Zulu Guitar Blues
Cowboys, Troubadours, & Jilted Lovers 1950 - 1965
(Matsuli Music) 
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

COLLECTORS of rare records made in South Africa at the height of apartheid say around 20,000 titles were issued by record labels like Columbia, HMV and Quality featuring solo musicians and small combo’s who sang about the pass laws, forced labour and summary arrest by the police — as well as relationships gone wrong.

Many records were destroyed during forced removals or house burnings.

The 25 tracks on the CD version (the double vinyl has 18 tracks) feature artists such as the exotically named Cowboy Superman — a yodeller; Almon Memela who sings about sleeping with one eye open to avoid arrest; Play Singer who lost everything in a house fire and mention must go to the brilliant slack key Hawaiian slide guitar playing of the Nongoma Trio.

A wonderfully restored and historical treasure trove.

Fela Kuti
The Best Of The Black President
(Partisan) 
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

Coinciding with the 12-part Audible podcast on Fela’s life and music (see Morning Star November 18), this set comes as a four vinyl album box set or a CD with 13 tracks from Fela’s vast back catalogue recorded between 1972 and 1989 and featuring great musicians and his prolific band Africa 70 playing a unique blend of funk, jazz and Afrobeat.

His son Femi, who complied the set, has included the politically charged Zombie, Coffin For The Head Of State (he delivered a coffin to the Nigerian government who were responsible for his mother’s death), Water Get No Enemy and an edited Gentlemen.

The revolutionary and vibrant urgency of the music is infectious.

The box set consists coloured discs, redesigned covers and inner sleeves and a Ludo board game (yep thats right!). Admittedly I prefer the CD.

Amadou & Mariam
L’amour à la Folie
(Because Music)
⭑⭑⭑⭑☆

Amadou & Mariam’s final album together following Amadou Bagayoko’s passing earlier this year. The duo were at the forefront of spreading the popularity of Malian music and desert blues.

From humble beginnings in West Africa in the 1970s they headlined prestigious music festivals including Coachella and Lollapalooza in the US and in 2007 they played Glastonbury as members of Damon Albarn’s Africa Express.

Amadou’s distinctive electric guitar is prominent throughout and with Mariam’s vocals the set is a mix of African rhythms, funk and hypnotic blues. Appearing on the set are Manu Chao who produced their 2004 album Dimanache a Bamako (Sunday In Bamako) and Congolese rhumba star Fally Ipupa.

Mariam now tours as Mariam Sings Amadou & Mariam with her son Sam Baga and longtime band members performing songs from this farewell set and other triumphs.

Magical stuff.