music

Brazilian singer, guitarist and actor Seu Jorge turns to brother-in-arms Rogê, for their first ever album recording, celebrating 25 years of friendship and companionship as part of the latest instalment on UK based, direct-to-disc record label, Night Dreamer.

Rejoice is a collaborative jazz/afrobeat album by Nigerian drummer Tony Allen and South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela. The original sessions were recorded in London in 2010 by World Circuit's Nick Gold, who was eager to document the first recorded meeting of the two African music legends when their touring schedules coincided.

In 1975, Tony Allen recorded his debut album, Jealousy, the first of three made with Afrika 70 and produced by Fela Kuti. Jealousy is according to many still the highlight of his 4 solo-albums, featuring 2 afro-beat gems Jealousy' and Hustler'. Recorded at Decca's 16 track Abule-Oja studio in Lagos, Nigeria. Originally released on Soundworkshop Records in 1975.

When Mason teamed up with vocalist Butch Dayo in 1983 to cut Feel My Love, a five song EP, he crafted another roller-disco number in “Rollalong Songs.” Full of rubbery bass, phased snares and handclaps, and a chant urging you to lace up your skates and grab a partner, it seemed like another sure shot for the rink. But that track couldn’t replicate the magic of his first hit. Within a year, the once-mighty disco imprint Salsoul Records would shutter, and the sound of boogie was soon overtaken by hip-hop and house. (Mason turned his attention to the latter under the name Raze.)

The system says we're different but the struggle makes us one'... utters Nigerian political activist, singer and saxophonist Seun Kuti, at the beginning of the session for the track entitled 'Struggle Sounds', which like all the tracks on his session, are Night Dreamer D2D versions of those recorded on his last LP, Black Times.

This is truly a fine example of modern mainstream jazz, another example from that definitive year of 1957, and though it's sadly a one-shot, it's a document thankfully preserved that should be treasured by all fans of jazz.

This time around all tunes have the Disco flavour. As ever it's all about the music... the skies are wide and funky and the air is filled with musical goodness. Your flight is about to leave.

Angolan music is truly unique and stands on its own as a sound that can only be found in that part of the world. Rhythms such Rebita, Kazukuta, Semba and Merengue, all of which are presented in this latest compilation, might be unfamiliar but they are superbly melodic, highly danceable, hypnotic, raw and quintessentially beautiful and totally addictive.

Following the recent acclaimed first edition of AOR Global Sounds compilation, DJ and producer Charles Maurice’s dug even deeper through international lost productions to create a sequel for this series.

Highly forgotten productions, deeply infused with Disco and Soul flavors: DJ and producer Charles Maurice delivers again a fine overview of the AOR and WestCoast influences for many artists in the late 70s and early 80s