Fresh homage to Pharoah, Alice, Ra, and co, from an all-star Kiwi line-up.
‘Each instrument seems to be in orbit around the concept of symbiotic synergy, and everyone is given equal space to shine: from a psychedelic Korg, to a delirious saxophone or the gentle ripples of a harp. There’s a huge array of keyboards, with a standout acoustic piano solo by Guy Harrison on Plume. The wind section delivers ecstatic saxophone riffs, futtering flutes and solid horn choruses throughout. Percussion, vibraphone and acoustic bass lay the foundations. A full choir performs arrangements by Matt Hunter.’

Kikuyu ‘liquid soul’, Luo benga with its rat-tat-tat beat and layered guitars, Swahili afrobeat, Congolese rumba, plus influences from SA and Zambia, disco and funk, coastal rhythms like chakacha. Mostly from 45s.

Grooving Ghanaian boogie from the wizz keyboardist.

Moody, experimental, Ghanaian Afro-Rock — recorded by these teenagers in 1973 for EMI Nigeria, after a run at Fela’s Shrine.

Engaged and spiritual Yoruban blues-rock from Joni Haastrup’s band in 1974.

Headlong, monster guagancos, descargas and cumbias, with pumping electric bass, Joe Arroyo at the mic, badarse metal percussion, tumbadora and timbales, trumpets, guitar, piano, Michi’s sax and clarinet. Rough!

The second album by the Ghanaian superstars, from 1974, for a change mixing their hit-making high-life with traditional rhythms and folk touches, and a little funk and afrobeat.