"After being praised as one of the best releases of 2025 by multiple platforms, the highly praised debut album from Obeka lands on vinyl via YUKU.
The rhythmic dynamics and emotive attitudes of A World No More captures the density of soundsystem culture in Obeka's ancestral roots. YUKU presents the Bermudians debut album capturing a Neo-Colonial dystopia, protest and Afro-Futurism hyperextended through decaying sonic structures of a dark past and its grievances which very much exist today.
Growing into adulthood within the walls of British and European Colonial systems meant the disconnection and lostness in a new country hid me from the world at a young age. Unlike London's vast and culturally engaging migrant communities, the industrial milling town of Stockport introduced a coldness towards people from other countries I experienced in my first year after relocating from Bermuda. I couldn't understand why. Whether cold words thrown towards me or actions upon other people who look like me, it has shown to be a dooming societal virus with no cure. The most comfort was found through what was familiar - drums and rhythmic spirituality of my homeland. It was a safe-haven, a place to empty the anger and confusion. It's been 15 years since relocating and as my sound evolved, it seems classism, racism, oppression and civil control of ethnic peoples has become worse - even now more legalised and normalised. Ogun (a powerful Yoruba deity associated with anger, justice and war) acts as the opening sequence of the record and its symbolism. Using distorted bass frequencies and dissected Regga-Dub immersed in live-sampled ghostly voices of the lost ones. This sonic exercising is also applied in Drillaman - a stampede of industrial framework and metallic instruments wielded over moody Dancehall MC'ing, magnifying two parallel worlds in cocooned evolution. The resurrection of Transatlantic African cultures and identity have never been silenced, rather carried elsewhere through trade routes of enslavement, which was pivotal when composing and completing the album upon returning home to the Caribbean for the first time ever. After reconnecting with my heritage my blurred vision of what's wrong in the world became so clear. Guidance in empty plains seek truth throughout the pain - A statement of finding oneself expressed on the poetic closing track A World No More.
On Fawohodie (A West African Adinkra symbol that represents independence, freedom, and emancipation stamped on the album cover) the motive and atmosphere begins to change. Afro-Caribbean idealism which refers to the philosophical concept that emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals and the importance of community, often contrasting with Western individualism, begins to take shape in a new universe. We can co-exist. The track framework uses machine-led software forming frequencies we have no control over, then manipulated through decomposing soundscapes, scattered hand-drums and human-made weapons of control - exposing the hidden disparity that's been carried over generations whilst balancing hopeful and musical foundations towards equality and peace. On Pressure and Kuduro! the writing direction attempts to wake people up. Not settling for a composed approach like in past projects, quite the opposite. A call for native sonic awareness, dismantled vocals of protests, eroded percussion using chains, gears and motorised harmonies sculpted in challenging abstract behaviors far outside my comfort zone. A direct abrasiveness and weight I want people to feel, whilst finding hope and solace through enchanting choirs and hypnotic basslines in complete synchrony.
"Purity in sound manifests when you least expect it. The smallest memory or feeling grows from a seed into a sonic language that you, and only you can interpret and release back into the world." "
Buscar:c da afro
Originally from Sicily but living in Basel, electronic composer Marco Papiro confirms his eccentric and multifaceted personality. The sound articulation of his analog synthesizers flows into in an artificial hyperrealism of great thematic and expressive variation. The tracks unfold between ascending cosmic moments, more ecstatic meditative tones, symphonic planetary floods, exotic afrodelic and psycho-andean drifts. Papiro synthesises and converts echoes of acoustic wind instruments (oboe, recorders, bamboo flute), while the percussion lives on its own pulsating reality. The influence of certain folk traditions, as well as contemporary music, also suggests the more acoustic flavor of an ethereal minimalism (for voice and psaltery), making his music a continuous open sea of visions. Cover painting by Anton Bruhin printed on two different colored papers. Co-released with Les Giants.
- A1: The Sunburst Band - Reach For My Love (Feat Tiffany T'zelle - Special 45 Version)
- B1: Queen B Unlimited - 27 Sided (Special 45 Version)
We've got two brand spanking new exclusives for the latest Z Records 7 inch record. First up is 'Reach For It' Afrom The Sunburst Band with it's uplifting Mtume/Lucas feel, glorious vocals from New Jersey singer Tiffany T'zelle (fans will know her from Dave Lee's 'Produced With Love II' album) and all the usual star players of The Sunburst Band. Then making her debut on ZR is Queen B Unlimited with '27 Sided', an ultra smooth dose of modern disco-soul. It's and expertly produced love song about us all being different shapes, trying to find our match, we suggest turning the lights down low for this one.
