Name: Afro Psych (Journeys Into Psychedelic Africa 1972 - 1977)
Brand: Various

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

ASVN069

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-08-12

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Kudos

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

5055373558363

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Various

Genre GB

African

Label GB

Africa Seven

Africa Seven is a world music re-issue label based in London and Paris. Founded by crate diggers John Bryan and Richard Elson, the label focuses on re-releasing rare and forgotten African tracks from the 70s and 80s. With an extensive catalog of vinyl releases, Africa Seven brings these hidden gems back to life for a new generation of music lovers.

With a passion for African music, Africa Seven strives to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the continent. The label's team of dedicated crate diggers scours record stores, flea markets, and private collections to unearth rare recordings that deserve recognition. Each release is carefully remastered to ensure the highest quality sound while staying true to the original recordings.

Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to African music, Africa Seven offers something for everyone. From Afrobeat and highlife to funk and disco, their diverse range of releases showcases the incredible talent that emerged from Africa during this vibrant era. Discover *Africa Seven* today and embark on a musical journey through the captivating sounds of Africa.

Whilst the continents contribution to the global funk, boogie and disco canon has been well documented for decades, the strong presence of rock and psychedelia in 1970's African music has been a more slowly evolving story over the years.

Pockets of young Africans, turned on by Hendrix, the Doors, Santana and more, started to add heavy guitar riffs to rumbling, ever present funk, and built an afro psych scene that is still turning up gems to this day.

With Lagos an epicenter for the emergent scene, in 1972, local headquartered label Afrodisia was born near to the eye of the storm, and provides many of the tracks on this latest attempt to capture a bit of afro-psych magick.

Iconic Lagos twins The Lijadu Sisters' 'Bayi L'ense' (1977) opens proceedings in LP defining style : the Yoruba vocals, pattering percussion and cooly strutting funk bassline are eventually joined by soaring, scything fuzz guitar, and we're off on a six and half minute head journey.

From there, tempo's and moods shift throughout. The Oriental Brothers International free-wheeling 'Tax Drive' is underpinned by tight playing and insistent grooves; Saxon Lee and the Shadows International combine James Brown style brass with what sounds like long, improv'd hammond sections across the near 10 minutes of 'Mind Your Business'.

Gears are quickly shifted as Warhead Constriction get straight up heavy on Graceful Bird, and Aura easily integrate early synth work outs on Ariya (at about the same time Kraftwerk were starting to hit wider audiences, 1976). Celestin Nyam's 'Mbembe' takes no prisoners, as free jazz sax workouts, horns, hammonds AND squalling Hendrix style guitar riffs all make welcome appearances, before Christie Azumah And The Uppers International, again combine deep funk with hammonds, choppy guitars and insistent vocals on 'Aja Wondo'.