Nu Guinea – Nuova Napoli [NG01]

April 29, 2018May 12, 2023 hipodromealbum, disco, funk, jazz, lucio aquilina, massimo di lena, ng records, nu genea, nu guineaLeave a comment

After touring the world looking for sounds suitable for their vibrations, Nu Guinea decided to go back to square one, Napoli, where Massimo Di Lena and Lucio Aquilina were born and raised. They watched their city from a distance reconstructing its energy from their studio in Berlin, calibrating the synths on the meridian of Vesuvius, the volcano that has always protected and threatened Napoli. ‘Nuova Napoli’ is the result of a long musical research that has become a historical investigation on the sound that shaped Napoli during the ‘70s and ‘80s, starting from the contamination of genres (disco, jazz-funk, African rhythms) which ended up in Nu Guinea’s DNA. In this album the synthesizers fill the spaces between the past and the future, tightening in a single body acoustic instruments, electronics and voices in Neapolitan dialect. It is the first time that the duo has worked with such a large group of musicians, some of whom are exponents of the contemporary Neapolitan scene.

Jimi Tenor – Quantum Connection [PH45015]

April 29, 2018April 27, 2018 hipodromefunk, jazz, jimi tenor, philophon recordsLeave a comment

Jimi Tenor is a multi-instrumentalist and music master in general. ‘Quantum Connection’ is Jimi’s contribution to the recent Kraut-Life craze of the Berlin underground. Kraut-Life is the brand-new hybrid of Ghanaian Highlife and German – here extended to Northern Europe, as Finnish kitchen is also kraut-based – romantic melancholy. A heavy and driving Highlife beat, screaming psychedelic sound-fragments and a sung desire for a subatomic love affair makes the song another undoubted original by Jimi.

VA – Esterno Notte Jazz [FLIES031]

April 28, 2018April 26, 2018 hipodromeamedeo tommasi, armando trovajoli, compilation, four flies records, funk, jazz, piero piccioni, piero umiliani, robby poitevin, romano mussolini, silvano d’auriaLeave a comment

A volume entirely dedicated to the jazz atmospheres of the Italian movies from the ‘60s, including genres such as noir, melò, giallo, dark comedy and crazy ‘musicarelli’. With a great variety of styles and moods, jazz represented the perfect soundtrack for the Italian “nouvelle vague” season: an element of great innovation that radically disrupted the way traditional scores were conceived. No longer entrusted to cumbersome orchestras but light combos, with a fresh and dynamic sound. This record is the result of a research that focused on the soundtrack archive of RCA Italy and consists of songs that have remained unpublished until today. It demonstrates how Italian jazz benefitted from its relationship with the film industry, which provided a fertile ground to experiment and create to great musicians such as Piero Umiliani, Romano Mussolini, Amedeo Tommasi, Robby Poitevin, Piero Piccioni or Armando Trovajoli.

VA – Esterno Notte Volume 2 [FLIES030]

April 28, 2018April 26, 2018 hipodromealessandro alessandroni, compilation, Ferrio, four flies records, funk, jazz, piero piccioni, sandro brugnolini, silvano d’auria, soundtrackLeave a comment

A new stunning chapter of the Esterno series, dedicated to the rediscovery of rare and unreleased soundtracks and library music from Italy. While the previous volumes consisted of unreleased material from the mythical RCA Italy archive, the research has been extended thanks to some new mysterious sources, unveiling some of best kept secrets from the ‘60s and ‘70s. The result is a deep journey into the secret history of Italian Library music, dedicated to sounds that were designed for a cityscape pervaded with action, car-chases, and hightension scenes set in smoky nightclubs. Jazz-funk, deep breaks, prog and psych flavors from some of the most hip names from the Italian scene: Alessandro Alessandroni, Piero Piccioni, Carlo Pes and I Marc 4, Sandro Brugnolini. This all-star cast is completed by Silvano D’Auria, here with another terrifying unreleased track after the shocking ‘Sortilegio’, presented for the first time in volume UNO.

Tsvia Abarbanel – Eastern Soul [FTN008]

April 1, 2018March 12, 2020 hipodromefortuna records, funk, israeli, jazz, tsvia abarbanelLeave a comment

Fortuna Records brings some soulful Middle Eastern jazz cuts by Yemenite-Jazz legend Tsvia Abarbanel. This is one of the first ever attempt at combining traditional Yemenite compositions with funk and jazz.

