CD Review: M.A.K.U. Soundsystem's 'Mezcla'

M.A.K.U. Soundsystem
Mezcla
Glitterbeat

The New York-based, Colombian-infused musical adventures of M.A.K.U. Soundsystem are eloquently showcased on their latest album, Mezcla. The steady, Latin-beat is full of funky percussive sounds, Spanish vocals, and an Afro-beat-meets-Klezmer influence likely absorbed from their New York home and Colombian heritage. The result is a frenzied, funkified, and psychedelic romp through the Central American jungles and the subways of New York City. The music brings in a certain amount of jazzy elements, electronic undertones, and a vibrant rhythm section to electrify the music for an unforgettable forty-three-minutes. The tracks and vocals represent a high-energy product that is danceable, thought-provoking, and lyrically-strong. All in all, nine tracks round out the album. The positives are marked with indelible beats, catchy rhythms and melodies, and a hint of nostalgic elements encompassing Afro-beat, psychedelic rock, funk, jazz, dance, and electronica. Fans of Latin-beat, Afro-beat, cumbia, and related genres will not want to miss Mezcla. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ajoyo's Self-Titled Release

Ajoyo
Ajoyo
Ropeadope

The heady grooves and rhythms of Ajoyo's West African, jazz, and afro-beat inspired music with roots in Cameroon, Tunisia, France, and beyond. Spearheaded by Yacine Boulares with lead vocals coming from Sarah Elizabeth Charles and other vocals by Linton Smith and Alon Albagli. The rhythms and textures are created with the piano, rhodes, organ, percussion, bass, drums, sax, clarinet, udu, and others. The Cameroonian-influenced release is highly-contemporary and driven with diverse sounds and hypnotic lines that will keep anyone enthralled for a long time. Whether it is world jazz, bikutsi pop, afro-beat, or jam music, Ajoyo knows how to entertain us in creative ways without succumbing to pitfalls. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Nickodemus' 'Wonderworld: 10 Years Of Painting Outside The Lines'

Nickodemus
Wonderworld: 10 Years Of Painting Outside The Lines
Wonderwheel Recordings

Nickodemus has been spinning funky, global beats for over a decade and the release of Wonderworld... is a testament to his creative remixes and career highlights. The twenty-four-track release is a friendly romp on the dance, dub, and funk side of the musical spectrum with loads of Latin, Afro, and contemporary beats that are very compelling. Nickodemus incorporates the aid of numerous guest musicians and producers, including Jean Shepherd, Hector Alomar, Carol C., Tarafs de Haidouks, Ismael Kouyate, Afrika Baambaata, Sammy Ayala, and others for a truly global recording. Even though the album is contemporary, it still retains a sense of authenticity and organic roots. The diverse percussion, vocals, and rhythms keeps listeners enthralled throughout. There are no shortage of tracks or beats on this very special recording. Hear it today! ~ Matthew Forss

Single Review: Hard Proof's Cassingle Release of "Soul Thing" and "Lake Tana"

Hard Proof
"Soul Thing" and "Lake Tana"

Hard Proof is a Texas-based, Afro-beat collective that will be releasing a new 'cassingle' during Cassette Store Day on September 27, 2014. The release will be digital and as a physical cassette. The instrumental tracks are lively, upbeat, and full of Afro-beat grooves that are funky, psychedelic, and jazzy. Both tunes are headed by guitars, horns, keys, drums, and sax. The result is a groovy mix of Afro-beat melodies that are produced with the aid of a ten-piece line-up. The two-song release is only nine-and-a-half-minutes long, but it seems to linger on much longer than that. In the end, we are left with a groovy medley of lush Afro-beat melodies and rhythms that bring to life jazz and funk sensibilities for a generation thirsty for diverse sounds. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Zongo Junction's 'No Discount'

Zongo Junction
No Discount
Electric Cowbell Records

The Brooklyn-based, Afro-beat maestros, Zongo Junction, brings us a moving piece of history with Ghanaian-infused, instrumental tunes in the shadows of Fela Kuti and others. The funky, psychedelic tracks are danceable and emotive with bubbling keys, punchy sax, and diverse instrumentation in a jazzy setting. The writhing sounds are Afro-beat grooves at their finest. The sax frenzy on “A Van That Got Away,” proves why Zongo Junction makes the best Afro-beat music in America. The down-tempo electronica of “Longtooth,” showcases their diverse talent of Afro-beat, jazz, experimental, funk, and pop. The entire album is an instrumental journey, which is very likable throughout. There are even some Balkan jazz or Klezmer moments on "Invented History." At any rate, No Discount is an engaging, Afro-beat pleasure that will be enjoyed by everyone that fancies music of the African kind. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars' 'Libation'

