At the close of the 1970s, just a couple of years after the classic psych-funk of Float, Wilf Ekanem and crew trained their frazzled peepers on Disco. Two classics here to blow your soul on fire.

Scintillating fusion from 1976, produced by Airto Moreira, with arrangements by George Duke, featuring dazzling turns by the likes of Hermeto Pascoal, Raul de Souza, Egberto Gismonti, and Robertinho Silva. Wonderful stuff.

Tipped by the New York Times: ‘I have heard no more beautiful record this year… a righteous calm takes over the album like a spirit force.’

Highly rhythmic ensembles of percussion, flutes, whistles and trumpets from the mountainous north of the country; and brilliant pichanchalassi playing, five flat stones struck with two oval stones.

How many fingers has the guy got? Truly jaw-dropping skill, from dazzling torrents of notes to beautiful simplicity, with a deeply spiritual undercurrent. In short, stunning and essential.

Two albums from the early 80s which made this king of Malian music known to the world. Here nicely packaged with notes, lyrics, photos. Highly recommended.

The Groupe Asko recorded in 1991, with Taj Mahal on two tracks.

Pure Malian blues for the heart and soul.