Tommy Stewart / Bridge – Mukatsuku Presents First Time On 45 Classics Volume 2 [MUKAT057]

April 1, 2018March 29, 2018 hipodromebridge, funk, jazz, mukatsuku records, soul, tommy stewartLeave a comment

Seems strange that Tommy Stewart’s seminal rare groove funk anthem ‘Bump And Hustle Music’ has never had a 45 release but Mukatsuku has set out to re address this issue with volume 2 of their First Time On A 45 Classics series. On the flipside we find the sublime version of Stella ‘ from Bridge via the originally unreleased album ‘Crying For Love’ recorded in Boulder, Colorado in 1981. First Experience reissued that album in 1999 but this is the first time ‘Stella’ written by Paul Tillman Smith has been made available as a 45.

Ernie Hawks & The Soul Investigators – Scorpio Man [TRLP12005]

March 25, 2018March 22, 2018 hipodromealbum, ernie hawks, erno haukkala, funk, jazz, soul, the soul investigators, timmion recordsLeave a comment

A new colossal star rises in the twilight of funky soul jazz as Ernie Hawks aka Erno Haukkala releases his debut album ”Scorpio Man” on Timmion Records. The impressive trombonist/flutist, is known to hold no punches, when performing live in the ranks of The Soul Investigators. Here he delivers a fierce selection of S.O.U.L. and Cymande flavored instrumentals that also bring to mind some of the finest sample-fodder library music. The album’s name, ”Scorpio Man” might come from the stinging and slightly intimidating style Hawks handles the trombone slide, known to pierce the hearts and souls of the ladies in the front row during his live performances. On this album, Ernie rides to battle equipped only with the flute, but this does not mean we will be exposed to some smooth jazz snooze fest. Rather Ernie handles his instrument with muscular rawness at times and moody ambiance at others, sliding with ease into any groove that the extended Soul Investigators band lays down. ”Scorpio Man” is no one trick pony, and the listener will be shifted around from the exhilarating psych funk of ”Scorpio Walk” all the way to the airy moods of ”Street of Tears”. Take a chance with the Scorpio Man, his sting will give you a funky high much better than what they sell in the streets.

Deke Tom Dollard – Na You [HC54]

March 25, 2018August 30, 2023 hipodromea&s records, african, afrobeat, afrobrazilero, deke tom dollard, djamel hammadi, funk, hot casa records, outernational, war recordsLeave a comment

Afro-Soul music from Ivory Coast served up by Deke Tom Dollard, an obscure artist who only recorded two albums in 1979 and 1981 but who created an original funky fusion with Bété langage. A selection of four amazing tracks recorded in Abidjan on two different records label called War Records and As Records. The music here is a mixture of Funk with heavy basslines, traditional percussions, funky guitar riffs, nice horns section and lyrics in Beté. The song ‘Demonde’ is inspired by harmonies of the famous ‘Dance to the Drummer Beat’ by Herman Kelly. Those two rare records were found by Afrobrazilero (aka Djamel Hammadi) and never appeared on the vinyl market. It’s almost impossible to have info about this singer and composer neither the musicians involved in the recording sessions and most of the traces of the recording session were lost by the labels.

Örtmek – Örtmek 01 [ORTMEK01]

March 11, 2018March 8, 2018 hipodromedisco, funk, ortmek, psychedelic, turkishLeave a comment

Three expansive edits of Turkish funk and psychedelia, each dubbed out through tape delays and spring reverbs, as well as carefully EQ-ed and mastered for an enhanced sonic experience. Side A kicks off with the low slung funk of ‘Ayçiçegi’, featuring an infectious bassline which weaves between subtle flashes of spring reverb, whispered vocals, each underpinned by pounding drums. Side B begins with ‘Biz Burdayiz’ , a relentless drum loop and singular vocal hit looped around and manipulated with tape delays, and the record closes with ‘Günesi Kesin’, a tense funk break which builds before reversing inside of itself.