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
Libation
Cumbancha

Sierra Leone's ambassadors for everything good and happy bring us another exciting and catchy Afro-pop release. Libation is a celebration of life with twelve tracks of deliciousness. The reggae-tinged, "Can't Make Me Lonely," "It's So Sorry," and the incredibly catchy "Treat You Right." Other tracks take on a more Congolese rhythm pattern, such as "Gbaenyama," "Ghana Baby," "Maria," "Money No Do," and "Min Do Sin Tay." "Manjalagi" possesses a cumbia-type beat with African lyrics and a steady, danceable rhythm that is unforgettable. The upbeat, contemporary, and Afro-beat melodies are outstanding without any deficiencies. The sweet riffs and glorious, rippling guitar chords signify a pan-African presence that draws upon Spanish, Portuguese, and Caribbean influences. Overall, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars mark a new year with their best album to date. This music is best served with some chilled palm wine! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Afrolicious' 'California Dreaming'

Afrolicious
California Dreaming
Self-Release

Afrolicious releases yet another fine Afro-beat album containing heady rhythms and punchy melodies with a touch of dub, soul, and R&B. Every track explores throbbing beats and danceable rhythms that enlist the help of percussion, bass, sax, flute, trumpet, keys, and various electronic arrangements. The vocals create an exciting accompaniment throughout the album. All the tracks are produced by Pleasuremaker and some with the help of Rob Garza. At any rate, the dub beats are funk-laden and dance-driven, which makes for an interesting listening experience that is anything but dull and boring. Fans of contemporary Afro-beat music and dance will find enjoyment in the tracks on California Dreaming. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Akale Wube's 'Mata'

Akale Wube
Mata
Ais

The France-based Afro-beat group, Akale Wube, is named after a song by Ethiopia's Getatchew Mekurya. Mata is alive with Afro-beat rhythms, edgy psych punk, drifting melodies, and funky grooves that are instrumental and memorable. The punchy sax joins the lilting guitar, bubbling bass, scintillating krar, and soaring flutes. The Rhodes, trombone, violin, bugle, and trumpet makes an appearance, too. The music of Ethiopia is rich with psych-funk and Afro-beat jazz that is fairly well-known throughout the world music community. Akale Wube presents five new tracks and additional tracks reinvented with the works of Mulatu Astatke, Feqadu-Amde-Mesqel, Tsehaytu Beraki, and two traditional compositions. The music is quite upbeat and funky with smooth beats and psych-enriched qualities that could jazz-up any night club in Addis Ababa, or your hometown's music hot-spot. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Elements Of Life's 2-CD 'Eclipse'

Elements Of Life
Eclipse [2 CD]
Fania Records

Spearheaded by Louie Vega, Eclipse is a 2-CD set of songs that traverse the worlds of jazz, latin, R&B, gospel, soul, Afro-Latin, Caribbean, Afro-beat, and blues music. The second album contains remixes of classic Fania songs as an homage to the record label. There are a variety of guest artists on the first album, including Urusula Rucker, Nina Rodriguez, Josh Milan, Anane & Lisa Fischer, and Cindy Mizelle. There are electronic, trance, dance, jazz, and down-tempo grooves with classic sounds of from the 1960s or 70s. There is plenty of edgy percussion, guitar-work, and brass sounds. Fans of Brazilian, jazz, Afro-beat, and world fusion will love the sounds of Eclipse. For excellent poetry, smooth rhythms, and catchy hooks, Elements Of Life is where it's at. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Tchiya Amet's 'Celestial Folk Music'

Tchiya Amet
Celestial Folk Music
Milky Way Records

The soothing, world beat music of America's Tchiya Amet combines soulful reggae rhythms, jazzy melodies, and various instrumental medleys that encapsulate innovative and engaging musical creations. Tchiya's voice is whispy and airy--similar in tone to Sade's voice. The new release of sixteen songs contains a bit of afro-funk and afro-latin rhythms and melodies. The laid-back vocal delivery and ear-friendly percussion, guitars, bass, keyboards, and other instruments make the entire album stand out. The reggae and funk-tinged, "Po Tolo" is a good example of reverberating beats and a sultry vocal line. The reggae-influenced "Great Purification," provides a throbbing organ sound and languid percussion beats with sultry flute. "Ast Maat: R U Sirius Enuff" is a more upbeat, hip-hop-focused tune with jazzy vocals, fluid melodies, and a reggae pulse. "Equinox" opens with a funky sax and languid bass line. Tchiya's breezy vocals represent a bit of Brazilian pop with similar instrumentation from the same region. However, Tchiya knows how to make the music shine in multiple genres. As a whole, Celestial Folk Music contains blissful folk music with strong reggae, funk, jazz, new age, and world beat ties. The fluid vocals are classy and Sade-esque. The melodies, rhythms, and instrumental solos are outstanding. This is a perfect companion for world beat, world jazz, world reggae, and folk music with an ethnic twist and cosmic origin. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Zekuhl's 'I Bolo'