Human Tree Records proudly presents Ghost Town, the third EP by Bam Bam’s Boogie, landing on 30 January. Following the exclusive vinyl release on Bandcamp, this marks the digital edition of the record
The project unfolds across four tracks that push the band’s hybrid language into darker, heavier territory, while also marking a new point of departure. Ghost Town consolidates what makes the trio so compelling, a rare alignment of sound, research, and pure energy, sharpened into a focused statement that still refuses to sit inside one genre.
Ghost Town is a collision of drum and bass, funk, breakbeat, and afro inspired grooves, built for maximum impact. Expect pounding rhythms, sharp textures, infectious melodies, and lyrics that cut deep. At the core is Jacopo Aluzzi, producer, bassist, and multi instrumentalist, transforming the bass into guitars, synths, and otherworldly noise through live looping and effects. On vocals, Kiko King delivers haunting words with magnetic presence, while Eric Oder on keys and synths expands the palette and amplifies the band’s live intensity. A visceral soundtrack for nocturnal movement, a chase through neon streets and empty corners, where the ghosts of the title feel uncomfortably close.
Veteran Japanese electronic music producer, AKIO NAGASE, a leading player in the Kansai underground music scene since the late 1990s teams up with Yukino Inamine, a gifted and young female singer from Okinawa who magically mixes traditional Ryukyu (Okinawa) folk songs with her sanshin (Okinawan Shamisen) playing into the modern age, to create this wonderful collaborative album, Yugafu ai KAJI. This album is set to be released on GLOCAL RECORDS, a record store/ record label run by Genta Minowa, an ex-staff at the record store, Disc Shop Zero in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo and who still continues to introduce a great selection of dubby, club music from his HQ in Harajuku.
AKIO NAGASE regularly organised parties at his own venue, as well as ran a record store of the same name while actively being part of the Kansai scene at legendary clubs such as Tsuru no Ma, Sound Channel, etc., the best of what was offered in the Kansai underground dance scene in the 2000s.
As an artist, he released his own productions out of labels such as Sound Channel and RUDIMENTS run by Minowa. His album, Make Dub was released in 2003 out of the label, Sound Channel featured an innovative, techno meets dancehall track, Dance Hall King which connected techno, acid house with reggae and dub. This album is an undiscovered gem whose sound still emulates freshness and originality today (my wish is for it to be reissued on vinyl!) After a brief hiatus of releasing music, he released the EP, Delusion out of Chillmountain Records, a label run by his friend, Ground in 2018 and at his own leisurely pace, he has been slowly but surely releasing material that oozes originality, expressed through a robust acid sound and a variety of elements such as afro and Ryukyu folk music that is then incorporated into the medium of dub. Recently, he has also started to gain international attention by releasing original material and remixes out of labels such as the UK label, Emotional Especial, etc.
For this album, NAGASE teams up with Yukino Inamine who brings her own distinctive singing and sanshin playing magic into this collaboration and they fuse electronic music sounds with Ryukyu folk songs to create this wonderfully imaginative album that has no precedence or equal. Apart from the song, Ishikawa Koiuta, all other songs are covers of Ryukyu folk standards that were handpicked by NAGASE from the repertoire of songs that Inamine regularly performs live. They met up when NAGASE was commissioned to remix one of her original compositions, Miyagi Kaigan that was released in 2023 and that evolved into a collaboration with a concept that mixed Inamine singing Ryukyu folk standards with a backing tracks produced by NAGASE. Whenever she went to the the Kansai area, she would work on the basic track material created by NAGASE at the dub master of Osaka, Soulfire’s studio, HAV who would then additionally edit her takes to create the finishing tracks.
This album, Yugafu ai KAJI opens with Shirahamabushi, a track that slowly builds with an interesting mix of slow acid techno and sanshin and then moves onto the easy-going electro dub of Tinsagu nu hana (it is actually a cover of the track of the same title that first appeared in the label sampler, Comuni ó n Especial that was released on Emotional Especial. NAGASE initially wanted to feature Inamine on vocals for this track but due to scheduling issues, it did not happen but with good fortune, the new version of this track is now included in this album). A side closes with the optimistic Balearic sounds of Tsuki nu Kaisha that converges immaculately with slow-mo steppers. It is also worth noting that the person who introduced NAGASE to Inamine was the Okinawa dub master, HARIKUYAMAKU. They met at a concert held by both him & Yukino Inamine hosted by BUN BUN THE MC at the venue, RAGGA CHANNEL. From this encounter, this album came into fruition and they also asked HARIKUYAMAKU to produce an earthy, traditional rootsy, dub version of Tsuki nu Kaisha that is included as the 3rd track on the B Side.
