VA – Ethiopiques Box [HS164VL]

May 7, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, alemayehu eshete, ali mohammed birra, buda musique, compilation, ethiopian, getachew mekuria, heavenly sweetness, jazz, mahamoud ahmed, mulatu astatke, outernational, tilahun gessesseLeave a comment

VARIOUS - Ethiopiques Box (Record Store Day 2017)

If you’ve been digging the brilliant Ethiopiques series of compilations, which shine a light on the lesser-known Ethiopian music scene of the 1960s and ’70s, you’ll love this lavishly produced box set. Put together by series founder Francis Falceto, the box boasts fresh pressings of six impossible-to-find 7″ singles and a booklet containing extensive liner notes. The musical treats come thick and fast, quickly jumping between evocative Ethiopian jazz, unique fusions of rhythm and blues and traditional East African styles, Hammond-heavy groovers and exotic dancefloor workouts that defy easy categorization. Includes tracks from great Ethiopian artists like : Mulatu Astatke, Girma Beyene, Mahmoud Hamed, Getatchew Mekuria, Tilahun Gessesse.

Pasteur Lappe – Na Man Pass Man [ASVN015]

May 7, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrica seven records, african, album, disco, funk, outernational, pasteur lappe, re-release, reissueLeave a comment

Following on from the Pasteur Lappe compilation ”African Funk Experimentals” LP, we are really pleased to be re-visiting Pasteur with a repress of his second album from 1979, ”Na Man Pass Man”. The story begins in the 60s 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. His second album ”Na Man Pass Man” is made 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.

Alessandro Alessandroni – Afro Discoteca [FLIESDJ001]

April 17, 2017December 13, 2023 hipodromeafrobeat, alessandro alessandroni, disco, four flies records, funk, jazz, outernational, soundtrackLeave a comment

ALESSANDRONI, Alessandro - Afro Discoteca (Soundtrack)

Four Flies Records is back in full force, this time with an EP that looks at the more sophisticated and modern dancefloor… The Italian label embarked on another journey of rediscovery, a specialty they seem to master. The destination of this trip was a dusty vault in Africa, where a famous Italian musician moved years ago… The Italian film and TV industry provided in the 60s and 70s countless opportunity for talented musicians to compose and produce a rich variety of music: soundtracks, library music, experimental music – an infinite amount of recordings that still represents a paradise for the most curious and passionate diggers. So here we have the proof that there’s still lot to discover. Alessandro Alessandroni is one of those pioneers, a maestro that built the legend of Italian soundtracks and library music along with Ennio Morricone, Piero Umiliani and many others. His vault testifies how prolific had been those times, with hundreds of tapes and obscure recordings from that period. Among the many, a dusty tape bearing the hand-written label “Afro Discoteca” captured the attention of Four Flies. The music contained in the tape had never been released until now.

Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek – Nem Kaldı [CATADG024]

April 17, 2017October 3, 2017 hipodromecatapulte records, derya yildirim, funk, grup simsek, outernational, turkishLeave a comment

Brand new Anatolian Psych-Pop sensation. 4 heart-melting gems where Turkish Folk meets groove and electric action. Young singer/multi-instrumentist Derya Yıldırım teams up with fantastic drummer Greta Eacott (G-Bop Orchestra / One-Take records) and 3 quarters of Catapulte Records’ Orchestre du Montplaisant (Antonin Voyant, Graham Mushnik, Andrea Piro). With members originating from Turkey, Germany, France, Italy and Great Britain, Grup Şimşek (pronounce « Shimshek ») encapsulates the Outernational generation.

Denis Mpunga & Paul K – Criola [MFM019]

April 1, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, album, denis mpunga, experimental, music from memory, outernational, paul kLeave a comment

MPUNGA, Denis/PAUL K - Criola

The last Music From Memory is a mini LP of works by Denis Mpunga and Paul K. Combining elements of traditional African music with experimental electronics, the Belgian/Congolese duo released only a handful of tracks, scattered across a few rare LP and cassette compilations that were put out in the mid eighties by obscure european labels . This release also includes a few previously unreleased songs that were found on the original master tapes.

