CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

.

Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-1976

by: Various Artists

Release Date February 04, 2008
one of the best records I've ever heard in my life. Why didn't I hear this music when I was young?

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

.

Nigeria Rock Special

by: Various Artists

Release Date May 12, 2008
I took a real punt on this album, knowing nothing about the Nigerian Rock scene of the 70's. (or even that one existed for that matter!) I knew nothing about the musicians on this album. It just sounded really interesting. Listening to the album, I was so pleased that my gamble paid off in spades!

This whole album is a joy from start to finish, a real mix of styles - the classic rock/psychedelic feel of Hendrix, Cream and Santana mixed with an underscore of funk and some fabulous African rhythms. It's a really interesting blend and I think it's great.

More please!

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

.

African Scream Contest: Raw & Psychedelic Afro Sounds from Benin & Togo 70s

by: Various Artists

Release Date March 17, 2008
I almost choked on my cornflakes in delight when I put this record on.

Samy Ben Redjeb has certainly done some hardcore searching, sifting through thousands of dusty vinyl stored in scorpion-infested warehouses to put together a compilation of such high quality it's left me scraping around for superlatives. I'm trying to think of ways to fault this record to provide some balance but, in truth, the best I can come up with is the usual problem with compilations, particularly African ones, in that each track leaves me begging for more of the same artist, yet with little clue as to how I'm going to get hold of it.

That aside, it's also pretty difficult to describe. Imagine mooching about in Benin or Togo [I think I need to ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

.

Nigeria 70 - Lagos Jump: Original Heavyweight Afrobeat, Highlife & Afro-Funk

by: Various Artists

Release Date June 02, 2008
I almost choked on my cornflakes in delight when I put this record on.

Samy Ben Redjeb has certainly done some hardcore searching, sifting through thousands of dusty vinyl stored in scorpion-infested warehouses to put together a compilation of such high quality it's left me scraping around for superlatives. I'm trying to think of ways to fault this record to provide some balance but, in truth, the best I can come up with is the usual problem with compilations, particularly African ones, in that each track leaves me begging for more of the same artist, yet with little clue as to how I'm going to get hold of it.

That aside, it's also pretty difficult to describe. Imagine mooching about in Benin or Togo [I think I need to ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

.

Ethiopiques - the Very Best of Ethiopiques: Hypnotic Grooves from the Legendary Series

by: Various Artists

Release Date August 13, 2007
Hey pop pickers! Do you despair at the state of British indie music? Need that itch seriously scratching? Man,this is one wild and groovy ride. Weird and wonderful and very much deserving the attention of any curious and open minded music fan.I ain't no world music fan ,but the currently very stale indie scene forces one to search further afield to satisfy ones needs. If you like this, watch the film: Broken flowers (Bill Murray). Alot of this music soundtracks that film brilliantly. Also try Tinariwen (for seriously cool desert blues)or Kasai allstars.
We have people like Damon Albarn to thank for drawing our attention to such brilliant music. Nice one.Fair play to bands like Vampire weekend and The Good,the bad and the queen for mixing ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

.

Lagos Shake: A Tony Allen Chop Up

by: Tony Allen

Release Date May 05, 2008
They are the Hypnotic Brass, Carl Craig and Maurizio remixes, in descending order of excellence. The rest to my ear are forgettable affairs. But the Hypnotic Brass remix is so much fun, so catchy and different you can't fail to like it.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

.

Third

by: Portishead

Release Date April 28, 2008
Much of the time bands who have gone into hibernation return with albums which are mere shadows of their previous work. This album is the complete opposite and successfully captures the eerie tones which occupy many of their best songs. I simply cannot pick a favourite from an album which oozes style.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

.

Fleet Foxes

by: Fleet Foxes

Release Date June 16, 2008
HELLO? HI, THIS IS A GOOD ALBUM, THE SONGS ARE GOOD, IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD, IT MAKES YOU THINK.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

.

Funky Nassau: the Compass Point Story 1980-1986

by: Various Artists

Release Date March 17, 2008
I would have used 5 stars to describe this LP, but the modern techniques used to put these tracks to disc has unfortunately lost some of the frequency range. That said, the content is stunning. All the tracks are extended and showcases a truly stunning house band and unequalled sound. If only some of the newer dance acts of today could show this type of inventiveness. Killer record, buy it.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

.

The Mande Variations

by: Toumani Diabate

Release Date February 25, 2008
If you do not want the hair on your neck to stand up and goosebumps to appear on your arm then don't buy it, because this CD is truly brilliant. It's different to his others but that is the greatness of this guy. Some of the tunes relate to his experiences in the UK and he even plays with us in Cantelowes when you hear the start of the sound track for The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Hey this guy has humour as well as brilliance.
With the world falling about our ears and all the talk of greed and corruption just buy this and take your mind to some calm and peaceful place. This can really contribute to your sanity. I'm off to chill out with this CD. I have all his CDs but this is really set apart, perhaps it stands out becasue it is less traditional, ... Read More: