James Stewart – Cotounou EP [ANR004]

James Stewart is the host, resident DJ and co-promoter of monthly night ”Black Atlantic Club” at Le Sucre in Lyon. Borrowing the term ”Black Atlantic” from renowned scholar Paul Gilroy’s 1993 book, Stewart presents ”black music” as a transnational, incredibly diverse cultural exchange. An avid lecturer on the subject and founder of the Blog Afrosouldescarga, he merges an intellectual approach with the musical and creative side of things: as an active conga player and percussionist, member of Voilaaa Sound System and showhost at Radio Nova. This EP is the work of of a mature and thoughtful musician, combining different musical influences at a high level of production.

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James Stewart – Cotounou EP [ANR004]

Jacob Mafuleni & Gary Gritness – Atuka Mondhoro 808 [NNR004]

The new 12’’ release from Nyami Nyami records teams up mbira maestro Jacob Mafuleni from Zimbabwe and electro-funk producer Gary Gritness from Franc. Jacob Mafuleni was Chiwoniso’s sideman on vocals and mbira on the label’s acclaimed first release ‘Zvichapera’. He recorded two new tracks in Harare with his wife Martha Thom on vocals and the traditional percussion ocho. Gary Gritness added 808 rhythms and sounds keeping the natural flow of the songs without cutting or sampling the original music. He intuitively produced the talent of Jacob’s mbira ceremonies rhythmic patterns on his TR 808 drum machine. This natural and respectful collaboration resulted in two already classic ‘afro techno’ tracks Atuka Mondhoro 808 and Chiconi 808.

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Jacob Mafuleni & Gary Gritness – Atuka Mondhoro 808 [NNR004]