Eko – Funky Disco Music [ASVN052]

February 25, 2018August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrica seven records, african, album, disco, eko, eko roosevelt louis, funk, outernational, riccioLeave a comment

Eko Roosevelt Louis has had a music career spanning over forty years, born the grandson of a Kribi tribal chief, his musical persuasion beginning humbly with his village’s local church before his formal education at the Senegal conservatoire and Paris’ École Normale de Musique. EKO made a number of jazz funk and disco records in the mid seventies during a stint recording and touring in and around France before returning to Cameroon to take over his grandfather’s tribal chieftaincy, a role he still holds today. Alongside this position of office EKO has continued to work with music, performing, teaching and even leading Cameroon’s national orchestra. The tracks selected for this reissue are all taken from EKO’s third album, Funky Disco Music which was recorded in Paris and released on his own Dragon Phenix imprint. Sung in a combination of English and EKO’s native tongue we’ve lined up a real excursion in feel good afro-jazz, funk and soul made purely for dancing feet and boogying butts.

Ondeno – Mayolye [ROC021]

February 25, 2018August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, afrobeat, disco, funk, jean ondeno, mukatsuku records, nik weston, ondeno, outernational, rocafort recordsLeave a comment

20 year old Jean Ondeno from Gabon is one of many African singers who found joy in the Parisian Afro-disco scene of the late 70s. Blessed with the voice of Africa’s sweetest angel, Ondeno caught the ear of the French radio presenter Alphonse Marie Toukas who in turn introduced him to producer Philippe Brejean. Together they released 4 tracks, of which ‘Mayolye’ has become a sought-after dance floor rarity over the decades. For this special 12 inch release, Rocafort Records have grouped the original version alongside a Nik Weston Official Mukatsuku edit.

Basa Basa – Homowo [VV-001]

February 17, 2018August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, album, basa basa, disco, funk, outernational, re-release, reissue, vintage voodooLeave a comment

One of Ghana’s most sought-after LPs emerges from obscurity as a high quality reissue on the new Vintage Voudou label from the Netherlands. First released in Nigeria in 1979, this LP (also known as Basa Basa Experience – Together We Win) is a unique collaboration with Themba ‘T-fire’ Matebese, who propelled Basa Basa’s sound, inspired by Ghanaian traditional music, soul and afrobeat, into another dimension, adding disco elements, synthesizers and the production aesthetics of the next decade. The new Amsterdam based label Vintage Voudou focuses on re-releasing a carefully picked selection of rare tropical music on vinyl, paying special attention to sound quality and print work.

VA – Quare Groove Vol. 1 [ACQG12X1X2]

February 11, 2018February 8, 2018 hipodromeall city records, barry warner, compilation, disco, funk, micro-disney, natural wild, soul, stano, sunshineLeave a comment

All City spent years putting together this superb compilation, which shines a light on Ireland’s previously unheralded underground and alternative music scenes of the ’70s and ’80s. It’s packed with obscure and lesser-known gems covering a myriad of related styles, from the jazz-funk inspired soul smoothness of Pumphouse Gang’s “Welcome Back Into My Life” and dub-fuelled, post-punk synth-pop brilliance of Natural Wild’s 1985 cut “Hot & Sexable (Mega Mix)”, to the slow and intoxicating, delay-laden throb of Stano’s “White Fields (In Isis)” and the Stiff Records-ish cacophony of Micro-Disney’s “Leper”. In other words, it’s a great example of a compilation that not only tells a previously untold story, but also includes some genuinely must-have tracks.

VA – RDY #43 (Ron Hardy Edits) [RDY043]

January 26, 2018September 29, 2025 hipodromecappuccino, chicago, deep cuts, disco house, edits, funk, jive junior, kleeer, man friday, ron hardyLeave a comment

Cappuccino – Hell dance with me, Man Friday & Jive Junior – Picking up sounds, Kleeer – Taste The Music.

Pasteur Lappe – We, The People [ASVN027]

January 14, 2018February 15, 2018 hipodromeafrica seven records, african, album, disco, funk, outernational, pasteur lappe, re-release, reissueLeave a comment

Following the extremely well received re-press of Pasteur Lappe’s second album “Na Man Pass Man”, Africa Seven are heading back to the beginning with Pasteur. It is a another fine repress. The debut album “We, The People”. The story begins in the 60’s with a charming 19 year old Nicolas “Pasteur” Lappe becoming a sensation on Radio Adele in Douala, Cameroun. He goes on to become the editor of the Douala Gazette newspaper and become friends with other African music stars such as Tala AM, J Moboule and Fela Kuti. He also works tirelessly promoting new and upcoming local Cameroonian talent. After moving to Paris, a stint in journalism school and publishing a book of poems “Chansons Negres” he finally settles into a new life of music in Paris. Pasteur’s first album was recorded in 1979 with the backing band and production collective called the Zulu Gang, which include Douglas Mbida (who went on to release several top flight albums himself) and Jacob Desvariaux (who went on to form Kassav). The album is full of diverse sounds, from driving funk, sweeping disco grooves, syrupy ballads, reggae, Jackson-five-esque pop to finger-lickin’ soul. At its core though is the custom “Sekele” groove… a movement to encompass the dance, grooves and vibes from his native Douala. The nostalgic poet, with Africa at his essence Pasteur Lappe.

