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Athens of the north presents two of the disco floaters from our previously unreleased AOTNLP Original Friends and Buddies, both of these versions are on 45 for the first time. The Stripped down Version of 'Silence that you keep' benefits from the more direct tight Vocal. Without the synths there is much more space in the mix which suits the melancholy deep disco groove so much better. On the Flip 'Po Man' has also been stripped right back to its more basic elements also for the better, less is so much more.- Previously Unreleased Versions - Alternate Version without synths

Alemayehu Eshete-Tchero Adari NegnAlemayehu Eshete aka the Ethiopian James Brown aka Abyssinian Elvis. struts his stuff on this funk bomb, tough breaks and changes, bluesy guitar lines and horns. Punctuated with Eshete’s JB-esque vocals.Singer, writer and composer Eshete boasts one of the largest discography in Ethiopian music. Originally released on Amha 7" AE 240A in 1970, pressed in Lebanon due to restrictions imposed by the military government at the time, entitled 'Chiro Adarie Negne'.Mahmoud Ahmed-Bemen Sebeb LetlashTaken from the 1978 LP on on his own label Mahmoud Ahmed Records, LR MA 10. Ahmed is a very well known figure in Ethiopian music, who gained wider appeal thanks to Crammed Discs, Buda Music and the Ethiopiques series.As sampled by Gaslamp Killer on 'When I'm in Awe' featuring GonjaSufi. Included on Cut Chemist's 'Sound Of The Police' mixtape from 2010.

Orchestra Baobab formed in Dakar in the early 1970's. They fused Latin and African influences to create a unique sound and quickly became extremely popular. Many of the original members of the group were veterans of the well known 'Star Band'.By the end of the 1970s they were hailed as the best band in Senegal and perhaps even the whole of Africa, playing most nights of the week and constantly in demand.The band still release - on labels including World Circuit - and tour extensively.Orchestra Baobab - Kelen Ati LeenTaken from their 'Visage Du Senegaal - Vol. 6' released in 1975. An instant classic. Drum heavy, mid tempo afro funk workout. Horn and guitar sections in full effect, backed with a chorus of vocals.Orchestra Baobab - SouleymaneA more laid back mood here. Afro-latin percussion and horns, mixed with highlife guitar. Taken from Un Nuit Au Jandeer LP from 1978.

K. Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas - Kyenkyen Bi Adi M'awuGhanian musician K. Frimpong. In the 1970s, he recorded with two different bands, Vis-A-Vis and Cubano Fiestas. 'Kyenkyen Bi Adi M'awu' fuses heavy afrobeat drums and horns with a highlife guitar line and is his most well known track. Taken from the legendary 'K. Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas' LP released in 1977 on Continental Records out of Ghana.Licensed from Ofo brothers, a Ghanian independent. As sampled by Gnarls Barkley on his 'Storm Coming' track.Ebo Taylor - HeavenTaken from Ebo's self titled LP released on Esibons in 1977, original copies of which regularly fetches upwards of $500. Ebo still tours extensively with his incredible band, their performances come very highly recommended.

Mulatu is an Ethiopian born instrumentalist, composer and arranger extraordinaire. Schooled in the UK and then the USA, Mulatu fuses jazz, latin and traditional Ethiopian styles to create a unique sound, most commonly referred to as Ethio-jazz.Over the past decade years he has gained much exposure via the Ethiopiques series, a collaboration project with the Heliocentrics, and through the inclusion of 'Yegelle Tezeta' - featured here - in the soundtrack of Jim Jarmusch's film, 'Broken Flowers', starring Bill Murray.Yegele TezetaLow slung, mysterious organ led groover, with building, layered horns a sampled by Nas & Damian Marley on 'As We Enter' released in 2010.Originally appeared on the legendary 'Ethiopian Modern Instrumentals Hits' compilation album from Ethiopia in 1974, of which six out of ten tracks were by Mulatu. It was also released on an Amha 7", that is very tough to find.Yekatit Originally appeared on the also legendary 'Ethio Jazz' album by Mulatu that changes hands for $1000's, released in Ethiopia. Typically Ethiopian horn line, about as classic as it gets.

Africa 45's is our new series of sought-after tracks from across the African continent. We've dug deep and cut these loud on 45rpm 7” vinyl. These essential records for collectors and DJ's feature giants of African music such as Ethiopia's Mulatu Astatke, Orchestra Baobab of Senegal, Ghana's K. Frimpong, Ebo Taylor and some lesser known gems for you to discover too.

Africa 45's is our new series of sought-after tracks from across the African continent. We've dug deep and cut these loud on 45rpm 7” vinyl. These essential records for collectors and DJ's feature giants of African music such as Ethiopia's Mulatu Astatke, Orchestra Baobab of Senegal, Ghana's K. Frimpong, Ebo Taylor and some lesser known gems for you to discover too.