Pedro Lima
Antologia Vol.1

Au Bénin, sept jeunes filles chantent la fierté et la détermination d’une génération désireuse de liberté : ensemble, elles forment Star Feminine Band, un groupe aussi retentissant que nécessaire.C’est à Naititingou, paisible ville au nord-ouest du pays, que l’histoire a commencé il y a quelques années. Dans cette région où les perspectives pour une jeune femme sont souvent réduites à des emplois de misère, des grossesses précoces ou des mariages forcés, un musicien s’est résolu à donner la voix aux intéressées. À travers un appel à candidature sur les ondes d’une radio locale, André Baléguémon a rencontré sept filles, venues des villages des alentours. Aucune d’entre elles n’avait jamais joué d’instrument. Sous la tutelle d’André, elles ont appris à jouer ensemble et se sont unies autour d’une envie : celle de communiquer leur culture, leur langue et leurs revendications.Sans crier gare, une formation de jeunes filles originaires d’une région reculée du Bénin, bouscule l’idiome rock garage avec une fraîcheur, une inventivité et une énergie stupéfiantes, jouant juste, haut et fort.

Obscure, rare spiritual jazz, deep folk and psychedelia sounds from the French ‘70s - ‘80s underground‘Spirit of France’ is an anthology celebrating the French artists whose total desire not to belong to a particular trend expanded their horizon by pushing the boundaries of creative music. Recording in caves during the full moon, or in the open air in Ibiza to celebrate the sun - with flutes, cromorne (French woodwind reed), darbouka and hurdy-gurdy, or with fascinating, unusual, artist-build instruments, with sounds heavily influenced from Indian, African, Arabic, Eastern and Malagasy cultures, this is what makes this compilation so unique.Freedom of expression, experimental creativity and collaboration constitute the fuel for these hand picked artists – similar to Don Cherry’s influence on Colin Walcott and Kahil El’Zabar (in the field of jazz), and folk background artists like Robbie Basho and Sandy Bull; in Europe, the same approach was manifested in Italy with bassist Marcello Melis, the Sardinian singers from the Gruppo Rubanu, Aktuala and Futuro Antico. In France, Cossi Anatz, Nu Creative Methods and Sonorhc were also echoing the same approach.‘Spirit of France’ – a long project in the making, is dedicated in unearthing more than just curiosities, instead focusing on never been reissued, obscure, artist-self-released music. Carefully curated by Spiritmuse Records’ Mark Gallagher and Thea Ioannou, and joined by young French digger Tom Val, ‘Spirit of France’ is an anthology of obscure spiritual jazz and its’ relationship with deep folk in the ‘70s - ‘80s French multi-cultural melting pot underground scene.The album’s aim is evident from the outset, with Rémy Couvez’s aptly named ‘Rêve de Voyage’, illustrating the theme’s quest for imaginary folklore, continued with Workshop de Lyon, Jef Gilson – France’s spiritual jazz giant, Sylvain Kassap, Noco Music, Pân-Râ, L’Empire des Sons, Ghédalia Tazartès, and the mysterious Adjenar Sidar Khan. Some of these artists remain unacknowledged, yet they’re all extraordinary heroes of the French music avant-garde scene.‘Spirit of France’ is a journey of imaginary folklore, blending spiritual jazz influences and deep folk, celebrating the unique sounds of the French avant-garde underground, at the crossroads of the tribal, the secular and the universal.

Heavy soul & disco from Guyana’s multi-instrumentist genius Keith Paul, released in 1978 on Gordon Henderson’s label Saultone.​..It took us a very long time to find a perfectly clean copy to be able to reissue this incredible record, clearly influenced by Stevie Wonder in the 70s !Due to months of work, Keith Paul’s legacy is now saved and his music will continue to shine forever.. May his soul rest in peace. ✊❤️​.

Beautiful deep Ghana highlife !

Outernational pop group Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek unveil the second and final part of their double album ‘Dost 1&2”. Once again, their subtle and groovy Anatolian psych folk sound matches the powerful quality of the songs often led by Yıldırım’s sublime vocals and bağlama (Turkish lute). With ‘Dost 2’, the band have broadened their songwriting horizons and refined their idiosyncratic arrangement skills.Most of ‘Dost 2’’s material was composed by the band, with two notable tracks composed by guitarist flautist Antonin Voyant whose melodic work brings the music to an unnostalgic, yet deep and meaningful place. The lyrics were penned by Derya Yıldırım in collaboration with Berlin based writer Duygu Ağal, adding another string to Grup Şimşek’s bow.Here they captured a lively, unique piece of interpretation which connects to the meaning of ‘Dost’ as the text inserted inside the vinyl / CD explains “DOST is a friend, a comrade, a brother, a sister and even more than that. DOST is the connection to keep this life and world meaningful”. No doubt that with ‘Dost 2’ Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek will bring sounds, people and emotions together.Dost 2Derya Yıldırım Grup Şimşek