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”.

VA – RDY #42 (Ron Hardy Edits) [RDY042]

November 22, 2017September 29, 2025 hipodromechicago, deep cuts, disco, edits, funk, mass production, ron hardy, willie hutchLeave a comment

More edits from Ron Hardy. Mass production – Welcome to Our World (Of Merry Music), Cosmic Lady, Willie Hutch – Foxy Lady.

VA – Pantsula! The Rise Of Electronic Dance Music In South Africa, 1988-90 [RHMC003]

November 12, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, antal, ayobayo band, chaka, compilation, disco, dj okapi, funk, jazino, jivaro, kakappa, music team, outernational, rush hour, s.y.b., scotch band, spirro, the hard workersLeave a comment

Late 80s South African dance floor winners only. Selected by DJ Okapi and Antal, the compilation holds tracks by Jivaro, The Hard Workers, Ayobayo Band, S.Y.B. & many more. This is the sharp electronic music that fuelled the local Pantsula dances during the 80s and 90s . A must have for fans of Bubblegum and Kwaito music. The 12 tracks selected for Pantsula! come from a very unique, very different time and place. They represent the birth of electronic dance music in South Africa, through the songs of one particular independent label from the time: Music Team. The sound represents the culmination of the bubblegum era, when South Africa’s disco artists outgrew their American influences and forged an increasingly electronic and ‘local’ pop sound. Evolving over time since long before the 80s, the distinctly South African subculture of Pantsula is more closely associated with an attitude, a style and a signature dance, rather than any specific sound. In the late 1980s and early 90s, Pantsula was also the name given to a new type of dance music taking over the streets of South Africa, influenced by earlier bubblegum and the rise of Shangaan Disco, but with a far broader appeal and a harder, purely electronic sound.

Biosis Now / Afro Train – Independent Bahamas V’s Ivory Coast Afro Funk [MUKAT053]

November 12, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrobeat, afron train, biosis now, caribbean, disco, edits, funk, mukatsuku records, nik weston, outernationalLeave a comment

Few years ago label manager Nik played in France and the promoter pulled out a Biosis now 45 that he never knew existed up till then and was generally thought to be a long album track only. An extensive search revealed nothing online including popsike/discogs/ebay except a tropical seller who’d just bought a huge caribbean collection with the record included saying he’d never seen it before either and he was keeping it…Failing to secure a copy themselves the label licensed it instead and created their own 45 edit which retains all the funk & soul of the elongated album version into a 7 inch friendly format. On the flipside and 1973 Tumba Safari from Afro Train get’s a funky afrobeat re touch for peak time club play that would save you several hundred pounds on an original if you could actually find a copy!

Henry Keen – 70’s Baby [MJR002]

October 29, 2017October 27, 2017 hipodromealbum, experimental, funk, henry keen, jazz, maddjazz recordingsLeave a comment

Debuting under his given name for Maddjazz Recordings’ second offering, is DJ, producer and synth enthusiast Henry Keen. Henry’s music was discovered after a long night of online digging, and after several exchanges, it was apparent that Henry was making music that defined exactly what Maddjazz is striving to achieve; honest music that’s free of form and not constrained by any genre or tempo. 70’s Baby is a raw and honest record. A collection of uptempo grooves written in various locations around hectic inner London. It’s spirit is born out of the freedom of the CDR sessions at the now defunct club Plastic People, where many of Henry’s productions were first shared, and where tempo and genre were irrelevant. It references Henry’s love for the instrumentation, recording techniques and sounds of the 1970s, the decade of his birth. Featuring a tasteful blend of worldly and otherworldly sounds, It owes itself to modern and ancient dance themes alike.

