Germany

4 years in the making, in partnership with Teranga beat the current leading label for Senegalese music, Analog Africa proudly offer an insight into the musical adventures that were taking place in the major Senegalese cities during the 60s and 70s. This compilation, reflects the unique fusions of Funk, Mbalax, Cuban Son and Mandigue guitar sounds that transformed Dakar into West Africa´s most vibrant city.It all started in 2009 when Adamantios Kafetzis travelled from Greece to Senegal with a brand new tape machine that he used to digitise the musical treasures he had discovered in the city of Thiés. These treasures took the form of reel tapes, and had been recorded by sound engineer Moussa Diallo, who had spent the previous four decades immortalising, onto magnetic tape, the bands that would perform in his club, the legendary Sangomar.300 Senegalese songs that nobody had ever heard before were discovered - five of them were selected for this compilation.Thanks to its history of outside influences, Senegal - the western point of Africa - had become a musical melting pot. Cuban and American sailors had brought Son Montuno from Cuba, Jazz from New Orleans and American soul tunes: sounds that were swiftly embraced and adopted by urban dance bands and intuitively merged with local music styles.One band in particular excelled at this fusion. 1960 marks the formation of Star Band de Dakar, a milestone that left an indelible imprint on Dakar's musical landscape. Indeed, the whole country was soon grooving to their intoxicating mixture of Afro Cuban rhythms and Wolof-language lyrics.The 1970s brought a new generation of stellar bands, Le Sahel, Orchestre Laye Thiam, Number One de Dakar, Orchestra Baobab, Dieuf Dieul de Thies and Xalam1 who fused traditional Senegalese percussion instruments such Sabra, Tama and Bougarabou with organs and keyboards, giving birth to new hybrids. Merging the folkloric and the experimental, these sounds, embraced by the youth, took centre stage and gave the previously dominant Cuban music a run for its money.With this burst of musical and artistic creativity, driven predominantly by the modern vision of President Senghor, Dakar began attracting international stars. The Jackson Five, James Brown, Tabou Combo (Haiti), Celia Cruz (Cuba) and an array of African stars like Tabu Ley Rochereau (Congo), Manu Dibango (Cameroon) and Bembeya Jazz (Guinée) joined in with the local scene, improvising jam sessions and bringing new flavours to a music scene that was always open to new inspirations and influences. Johnny Pacheco immortalised his passion for the city with a song called "Dakar, Punto Final".The comprehensive booklet that comes with the CD - 44 pages and with the Double LP - 12 pages LP size - is a precious document attesting to the decades of transformation that led to modern Senegalese music. Featuring biographies of music producers and a legendary record cover designer, as well as the life stories of all the groups represented here, the booklet also includes a fantastic selection of photos that have never seen before.

Always on the scout for the freshest talent, Dirt Crew Recordings breaks into 2016 bringing together a couple of our more recent discoveries, Loz Goddard & Harry Wolfman for their all new 'Square Lane' EP. Relative newcomer, from Manchester and London respectively, the pair in fact debuted on our label in 2015, on independent tracks 'The Schrew' from Harry as a collaboration with Laurence Guy, and Loz's solo jam 'That Same´Thing'. Straight up vibes on the groove stricken 'Uncle Buck', a no questions asked dance floor weapon and a testament to Loz & Harry's ability to bring together the finest samples, synths, live percussive elements and a whole lot of soul. 'Problem Child', gets a bit sleazier, vocal cuts and swirling keys ease us into a broken beat throw down in the break before thrusting us back to the mercy of the straight up four to the floor swing. On the flip resident Dirt Crew Recordings producers and all round top blokes Brame & Hamo came to the table with a funked out version of 'Uncle Buck', enlisting Brame's brother to jam out the smooth stepping live bass for the remix. Rounding out the pressing 'Neck of the Woods' has a blissed out melodic quality, coasting along with a sunny energy and and just the right amount of cowbell, while the digital only offering, 'Sundays' is soulful and shaking in the deepest sense, those bass licks and key riffs definitely give us the feel of this very special day of the week. Uniting on this EP Loz Goddard & Harry Wolfman are a sign of things to come in for Dirt Crew Recordings. We have a lot of huge plans in store for the year ahead already and look forward to a massive 2016 filled with music.

We are both proud and excited to present this highly sought after early 80's gem, originally created as a showcase project for young artists and composers by a community music organisation in Texas.Originally referred to as the 'Pop Music Lab', The Peoples' Workshop was formed in 1976 at Texas Southern University as a space for students to compose and perform, free from the constrains of Western classical music education.Swiftly gathering momentum, in 1980 the organisation was granted non-profit status and in 1983, moved off the TSU campus. The Workshop has since grown in size and scope, becoming the first Black-founded organisation to present shows in major performance venues around the Greater Houston area.Houston Talent Expo '82 features original compositions by members of The Peoples' Workshop, performed exclusively by musicians from Houston. The songs vary in style, but remain centered around gospel, funk and soul, music and lyrics with a powerful positive message. Many of the artists featured remain active today around the world, working with such acts as Alice Coltrane and The Charles Mingus Band among others.Houston Talent Expo '82 comprises a truly special collection of songs born from the struggle, true to the spirit of togetherness that underpins The Peoples' Workshop, written and performed by astonishing young talents.