VA – Synthesize The Soul: Astro Atlantic Hypnotica From The Cape Verde Islands 1973-1988 [OST002]

March 5, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, cape verde, compilation, ostinato records, outernational, soulLeave a comment

In the 1980s, that feeling transpired across Lisbon, Paris, Rotterdam, and Boston, as one the largest waves of migration from a single country, propelled by political instability and economic uncertainty, sent thousands of Cape Verdeans to the West’s cities. Through 18 diverse tracks, this compilation reveals how immigration from the Cape Verde Islands to Europe and the United States gave us an alternate history of the electronic music that dominated hearts and minds across the world in the late 1990s. But the story doesn’t start in a major Western cultural hub, rather in the small cluster of islands 400 miles off the Senegalese coast, and offers an unparalleled insight into the longterm cultural splendor catalyzed by migration.

South African Jazz selected & compiled by Antal

January 14, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, antal, jazz, outernational, rush hourLeave a comment

VA – Africa Airways Three: The Afro Psych Excursion 1972-1984 [ASVN030]

January 14, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrica seven records, african, african black, afro mandingue sounds, afro national, bunzu soundz, compilation, damas swing orchestra, funk, ifang bondi, jazz, outernational, psychedelic, sory bamba du maliLeave a comment

The Africa Seven label might not have been around for very long, but the London-Paris dynasty has certainly established itself as a no.1 outlet for rare, unhinged world music. This is Africa Airways Volume 3: The Afro-Psych Excursion, a gorgeous compilation spanning the years 1972 to 1984, and it clearly offers some of the most magnetic tunes that they label has put out thus far. There isn’t a mediocre song in here and, as the saying goes, it’s all-killer-no-filler; take African Black’s “Nzango”, for example, a twisted, FX-heavy tribal experiment, or the more soulful highs and lows of tunes like “Zinabu” by Bunzu Soundz. Rough, dusty, completely psyched-out, and inimitable the whole way through; if you’re looking for something that’ll get the heads turning, and the diggers jealous, then this is your LP.

The Beginning Of The End – Funky Nassau LP [ALSTON77001]

December 4, 2016August 30, 2023 hipodromealbum, alston, caribbean, disco, funk, outernational, soul, the beginning of the endLeave a comment

Seminal early 70’s Bahamian Funk of the highest order. The debut LP from the Munnings brothers legendary outfit. “Funky Nassau” is one of the most sought after Soul/Funk records ever with it’s highly original blend of US black music styles and Bahamian roots. A very famous band in their native Nassau, the group only had 2 full length albums under their belts along with a slew of 45 singles but have managed to stamp their name on the ears and minds of record lovers since they first burst onto the scene. The obvious track to reference here is the title track “Funky Nassau” a breakbeat fuelled monster dance cut that has supplied hungry samplers with sounds for decades (everyone from The Prodigy & The Roots among those who have used the cavernous drum break!), the rest of this excellent LP also includes the amazing Funk of “Come Down” and a whole host of other brilliant sun-drenched tracks. Absolutely essential. Here’s your chance to own a true classic! You’d be hard pressed to find another well rounded debut LP, this one is pure joy from start to finish.

Tilahun Gessesse – Sima! [MRP030]

December 4, 2016August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, african soul band, album, bear funk, ethiopian, funk, mississippi records, outernational, tilahun gessesseLeave a comment

During the 1970s, Tilahun Gessesse enjoyed a successful career in his native Ethiopia. Blessed with a sublime voice, he specialized in creating popular hybrids of hot American styles – most notably soul and jazz – with traditional Ethiopian styles. Sima!, which is named after one of his most revered 7″ singles, gather together music from numerous releases throughout the 1970s. It boasts numerous gems that see Gessesse combine his bold, snaking vocals with rocking rhythms, modal jazz mysticism, and heart-aching ballads. Given the standards of recording studios in Ethiopia at the time, much of the material is notably lo-fi, sound wise, but in many ways that enhances the intoxicating feel of the music. A killer selection from one of the leading vocalists from the golden age of Ethiopian music, ranging from 1969-1975. If Ethio-funk, soul and pentatonic, Sun Ra-esque moods are your bag, you’ve come to the right place.

