Kʒːlu ‘Vol.II Cortis’ (Creeping Curtain Records) - a review

December 2, 2024

The West Cork based guitarist and composer Pat Hatchett returns under his Kʒːlu (curlew) moniker with a fantastic album of introspection, leftfield soul and cosmic Afro-disco. An amazingly eclectic musician, he was hit with a serious and debilitating ear problem that forced him to think outside of the box to fix himself physically and spiritually. Aiming for connection and optimism in a time of personal and geo-political upheavals, Pat has created a sensational record with stellar musicianship and spiritually positive vibes that is as visually rich as it is sonically electrifying. Read / Listen.

Phil Dawson ٤-tet with Dele Sosimi and Biola Dosunmu - Ilé (Iyesa) feat. Rowland Sutherland (Funkiwala) - PREMIERE!

September 27, 2024

We are delighted to premiere the first single from Phil Dawson ٤-tet’s forthcoming ‘Don’t Waste Your Ancestors’ Time’ album on Funkiwala. ‘Ilé (Iyesa)’ is an absorbing, funky and spiritually charged number that stands up tall next to Airto’s Afro-Brazilian experiments in the 70s and features an outrageous lineup of world class musicians from Nigeria, Brazil and the UK jazz scene. Read / Listen.

Arnau Obiols & KAYYAK 'Faith / San Diago EP' (Compost Records) - a review

April 4, 2024

The electronic music producers Arnau Obiols & KAYYAK have a new release on the mighty German label Compost Records and their inspired ability to blend West African inspirations, disco and psychedelia into loose dancefloor anthems continues. With outstanding remixes from Medlar & Dele Sosimi, Prins Thomas and Chicago’s Rahaan also in the package, this is seriously good party business. Read / Listen.

A08 'Waiting For Zion' (Compost Records) - a review

October 27, 2023

Formerly known as Africaine 808, the German duo Dirk Leyers and DJ Nomad (AKA Hans Raabe) return under the name A08. Their name may have changed but their ability to weave the polyrhythms and melodic traits of many cultures into their club-ready productions hasn’t changed. With star guests from Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, Trinidad and Germany along for the ride, ‘Waiting For Zion’ has Grime X West Africa collisions, jazzy bruk sounds, Caribbean electronica and a host of hard-to-define tracks that work just as well at home as on the dancefloor. Big recommendation. Read / Listen.

Lagos Thugs 'Chaos' (Immensum Music) - a review

October 17, 2023

Lagos Thugs are a young 12-piece Afrobeat orchestra from Nigeria in the vein of the classic Africa 70 and Egypt 80 outfits of Fela Kuti. Led by singer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Adetunji Adeyemi, the band have come a long way since their inception in 2020. On this, their debut album, they deliver four lengthy new compositions that hark back to the golden eras but also mark out new ideas with touches of New Orleans style brass collisions and a touching and soulful vulnerability. With forthcoming projects with Ezra Collective and more coming, Lagos Thugs are bringing that home-grown authenticity back to the genre. Read / Listen

Jazzanova and DJ Amir - photo credit Braden Harris

'Strata Records - The Sound Of Detroit - Reimagined By Jazzanova’ (BBE/180 Proof) - first single alert!

January 12, 2022

Finally…the first fruits from DJ Amir’s invitation to Jazzanova to reimagine, rework and revitalise some of the revolutionary Detroit label Strata Records’ brilliant but outrageously underexposed catalogue of music are here! With tracks and remixes from Jazzanova, Waajeed and Henrik Schwarz, this is essential… Read / Listen here

Various Artists 'Covers 3' (Tru Thoughts) - a review

October 14, 2020

Tru Thoughts bring out the cover versions once again in the third installment of their ‘Covers’ series and there are beauties within. Hot 8 Brass Band, Quantic, Mark de Clive-Lowe, sUb_modU and J-Felix amongst many stirring up the ingredients and coming up with something fresh! Read / listen….

RIP Tony Allen - A True Giant Of Music (1940 - 2020)

April 30, 2020

A personal experience of Tony Allen from Ex-Friendly…read / listen here…

BBE In-store: Tabansi Studio Band - Album Launch

March 1, 2020

Our own Ex-Friendly joins legendary compiler John Armstrong at The BBE Store in East London for the launch of two albums by the brilliant Tabansi Studio Band…Afrobeat but not as we know it!

Ebo Taylor 'Palaver' (BBE) - a review

September 25, 2019

A ‘lost’ album from the undisputed heavyweight champion of Ghanaian funky-highlife, Ebo Taylor you say? Finally released by BBE after nearly 40 years on the shelf, this is a wonder…read/listen here…

Ojo Balingo – Afrotunes – Best of Juju Vol. II – Oba Mimo Olorun Ayo (BBE/Tabansi) - a review

July 3, 2019

A totally bad ass album of rare Nigerian Juju music from Ojo Balingo…if you know ‘Synchro System’ by King Sunny Ade, then here is the source…read/listen here…

Dave Maze releases hot new Afrobeat joint 'Ndi KanyI' on D&e Chicago - interview

May 15, 2019

Chicago DJ and Producer is dropping a hot new Afrobeat joint on his own D&e Chicago imprint…we caught a few words with him before his first DJ gig outside of the States…read on..