Zekuhl
I Bolo
Bolbo Art

Cameroonian-raised and Canadian-born, Zekuhl is a singer, guitarist, and prominent nkuu (wood drum) player that plays a Bolbo-Jazz style of music. The music incorporates several indigenous rhythms and genres, including assiko, bolbo, bikutsi, ndin, mangambeu, makossa, mbale, and mpeya. Based on local traditions and fused with jazz, Zekuhl creates a wonderful pop music of Afrobeat and soukous concoctions. Though entirely fresh and unique, Zekuhl is good enough to draw fans from Afro-pop and world fusion. Fans of African music, Cameroonian jazz, and afro-beat will love the danceable beats and rhythms of Zekuhl. Vocals in Basaa, English, and French. Twelve tracks in all. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Avila's 'Featuring Ernest Ranglin'

Avila
Featuring Ernest Ranglin
Avila Street Records

Jamaica's ska purveyor, Ernest Ranglin, dazzles crowds worldwide with his scratchy, nimble guitar sounds he produces in several world music and fusion styles. Ernest tackles roots, jazz, funk, and fusion with a strong command of Afro-beat styles. The entire CD features Ernest with several guests, including Yossi Fine, Ian Inx Herman, Jonathan Korty, Ryan Scott, Alex Baky, Jonathan Chi, Evan Frazer, and Alexis Rezon. The music is instrumental and groovy with drums, trumpet, bass, B3, piano, lap steel, melodica, and assorted percussion picking up a majority of the sound. The funky, smooth jazz leanings of "Ernossi" signals a relaxing side of the music that is still dance-focused. The edgy, horn-driven "Swaziland" adds a touch of township jazz, funk, and percussion greatness to the forefront. The opening track, "Manenberg," is actually a song by Abdullah Ibrahim, but it is still a jazz-centered tune with smooth notes and funkadelic notions. Let Ernest take you on a whirlwind of music brimming with boiling rhythms and sounds from Jamaica, Africa, and beyond. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: La Chiva Gantiva's 'Pelao'

La Chiva Gantiva
Pelao
Crammed

Latin-American percussion and song styles are the focus of the Belgium-based La Chiva Gantiva. Pelao, which means, "kid," is an album with upbeat, energetic rhythms from the heart of Colombia, but performed with members from other parts of the world. The global mixture of influences and ethnic representation encapsulates the musical energy on each track. A selection of tracks contain blaring horns, electric bass, drums, sax, vocals, and heavy percussion. The upbeat tunes are reminiscent of balkan brass, Afro-beat anthems, and Afro-Latin funk gems. The multi-ethnic songs are bound to get the body moving wherever it may be located on planet Earth. Anyone with an interest in Colombian funk, Afro-Latin jazz, balkan brass, and instrumental medleys that will get your feet moving, Pelao is right for you. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: El Rego's Self-Titled Release

El Rego
El Rego
Daptone Records

El Rego, known as Theophile Do Rego, was an African music legend in his native land of Benin. DJ Frank Gossner put together this incredible collection of music from 45's released in the 1960's and 70's. Twelve tracks, a twenty-page booklet, and a bonus, limited edition 45 of "Se Na Min" and "E Ma Non Tin Me." The music is largely funk, soul, afro-beat, and jazz-driven in the vein of Fela Kuti, James Brown, and John Lee Hooker. "Djobime" is a rousing tune and a sure-fire dance track. "Dis-Moi Oui" is an almost-Ethiopian influenced track with good percussion and fiery vocals. El Rego's instrumental repertoire is limited to drums, guitars, horns, keyboards, and bass, but that does not mean the music is lacking anything. In fact, each track moves with a high degree of aural fluidity unsurpassed by other musicians. If you love the afro-beat and funk styles of West Africa's coast from the 1960's and 70's, then El Rego is a must-have. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Captain Planet's 'Cookin' Gumbo'

Captain Planet

Cookin' Gumbo

Bastard Jazz Recordings

You might think Captain Planet is named for the iconic comic hero. Instead, Captain Planet is a perfect title to describe the musical influences inherent throughout the tasty tracks on Cookin' Gumbo. As a first full-length album effort, Captain Planet (aka Charlie Bethel) creates supercharged music with funky beats, Latin elements, and African sensibilities within the context of an urban environment. Even South Asian influences can be found on 'Ram Ad Infinitum.' An LA-area singer, Brit Lauren, adds her voice, along with Congo's Fredy Massamba. The bossa-nova beats, contemporary urban electronica, and African hip-hop set the stage for a delicious romp on the wild side of the musical spectrum. Some of the tracks have good 'ol, nostalgic scratches at the beginning of the songs. Still, Cookin' Gumbo is an appetizing album with all the spice that life can drum up! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ghana's 'Bolga Zohdoomah'

