African Film and Music Classic
1958 is not a project I would miss if you are interested in contemporary African music. Blick Bassy presents a heavy magnifying glass that appears weightless at the first glance, however it does offer a terrific exposition of his master of music which indeed is all a backdrop for his sombering reflections on the history and condition of his home.
As the African contemporary sound continues to grow and change, it is also important to be reminded of the brilliance that brought us to where we are, and celebrate that excellence. Albums like History are bespoke for this purposes, filling you will the satisfaction of nostalgia yet guiding you into the future.
Tresor’s Nostalgia is definitely up there with some of the very well written and composed bodies of music reviewed on this website. The project is a testament to the diversity of the contemporary African sound as it offers an alternative joy to the pulsating and algorithmic “afrobeat” sound. Much like Pierre Kwenders, Chino Amobi and Beatenberg, Tresor via Nostalgia expands the scope of what our lives as Africans can sound like. Indeed, this is made possible by grounding the album in the music of his childhood drawing of the intrinsic rhythms and melodies that are enveloped in his memories of the past, made fresh by the voice of the present.
From the sparkly album art to the loose yet compact sequencing of fragments of his life in the track listing, Odunsi has successfully managed to create a courageous body of work that is enriching at its coldest and blissful at its warmest. Some moments in music are so rare and candid that they are instantly unforgettable. With the right chemistry of honest naked emotions and measured portions of the bliss of nostalgia and the racy excitement of uncertainty, few artists are able to hypnotize listeners. On “rare.” Odunsi The Engine does just that.
Ethio-jazz legend, Hailu Mergia is making a resounding statement on his first studio album in 15 years, “Lala Belu”.
Nigerian singer and songwriter Maleek Berry has started 2018 with his best foot forward by following up his success from … More
Paradiso tells the story of the black body through electronic music, presenting a candid and tangible dimension that can only be experience through this haphazard mess of sounds, tightly knit by the breadcrumbs of relatable noise, layered at various points on the projects.
MAKANDA at The End of Space, the Beginning of Time is an 11 track sonic odyssey fabricated with cosmic sounds forged from a special brew of traditional Congolese rumba to modern funk and jazz and soul that mesmerizes you with bliss from the first clap to the last spin of the record
With few bumps along the groove, Rose Gold is an easily enjoyable record by a young artist with so much promise. Wrapping up in just 41 minutes, the album quickly warms up to you by being honest and relatable whilst sculpting a welcoming soundscape littered with a well-blended variety of moody and cheerful sounds.
Zara McFarlane is charting a star system of African diasporan heritage, painted with the lush rousing strokes of jazz and … More
DANDANO 