Funkadelic – Reworked By Detroiters [SEW3158]

October 29, 2017October 27, 2017 hipodromealbum, alton miller, amp fiddler, andres, anthony shake shakir, bmg, claude young, detroit, disco, ectomorph, funk, funkadelic, gay marvine, kenny dixon jr., marcellus pittman, moodymann, mophono, recloose, t. dance, the dirtbombs, the fantasy, tom thump, underground resistanceLeave a comment

Funkadelic have created an enduring legacy, and the power of their impact is visceral in Detroit. Their records not only played with genre, but possessed a diabolical sense of humour that led to music domination by the late 70s with Parliament, Funkadelic, Parlet, Bootsy’s Rubber Band and the Brides Of Funkenstein all releasing albums the same year for two years in a row. The music itself is beyond stereotype, but equally huge is that they were a black band not allowing themselves to be limited by anyone else’s notions of who they could be, having a massive impact on the next generation of Detroit music, Detroit Techno. But more than just Techno, it is a freedom of thinking that extends beyond boxes, so we included all sorts of today’s generation of Detroit musicians and producers to show the wide range of music that was Funkadelic and how these ideas are still contemporary, they endure and inspire.

Kologbo – Africa Is The Future [PARISDJS091]

October 22, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, afrobeat, afrobeat academy, album, antibalas, ayo, funk, jazz, joseph cotton, kologbo, les freres smith, newen afrobeat, oghene kologbo, outernational, paris djs, pat thomas, tony allenLeave a comment

Guitar legend Oghene Kologbo was born in Warri, Nigeria in 1957. His father was the well known highlife musician Joe King Kologbo. When Kologbo was a teenager, he began performing with the revolutionary Afrobeat master Fela Kuti. He played the hypnotic tenor guitar lines, but often recorded bass and rhythm guitar too. Kologbo was Fela’s personal assistant and “tape recorder”. That is, it was his job to remember the melodies Fela would sing to him late at night, then teach them to the band at rehearsal the next day. In 1978, after a show at the Berlin Jazz Festival, Kologbo left the band (along with Tony Allen and a few others) and stayed in Berlin. “Africa Is The Future” is a true collective effort, with many guests gathering forces on the project: Tony Allen, playing drums on 5 tracks out of 8 (Nigeria/France), singer Pat Thomas (Ghana), deejay Joseph Cotton (Jamaica), singer Ayo (Nigeria/Germany), horn players from the Afrobeat Academy (Germany) or from Les Frères Smith (France), members of Antibalas (USA), Newen Afrobeat (Chile), etc. This is afrobeat from the 21st century at its purest, blending the originators and the descendants together.

VA – Da’asa: The Haunting Sounds Of Yemenite Israeli Funk 1973-1984 [FTNLP003]

October 15, 2017October 17, 2017 hipodromeaharon amram, arabic, compilation, david dor, folk, fortuna records, funk, israeli, jazz, lehakat tzliley ha'oud, outernational, the amranim, tsvia abarbanel, yehezkel matariLeave a comment

Fortuna Records deliver a stellar compilation of real-life magic created by immigrants from Yemen, in Tel Aviv, from the mid seventies to the early eighties. Ranging from extremely rare to previously unreleased, these tracks are a result of a unique scene which blended funk, soul, jazz & disco with traditional Yemenite rhythms & sounds. It cannot get more obscure than this.

Itadi K. Bonney – Inye [HC052]

October 15, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, album, funk, hot casa records, itadi k. bonney, outernationalLeave a comment

Afro funk and Political Soul from Togo. Recorded in the beginning of the 80’s and self-produced by Itadi in 1983 , this obscure album contained deep soul and controversial rare grooves backed by the 5 band members called the “Afro Funk Band de Lomé”. Itadi’s music is unique, in his second album, he kept the same recipe: a mixture of soul, reggae, hi-life and Funk, with heavy lyrics which sounds like slogans and caused him big trouble after its release. He was obliged to escape the country to USA. A real definition of a revolutionary musician.

Jo Tongo – African Funk Experimentals: 1968-1982 & 2017 [ASVN048]

October 15, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrica seven records, african, album, funk, jazz, jo tongo, joseph ekambi tongo mpondo, mpondo, outernationalLeave a comment

Africa Seven is on fire recently, and this new compilation of rare and untapped material from Cameroon’s Joseph Ekambi Tongo Mpondo has to be the pick of the lot. The talented multi-instrumentalist was famously studying medicine in Paris throughout he 60s, but it’s clear that down the music path was the only sensible option for this man. African Funk Experimentals brings together some of his most obscure material from the years 1968-1982…and some new gear from 2017! Aside from the absolutely killer artwork featuring on the sleeve, this is a ten-track masterpiece, reaching all corners of the afrobeat heritage, while still retaining something very personal and symbolic of Cameroon’s often underrated influence on African funk and boogie.