Ashimizubushi, the track that magically blends old school Chicago house ala TRAX with Ryukyu folk music starts off the B side and it carries on to an uplifting track with a Skaouse (ska + house) feel, Hounen Ondo. Inserted after HARIKUYAMAKU’s dub of Tsuki nu Kaisha, this album closes out with the song, ‘Ishikawa Koi Uta’, the only song written by Inamine who said that she wrote it after falling in love with chill-out music. It is an ambient dub track with a collage like flavour, reminiscent of early The Orb (remixed by Mad Professor) and the latter half of the track finishes off with a message presented by Masao Itokazu (her uncle) who received tutelage from the prior owner of her sanshin that Inamine plays, Moritomo Inamine (her grandfather).
Incidentally, the album title, YUGAFU ai Kaji is derived from an auspicious word from Okinawa, Yugafu which means fruitful year, happiness, prosperity and ai (indigo) is a word that Yukino found inspiration few years ago (she wears a Okinawan indigo clothing called kinonuno in the front cover of this album).
The unique indigo colouring produced by nature overlaps with the unique charm of the human personality, and she wanted to present that current along with the music so the name was integrated to ‘indigo wind’, and the two were connected to form the album title, ‘YUGAFU ai Kaji’.
The photo of the front cover was taken by a young, Uchinaanunishie—- (meaning a boy from Okinawa) 17 year old photographer named Ratio and the designer of this album is Anmonaito who is a childhood friend of Inamine who also did the artwork for her album, Miyagi Kaigan. And the mastering and cutting of this album was done by Rei Taguchi.
The cosmology existing in Yukino Inamine’s singing is fully amplified by AKIO NAGASE’s spacey, abundant with many ideas, dance machine beat~ambient music and all of these elements are organically linked by the adhesive effect of dub.
There’s a reason they call it deep House. On 'The New Jersey' EP, DJ Romain doesn’t just nod to his roots, he digs into them, scooping out a warm, rhythmic core that pulses with sweat, memory, and reverence. This is not a revival or a pastiche; it’s a love letter etched in drum machines and delay, from a producer who’s lived the lineage.
A fixture of late-’90s NYC dance floors, Romain cut his teeth in the city’s thumping underbelly, learning from the likes of Todd Terry and later carving his own signature into the genre’s sidewalk. Across these four freshly cut tracks, Romain channels the same urgency that once drove dance crews, celebrities, and nightlifers alike into motion, and still does.
Lead track “Hello New York” is a no-nonsense DJ tool, a serrated slice of big room energy built around snapping snares, a jackhammer kick, and a spoken word vocal that bristles with pride and uplift. “Put more cut in your strut… pride in your stride” - it’s part mantra, part mission statement. “But It’s Alright” flips the vibe, conjuring up basement jazz sessions through dusky chords and a muted, plucked bassline that slinks like a late-night subway ride.
On “Check Your Pockets,” the energy turns inward and abstract, a woozy, psychedelic House jam that feels like dancing through a heatwave haze. He wraps the record with “Deep Inferno,” a peak-time burner full of sticky Afro-funk polyrhythms, clashing vocal chops, and steam-pressure percussion. It’s unhinged, hypnotic, and gloriously raw.
Having revisited his archive with ‘The Lost D.A.T.S.' series, Romain returns to Hard Times not as a nostalgia act but as a flamekeeper - still innovating, still sweating, still firmly on the floor. The New Jersey EP is a love letter, yes, but it’s also a reminder: House never left. It just got deeper.
Blending Afro-Brazilian roots, electronic textures and transatlantic songwriting, Yemamaya is the debut album by French-Brazilian duo Luizga & iZem, born from a chance meeting on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in Lisbon. The project brings together the melodic and spiritual sensibility of Brazilian singer Luizga with the urban, hybrid touch of producer iZem, creating a musical journey that feels both grounded and universal.
At the heart of the album is the title track “Yemamaya”, a word whispered to Luizga in a dream. It pays tribute to Yemanjá, the Afro-Brazilian sea goddess. The song is a joyful and healing incantation, carried by Luizga’s luminous voice and subtle electronic arrangements that bridge the sacred and the rhythmic. It’s an ode to the feminine, to the ocean, and to vital energy.