Hamad Kalkaba – Hamad Kalkaba & The Golden Sounds 1974-1975 [AALP084]

January 14, 2018February 15, 2018 hipodromeafrican, afrobeat, analog africa, funk, hamad kalkaba, jazz, outernational, the golden soundLeave a comment

These days, Hanad Kalkaba is a retired Army colonel and track and field athletics administrator in his native Cameroon. Yet back in the mid 1970s, he was a musician with dreams of potential super-stardom, trying to update traditional Cameroonian “Gandjal” music for the funk generation. To that end, he recorded a small number of singles and EPs alongside his backing band, the Golden Sounds. It’s those thoroughly obscure and overlooked releases that make up Hanad Kalkaba & The Golden Sounds, a retrospective of his pioneering work. Sitting somewhere between Afro-beat, Afro-funk and Afro-jazz, with a distinctively Cameroonian rhythmic swing, the music showcased on the album is undeniably special.

Amadou Balaké – In Conclusion (Ben Gomori Edits) [STEDIT002]

January 14, 2018August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, amadou balaké, ben gomori, disco, edits, funk, outernational, sterns editsLeave a comment

Sterns Edits returns after the sell-out success of its debut edition with another two catalogue reworks from Ben Gomori. This time he turns his attention to Burkina Faso’s much-loved taxi-driver- turned-singer, Amadou Balake´.

Arp Frique – Nos Magia [RHSTOREJAMS011]

December 31, 2017January 30, 2020 hipodromeafrican, americo brito, arp frique, cape verde, disco, funk, niels nieuborg, orlando julius, rush hour, rush hour store jamsLeave a comment

Arp Frique is Niels Nieuborg from the city of Rotterdam, who has been actively involved in the Dutch live music scene for years, working with Cape Verdean & Surinamese musicians especially. After all these years, he finally presents his own true musical output. “Nos Magia” is a classic sounding, but unheard Cape Verdean funana song featuring the old skool Americo Brito on vocals. The b-side holds two collaborations with afro-beat protagonist Orlando Julius.

Grotto – Wait… No Hurry [LIVST004]

December 10, 2017January 10, 2025 hipodromeafrican, album, disco, funk, grotto, odion livingstone, re-release, reissue, temitope kogbe, uchenna ikkoneLeave a comment

First official reissue of Nigerian Boogie Disco Grail LP produced by Grotto for EMI Nigeria and originally released in 1978. Contains dance classic’Bad city Girl’. Liner notes by Nigerian Music expert Uchenna Ikkone, include previously unpublished photos and extensive interviews by Temitope Kogbe. It contains more examples of disco-era dancefloor heat, with the band utilizing Moog synthesizers alongside their usual instrumentation. While naturally rooted in Afro-funk, the set contains some of the earliest examples of Afro-boogie while also touching on jazz-funk, psychedelic funk and undulating Afrobeat/Afro-disco fusion.

VA – Africa Airways Four: Disco Funk Touchdown 1976-1983 [ASVN040]

November 28, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrica seven records, african, charly kingson, compilation, disco, eko, funk, jake sollo, kemayo, manu dibango, outernational, pierre didy tchakounte, tala a.m.Leave a comment

To date, each volume in Africa Seven’s thrilling Africa Airways compilation series has been little less than essential. It goes without saying that this fourth installment is also exceptionally good. Whereas previous volumes have focused on Afro-funk and “Afro-psych” (think Sly Stone, Nigerian style), this set drills down into African disco-funk released between 1976 and ’83. Highlights come thick and fast throughout, from the solo-laden, slap bass-boasting bounce of Tala AM’s “Get Up Tchamassi” and Charly Kingson’s squelchy, synth-laden Blaxploitation number “Nimele Bolo”, to the righteous, piano-driven thrills of Kemayo and K-System’s brilliant “Biram” and the superior boogie business of Jake Sollo’s “Tinini Yasana”.