Moar
Funky Party - J​/​JJ

MELODIES RECORD CLUB 002: BEN UFO SELECTS BY LAURIE SPIEGEL/OLOF DREIJERBen UFO is up next for volume two in melodies's new series of DJ and Artist curated 12” mini compilations, Here we have two tracks which have been staples in Ben’s DJ sets at different times, but neither were originally produced with a club setting in mind, which is why they’ve never been available in this format before. The first press comes with a folded A2 insert with words from and about the Artists.On one side, we have “Drums” from Laurie Spiegel’s 1980 experimental electronics album “The Expanding Universe”, a collection of tracks produced between 1974 and 1976 using a computer playing the actual sounds by controlling analog synthesis equipment under control of the GROOVE hybrid system developed by Max Matthews and F.R. Moore at Bell Labs. Drums is a percussive seven minute computer generated workout inspired by Laurie’s interest in African and Indian musics, and which brings to mind the most far out kosmiche music of the period to modern day techno. A connection Ben has tried to make explicit by including it in his first BBC essential mix back in 2013.On the flip we have a track by Olof Dreijer from the Swedish band the Knife who’s work you might also be familiar with under the moniker Oni Ayhun. Back in 2009 his artist friend Adnan Yildiz curated an exhibition called “THERE IS NO AUDIENCE” in Montethermoso, dedicated to public imagination. Adnan commissioned a single piece from Olof called “Echoes from Mamori”, that played on loop during the exhibition and was subsequently released only on CD. A contemporary piece more clearly indebted to house music, Olof built the track around arpeggios generated using sounds of frogs he recorded in the Amazon and birds around Berlin, fed into a sampler.

Les Super Kadumaa ‎– Agbadze Vovo / Tsoe Vi Menye - Intophone 1975 Highlife band from 70's based in Togo. Just a couple of singles have been released, very rare

Comet Records presents from Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen, N.E.P.A Reissue LP Vinyl remastered and coming in an heavy Deluxe Tip-On Jacket.In 1979, Tony Allen decided to leave Fela Kuti & Africa 70 and moved to London in 1982. Originally Released in 1984 on Earthworks Records, this reissue holds an extra track previously unreleased on vinyl called “Olokun”. N.E.P.A (Never Expect Power Always) is a searing critique of the Nigerian Electric Power Authority, an organisation that governed the use of electricity in Nigeria.It starts out with the title track, with a definite Afro-beat punch. Electro-claps stand as part of the percussion line, adding to a more modern look at what Afro-beat was becoming.This is followed by an even further modernized piece of Afro-beat, as the title track is given a dub mix. “When One Road Close” has a similar pace, and is similarly followed by a dub remix, complete with the necessary space-effects reverb.And to make this reissue extra special the track “Olokun” was never released on vinyl before.Blending the nascent rise of electronica into Afrobeat production, it’s tighter than any Fela album and became a definitive project in shaping Allen’s future sound. Whether it’s the electro beats or the punchier, multilayered arrangement, it instantly stands out in Allen’s vast and expansive discography.

Brilliant compilation of little-known African funk and afro-beat from mid-seventies Benin!The Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou are the undiscovered treasure of 1970s African music, and this compilation collects together the best of their 'secret' side-projects for little labels that were sneakily recorded when the boss of their main record label was away in Nigeria on business! These are the rarest records by the group and are also some of their best, as they were recorded with pasion for real music enthusiasts!Analog Africa are on a roll at the moment as this compilation follows hot on the heels of their essential African Scream Contest collection - and the packaging is equally lavish with a super-thick booklet full-to-bursting with notes, label scans, and archive photos!Very highly recommended!