“Say My Name” boldly reimagines the Destiny’s Child classic through a fresh and soulful lens. Silky R&B vocals glide over warm Brazilian acoustic guitar, while Afrobeat-inspired rhythms bring an irresistible pulse. A surprise horn section blossoms mid-track into a deep, sultry bass drop. The result is both nostalgic and forward-thinking — a perfect snapshot of the duo’s aesthetic.
On “Feelings Going Through”, the instantly recognizable voice of Curumin — a key figure on Brazil’s alternative music scene — adds a new dimension. The track is a smooth, soulful meditation on emotion, wrapped in organic percussion and refined production.
Rooted in the legacy of Brazilian popular music while embracing the global sounds of today, Yemamaya is a free-spirited and luminous musical statement. An album that sits at the crossroads of genres and continents, where introspection meets celebration.
- A1: Le Départ
- A2: Get It Got It
- A3: Serena
- A4: Red To Violet (Feat. Jamila Woods)
- A5: Marigold (Feat. J. Hoard)
- B1: Dumpalltheguns
- B2: Multiply
- B3: Sidonie
- B4: Adonis (Feat. Kirby)
- B5: U Make Me Want It
- C1: Naked (Feat. Leven Kali)
- C2: Sugarcane (Interlude)
- C3: The Water
- C4: Foursixty (Feat. Aaron Taylor)
- C5: Le Départ (Feat. Durand Bernarr)
- C6: Serena (Feat. Samm Henshaw)
- D1: Dumpalltheguns (Feat. Danielle Ponder)
- D2: Multiply (Feat. Luedji Luna)
- D3: Sidonie (French Version)
- D4: Naked (Feat. Leven Kali) (Young Franco Remix)
- D5: Serena (Tentendo Remix)
- D6: Dumpalltheguns (Jitwam Remix)
Of course! Here's a version with simpler vocabulary while keeping the meaning clear and strong:
First released in 2023, this album made a big impact in the music world. Now, the deluxe edition makes it even more powerful.
This new version includes many exciting guest artists like Durand Bernarr, Samm Henshaw, Danielle Ponder, and Luedji Luna, along with the original collaborators Jamila Woods, KIRBY, Leven Kali, and Aaron Taylor. Adi mixes strong vocals, great production, and amazing bass playing, telling personal stories and touching on important topics.
With over 80 million streams, Lotus Glow made Adi the 8th most-listened-to French female artist in the world on Spotify, with 4 million monthly listeners. The album was praised by big names like Vogue, Afropunk, Wonderland, and Rolling Stone, who all highlighted her special voice and talent.
The label say:
"Guts unearthed this afro-caribbean gem "Vini Ouais" by Djingo Typical Band for his Straight from the Decks compilation. Inspired, Art of Tones created an unofficial remix—a heartfelt tribute to this French Guiana treasure. It quickly lit up dance floors, shared among DJs like GUTS, Antal, Radio Meuh... and many more...
Here comes the official release, the remix is set to become a dancefloor banger.
Guts a déniché cette pépite de biguine-zouk signée Djingo Typical Band, "Vini Ouais", et l’a aussitôt intégrée à sa compilation à succès Straight from the Decks. Séduit à son tour, le talentueux producteur et remixeur Art of Tones en propose un remix non officiel, véritable déclaration d’amour à ce bijou venu de Guyane française.
Très vite, le titre revisité enflamme les dancefloors, circulant discrètement entre quelques DJ privilégiés, comme un secret bien gardé. Face à l’engouement et aux nombreuses demandes, le remix sort enfin officiellement, pour le plus grand plaisir de tous. Il est désormais joué par Antal, Laurent Garnier, Radio Meuh, Guts, Art of Tones, et bien d'autres, révélant un groove irrésistible qui met tout le monde d’accord."
ZAHFARI RECORDINGS is the new label led by Mushrooms Project and Manu Archeo.
Zahfari Recordings is proud to present its first release, the new Album by Mushrooms Project. 9 years after their last full length, the duo returns with a lysergic and introspective journey, intertwining and digging into their thirty-year background, exploring worlds known to them between Electronica, Leftfield, Dreamhouse reminiscences, Afro and Cosmic. A journey structured in a complex way, simple to listen to, where every sound finds its place.
NZO goes sick on a standout debut album for Demdike Stare’s DDS, distilling 2-step UKG, R&B and computerised funk within whirring mechanisms adjacent to mutant jungle and footwork - the proper good stuff.
