Tag Archives: African

SONG OF THE DAY Mary Afi Usuah – Tenkim Kpoho

A truly powerful woman of funk, soul and afrolife, Mari Affiong Usuah hailed from Oron town, by way of Calabar in southeastern Nigeria. With a voice carries itself over many genre borders, Mari was trained as an opera singer at … Continue reading

Posted in African, Disco, Funk, Highlife, Soul | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

SONG OF THE DAY Yoruba Singers – Basa Bongo

Known for being one of Guyana’s longest surviving bands, The Yoruba Singers got together in the early 1970’s. Originally consisting of singer Abiola, producer/singer/musician Bonny Alves and third member Eze Rockcliffe, the band have had several line-up changes since their … Continue reading

Posted in Funk, Soul, World | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

SONG OF THE DAY Ginger Johnson & His African Messengers – Talking Drum

“All the music that we do is based firmly on African traditions. So is rhythm and blues – but we try to get nearer the source, right down to the grass roots of the jungle – the sun, the heat, … Continue reading

Posted in African, Afro beat, Rhythm-based, World | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

SONG OF THE DAY Solomon Linda’s Original Evening Birds – Mbube

I know it happened a lot in the past when songs were covered and then went on to be really popular, but the original artists didn’t even get credited, let alone get any royalties…but I never realised today’s song was … Continue reading

Posted in African, cover version | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

SONG OF THE DAY Yishak Banjaw – Libey Ma’aduley

I don’t know what it is about this tune that makes me smile so much!? Is it the otherworldly, I-was-created-on-another-planet sound, the very enticing mystery in the melody, or just the sheer wonder of its simplicity….of course its all of … Continue reading

Posted in Afro beat, afro funk, Afro jazz, Afro-psych, Ethio-Jazz, Ethiopia, Psych rock, Psych-world, Psychedelic, Synths, World | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SONG OF THE DAY Yaseen & Party – Kiss To Kiss

I’d really love to know the original release date to this sweet, sweet piece of music, it’s so bloody addictive!! I know that some of this music was originally issued on shellac, so I’m going to assume its from the … Continue reading

Posted in African, Folk, World | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

SONG OF THE DAY Henri Bowane – Wabon’kum Blues

The happiest accidental tangent of the most fortunate kind befell my lucky ears earlier today when I found this little beauty!!!! Emerging in the late 1940’s, guitarist, singer and bandleader, Henri Bowane was a pinnacle figure in the development of … Continue reading

Posted in African, Blues, World | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

SONG OF THE DAY Menelik Wossenachew – Belew Bedubaye

Earlier this year I featured a track (a cover in fact) by the great Ethiopian singer/music writer and lyricist, Menelik Wossenatchew. His version of Tezeta is really rather glorious and his vocal tone is as mellow as the sinking sun … Continue reading

Posted in African, Ethiopian jazz, World | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

SONG OF THE DAY Tak Shindo ‎- Mombasa Love Song

Born in America in 1922, Takeshi “Tak” Shindo was a Japanese American musician, composer and arranger best known for his prominence in the world of exotica music. Active throughout the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, his main instruments were the … Continue reading

Posted in African, Afro Cuban, Exotica, Jazz | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

SONG OF THE DAY Les Golden Hands – Amal Hayati

So enchanted was I by this band the other day that I promised I would cover the b-side to the song I featured last Thursday…and here it is!! Amal Hayati compliments is counterpart perfectly with a psychedelic and hypnotic trip … Continue reading

Posted in African, Instrumental, Psychedelic | Tagged , , | Leave a comment