Captain Yossarian
Fela Kuti In Dub
(Agogo Records)
HHHHH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnorvhY8NuU 

RECORDED and produced in a tiny studio in Munich, this release features dub versions of four Fela Kuti classic Afrobeat numbers: the anti police and armed forces Zombie In Dub; climate change, Water No Got No Enemy; police attacks on Everything Scatter In Dub, and capitalist greed, Expensive Shit In Dub.

Give a listen to the thundery percussion imitating the pouring rain on Water No Get Enemy; marching soldiers and shotguns on Zombie; the sound of a cash register on Expensive Shit and the dubbed sirens on Everything Scatter.

28 relentless minutes — wonderfully performed by Manuel da Coll (aka Cpt. Yossarian) who plays guitar, keyboards, drums, and “additional analogue sound effects”

Yossarian uses a portable (a bicycle) battery powered Dub Sound System blasting out his unique mixes. This is a great tribute to the Nigerian political activist: Fela Kuti meets King Tubby Uptown!

Orquesta Akokan
America!
(Daptone)
HHHHI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=871OhYAhQGU 

ORQUESTRA AKOKAN debuted for Daptone Records in 2018 earning a Grammy nomination for Best Tropical Latin Album. Follow up albums — 16 Rayos and Caracoles also received critical acclaim.

Formed from Cuban bands like Los Van Van and Irakere, the reality of life in Cuba has meant that many of the younger members of the band have left the island.

The set features tracks by Oliveros — the Colombian vocalist who fronts alt-Latin outfit Combo Chimbita and Miriam Elhajli, the celebrated Venezuelan-Moroccan singer.

It also features Cuban saxophonist, bandleader, and composer Roman Filiu who has a direct link back to the great lineage of Cuban musical giants.  “When he takes a solo,” arranger Michael Eckroth says,  “you can hear the history.”

America! depicts how Cuba has provided the rhythmic backbone of Latin American music, back to the days of 1930s and ‘40s icons Perez Prado and Benny More.

Nana Osei Twum Barima
Journey To The Unknown
(Zephryus)
HHHHH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kxRjsfhxyo 

BORN in Ghana, when Nana’s father died he was still in school. “I had to become a man” he says and helped bring up his five siblings.

He also learned to play the seperewa — a traditional Ghanaian 10 to 14 stirng harp-lute.

His great-grandfather is credited with reviving the instrument following its near disappearance during British rule.

After studying African music at university, Nana left Ghana and arrived alone in rain soaked Brussels - presenting him with the lyrics for Belgium And Rain - “In Belgium it always rains, day and night - it has no shame” accompanist Roland Van Campenhout says on the track.  

On Until When he dreams about his childhood surrounded by lush forests and clean streams now destroyed by mining and on Message To My Ancestors, (a reflection on tough times), he is joined by sitar player Nicolas Mortelmans. Magical stuff.