Category Archives: African Roots
ANERAH YASOLE-IDENTIFICATION E.P.
ANERAH YASOLE-IDENTIFICATION E.P. It’s been a while since we last heard from Offering Recordings. At last, the wait is over. They return with one of their best releases so far, Anerah Yasole’s debut E.P. Identification which will be released soon. Identification is a seven-track E.P. This includes six versions of Fazer Amor, which features the …
EBO TAYLOR-EBO TAYLOR.
EBO TAYLOR-EBO TAYLOR. In the history of Ghanian music, Ebo Taylor is a pivotal figure. Best described as an innovator, Ebo Taylor’s music would influence the further generations of Ghanian musicians. However, Ebo was much more than a musician. He was also a songwriter, arranger, producer and bandleader. Ebo Taylor has done it all, and …
THE RITCHIE FAMILY-AFRICAN QUEENS.
THE RITCHIE FAMILY-AFRICAN QUEENS. Just like The Ritchie Family’s three previous albums, their fourth album, 1977s African Queens which will be rereleased by Gold Legion on 27th July 2o13, was a disco concept album. Their 1975 Latin-tinged debut album Brazil was The Ritchie Family’s most successful album. Brazil, which featured The Sweethearts of Sigma’s vocals …
PETER KING-MILIKI SOUND.
PETER KING-MILIKI SOUND. It’s almost ironic that Peter King, one of Nigeria’s best musicians, is better known in Europe and America than in his home country. Peter King’s is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most talented musicians. His name is synonymous with his Miliki Sound, a captivating fusion of African musical genres and influences. …
CORNELL CAMPBELL MEETS THE SOOTHSAYERS-NOTHING CAN STOP US NOW.
CORNELL CAMPBELL MEETS THE SOOTHSAYERS-NOTHING CAN STOP US NOW. When it comes to musical collaborations, they often, bring out the best in musicians. Especially, when you bring together musicians from diverse musical backgrounds. Often, they drive each other to greater heights. This was the case with previous installments of Strut Records Inspiration Information series. Sly …
PAUL RANDOLPH-SOLDIER.
PAUL RANDOLPH-SOLDIER. For many people, the first time they heard of Paul Randolph, was when they heard his track Soldier on the eight-track Offering Recordings Ade Sampler 2012. Paul Randolph was in good company, given the artists that featured on Offering Recordings Ade Sampler 2012. Idrissa Sissoko, Ade Alafia Adio, Sage Monk, Mammy Wata and …
THE RITCHIE FAMILY-AFRICAN QUEENS.
THE RITCHIE FAMILY-AFRICAN QUEENS. Just like The Ritchie Family’s three previous albums, their fourth album, 1977s African Queens was a disco concept album. Their 1975 Latin-tinged debut album Brazil was The Ritchie Family’s most successful album. Brazil, which featured The Sweethearts of Sigma’s vocals set the bar high for The Ritchie Family’s future albums. Critically …
MUSIC FOR DANCEFLOORS-THE KPM MUSIC LIBRARY (DELUXE EDITION).
MUSIC FOR DANCEFLOORS-THE KPM MUSIC LIBRARY. Ever since the dawn of hip hop, library music has proved a source of inspiration for sample-hungry hip hop producers and crate-digging DJs alike. Library music has also proven popular with music lovers with discerning musical tastes. Little did the founders of Chappell, Bosworth and KPM Music realize the …
BODDHI SATVA FEATURING OUMOU SANGARE-NGNARI KONON.
BODDHI SATVA FEATURING OUMOU SANGARE-NGNARI KONON. It’s hard to believe, nearly a year has passed, since Boddhi Satva released his critically acclaimed debut album Invocation, on BBE Music. Not only was Invocation Boddhi Satva’s debut album, but it introduced many people to some of Africa’s finest and most talented musicians and singers. This includes Freddy …
CHANGE THE BEAT-THE CELLULOID RECORDS STORY 1979-1987.
CHANGE THE BEAT-THE CELLULOID RECORDS STORY 1979-1987. In 2012, Strut Records released Only For You: The Sound of Cajmere and Cajual Records, which paid homage to Cajmere, one of the innovators of the Chicago house scene and his label Cajual Records. This proved to be one of Strut Records’ most critically acclaimed and commercially successful …
MAMY WATA-PROMESSE.
MAMY WATA-PROMESSE. Recently, when I was compiling my list of the twenty best new albums of 2012, Offering Recordings were one of the labels that came out on top. Sage Monk’s Heartache Allegory and Idrissa Sissoko’s Lopilopolo, both released by Offering Recordings, featured in my twenty best albums of 2012. Offering Recordings were founded by …
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 1.
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 1. It’s always at this time of year, that lists of what have been the best albums of the year are released. Not to be outdone, I’ve been compiling my lists too. So far, I’ve compiled lists of the best box sets, compilations and reissues. The one I’ve been …
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 3.
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 3. By now, we’re at the third part in The Best New Albums of 2012. The five albums I’ve chosen cover the period between July and September 2012. This includes albums from labels based in Japan, Belgium and the UK. Each of these labels art independent labels, who are …
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 4.
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2012-PART 4. So, we get to the fourth and final installment of The Best New Albums of 2012. These five albums cover the three months period between October and December 2012. Like the first three installments, there’s an eclectic selection of albums. Here’s my final five of 2012. BIG BOY …
THE RITCHIE FAMILY-ARABIAN NIGHTS.
THE RITCHIE FAMILY-ARABIAN NIGHTS. When The Ritchie Family released their debut album in 1975, the group hadn’t yet settled on a lineup. So, the legendary Philadelphia backing vocals the Sweethearts of Sigma had taken charge of vocal duties. Now a year later, for their 1976 sophomore album Arabian Nights, The Ritchie Family had three new …
BEST COMPILATIONS OF 2012 PART TWO-JUNE TO DECEMBER.
BEST COMPILATIONS OF 2012 PART TWO-JUNE TO DECEMBER. JOHNICK-YOU KNOW HOW WE DEW. One of the most eagerly awaited compilations of 2012, was JohNick’s You Know How We Dew, released by BBE Music in August 2012. You Know How We Dew was a double-album featuring twenty-two tracks from Johnick, Johnny D’s collaboration with Nicky Palermo. …
DIABLOS DEL RITMO-THE COLOMBIAN MELTING POT 1960-1985.
DIABLOS DEL RITMO-THE COLOMBIAN MELTING POT 1960-1985. Often when I review albums, I’m often frustrated by the lack of sleeve-notes. I like to read about how an album or compilation was made, the inspiration behind it and any backstory. Some albums are better than others, offering detailed and accurate sleeve-notes. Then there’s albums where there …
dereksmusicblog
dereksmusicblog 