Tanzania Soundsystem – Highlife 012 [HGHLF012]

November 13, 2016August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, highlife edits, highlife word, outernational, tanzania soundsystemLeave a comment

Introducing the next release on Highlife – our secret weapons by the mysterious Tanzania Sound System. If you’ve caught us playing anywhere this year, you’ll have heard at least one of these. Now it’s time to share the goodness…

Sory Bamba Du Mali – Sory Bamba Du Mali [ASVN035]

October 15, 2016August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrica seven records, african, album, funk, outernational, re-release, reissue, sonafric, sorry bamba, sory bamba du maliLeave a comment

In 1979 Sorry produced his third LP for the Paris based Sonafric group. Long out of print Africa Seven is pleased to be re-issuing the LP with the authorization of the newly reformed Sonafric group. The re-issue benefits from extensive restoration and re-mastering to a spectral analysis level, bringing and polishing long lost and distorted sounds. The six track masterpiece opens with ”Mayel”. It blends Afro-space grooves, cowbell and swirling organ with psych guitar and punchy horns. ”Kanaga 78” was named after his band of the time. Sounding as fresh (if not more so) in 2016 as it did in 1979 the hypnotic bass, expansive drums, twisting organ and snakelike fuzz-guitar all combine to create a masterpiece of African psychedelia. ”Bayadjourou” closes off Side A of the LP with its pulsating, incessant organ hook-line and driving tom drums while adding in layers of Malian vocal from a female chorus and Sorry himself. Side B opens up with ”Tjamantie Kolo” which is powered by driving conga and drums layered with traditional vocals and distorted picked electric guitar lines. ”N’Nebakaidi” focuses on the song writing skill and delivery of Sorry who delivers a masterful vocal over grooves which somehow manage to sound melancholy but somehow also forlornly uplifting at the same time. The LP closes with ”Nani Nani” which is a brass driven wall of African sound.

EKO – Funky Disco Music [FBNM014]

October 15, 2016August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, disco, eko, eko roosevelt louis, fly by night music, funk, outernational, riccioLeave a comment

The latest vinyl slice from Fly by Night Music sees us head to the depths of central Africa via Paris to track down a feast of rare seventies afro funky jams from Cameroonian master musician EKO. We’ve brought FBNM favourite Riccio along for the journey too, who has provided us with a fantastic Rerub coaxing out some modern dancefloor sensibilities and production sparkle. 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 we have selected for 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.

VA – Surinam Funk Force [RHMC002]

August 28, 2016August 30, 2023 hipodromeantal, caribbean, compilation, disco, funk, jazz, outernational, rush hour, steve watson, the jam band, thomas gesthuizenLeave a comment

A compilation of highly collectable and rare Surinamese 45’s and LP cuts. Compiled by Antal Heitlager & Thomas Gesthuizen this is the follow up to the Kindred Spirits released Surinam! compilation. This volume goes even deeper into the field of 70ties and 80ties funk music from the Surinamese dance floors.

Big Mean Sound Machine – Blank Slate 014 [BS014]

July 31, 2016August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, afrobeat, big mean sound machine, blank slate, caribbean, funk, house, jazz, mirko, outernational, rene audiardLeave a comment

Big Mean Sound Machine is a twelve-piece Afrobeat band native to Ithaca, New York. They tour 150 days a year and have a large and dedicated following up and down the East coast. Still, it is a crime that Big Mean Sound Machine is not well known elsewhere. The band’s tremendous sound combines a big band aesthetic while channeling a global sense of musicality. Their shows leave fans drenched in sweat from dancing as audiences absorb the West African, Caribbean, Jazz and Funk traditions that Big Mean Sound Machine carries forward.

