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Music

The Budos Band Prove They Are Not 'Long in the Tooth'

The Budos Band are more ferociously funky than ever with their 15th-anniversary album, Long in the Tooth.
Recent
Music

Nkem Njoku and Ozzobia Brothers Bring Summery Highlife to 'Ozobia Special'

Summery synths bring highlife of the 1980s on a reissue of Nkem Njoku and Ozzobia Brothers' innovative Ozobia Special.

Music

The World Comes to Johannesburg on Phenomenal Collaboration 'Keleketla!'

Consistently exciting, always surprising, and full of soul, Keleketla! is one of the most remarkable releases of the year to date.

Music

Michael Olatuja Cooks Up Some "Lagos Pepper Soup" with Angélique Kidjo (premiere)

Bassist Michael Olatuja and legend Angélique Kidjo celebrate life and culture on "Lagos Pepper Soup".

Music

'Rejoice' with Tony Allen and Hugh Masekela

This long-delayed collaboration by two African master musicians is an occasion for jubilation. Rejoice is a posthumous reminder of what Hugh Masekela at his best could deliver and of the now 80-year-old Tony Allen's amazing vitality.

Music

Meet Malawi's Katawa Singers via the Retrospective 'Ufulu 1991-1997'

The electro-gospel choir, Katawa Singers, are legendary in their native Malawi, and the retrospective Ufulu 1991-1997 helps show why.

Music

Jazz, Soul, and a Whole Lot More with the Souljazz Orchestra

The Souljazz Orchestra confront current political realities with a mix of reggae, ska, disco, and punk -- plus some jazz and soul, of course -- on Chaos Theories.

Music

'Nigeria Soul Power 70' Expands to Include Even More Funky Soul

Soul Jazz packs an impressive range of vintage sounds into an expanded release of Nigeria Soul Power 70.

Music

Kaleta and Super Yamba Band Create Glorious Afrofunk on 'Mèdaho'

There are no half-measures for Kaleta and Super Yamba Band on searing Afrofunk album, Mèdaho.

Music

Nigerian Producer Ekiti Sound Weaves Electronic and Hip-Hop Within Traditional Sounds on 'Abeg No Vex'

Producer Ekiti Sound debuts with an ultra-modern take on Nigerian traditions old and new on the eclectic Abeg No Vex.

Music

Here Lies Man Combine Afrobeat and Psych Rock on "Long Legs (Look Away)" (premiere)

Here Lies Man continue to blaze a trail in modern Afrobeat with psych rock riffs and driving drums on new single "Long Legs (Look Away)"

Music

Golden Dawn Arkestra Seeks to Heal With "Mama Se" (premiere + interview)

Golden Dawn Arkestra make their earthly home in Texas. Founder Zapot Mgwai says, "I wanted to talk about how this could be the end for human beings if we don't get our shit together."

Jedd Beaudoin
Music

DJ Chillz Pulls You onto the Dancefloor on "1111 Accord" (premiere)

With its punchy beats and electrifying groove, DJ Chillz makes "1111 Accord" sound so effortless.

Music

20 Questions: Sinkane

Sinkane's latest album, Dépaysé, is the sound of a one-man revolution that has begun not with the shots of a gun, but with the purposeful strums of a guitar. He answers PopMatters' 20 Questions.

Music

The Sublime 'Nigeria 70' Series Continues with 'No Wahala: Highlife, Afro-Funk & Juju 1973-1987'

Strut Records celebrates its 20th anniversary with a brilliant new installment in its funk-centric Nigeria 70 series.

Music

20 Questions: Ibibio Sound Machine

Beloved London collective Ibibio Sound Machine merges African pop styles with sleek synth aesthetics and they are back with a new album and plenty of opinions on Brexit, Bob Marley, and (of course) Thor.

Evan Sawdey
Music

Britain's Ibibio Sound Machine Bring Depth to the Dancefloor on 'Doko Mien'

Doko Mien highlights Ibibio Sound Machine's versatility as the group continues to bring Lagos and London together in new ways.

Music

London's Nubiyan Twist Try a Little Bit of Everything Soulful on 'Jungle Run'

London-based collective Nubiyan Twist lean toward neo-soul on Jungle Run, a style that tends to be a free-flowing mélange of jazz, soul, hip-hop, and electronics.

Music

Brits in Hot Weather #12: Elephant Trees, DJ Chillz, Dream Reporter, Szjerdene, and Gagarin

In this edition of Brits in Hot Weather, we have edgy electropop from Elephant Trees, Afrobeat-tinged house from DJ Chillz, haunting dream pop from Dream Reporter, soulful house from Szjerdene, and the ambient soundscapes of Gagarin.

Music

Volcano Emits Acid-washed Afrobeat on "The Island" (premiere)

Volcano spins tales to the sounds of acid-washed Afrobeat on new track "The Island".

Music

São Paulo-based Bixiga 70 Creates Their Grandest Music Yet with 'Quebra Cabeça'

The Afro-Brazilian instrumentals of Bixiga 70 are bolder and brassier than ever on Quebra Cabeça.

Music

Ebony Bones Kicks Her Music Into High Gear on 'Nephilim'

Ebony Bones performs a deep exploration of her complex sound, resulting in a magnificent collage of different genres and approaches producing a poignant, multifaceted work.

Music

De'Anza Marries Tradition, Funk on Spiritually Charged "Want" (premiere + interview)

De'Anza has been called the leading lady of Latin alternative. Her new video for "Want" and upcoming EP demonstrate why.

Jedd Beaudoin
Music

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 Bring the Funk and Activism to 'Black Times'

Like father, like son. On Black Times, Afrobeat bandleader Seun Kuti inherits his father's passionate combination of fiery activism and intoxicating funk.

Music

Femi Kuti Wants to Unite the World on 'One People One World'

Femi Kuti sings for peace, love, and understanding on the reggae-infused Afrobeat of One People One World.

Music

Tal National - "Akokas" (audio/video) (premiere)

Niger's Tal National returns with its distinct brand of celebratory rock on "Akokas".

Music

Here Lies Man - 'Animal Noises' (EP stream) (premiere)

Here Lies Man blends rock with Afrobeat to thrilling results on new EP Animal Noises.

Music

Tony Allen: Film of Life

As Tony Allen and Afrobeat continue to influence the music world at large, the master drummer lets the music world at large continue to influence him.

Music

Zongo Junction: No Discount

It's not surprising to see free jazz credited alongside Fela Kuti as one of the group's inspirations.

Music

Fela Kuti: The Best of the Black President 2

Knitting Factory's second Fela Kuti retrospective is no less vital, gripping, or essential than the first.

Music

Elikeh: Between 2 Worlds

This Afropop band from DC keeps it lively and conscious on its third album release, but needs more of an edge.

Music

The Souljazz Orchestra: Solidarity

These ten songs draw from a huge variety of old music, but the Souljazz Orchestra always speaks (and grunts) with immediacy.

Music

Antibalas: Antibalas

The Afrobeat-fixated collective finally grows a few extra dimensions.

Music

Rocket Juice & the Moon: Rocket Juice & the Moon

This debut showing from the team-up of Damon Albarn, Flea, and Fela Kuti drummer Tony Allen is surprisingly unambitious but solid and fun.


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