On ‘Come Alive’ SoYo’s NZO bruks wild but tight on nine tunes chiselled from a distinctive percussive palette cut into fidgety, soulful samples. She dances in and around the cracks of myriad styles with a canny grasp of limb-animating, rhythmic diffraction; all stop/start rhythms and stuttering diva-vocaloids arranged with a rudely shatterproof, grooving pliability. More simply put: it’s dance music for those who like to get super loose and freaky with it.
Chopped up and stitched together over six months in Sheffield, it’s not hard to hear a lineage of advanced Afro-American rhythm science that also feeds into SND’s jerky-but-sexy angularities, and subsequently Rian Treanor’s rugged pugilism, now morphing back to the source, but heavily skewed with it. Her judicious sampling of R&B gems is offset in obliquely funked-up structures in ways that knowingly mess with conditioned anticipations yet never lose sight of the ‘floor, and we’re here for it.
Jumping in with the writhing darkside tekkerz of ‘Rolling Around’ and clocking out with a standout downbeat pearl ‘Looking For’, we hear her displace amapiano closer to halfstep D&B in ‘AXMM’, and decimate 2-step like Akufen on ‘CFML’, while ‘K-space baum bap’ appears to dart in the spaces between UKG and singeli, and the sloshing congas, bass motifs and dub chords of ‘Deadweight’ settle to a sort of aqueous UKF.
12" GREEN Color Vinyl / With Black Solid Jacket and Large Sticker
The Unofficial Edits & Overdubs by Joaquin Joe Claussell
Finally comes the first of a two-part forthcoming EP's, Extended Versions taken from the highly successful Joe Claussell Afro Edits & Overdubs Series previously released on LP and CD.
Influence of hallucinations induced by chewing roots from the iboga plant on the works of Joaquin Joe Claussell's Edits & Overdubs IBOGA Compilation. The iboga plant is indigenous to the humid, tropical climates of West Central Africa, including Gabon, Cameroon, Congo, and Angola, which are home to the 2nd largest rainforest in the world. It has been used for centuries in spiritual initiation ceremonies and practices, particularly by the Bwiti tradition and religion in Gabon.
Joaquin Joe Claussell was inspired by these influences and went into the studio to create a compilation of edits and overdubs of African vibrational sounds and rhythms. The result is a collection of nine compositions that showcase the future possibilities of this influential work.
Tested for months on dance floors across the globe every on this complication are sure to continue setting dance floors on fire where ever spun.
Extended Versions Cuts Taken Limited Vinyl EP featuring selected cuts from the compilation. Listen loudly and enjoy the experience!
Thank You for Listening
Dentelles Records presents La Fontaine EP Vol. 2 incl tracks by Chris Lowone, Xylène, Greg All, & Francesco Marra
Following the success of its debut release, Dentelles Records — the sub-label of Diki Records founded by Greg All — is proud to unveil the second volume in the La Fontaine vinyl series. Rooted in the spirit of the Les Dentelles Electroniques festival, this new chapter continues to celebrate the vibrant and festive energy that defines the label.
La Fontaine EP Vol. 2 brings together four exclusive tracks crafted by artists closely linked to the La Fontaine experience. This edition features a groovy and soulful vocal house track by Chris Lowone, an impressive Afro House debut by rising talent Xylène, a high-energy and captivating vocal track by Greg All, and a punchy Tech House cut by Francesco Marra.
To make this release even more special, the EP is available both on digital platforms and as a limited edition transparent Curaçao blue vinyl, adding a colorful and collectible touch to the listening experience.
Once again, Dentelles Records delivers an inspired and festive selection that captures the essence of La Fontaine's dancefloor. A must-have for vinyl lovers, DJs, and all fans of vibrant electronic grooves.
Francais
Dentelles Records présente La Fontaine EP Vol. 2!
Suite au succès de sa première sortie, Dentelles Records — le sous-label de Diki Records fondé par Greg All — est fier de dévoiler le deuxième volume de la série vinyle La Fontaine. Inspiré par l’esprit du festival Les Dentelles Électroniques, ce nouveau chapitre perpétue l’énergie festive et vibrante qui fait l’identité du label.
La Fontaine EP Vol. 2 réunit quatre titres exclusifs signés par des artistes étroitement liés à l’univers La Fontaine. On y retrouve un morceau House vocal groovy et soulful de Chris Lowone, une première sortie Afro House prometteuse de la jeune talentueuse Xylène, un titre vocal énergique et entraînant de Greg All, ainsi qu’un track Tech House percutant signé Francesco Marra.
Pour rendre cette sortie encore plus spéciale, l’EP est disponible à la fois sur les plateformes digitales et en édition limitée sur un vinyle bleu curaçao transparent, apportant une touche colorée et collector à l’expérience d’écoute.