Funkadelic vs Moodymann ‎– Cosmic Slop / Let’s Make It Last [SEWT706]

October 15, 2017October 12, 2017 hipodromedetroit, funk, funkadelic, kenny dixon jr., moodymann, westboundLeave a comment

The first sampler from the new Funkadelic album “Reworked By Detroiters”, includes two reworks by Moodymann.

Dollkraut – Digital Tsunami 133

October 4, 2017October 4, 2017 hipodromedigital tsunami, disco, dollkraut, funk, pascal pinkert, podcast, synth popLeave a comment

Continue reading “Dollkraut – Digital Tsunami 133” →

The Colours That Rise – 2020 [BRKKR004]

October 1, 2017September 26, 2017 hipodromebreaker breaker, funk, house, jazz, nathanael williams, simeon jones, the colours that riseLeave a comment

The sound of ‘2020’ is new jazz and old funk with an electronic city pace, brought to you by duo The Colours That Rise. Made up of multi-instrumentalists and producers Simeon Jones and Nathanael Williams, their ‘2020’ EP is a confident guide through future sounds and past histories from a time yet to come. Created using analogue synths and acoustic instruments, the 4 track EP works as the score to a yet to be created animation. Nathanael’s background is creating soundtracks for films, while Simeon plays with UK jazz prophets Yussef Kamaal and featured on Henry Wu’s ‘Negotiate’ 12′. Providing groove for the dancer and hidden meanings for the listener, ‘2020’ is plugged in to the pulse of UK dancefloors and the resurgence of funk audiences. With their fusion sound, The Colours That Rise are another welcome addition to the new ‘UK Jazz invasion’ alongside their friends and colleagues Yussef Kamaal and The Comet is Coming. ‘2020’ is an experimental electronic voyage that emerges from the ambient and arrives on the dance floor.

Soft Rocks – Thru Wit Waitin EP [PTP009]

August 5, 2017August 3, 2017 hipodromeandy sims, christopher calloway, disco, edits, funk, passport to paradise, piers harrison, robert coulman, soft rocksLeave a comment

The Passport To Paradise gang are in fine form as they serve up four more tripped-out disco edits for the globally-minded savant. We take sail with the excellent ‘Thru Wit’ Waitin”, a beefed-up guitar chugger reminiscent of 70’s AOR in its steady percussive work and misty sax solo. It’s the guitar line that really shines here, lifting the tune into funk transcendence in the bridge. ‘Anybody Out There’ reaches out to the disco trippers with its northern Italian cosmic kitsch feel: starry-eyed synth pads float above reverb-soaked guitar musings and playful French vocal samples. A particular highlight. On the flip, Passport To Paradise take things south with a soulful West African shuffler guaranteed to elicit some arresting footwork. The EP leaves us with resounding vibrations from the Far East: ‘JP Wave’ explores ethereal planes, building up a dense rhythmic fabric punctuated by bass stabs and ornamental chimes. This is a clever bunch of edits for the more discerning selectors and enthusiasts out there- act fast.

Black Bones – Black Bones 2 [BLACKBONES002]

August 2, 2017May 31, 2023 hipodromeafrican, black bones, disco, edits, funk, houseLeave a comment

The Black Bones boys have more than one trick up their sleeves, as another back-breaking digging session has unearthed some sacred remains, ready for modern scientific re-animation. ‘Sonny’ retools a Highlife classic into a splendidly sun-soaked Summer beauty. On the flip ‘XTC’ takes a more Cosmic route to dancefloor abandon, while ‘Roller’ is a barn-storming Discoid jam that wraps up another damn fine EP.

