Below you can find 5 albums that currently dominate my playlist. This list will be regularly updated. Hope to see you back soon!
1. Peter Somuah – Letter To The Universe
It has been a while since I put my enthusiasm on paper about Peter Somuah’s debut release Outer Space. On the follow-up, the multifaceted Letter To The Universe, Peter invites us to take another plunge into his universe through music. Along for the ride he invited some kindred spirits in the form of the multidisciplinary Latanya Alberto, neo-griot Stevo Atambire and Ghanian legend Gyedu- Blay Ambolley.
Ska has a longstanding history in making people move to its infectious groove originally created by some of the most accomplished session players around. Since the early craze in the 60’s it has become more of a niche, showcasing it’s charm only every now and than playing on the nostalgia of its warm vintage sound. With Born Blue, five man combo Jazzbo added yet another stellar example worthy of the name Ska.
3. Jah Lil – Can A Man Cry
Jah Lil’s first full-length album Can A Man Cry has slowly taken hold of me and is far from letting down it’s grip. Having witnessed Jah Lil perform songs like “Among Monsters“, “Step By Step“, and “Pet And Pamper” gave deeper meaning to an already brilliant set of personal notes on life. However firmly rooted in Reggae, Can A Man Cry portrays a contemporary style following in the footsteps of Reggae revivalists that went before.
4. Donald Byrd – A New Perspective
I’m not what you would call a Jazz adept but utter brilliance is simply hard to ignore when it is so evident as Donald Byrd’s A New Perspective. I had the album on my want list for some time now and even passed up the opportunity to purchase a rare pressing since the asking price of 270 euros was a bit too rich for my blood. I’m happy I did, because the SHM-CD I bought recently sounds phenomenal for just a fraction of what an original Vinyl release would have cost me.
5. Linval Thompson Meets Roberto Sanchez At The Ark (Marijuana Sessions In Dub)
Linval Thompson Meets Roberto Sanchez At The Ark has made a strong impression on me and that is based just on the one minute and thirty seconds snippets on of my favourite Reggae outlets Iroko Records. If you love the late 70’s Dub sound, just about on the brink of the Dancehall era, you are going to take a liking to what Roberto Sanchez has done with the original master tapes of this timeless classic from way back when. Strictly analogue as it was done in the day; reverb, echo and phase to make you wine your waist!