Vusi Mahlasela Norman Zulu Jive Connection
Face To Face (LP + insert)

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.

Filled with songs from Madagascar in the electric guitar-driven boogie music known as ''Tsapiky''. First created in the late 1970s, tsapiky has become the required music at large family ceremonies (circumcisions, weddings, and especially, funerals),

Shawn Lee's country-soul solo album Rides Again in 2019 was a fascinating one that picked up, rightly, plenty of plaudits. Now he returns with follow up long player Rides Yet again on Germany's Legere Recordings. He is in a more personal and reflective mode than before with an intriguing set of songs. US born but London based he is a prolific singer, songwriter, musician, producer, arranger, filmmaker and author so this album has a strong narrative arc running all throughout it. Soulful but with hints of Americana, it's a unique proposition.