Afro Female

Initially Luedji intended to continue along the path of her parents' political work and graduated in Law. But she also studied music at the Federal University of Bahia, and ultimately its lure proved too strong. She moved to São Paulo where in 2016 she released the single “Um Corpo No Mundo” (body in the world). YouTube popularity ensured an album would follow, and in 2017 this provided her with a further hit in the Axé (pronounced ashé) styled “Banho De Folhas” (bath of leaves). With its distinctive African guitar motive, courtesy of guitarist François Muleka, it became popular among DJs, and at last count has received four official remixes.

Shina Williams ‘Agboju Logun’ was a ground-breaking fusion of afrobeat, electronics, boogie and disco. First released on Phonodisk in 1979 as part of the ‘African Dances’ album, then in 1984 as an alternative version on Rough Trade’s Earthwork off-shoot, it has gone on to attain cult-like status

First ever compilation focusing on the musical career of Julie Coker, the queen of Nigerian television, collecting seven of Julie’s most sought-after Afro disco and hauntingly-beautiful Itsekiri highlife recordings, accompanied by extensive interview-based liner notes and never-before- seen photos.

Daymé Arocena is an award-winning Afro-Cuban jazz singer from Havana, who has been described as Cuba's "finest young female singer". She won the 2015 Juno Award for the best jazz album, as a member of the jazz band Maqueque performing with Canadian musician Jane Bunnett. Arocena is on National Public Radio's list of 50 favourite albums of 2015, with the album "Nueva Era". Describing Arocena's voice, NPR host Felix Contreras called her "a cross between Celia Cruz and Aretha Franklin", saying that Arocena's name "deserved to be alongside those two legendary voices".

Featuring Giants From The Era When Indie Pop, Indie Dance And The Newly Christened Britpop Became Massive Including Oasis, Manic Street Preachers, Pulp, Radiohead And Suede, NOW Live Forever: The Anthems Is Packed With 82 Universally Loved Tracks Ready For You To Re-Live! Perfect For Father’s Day Or To Treat Yourself To, This Anthemic 4CD Compilation Also Includes Huge Hits From Across The Pond Such As, R.E.M. ‘What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?’ And Iggy Pop ‘Lust For Life’.

The internationally acclaimed, award-winning female African-American a cappella group Sweet Honey In The Rock has followed its adventurous spirit and undertaken the challenge of honoring some of the seminal songs that first inspired its unique blend of folk, blues, jazz, gospel and ethnic music in a concert presentation utilizing an instrumental backing trio for the first time in its career, now approaching its fourth decade. Upping the ante, the singers decided to perform this special program at New York s prestigious Jazz at Lincoln Center venue and to record their two-night appearance there.

Over the last few months, I’ve been reviewing just a few of the Backbeats series of compilations released by Harmless since 2009. This is a comprehensive overview of various genres of music that numbers everything from Deep Soul, Eighties Garage and Northern Soul to Philly Soul, Disco and House music. One of my favorites of the thirty compilations that Backbeats, a subsidiary of Harmless have released is The Big Apple Bites Back-New York House and Remix Culture, released in July 2010. This is compilation that contains a combination of Salsoul and house music, many of which are remixed by various DJs. Among the DJs remixing tracks are Frankie Knuckles, Kerri Chandler, Joe Clausell and Blaze.

Jane Bunnett & Maqueque are a force of nature. What started out five years ago as a project to record and mentor young brilliant Cuban female musicians, has become one of the top groups on the North American jazz scene. In the last year, they have played in major jazz festivals like Newport and Monterey, been featured on NPR’s programs Jazz Night in America and TIny Desk Concert, were nominated for a Grammy Award for their newest release, Oddara, and, most recently, were voted as one of the top ten jazz groups by the prestigious DownBeat magazine’s critics poll.