Bolga Zohdoomah

Bolga Zohdoomah

Art Hurts Records

Lead by vocalist and talking drum player Akayaa Atule, Bolga Zohdoomah explores the sounds of Ghanaian highlife and Afrobeat. The California-based band brings out all the musical splendor with B3 organ, piano, bass, rhodes, mandolin, sax, trombone, and trumpet. The infectious rhythms and melodies are particularly evident on "Kiesiemi". Some Latin elements sneak in on "Siekirie", downtempo-funk on "Nerebala Senaala", and the Afro-beat-laden "Jingo" and "B'r B'r B'r". The songs are sung in Fra Fra, Hausa, Ibo, Twi, Ga, and English. Unfortunately, additional song information is not provided in the liner notes. Despite this, the music speaks for itself on multiple levels. The music is as energetic as Chopteeth and as nostalgic as Novalima. The music is fresh, diverse, and an excellent introduction into the music of Ghana. Afro-beat fans unite on this one! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ghana's Mohammed Alidu and the Bizung Family

Mohammed Alidu and the Bizung Family

Land of Fire

Black Eye Watching

Mohammed Alidu's instrument of choice from birth was the talking drum. A native of Ghana, Mohammed performed with the Ghana Dance Ensemble in the 1990's and continued pursuing music over the last few years. The most recent musical product is Land of Fire. This is a rhythmic collection of Afro-pop/Afro-beat-type songs. Mohammed is joined by a large repertoire of singers and instrumentalists. The memorable songs of 'Land of Fire' and 'Baby You Know' solidifies Mohammed's musical intellect. There are horns, steel guitar, balafon, tabla, drums, bass, and talking drums. Land of Fire is a very enjoyable album with lush instrumentation and beautiful vocal harmonies. Expand your horizons and jump on board with Mohammed Alidu and the Bizung Family today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Sierre Leone's Refugee All Stars

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars

Rise & Shine

Cumbancha

Formed out of war and civil unrest, Sierre Leone's Refugee All Stars bring light and life to Africa and the rest of the world. The drum-beats, reggae-inspired grooves, and blaring brass convey the message of hope, while shadowing despair and depravity. The Afro-beat rhythms might be an ode to Fela Kuti and other West African bands from the 1960's to the present. At any rate, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars poignantly coined the album title Rise & Shine to accurately summarize the musical and social development of the group over the past few years. The music is richly textured with loads of instrumentation and cool riffs. A great collective of musicians born out of exile refuse to succumb to the power of societal defeatism, and instead, rise to the occasion by playing personally satisfying music. Find yourself a hammock under a palm tree, sip some palm wine, and play Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars this summer! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Mr. Something Something

Mr. Something Something

Shine Your Face

World Records

If there was such a thing as "eco-beat", this would be it. Canada's Larry Graves, John MacLean, and Swedish addition, Johan Hultqvist, performs music with eco-friendly results. Their live performances have been set up with a bike-powered sound system and their CD packaging is made out of 100% recycled paper. Probably the only thing not recycled is the music. The music reflects a West African dancefloor-beat sound of the 1960's or 70's. Some of the classic highlife bands come to mind. Shine Your Face contains "sustainable" beats, blazing horns, some English vocals, and punchy drum-work. If you are interested in afro-beat orchestras and highlife music from West Africa, then Mr. Something Something should be "something" you should acquire. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Tony Allen's Not-So 'Secret Agent'

Tony Allen

Secret Agent

World Circuit

The term afro-beat was attributed to the musical stylings of drummer, Tony Allen. He was also a drummer and a former musical director of Fela Kuti's band from 1968-1979. On Secret Agent, Tony remains true to the afro-beat style, while also incorporating funk, jazz, and hip hop beats. Eleven tracks are played by band members from France, Cameroon, Martinique, and Nigeria. The tunes are mostly instrumental, but vocals do exist, with some borrowing English words. The rhythms are most certainly dance-friendly. Tony's latest release is a perfect accompaniment to other afro-beat recordings, notably Legends of Benin (Analog Africa, 2009) or Nigeria 70 Lagos Jump (Strut, 2008). If you are a fan of afro-beat, or African music in general, you will enjoy Secret Agent. The secret's out and ready to satisfy listeners all around the world. ~ Matthew Forss