N’Djila Wa Mudujimu
Fulu Miziki
HHY & The Macumbas’ producer Jonathan Saldanha, who recorded N’Djila Wa Mudujimu, manage to capture their revolutionary sounds inspired by Congolese soukous, and an almost undefinable mix of punk, electronic music, industrial sonics and spiritual jazz. N’Djila Wa Mudujimu is a deeply enjoyable album throughout which encapsulates Fulu Miziki’s style, which, might, unfortunately, be their last given the band’s recent split. On the bright side, Pisco Crane and Lady Aicha are still making music together and given their trademark resourcefulness, there are many reasons to await their next innovative creation.
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19 & Dangerous (Deluxe)
Ayra Starr
Ayra Starr is 20 and still dangerous. The afro-fusion princess gives her 2021 debut album a deluxe version. This new release comes with four new tracks and two remixes. Her massive hit “Bloody Samaritan” gets the royalty treatment with none other than Kelly Rowland and “Lonely” wins a Zinoleesky refix. The COLORS song “Ase”, and her newest single “Rush” are of course included. Ayra Starr is also joined by genre-bending singer-producer Lojay on the very solid “Running”. Another good surprise on this extended version, the confident “Skinny Girl Anthem” features Louisiana rising talent Kayykilo.
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Neon Colonialismo
Batida
“I could talk about a new Lisbon that blinks and shines, but that’s not the idea. Acknowledging history is the only way to honor its beautiful natural light”. Angola-born and Portugal-raised producer Batida reflects on Portugal’s colonialismo heritage in this new ten-track project. Enlisting the help of international guests such as Mayra Andrade, Poté, Nástio Mosquito, and Ikonoklasta, Batida takes a historical approach to the different genres, bringing the lusophone scene to life: afro-house, kazucuta, hip-hop,… It’s electronic and organic, instrumental and vocal, all at the same time. Neon Colonialismo is “intended to be danced to, to think to, and probably also to smile to”.
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DEADLINES : FREE P2
A-Reece
25-year-old South African lyricist A-Reece is too prolific. His new EP, DEADLINES : FREE P2 EP , is probably the rapper’s tenth body of work. And just a few months after The Burning Tree, A-Reece is back with 7 news tracks. The mellow, lo-fi hip-hop project features Atlanta rapper Quentin Miller, Leeds-born Marcus Harvey and fellow South Africans Emtee and Yolophonik (on the bouncy “Different things”). Most importantly, A-Reece invites his older brother Jay Jody on “Something to fight for”, featuring DJ Maphorisa.
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Estrellas
GUTS
Estrellas is “the soundtrack of our reunion with the ancestors. We are the dust of their shining stars”. French producer Guts federates Cuban and African talents across three generations around a unique and challenging project. Recorded in the Studio LaBoutique in Dakar, Estrellas is a one-of-a-kind, moving collaboration, filled with emotions, spirituality, and magic. Jazz music blends in with pachanga. Youthful Senegalese rap echoes timeless Cuban chants. Estrellas gathers more than thirty artists around one mantra: “ One mother, Africa. One language, music.”
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