VA – Tanbou Toujou Lou: Meringue Kompa Kreyol Vodou Jazz & Electric Folklore From Haiti 1960-1981 [OSTP001]

July 3, 2016May 24, 2018 hipodromecaribbean, compilation, jazz, ostinato records, outernational, tanbou toujou louLeave a comment

Between the 1960s and 1980s, experimentation and electric reinterpretation of traditional rhythms was rife, along with the sophisticated balancing of a host of influences. There’s the jazz-era instrumentation, brought during the early 20th century American occupation, which introduced horn sections to Haitian ensembles. Cuba, cultural imperator of the Afro-Atlantic and perennial ally of Haiti, imbued Meringue, Mambo, Son, Guajira, Charanga, and a slew of Afro-Cuban styles into the Haitian repertoire. Accordion-driven Colombian Cumbia and Dominican Merengue left their mark. A melting pot of sound was all held together by the countless rhythms, drum patterns, and percussion brought across the Atlantic from Africa, surviving slavery’s violent cultural repression. New York City label Ostinato Records make their impressive debut with this compilation of Haitian Jazz and Electric Folklore spanning two decades from the sixties onwards. Allegedly compiled from an array of private collections and radio archives in Brooklyn and several digging trips throughout Haiti, this 20-track selection offers an intriguing overview of the country’s musical diversity in this period.

Les Pythons de la Fournaise – SLP! [CATALP022]

July 3, 2016August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, album, catapulte records, les pythons de la fournaise, outernationalLeave a comment

Exquisit Franco-Creole supergroup Les Pythons de la Fournaise (named after the great volcano on the Reunion island) are rewarding us with their 2nd effort, ”Salut Les Pythons !”. More songs, more groove, more emotion in this exciting long-player where the band show they not only can compose amazing tracks and develop their interpretation of classic Sega-Lontan (typical music genre from Reunion, Mauritius and surrounding islands); but also open their sound to broader, yet specific influences, ranging from 60’s/70’s psychedelia to Eastern harmonies or African rhythms. In this LP the work on vocals is stunning; the 2-female duet in ”Maloya Ton Tisane” is a delight, as well as Reunion-native Rene Cadet’s emotion in songs like ”Pardon” . The combination between percussion and drums is extremely tight, yet supple and true to the unique groove of Sega music. Tracks like ”Ton Ti Gueul Rose” are a pure expression of the band’s inventivity – merciless Arp synthesizer and electric guitar galopping through a frenetic rhythm. Produced by the Catapulte team, this LP also benefits from a beautiful screen-printed artwork with a hand- glued photograph, different for each Vinyl copy – a unique object!

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

July 3, 2016August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, gary gritness, jacob mafuleni, nyami nyami records, outernationalLeave a comment

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.

Xoa – Aiye Le [SHAKE003]

July 3, 2016August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, afrobeat, dan shake, deep house, dele sosimi, fela kuti, outernational, shake, xoaLeave a comment

XOA is an exciting new project fusing sounds from the golden era of 70s Afrobeat with contemporary electronica and modern production. The debut release Aiye Le, features the vocals of former Fela Kuti musical director and afrobeat royalty Dele Sosimi. Label boss Dan Shake steps up for the remix on the B side, bringing his signature Detroit house aesthetic.

Outernational Days @ Bucharest 1-3.07.2016

June 5, 2016June 10, 2016 hipodromeandy votel, baba commandant, booty carrell, club control, hisham mayet, idris ackamoor, konono no1, maurice louca, okay temiz, outernational, outernational days, rabih beaini, sofa, the attic magazine, uranus garden1 Comment

out

The Attic Magazine presents the first edition of OUTERNATIONAL DAYS, a new music festival happening in the heart of Bucharest, in July 1-3.

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