The recent announcement from Soundway Records of a new Africa Special compilation coming out at the end of this month has got me very excited!
My first foray into West African music from the '60s - '80s was when I won one of these compilations in a competition at an old job.
This newest selection is the record label's first release from East Africa, it's also the first Africa Special release in three years so it's been a long time coming. I've already pre-ordered my copy and you can here: http://soundwayrecords.greedbag.com/buy/kenya-special-selected-east-afri/
With this in mind I'm going to recommend two albums today for anyone who wants to listen to any music from this fantastic era.
My first foray into West African music from the '60s - '80s was when I won one of these compilations in a competition at an old job.
This newest selection is the record label's first release from East Africa, it's also the first Africa Special release in three years so it's been a long time coming. I've already pre-ordered my copy and you can here: http://soundwayrecords.greedbag.com/buy/kenya-special-selected-east-afri/
With this in mind I'm going to recommend two albums today for anyone who wants to listen to any music from this fantastic era.
1.
The Anambra Beats - Ayamma
From the album "Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Blues & Nigerian Blues 1970-6"
This is the song that started my love for this genre and compilation series. This is the first track from the album(that I won from work). Everything about this song makes me smile; the tonality, the repetition, the key, the guitar rift, the trumpet solo, the main vocalist's throaty voice, it's a joy to listen to.
Every song on this compilation has the same heart and soul as this starter and it's a great place to begin your journey.
On a side note, the Nigeria Special series also has a disco compilation which is unlike anything else I've ever heard.
2.
Orchestra Baobab - Sou Sedhiou
From the album "Bamba"
Orchestra Baobab are a Senegalese band that have been around for decades. They went on a 15 year hiatus in 1986 but released a new album in 2007. It was this album that I first heard of theirs but it's this compilation of earlier tracks, released in '93 that I keep coming back too.
Although they are heavily influenced by Cuban Son music, my favourite song from this album is this fast-paced highlife soaked number. This song brings nothing but good feelings to me and it has possibly my favourite guitar solo ever (2:30 in). It's also been one of my main bass practice songs so I've heard it a lot and am still not sick of it!