Une fois de plus, Dentelles Records livre une sélection festive et inspirée, capturant toute l’essence du dancefloor de La Fontaine. Un indispensable pour les amateurs de vinyles, les DJs et tous les passionnés de grooves électroniques vibrants.
A pioneering force in African music, Jo Tongo has always been on top of the game. Since the late 60s he has been recording music under his early Jojo L'Explosif moniker. His debut album "Jo Tongo" was released 1976 on Fiesta/Decca and features classic tracks like Jangolo and Piani. Now, after decades of underground influence and global recognition, his second album Sa Discossa (1980) is re-released for the first time. Being an electrifying fusion of African rhythms, disco, makossa, reggae and funk it is reflecting his lifelong journey of musical exploration and cultural storytelling and claims its place as an essential recording in the Afro-disco movement.
Jo Tongo's music is inseparable from his life's story-a journey that spans continents, struggles, and victories. From his early years as a leading African musician before the global rise of Afrobeat, to his deep roots in classical training, and his time performing in France and Germany, his sound is shaped by a rich blend of influences. Having played in bands across Europe, from American military bases in Germany to the jazz and soul circuits of Paris, he absorbed the pulse of multiple musical worlds, creating a sound uniquely his own.
"My music is my life. I never saw it as a way to become a star-I am a simple man," Tongo explains. "I came into music to say something, to tell about life, to share my experiences with the world." His perspective on fame and artistry is deeply rooted in his Cameroonian background. "I wasn't interested in business. I wanted to build something with music, to create a sound that was mine."
But Jo Tongo's music has always carried a deeper message. His work reflects his strong political stance against colonialism, social injustice, and oppression. "I cannot stay silent while my people suffer," he says. "Music is a way to resist, to stand strong, and to remind people of their dignity and their power." Throughout his career, Tongo has used his platform to advocate for African identity and independence. His songs, layered with messages of social consciousness, have continued to resonate with younger generations who recognize the relevance of his words even today.
Sa Discossa is more than just a disco record. It embodies Jo Tongo's philosophy of resistance, identity, and celebration. The title itself is a blend of "disco" and "makossa," reflecting the seamless fusion of African groove and the dancefloor energy that defined the era. Tracks like Bunya, sung in his native language, carry messages of love, gratitude, and resilience-sentiments that remain as relevant today as they were nearly 50 years ago. As Tongo describes it, "Every day, give thanks and praise to your Lord. Every day, show me your love. Every day, let me show you my tender love."
Tongo's musical journey also took him through the world of reggae, inspired by his exposure to American and Caribbean artists. "At first, I didn't like reggae-it was too slow for me," he admits. "But then I heard Bob Marley, and I realized the power in its simplicity. The rhythm, the
message-it was all connected to something bigger." He later found himself embracing reggae as an essential part of his musical DNA. "I realized that my music and reggae shared the same roots. We are all connected, all telling the same story in different ways."
Having spent much of his career performing across Europe, Jo Tongo reflects on his connection with international audiences. "I've played everywhere-from Africa to Germany, from Paris to other cities in France and what I've learned is that music speaks a universal language. You don't need to know the words to feel the message."
Despite taking a step back from the stage in recent years, he remains open to new possibilities. "Music is like a fire-it never truly dies. I have a lot to say, and music is the best way to say it."
For Jo Tongo, music is more than entertainment-it's a language of truth, a testament to history, and a bridge between cultures. The rhythm of Sa Discossa lives on, stronger than ever. With Sa Discossa returning under the African Edge series on The Outer Edge label, Jo Tongo's legacy continues to resonate, proving that real music never fades.
Eko, or Eko Roosevelt, is a Cameroonian composer, pianist & vocalist. He was born in Kribi in 1946, the son of a local Tribal Chief. Eko developed his love for music at church, later pursuing his growing passionwith music studies abroad, first in Dakar and then in Paris. After concluding his studies in France he went on to a recording career and between 1975 - 1982 released a number of full-length LPs, 7" singles and albums on cassette, before returning to Kribi to take over the role of Tribal Chief from his father, a role he holds to this day.
While the name "Eko" may not be immediately familiar to all, his music will be well known to many, from the DJs to the dancers, the heads to the home listeners. Evergreen classics like “Kilimandjaro My Home”, have remained a mainstay in the record bags & USB crates of disco jocks since its release in the late 70s, while numerous of his other crossover Afro-disco gems have been bootlegged, edited and remixed by a seemingly endless number of both greater & lesser-known producers who have all paid tribute to his work. Eko Roosevelt’s position in the ranks of Cameroon’s great musicians cannot be overstated. As a composer, songwriter, pianist and singer he has influenced generations of musicians both in Cameroon and France and further abroad, while he has written & arranged for many of the Cameroonian musical community.
