Simon Jurad J-P Marthely
Simon Jurad

­The mysterious afro-­soul of The Shaolin Afronauts first echoed across the dance floors of Australia in early 2008, captivating audiences with a highly evolved and unique approach to avant-garde soul music matched with an improvisational pedigree that immediately set them apart from their peers. In the almost fifteen years since the ensemble's debut they have released three albums on Freestyle Records and toured across Australia and around the world.After an extended hiatus punctuated by rare live performances, The Shaolin Afronauts return with The Fundamental Nature of Being, an epic five album release that expands the sonic vision of the ensemble to towering new heights of burning afro-funk alongside esoteric and ethereal new sonic excursions. This expanded musical journey further explores the wide spectrum of the band's musical identity – with each of the five parts designed as both standalone records, while also offering a singular listening journey across the band's expansive musical world. This, the second part in the collection, draws on the band's rich influence of Ethiopian and sub-saharan soul and funk, alongside spiritual jazz, rock, and 1970s film soundtracks.

Vis-A-Vis released a hugely impressive 13 albums between 1975 and 1982. Both talented studio artists and live musicians, the band was led by vocalist Isaac "Superstar" Yeboah with Sammy Cropper on guitar, Slim Manu on bass and Gybson "Shaolin Kung-Fu" Papra on drums. The We Are Busy Bodies label is in the process of rolling out reissues of plenty of those records and this is one fo the best . A real listening joy, it brings with afro grooves and noodling jazz melodies, richly textured organ and bass work that all help take you to warmer, earthier climes in an instant.

Seldom heard record from Bamako and not just your average Malian LP, Crazy organ and gutiar solos here.., hypnotic grooves layered with great Malian vocals..Quite unique!

The Portable Herman Dune' Vol. 2 est la deuxième partie d'une anthologie acoustique, dans laquelle 22 ans d'écriture de chansons sont mis à nu, jusqu'à l'os le plus intime.Bien que nues sur le plan sonore, les chansons sont chargées d'émotion et de vie. L'album a été enregistré dans le studio de David Ivar, Santa Cruz Records, à San Pedro, en Californie.Au centre de la scène se trouvent les chansons de David Ivar, avec sa guitare de 1954, sa mandoline des années 1930 et sa voix, ainsi que des invités exceptionnels : Julie Doiron, Mayon (la compagne d'Ivar), Jolie Holland et Kimya Dawson, qui assurent le contrepoint vocal.