Awesome Tapes From Africa 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: This latest reissue from Awesome Tapes From Africa is the whole reason for founder Brian Shimkovitz starting the blog and the label that grew out of it. Some 13 years ago, Shimkovitz stumbled across a cassette copy of Obaa Sima whilst travelling Ghana and his love for Ata Kak's music lead to the foundation of the Awesome Tapes From Africa blog and the commencement of a long running effort to track down the Ghanaian musician. Some four years after ATFA became a label, Shimkovitz finally tracked down the musician, real name Yaw Atta-Owusu, and was granted permission to reissue Obaa Sima, using the second hand tape purchased in Ghana as the source. The seven tracks on this LP are a winning tinny combination of highlife, rap, pop, and more with "Daa Nyinaa" sounding like a cover version of William De Vaughn's "Be Thankful For What You've Got".

Review: Awesome Tapes From Africa welcome backPretoria, South Africa-born and based DJ Back Low for Impumelelo, who brings new magic to the world of amapiano. His expressive sounds mix up both dreamy stunt vibes and firmly rooted grooves with a range of superb vocalists featuring across the 12 tunes. Fresh rhythms, abstract designs and plenty of slow-burning sounds all make this another standout record from this fine new school artists. Production comes from collaborators Black Low has called upon from his local area and help make this such a vibrant and vital long player.

Review: A cool piece of post-Apartheid South African pop history, and a major success for the blog-turned label Awesome Tapes From Africa. Originally re-discovered by the site in 2010, it's taken the label three years to track down Penny Penny - who is now a South African politician! Unashamed early 90s dance-informed pop music with a Shangaan twist, it's a fine balance of catchy chants, warm synth work and lush female harmonies. Completely of its time... But that's the idea. Stunning.

Review: Teno Afrika follows up his Amapiano Selections album from last year with a fine new long player on Awesome tapes From Africa. Lutendo Raduvha hails from Pretoria, South-Africa and on this record he mixes up electronic sounds with world, folk, country, Afro and house influences. There are two collabs with Diego Don and vocalists KayCee, Leyla and Style MusiQ all add their own flavours to what is a superb showcase of the fresh sounds coming out of the African continent right now. On this evidence, few artists embody that revolution more than Teno Afrika.