awesome tapes from africa

Ben and I have been on an afro-vibe for a while now. It features heavily early on in our showroom set and sets the tone beautifully, with rumbling polyrhythms and sweet bouncy melodies. Aside from many compilations and gamble purchases, one particularly impressive and fruitful source has been the Awesome Tapes From Africa blog. This week I ransacked it, and came back with some great stuff. I will give you a taste of  the best, and hopefully you’ll follow the link to gorge yourselves.

Prince Nico Mbarga’s “Sweet Mother” is considered to be one of Africa’s greatest songs (sometimes called Africa’s anthem). It sold 13 million copies. But I prefer the jollity of this one, from a tape with his own group, Rocafil Jazz. The vocals roll tousled and dynamic around loose knots wound by high electric guitar melody, springy percussion and elastic bass.

Prince Nico Mbarga & Rocafil Jazz – Aki Special

This track by (the apparently legendary? – me neither) Ghanaian Snr Eddie Donkor (also known as Kwasi Donkor) is from a cassette called Eye Banker. He plays highlife; bright yellow sunshine, synth melodies; wiggling hips with hands outstretched. Apparently the lyrics gives brotherly advice about money, women and gossip.

Snr Eddie Donkor – Kwaku Anase

This I just must post, as they are called the Allan Family. (Same spelling as me too, and although I wish we were related, I really couldnt be less Ghanaian.) It far more tribal, with pounding drums and a call-response set of vocals between the lead and a herd of others. The tightly compressed rhthms attack from all angles, at every instant, in different hues and tones, in a fast and elaborate, yet perfectly synched formation.

Allan Family – New Creation

 Take a look at more on the blog itself, and the awesome tape covers at the flickr site.