{"id":116074,"date":"2022-11-28T17:23:48","date_gmt":"2022-11-28T15:23:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/?p=116074"},"modified":"2022-12-14T18:21:12","modified_gmt":"2022-12-14T16:21:12","slug":"10-albums-november-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/10-albums-november-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"10 albums to discover from November 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Epoch<\/em> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

KMRU<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Grandson of Kenyan independence music great Joseph Kam<\/a>aru<\/a>, KMRU<\/a> chose neither benga nor gospel, but rather ambient. Composed in the fervor and joyous disorder of his American tour with Austrian electronic composer Fennesz, Epoch<\/em> is the sound artist’s new album. Last April, the 3-track EP Limen<\/em> in collaboration with Parisian Aho Ssan was darker. It evoked chaos, destruction, and resurrection. But while the world is going crazy, caught in a frantic rhythm, this opus invites you to slow down, to take time and to listen.  The colors of this new solo project are much brighter. The nine tracks sound like an awakening. They call for silence, idleness, and appeasement. The producer’s recording techniques, such as field recording, plunge us into a contemplative meditation, in harmony with nature and its sounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Ghetto Gospel<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Focalistic <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pretoria-born lyricist and Amapiano preacher Focalistic<\/a> is back with a new sermon. Ghetto Gospel<\/em> is the rapper\u2019s fourth solo project, but the congregation is crowded. As always, the album is full of A-list guests such as DNB Gogo, Pabi Cooper, and even French rapper MHD<\/a>. It also welcomes newer attendees, like the rising R&B gem Elaine. Ghetto Gospel<\/em> gets a slower, solemn start with \u201cDipuo\u201d (featuring Sjava and Herc Cut The Lights) but quickly goes off. By the time you get to the fifth track and single \u201cTabela Hape\u201d, Kabza De Small<\/a>, Mellow & Sleazy, Myztro and M.J put you in a trance. The pressure comes down on the spiritual \u201cBothloko\u201d, but don\u2019t go sit down now. Focalistic doesn\u2019t disappoint in the second half of the album, with diverse productions and a wavy finale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Heart Of The Heavenly Undeniable <\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Somadina<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Heart Of The Heavenly Undeniable<\/em> is a surprising gem by Nigerian act Somadina. It\u2019s punk, rock, alt\u00e9, electro, rnb, pop, old school and futuristic all at the same time, and fits in a short but very complete 11-track project. Somadina manages to cohesively gather guests from different horizons on an impressively well-thought-out project. Naija\u2019s highlife finest The Cavemen<\/a> blend seamlessly with her sound on \u201cSmall Paradise\u201d, also featuring alt\u00e9 innovator Odunsi (The Engine). And rising talent L0la offers quality bubblegum rock on \u201cWDYWFM\u201d. The opus is definitely risky and unconventional, but \u201cImagine Giving a Fuck\u201d (the title of her feature with neo-soul vocalist Chi Virgo). Somadina obviously has a vision and a plan. The talent and range beaming from this EP is undeniable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Kel Tinariwen<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Tinawiren <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Recording at the heart of Ivory Coast in summer of 91, Kel Tinariwen (from the name of the desert inhabitants) is the Tinariwen band\u2019s first album. Thirty years after its release, the group dusts off a project only transmitted from hand to hand, amidst the beautiful chaos of K7 exchanges in Northern Africa. Voicing Tuaregs\u2019 hope and sufferings, the piece speaks for all the marginalized Berber people in the Sahara. The eight titles composing Kel Tinawiren recount, in French and Tamasheq, stories of fights and struggles led by an exiled population fleeing from armed conflicts. \u201c\u00c0 l\u2019Histoire\u201d, the first song on this now digital opus, is a hymn to resistance and resilience. These powerful messages are transmitted through call-and-answer chants, and sweet guitar notes resembling 80\u2019s new wave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mariage<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Wau Wau Collectif<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The unclassifiable union<\/a> between Swedish producer Karl Jonas Winqvist and musicians from the Toubab Dialaw village in Senegal returns with a second album which expands on the theme explored in their debut.<\/a>\u201cI just think that education should be offered to all young children in an equal way. It shouldn\u2019t just be young kids learning from old people. It can work the other way around, also.<\/em>\u201d Winqvist\u2019s statement is made clear in the single \u201cXale\u201d in which children are given the central role. The track is constructed with the children\u2019s song, around which other supporting sounds are gradually introduced, first thumping hip-hop beats, then the guitar, then the synth\u2019s keys, as if the players were learning from the children\u2019s voices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mawingu<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Boutross<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Straight out of Kenya, self-proclaimed \u201cshrap god\u201d Boutross delivers again with Mawingu<\/em>, his sixth project in the span of four years. The prolific rapper never stops, but this time, it\u2019s no 25-track long opus. Mawingu<\/em> is 21 minutes. Enough to appreciate the lyricist\u2019s charismatic voice, witty lyrics and versatility on bass-heavy, dark beats like \u201cWizo Man\u201d, or more danceable, dancehall inspired tunes like \u201cCan\u2019t Wait\u201d. Through the eight tracks, Boutross is self-assured, flaunting and a ladies-man. The album includes six features : Dope-I-Mean, viral act Trio Mio, Mandee on the bouncy \u201cRich Rich Man\u201d, Juicee Man on the club-ready \u201cAngela\u201d, as well as Savage and Bee Vee on the sensual finisher \u201cDapa Dapa\u201d.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