Sorry Bamba – Du Mali [ASVN045]

July 29, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrica seven records, african, album, funk, outernational, re-release, reissue, sonafric, sorry bambaLeave a comment

One of the most pivotal figures in the history of Malian music is Sorry Bamba. His work spans five decades and his music bridges the gap between Mali’s cultural traditions and new the music which arose from the musical cross overs which occurred in Mali’s post-Colonial period. Bamba was born in 1938 in Mopti. This is dissected by both the Niger and Bani rivers and known for its rich cultural diversity. Bamba’s father was a distinguished veteran of Emperor Samory Toure’s military and a nobleman in Malian society, however, this meant young Sorry was forbidden to make music, as under the nation’s caste system, music was an art form reserved for the Griots.

Cli-N-Tel – 2030 [GC004]

July 27, 2017June 28, 2022 hipodromecli-n-tel, dj overdose, dynamik bass system, electro, funk, ground controlLeave a comment

Hailing from the first wave of American West Coast Electrofunk, Cli-N-Tel—a member of the legendary World Class Wreckin’Cru—released the song ”2030” on Unknown DJ’s label, Techno Hop, in 1986. More than 30 years later, it has become an essential of the genre and is now celebrated with this overdue rerelease. Along with the remastered original version, the German label, Ground Control, is proud to present a package of fresh remixes from renowned artists of the current international Electrofunk scene—including Sweden’s Blotnik Brothers; Dynamik Bass System out of Germany and dutchman DJ Overdose.

CeeOnic – The Sound In Your Ear [GC005]

July 27, 2017July 26, 2017 hipodromeceeonic, debonaire, electro, funk, ground controlLeave a comment

German Electrofunk purist CeeOnic checks in with Ground Control. Originally released on the label of Miami Bass legend Debonaire, the two crisp and powerful productions perfectly catch the vibe of 1980s Electro classics taking it into the 21st century. The Sound In Your Ear and That’s My Fantasy, which is included as a new Extended 12” Mix, are CeeOnic’s overdue debut on vinyl.

VA – Pop Makossa: The Invasive Dance Beat Of Cameroon 1976-1984 [AACD083]

July 15, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, afrobeat, analog africa, bernard nton, bill loko, clement djimogne, compilation, disco, dream stars, eko, emmanuel kahe, funk, jeanette kemogne, makossa, olinga gaston, outernational, pasteur lappe, pat ndoyeLeave a comment

VARIOUS - Pop Makossa: The Invasive Dance Beat Of Cameroon 1976-1984

Now Analog Africa returns to put the record straight. Pop-Makossa shines a light on a glorious but largely overlooked period in the story of Cameroonian makossa, when local musicians began to replace funk and highlife influences with the rubbery bass of classic disco and the sparkling synth flourishes and drum machines of electrofunk. The resultant compilation, which apparently took eight years to produce, is packed full of brilliant cuts, from the heavily-electronic jauntiness of Pasteur Lappe’s “Sanaga Calypso” and horn-totin’ Highlife-disco of Emmaniel Kahe and Jeanette Kemogne’s “Ye Medjuie”, to the dense, organ-laden wig out that is Clement Djimogne’s “Africa”.

The Pop Makossa adventure started in 2009, when Analog Africa founder Samy Ben Redjeb first travelled to Cameroon to make an initial assessment of the country’s musical situation. He returned with enough tracks for an explosive compilation highlighting the period when funk and disco sounds began to infiltrate the Makossa style popular throughout Cameroon.

Bob Chance – Wild It’s Broken [ERC001R]

July 14, 2017March 30, 2023 hipodromebob chance, disco, emotional rescue, emotional response recordings, funk, repressLeave a comment

Emotional Rescue’s killer Bob Chance 7″ makes a welcome return sporting some new blue artwork. Two versions are included: the original 7″ version, driven along by a razor-sharp guitar riff and sweetly lamenting lyrics, topped off with weird cosmic synths and galloping rhythm. However, the real gem is the edit entitled “Wild It’s Broken” which sharpens the focus of the guitar and adds some serious kick to the drums to create a beefy counterpart to the new age original.