. To wit: This box set contains four 10" records, as well as a large-format booklet that's filled with stories, liner notes and never-before-seen photos of Fela Kuti. This is an excellent celebration of not only Fela and his music, but the music he inspired in others. Recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / stones throw shop / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps / and more

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V/A
Brazilian Guitar Fuzz Bananas: Tropicalia Psychedelic Masterpieces 1967-1976 2LP

masterclass in brazilian psych and Tropicalia, pick

From the same people that brought you the hugely popular Psych Funk 101 comes this master class for those entranced by the funky, heavy psychedelic wonders of the Tropicalia movement and all that it spawned. But as compiler Joel Stones writes in his liner notes: "You won't find Os Mutantes or their maestro Rogerio Duprat on this compilation. There is a reason that the records contained here have never been reissued. Even though you will recognize some of the labels contained here... believe me when I write this: some of the rarest, and best, examples of fuzzy, funky Brazilian psychedelia came out as promo-only 7" records on these labels." Each song contained on this album has never been reissued, and has been restored from the best source possible and remastered for near-perfect sound quality. The 48 page full color booklet contains a wealth of imagery and detailed annotation and liner notes in both English and Portuguese. Artists include Celio Balona, Loyce E Os Gnomes, The Youngsters, Serguei, Fabio, Tony E Som Colorido, 14 Bis, Banda De 7 Legues, Ton E Sergio, Ely, Com Os Falcoes Reais, Marisa Rossi, The Pops, Loyce E Os Gnomes, Piry and Mac Rybell. In addition this enhanced CD, features the documentary What Are Fuzz Bananas?. Highly recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / stones throw shop / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps / and more

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V/A
Colombia: The Golden Age of Discos Fuentes 1960-76 2LP

various latin styles from Colombia's oldest imprint

All the info you need on this one is right in the title: hand-picked by those crafty Soundway folks (who did that cool Panama comp last year), this import-only 2LP features 17 gems from the vaults of Colombia's largest and longest-running record label, Discos Fuentes. Just like the label, this comp contains a wide variety of Latin styles (cumbia, salsa, calypso, gaita, etc.), but there are outside influences popping up all over - just check the psychedelic harmonies on Frunk y Sus Tesos' "Improvisando(1)." Los Corraleros de Majagual's 10+ minute descarga take on "El Mondongo(2)" is pretty spicy, but nothing here begs to be chopped by a DJ like Pedro Laza's horn-heavy "La Picua(3)." Also check Michi Sarmiento's "Hong Kong(4)" and the wild cumbia of "La Piojosa(5)" - "The Flea-Bitten Woman." This is the type of thing we could throw on all day long in the office and nobody would complain. Recommended.
reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps / funk + soul + latin + disco / and more

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V/A
Lagos Disco Inferno 2LP

obscure Nigerian disco and funk

At this point, we've seen so many compilations of Nigerian music from the 70s that it's hard to imagine that there could be more gems to unearth, but somehow the folks at Academy managed to get their hands on these obscure tracks. This set focuses on boogie, funk and disco from Lagos. Some of it sounds rough and a little wild, like Doris Ebong's "Boogie Trip(1)," or Asiko Rock Group's "Everybody Get Down(2)." Others, though, feature a smooth groove, like Geraldo Pino's instrumental hit "African Hustle(3)," or Paradise Stars' "Boogie Train(4)." Other tracks worth checking out include Grotto's "Bad City Girl(5)," MFB's "Boredom Pain(6)," and Christy Essien's "Take Life Easy(7)." 12 tracks total on two LPs, packaged in a gatefold pic sleeve with detailed liner notes.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps / funk soul disco

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V/A
Psych-Funk 101: A Global Psychedelic Funk Curriculum 1968-1975 2LP

pick, supreme collection of psyche-funk from all around the world

This is a record collector's wet dream. Here's 14 impossibly rare psyche-funk gems from around the world with many unexpected sources like Istanbul, Seoul, Rome, Beirut, Cairo, Moscow, etc. The musical quality and beat sensibilities (drum breaks galore) are ridiculously high here, every track is a revelation (that Korean joint is my shit!). In addition, the in-depth linear notes, complete with original cover shots, reads like an issue of Wax Poetics. Highly recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / stones throw shop / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps / and more

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V/A
Salsa Explosion!: The New York Salsa Revolution 1968-1985 2LP

comp of essential salsa from a legendary new york label's catalog

With its place in the history of Latin American music as one of the most important labels, Fania released countless classic recordings. Beginning in the 60s, as New York was witnessing a clash and fusion of cultures - Cuban, Argentine, Colombian, Puerto Rican, and other Latin styles were coming together with American jazz and r&b - the imprint was at the forefront of the musical revolution and did much to "congregate and nurture its many artists and market the records for what they were: indispensable." Names like Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe as well as Panamian song writer Ruben Blades established themselves early as the musicial and lyrical nucleus of Fania, and "their recordings of the '70s and '80s represent the apex of the salsa movement, taking Afro-Caribbean music to unprecedented heights of vision and creativity." Needless to say, every track on this release captures fully the "moving, heart-wrenching, soulful and devastatingly funky" style that is salsa, but make sure to check out "Che Che Cole(1)," "El Todopoderoso(2)," "Mama Guela(3)," "Guaguanco Arsenio(4)," "Do You Feel It (Tu Lo Sientes)(5)," "Bomba Carambomba(6)," "A Mi Nena(7)," and "Todo Tiene Su Final(8)." 2lp, gatefold sleeve with detailed liner notes, images/description of the original pressings of the tracks included. Recommended.
reviewed by nakinboots

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps / funk soul disco

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V/A
Samba Rock #3 EP

The Samba-Rock movement continues to renovate and renew itself after all these decades from its Sao Paulo stronghold. Never a media darling like Tropicalia has been, its basis in time-honored musical traditions also means that it'll never be as fashionable and marketable in the post-hip hop world as Baile Funk. Whatever the case, this highly limited 12" EP series manages to be both enlightening and puzzling simultaneously, and is all the more recommended for it. Vol. 3 features an extended Jorge Ben medley(1) from an uncertain source, presumably a live recording of more recent vintage (JB being, of course, the all time God of this particular sub-genre). A band calling themselves Quem Sabe Samba also does a good version of the Os Originais Do Samba classic "Buchicho(2)." And DJ Tadeu (of 50 Cent/samba mashup notoriety) strikes again with a combo(3) of the soul classic "Stay" by the Controllers with Jair Oliveira's 2004 tune "Tiro Onda." Releases like these are usually of a blink-and-you'll-miss-it variety and these are even more so than most, so buy now or curse yourself later. (Sorry, no sales to Brazil).
reviewed by greg caz

file under:
latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps / funk soul disco

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V/A
Sofrito: Tropical Discotheque Limited 12"

latin and afro funk for the dancefloor

Special 12" sampler from Strut's excellent Sofrito comp featuring one of the many standout cuts ("Je Ne Bois Pas Beaucoup(1) " by Les Ya Toupas Du Zaire) plus an exclusive edit from the Sofrito DJs of Lord Shorty's "Sweet Music(2)." Must have for the latin/tropical/afro crate! Recommended.

reviewed by Extravagant Traveler

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco

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