More Love, Less Ego<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Wizkid<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

After a year of teasing and waiting, Wizkid<\/a>\u2019s highly anticipated follow up to the already classic 2020 album Made In Lagos<\/em><\/a>, is finally here. <\/em>The Nigerian afrobeats icon came up with a foolproof formula, and More Love, Less Ego<\/em> is up to par: smooth mid-tempo rhythms, rich, whine-ready melodies, witty, enticing lyrics and 6 guests. Starboy is all about love, love, and love. More Love, Less Ego<\/em> gets sensual and sexual. Solo tracks like \u201cDeep\u201d and the single \u201cBad To Me\u201d showcase Wizkid at his highest level of slow afrofusion. Tracks like \u201cSlip N Slid\u201d featuring Caribbean hit-makers Shenseea and Skilibeng explore more foreign sounds. Of course, Wizzy uses his secret ingredient, enlisting acclaimed producer P2J. The Nigerian beatmaker was already the main cook behind his Grammy nominated fourth album. He\u2019s joined by Juls (\u201cSpecial\u201d feat Don Toliver), P.Priime (\u201cP. Priime\u201d), KDaGreat and Kel-P (\u201cBalance\u201d), and Sammy Soso (\u201cEveryday\u201d). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Soot El Share3 <\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Molotof<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Last April, PAM released a film<\/a> directed by Arthur Larie and Bastien Massa telling the story of young electronic producer Molotof<\/a> and his life in Cairo following the Arab Spring. Since, he has not exactly slowed down. On the contrary, he has been riding the tide to expand his musical projects and build his artistic persona. After a prolific year and an album just last month (Gabal Ahmar<\/em>), he now releases Soot El Share3<\/em>, a Mahraganat project blending rap, dark electronic sounds and the echoes of Cairo\u2019s busy streets. This opus is richer in features, including Shobra El General, Tamer Nafar, Karem Rush, Eyad Elkady, Sobeh El Fahd, Besh, The Synaptik and Cheen\u2019s impressive vocals on \u201cMesahebni\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Where I’m Meant To Be <\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Ezra Collective<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Following their 2019 first album You Can\u2019t Steal My Joy<\/em>, the British quintet is back with a lively, refreshing project: Where I\u2019m Meant To Be<\/em>. \u201cEverybody would think that I\u2019m gonna be playing jazz like the Americans. No, I\u2019m gonna be playing jazz my way,<\/em>\u201d says Nigerian jazz icon Tony Allen<\/a>, quoted from an audio sample on the album. And Ezra Collective<\/a> plays in its own unique style. The band, created by Gorillaz\u2019s drummer Femi Koleoso, taps into an impressive diversity of sounds. Bossa-nova, afrobeats, hip-hop, reggae\u2026 The group\u2019s jazz is eclectic, modern, and international, with guests like Sampa The Great<\/a>, Kojey Radical<\/a>, Emeli Sand\u00e9, and Nao\u2019s fairy voice on the last title \u201cLove In Outer Space\u201d, r\u00e9f\u00e9rencing legendary musician Sun Ra<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

YPSZN3<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

PsychoYP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou have to keep rapping, just keep feeding them the rap. That’s why right now, I feel like if there’s a rap conversation, my name has to come up<\/em>\u201d. Since his rise in 2016, PsychoYP<\/a> has indeed been feeding the people with high-quality rap. After three EPs, the first part of the three YPSZNs made it to every Nigerian rap aficionados\u2019 playlist. With the follow-up YPSZN2, the Abuja rapper became a staple and a mandatory reference on the scene. In 2020, he explored Afrobeats with Apex Village (his label) signee Azanti on the Yp & Azanti, Vol.1<\/em> tape, followed by the album Euphoria in 2021. Now he\u2019s back to the trilogy with YPSZN3<\/em>. This new project is YP at his best: bass-heavy trap, killer verses, some drill-infused beats, and very diverse productions. YPSZN3 includes 11 features, including of course Odumodublvck and Azanti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Every month, PAM browses the pan-African scenes to offer a selection of ten fresh releases. This November, listen to PsychoYP, Molotof, Somadina, Ezra Collective, and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":116101,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3944],"tags":[20359,10639,34102,40725,4096,23842,41241,23741],"location":[],"yst_prominent_words":[8414,8447,8933,26378,9391,8402,8435,8508,8543,8449],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116074"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=116074"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116074\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/116101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116074"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=116074"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=116074"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=116074"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=116074"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}