m Fatoumata Diawara ad Vitam

His third studio album provides confirmation that the 36-year-old Cuban pianist is one of the most gifted, adventurous spirits of his generation. A lyrical approach recalling Herbie Hancock and Abdullah Ibrahim persists, but Yo also explores Cuban-African connections with guests such as kora player Sekou Kouyaté, percussionist Baba Sissoko and Mali singer Fatou Diawara. Elegant melodies such as "Bibisa" and "JMF" develop into intense instrumental sparring, while Fonseca touches on funk and electronica ("80's"), and laces compositions with poetry (an overexcited Mike Ladd on "Mi Negra Ave Maria"). By turns playful and passionate, Yo boasts poise and experimentation in equal measure.

Disclosure return with a their most direct album Energy. A global spectrum of talented artists grace the record – and for the first time this includes rappers. Appearances from Mick Jenkins, Channel Tres, Aminé and slowthai sit comfortably alongside the legend that is Common. Other features include the inimitable Kelis who opens the album and Fatoumata Diawara who the boys have also linked up with previously. Cameroon’s Blick Bassy brings his own flow to the table while a powerhouse team of Kehlani and Syd ease the pace with their contribution.

Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez is the upcoming seventh studio album by British virtual band Gorillaz, set to be released on 23 October 2020. The album is released as part of the Gorillaz Song Machine project, a web series consisting of a collection of singles and music videos, dubbed "episodes" each featuring different guest artists. It has incorporated a wide range of genres, thus far including punk rock, bossa nova, synth-pop, electronic, and downtempo. The album marked the return of the character Murdoc Niccals in promotional material, after his absence from The Now Now in 2018.

In 1969, legendary psychedelic/early progressive rock band Baba Scholae recorded an album at IBC Sound Recording Studios in London - however, it was never officially released. The band's leader was Jean-Yves Labat de Rossi, better known as M Frog, the synth and keyboard maestro on Todd Rungren's early Utopia albums and coincidentally, the founder of the Ad Vitam label. Only three copies (acetates) of 69 where made, but the album's cult following lasts to this day. Often compared to the work of King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Soft Machine and Gong, Baba Scholae's 69 is truly a ''lost and found again'' masterpiece with music that was years ahead of its time. For a gem like this to have been buried for 43 years is nothing short of extraordinary.

Ethiopian vibraphonist and percussionist Mulatu Astatke has spent most of his 70 years mixing Ethiopian musical traditions with jazz. 'Some of the music is meant to be danced to, some to be listened to. Astatke's UK links go back to student days, and this new album brings together British and Ethiopian instrumentalists and singers. Each track 'sketches' a different part of Ethiopia and its traditions, mostly written and arranged by Astatke: composed horn riffs, overlapping in harmony; calls and responses; strong grooves, and mostly simple chords. Horn lines are based on Ethiopian 5-note scales.

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - Cotonou Club (2011) {Strut STRUT077 CD}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 335 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 110 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 67 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2011 Strut | STRUT077 CD
Afro Beat / Funk / African Music / World Music

After a delay of more than 20 years, there's a new album from one of West Africa's great dance bands. Formerly known as TP Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou – TP standing for "tout puissant" or "all powerful", and Cotonou being the largest city in Benin – they started in the late 60s, recorded dozens of albums, but took decades to achieve international recognition. A series of compilation albums led to their eventual discovery by Western audiences, and the reformed band gave their first UK concert in 2009. This new album features several of those who played with Poly-Rhythmo in the 60s and 70s, and it's a rousing, varied affair.