Here Canopy, with the benediction of Eko himself, officially reissues two of his works that have not been rereleased since their first outings. Stylistically the two songs straddle the line between Afro-disco, funk and pop, with a slightly Balearic, almost AOR sensibility.
“Phone Me Tonight” is taken from a 7” record that has barely resurfaced since it was self-released in 1981 on the “Eko Music’ imprint. The song is an uplifting opus that demonstrates Eko’s deftness for creating catchy songs that succeed in their songwriting prowess and melody crafting, both on and off the dance floor. It is a stripped back composition that employs the key elements to great effect. The groovy bass line is underpinned by a tight Afro-disco beat as Eko’s unmistakeable voice draws us in and with a masterful use of repetition and hooks, creates a song that feels familiar from the outset, while being brand new to almost all listeners. As the song develops, the synth lines lift the song higher and higher, culminating in a euphoric transcendence perfect for elevating the mood of any dancefloor.
“Take Me As I am Now”, is sourced from Eko’s first album, “Nalandi” which originally came out in 1975 on Dragon Phenix. Here we have another fine example of Eko’s ability to hone compositions that blend thelines between pop song writing and more loopy dance floor orientated structures. The vocal hook repeats throughout the song, with only minor variations, making the song feel comfortingly familiar from its early bars. An instantly appealing bass line sets the stage for the sleek guitars and taut horn arrangements. The end result is a feel-good balance of melody and groove that makes for a timeless feel with a positive message!"
Franky Wah makes Crosstown Rebels debut with ‘Disconnect’ EP, featuring Kuuda. Out on 20th June 2025, the four-tracker sees the acclaimed UK producer make his first appearance on the revered imprint.
A producer known for balancing dancefloor energy with introspective songwriting, Franky Wah’s rise has been fuelled by a string of chart-topping singles, non-stop global club and festival appearances, and the launch of his own imprint and event brand, SHÈN. With musical influences stretching from trance and breakbeat to afro-house and techno, he now brings that rich sound palette to the Crosstown fold for the first time with a release that’s equal parts euphoric and deep as it is driving. Delivering a powerful and emotionally charged four-track release, 'Disconnect' showcases the Yorkshire-born artist’s blend of underground grit and melodic sophistication, featuring two standout collaborations with rising vocal trio Kuuda.
Opening the EP, the title track pairs swirling textures, brooding basslines and crisp percussion with commanding vocals, setting the tone for the journey ahead. The synergy continues on ‘Off The Wall’, a hazy, late-night jam elevated by Kuuda’s signature warped vox interjections. On the flip, ‘Desert Dance’ continues further into hypnotic territory with wicked bass licks and layered synth work, before closing track ‘Freak In The Sheets’ delivers another impactful, heads-down groove laced with attitude. Featured on two of the EP’s four cuts, Brighton-based trio Kuuda continue to emerge as a rapidly ascending vocal project within electronic music. Known for their genre-fluid songwriting and dynamic live presence, their collaborations with Hot Since 82, Yousef and Artche have earned them widespread support from the likes of Pete Tong, Danny Howard and RÜFÜS DU SOL. Blending emotional depth with club-ready impact, ‘Disconnect’ marks an inspired meeting point between Franky Wah’s expansive production style and the Crosstown Rebels spirit—one that looks set to soundtrack dancefloors throughout the summer and beyond.
INDEPENDENT RECORD SHOP AND LABEL KLANG TONE RECORDS RE-ISSUE DEBUT ALBUM BY 8 PIECE INSTRUMENTAL EHTIOPIAN JAZZ/AFRO-BEAT/PROG COLLECTIVE;
TEZETA
“Absolutley gorgeous from start to finish…”
- Deb Grant, BBC 6 Music
“An instant obsession. Impeccable rhythms and hypnotic melodies—Tezeta crafts a spellbinding fusion of Addis and Avon that takes you on a journey."
- Don Leisure
“Gorgeous mood music with more than a nod to Addis. Lovely tapestries and textures”
- Matt Temple, Matsuli Music
'Formed in Bristol back in2014 Tezeta were an experimental 8 piece instrumental group effortlessly combining Ethiopian jazz, Afrobeat, prog and improvisation. The band spawned out of the much loved Bloom Collective - a collective of musicians and friends from an experimental corner of the city’s buzzing music scene.
