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Liberator 4.2
World Psychedelic Classics 3
Love's A Real Thing: The Funky Fuzzy Sounds of West Africa

This collection serves as a great introduction to the marvelous sounds of Africa’s West Coast where David Byrnes’ Luaka Bop has uncovered yet another lost music, this time early 70’s West African Psychedelic Afro-Pop. Drawing on its influences of Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, James Brown, Cream, and others of that era. Injecting their own rhythms including those from neighboring Benin, Nigeria and the francophone-influenced regions. James Brown and Sly Stone must have been loved in this area; everything has funk as its base. The psychedelic soul of the Super Eagles on “Love's a Real Thing” is loaded with grimy organs, electric guitars with playful vocal harmonies. Perhaps best known for his massive hit “Soul Makussa," Manu DiBangos’ Cedda End Title is from the film of the same name. William Onyeabors’ “Better Change Your Mind,” a spooky, hypnotic, groove garden. “Allah Wakbarr” by Ofo & The Black Company, a head trip, driven by jangley guitars, congas and wailing, joyful chants of  “love is you, love is me,” sharing the sentiments and spirit of the early seventies revolutionary idealist. Fela Kuti disciple Bonzo Sounds' “Zinabu” carries in the more familiar Afro-beat tradition. There’s the spiritual as Orchestre Regional de Kayes' “Sanjina” and its gospel chants and Latin flavored percussive progressions over nimble guitars. A wonderful discovery of a real musical revolution that was hardly known outside its region much less televised. (www.luakabop.com/africa)

words: Jon Jon