Sparks Fly on Jupiter and Okwess’ Thrilling ‘Ekoya’
Jupiter and Okwess make bold music that moves the body and mind. They are expert at making history and social commentary exciting.
afrobeat
Vampisoul Reissues Violeta Parra’s Brilliant Final LP
It’s always a good time to revisit music taking a stand against fascism, and Violeta Parra’s Las Últimas Composiciones has some of South America’s best.
Legendary Ebo Taylor Creates a ‘Jazz Is Dead’ Album
In this ‘Jazz Is Dead’ celebration of highlife legend, Ebo Taylor, a genuinely appreciative team revels in everything he’s done in the past six decades.
Aboubakar Traoré and Balima Are Irresistible on ‘Sababu’
Sababu is a decisive step forward for Aboubakar Traoré and Balima, moving them toward becoming internationally focused West African folk-pop standouts.
Afro Celt Sound System End a Chapter with ‘OVA’
With OVA, Afro Celt Sound System’s eighth LP, the long-running story comes to what seems to be its coda with the death of Simon Emmerson last year from cancer.
São Paulo’s Nomade Orquestra Sounds a Brassy Revolution
São Paulo band Nomade Orquestra’s ‘Terceiro Mundo’ is a shining example of a group capable of being original, inventive, and nonetheless broadly appealing.
Lollise Makes a Splash With Brilliant Debut ‘I Hit the Water’
Lollise’s I Hit the Water is brilliant, swirling, and compelling with its blend of Afrobeat, soul, and electronics. It’s a debut deserving all your attention.
Ugandan Master Storyteller Ekuka Morris Sirikiti Is Spellbinding
Ekuka Morris Sirikiti’s work reminds us that he and his traditions are very much still here, not artifacts of old media but flesh and blood, spirit and sound.
Remi Kabaka’s Jubilant ‘Roots Funkadelia’ Is Reissued
Roots Funkadelia is a joy of a record with Remi Kabaka and company celebrating West African popular sounds and everything they’ve generated in the diaspora.
Jembaa Groove’s Jazzy Highlife Is Beautiful on ‘Ye Ankasa’
Berlin’s Jembaa Groove tap into the sonic palettes of African and diasporic forms like highlife and jazz to create a truly elevated work of art.
Ekiti Sound Premieres the Sensuously-Charged “aLAcarte pt. 2”
“aLAcarte pt. 2” offers another sweet slice of Ekiti Sound’s culturally-spiced pie. It’s a sensuously shuddering, percussive jam that is as minimal as deep.
Kimi Djabaté’s African Pop Moves Hearts and Hips on ‘Dindin’
Kimi Djabaté’s Dindin is an invitation to fellowship for Africans and beyond and a call to take care of unfinished business with kindness and compassion.