Led by composer, pianist and bandleader Daniel Inzani (Spindle Ensemble, Cosmo Sheldrake) the band also featured tenor saxophonists Andrew Neil Hayes (Run Logan Run) and Lorenzo Prati (Count Bobo, the Evil Usses, Itchigo Evil), Harriet Riley (Spindle Ensemble, Paraorchestra) on Marimba, vibraphone and percussion, Pete Gibbs (Count Bobo) on bass, Conrad Singh (Alabaster dePlume, the Evil Usses) on electric guitar and finally two(!) drummers Matthew Jones (The Brackish, Slate Trio) and Daniel Truen (Yama Warashi, The Evil Usses, Rozi Plain, Count Bobo).
They initially got together to play music from ‘The Ethiopiques Volumes’, in particular, the work of Mulatu Astatke, hence the name Tezeta (Ethiopian for nostalgia) but quickly evolved into their own style with all original material, incorporating many other influences along the way. Their much loved, debut album 'Seventh Place' was released in Sept 2016.
“We at Klang Tone have been admirers of Daniel Inzani’s work with Spindle Ensemble and I was fortunate to catch Tezeta perform before they disbanded. I bought one of the last available copies of their home released cdr at their gig at local Stroud venue The Prince Albert. It became a firm favourite - a recording I keep playing and never got tired of. It’s such a beguiling mix of styles - always evolving and resolving in different ways to what you might expect - some thrilling ensemble playing rhythmically propelled by two drummers and a percussionist with Daniel’s evocative melodies at the centre. I was convinced this was a recording that deserved a bigger audience and felt it needed to be heard on vinyl so I started a conversation with Daniel about releasing it on Klang Tone as it perfectly encapsulated the raison d'être of the shop and label. We didn’t want this recording to languish online barely listened to - I felt it was in danger of becoming a lost classic. I hope that this vinyl release is a worthy testament to this great band and helps draw attention to the creative genius of composer Daniel Inzani and the talented ensemble of players featured on the recording.” - Sean Roe, Klang Tone Records
Tezeta had a cult following among other musicians and were known for their wild group solo wig outs, virtuoso musicianship and creative use of unusual rhythm, harmony and melody. They toured across the UK at various venues and festivals including Glastonbury, Shambala and Green Man, and subsequently released an EP named ‘Curious Bubble’ in 2020.
In 2023 Tezeta performed a sold out final show at Strange Brew, Bristol as Inzani decided to pursue solo releases, notably his critically acclaimed triple vinyl album ‘Selected Worlds’ released on Hidden Notes Records which landed in the Guardian Top 10 Contemporary Albums of the Year in 20204. The third disc ‘Play’ was a clear continuation and development of the music Inzani had developed with Tezeta and featured many of the same musicians.'
The cover image is from ‘Project Rewind’, a double exposure photography collaboration between Karen Dews and Paul Blakemore.
Graphic design by Adam Hinks.
Repress!
"Vision of Love 002," from Vision of Love Records, is a vibrant compilation that encapsulates sexy, groovy, and funky vibes. Featuring artists like Monsieur Van Pratt, Disco 86, C. Da Afro, Clean Is Good, The Move, and The Funk District, the album creates an alluring soundscape perfect for any setting. The tracks seamlessly blend slow, jazzy elements with infectious rhythms, inviting listeners to both relax and move. Monsieur Van Pratt's sultry melodies set the mood, while Disco 86 delivers captivating beats that keep the energy alive. C. Da Afro and Clean Is Good contribute playful, catchy hooks, and The Move and The Funk District add dynamic layers that enhance the overall groove. Together, these artists craft a collection that celebrates modern funk and jazz-infused dance music, making "Vision of Love 002" an essential experience for anyone looking to elevate their musical journey.
- A1: Afro Lupin '68
- A2: Dangerous Highway
- A3: Action Zero
- A4: Moody Afternoon & Hard Afternoon
- A5: Dark Eyes & Dark Night
- A6: Theme Of Lupin Iii, Ii
- A7: Happening 1
- A8: Theme Of Lupin Iii, Ii
- B1: Afro Lupin '68
- B2: Lightning Time & Lighting Time After
- B3: Guitar Suspense
- B4: Yeah! Lupin & Action Lupin
- B5: Lyrical Disturbance
- B6: Lupin Walkin
- B7: Happening 2
- B8: Theme Of Lupin Iii, Ii




















