THE BEST MUSIC: NEW & OLD
As I write the sun is just starting to break through the gloom of Winter. What better way to greet it than with some delicious afro from Saint Wax owner, Gledd. The EP is named after, and features the sounds of, a city in Eastern Tanzania. You can practically feel the heat radiating off these tracks.
Bonus track: here’s one more for you, because why not? https://soundcloud.com/saintwaxrecords/gledd-ye-sabor
One last look back at the year that was. Soundcloud playback never gets the same recognition as Spotify wrapped, but boy does the algorithm deliver.
You can find HME’s top played of 2024 right here. Expect some familiar names from the worlds of house and disco, and maybe some new ones too. Enjoy.
A little taste of 80s South African synth-pop. Tasty. So tasty that the vinyl will set you back a cool £300.
Shout out to Ben Gomori who played this out in the sunshine at HMS Sweet Charity.
I’ve been loving this one for almost a year now, since its release last November. It has a infectious little refrain that will, mark my words, get you going “Wooh! Yeah!”
Andreya Triana is one of my all-time favourite vocalists, and she is smattered all over Quantic’s latest album Dancing While Falling. As Wordplay put it, expect “sunkissed guitar licks, breezy percussion and… luxurious vocals”. Here is the full release.
It might feel like Summer is coming to end. But maybe it doesn’t have to. Maybe Summer was really all the friends you made along the way. Here’s one more friend to make before it’s too late. Sisters and brothers, enlightenment is now.
It’s a groovy stomper if ever I’ve heard one. The track is a collaboration between Robin Twelftree, The Gambia and Bongo Koi. It was recorded at the culmination of a drive in a Mercedes from London to Gunjur, on the banks of the River Gambia. The vocals belong to none other than Joseph N’Gole, a mystic. How about that.
The vinyl release also has a delightful less edited version, which is well worth picking up if that tickles your fancy. You can hear a snippet and pick that up here.
Shout out to Ben Gomori’s Turned On podcast for the tip.
Over in the UK the sun is out and I’ve been listening to nothing but these 3 EP compilations by Greek label Bonfido Disques. They describe their sound as “nostalgic Exotic Disco and Afro Cosmic House reworks for the dancefloor”, which hits the nail on the head. Enjoy.
Shout out to Ben Gomori’s Turned On podcast for the tip.
Just in time to capture the last of the UK summer sun, here is some Afro goodness coming for your ears. What’s more, Keira means ‘peace’ which is probably something all of our brains could do with right now.
This one-off album is the result of an unplanned collaboration between London resident and bassist, Huw Bennett, and a group of traditional Gambian musicians from the Mandinka people. Huw was originally travelling to broaden his musical horizons, but was so welcomed into the local musical community that he was inspired to infuse his own sound, and to try and showcase Gambian music to the world.
My two picks are Ansumana and the final track on the album, Son Kunda. Enjoy!
*GUEST POST*
Another release from Disclosure, another banger. This first featured in their Streaming From Isolation set for Boiler Room and they’ve been good enough to grace us with the full release just as the sun comes out.
The prolific pair team up again with Malian singer-actress Fatoumata Diawara (if you like this, check out the 2018 release Ultimatum), who gives an impassioned tribute to her home country, heralding its ‘unity, harmony, love and brotherhood’. An uplifting message over characteristically uplifting beats from Disclosure which will transport you from home office onto a sweaty, packed, carefree dancefloor (remember those?) in an instant. The video is great; it was shot via drone during lockdown in Jo’burg, Como and NY and features phenomenal scenery and dancers alike. Disclosure’s new album ENERGY drops end of August…
Written by Al Richards
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; you’ve got to hand it to Disclosure. They seem to be able to ride each musical wave as it comes, while maintaining something that makes them distinctive. Much easier said than done.
Their latest offering is out now on Island Records. They seem completely oblivious to the fact that it isn’t mid-Summer, but I won’t hold that against them. It is sun-soaked house banger after banger. Props.
My top pick is Tondo, a high energy afro-infused number. Enjoy.
More of my thoughts on the lads’ previous release here.
Happy New Year crew.
Boy do I have a treat for you today. I actually cannot believe I haven’t posted this one before. It’s Henrik Schwarz remixing Emmanuel Jal’s Kuar and it’s a stonker. It was the first track I heard this decade, and I couldn’t have been happier about it. Shout out to Philou Louzolo for a big New Year’s set at De Marktkantine.
So this track is massive in its own right, but I just read a bit of the back story of Emmanuel Jal and it is nuts. He was a child soldier in Sudan before he was rescued and smuggled out into Kenya. He then went on to forge a successful career across music, film and social causes. Read about him here.
Finally, as an extra special New Year’s treat, here is a playlist I put together on a similar vibe.
Big love for the new decade.
HARRY'S MUSICAL EMPORIUM 