UK

Cork native Colm K has been making waves on both the Irish and international scene since his selection for the Red Bull Music Academy in 2003. With releases onBastard Jazz,r2, and his recent release onAll City Records, Colm K has earned his place on both critics' and fans' radars. He has refined and defined his style throughout the years both as a producer and DJ, as well as holding down his residency at Cork's renownedSunday Timesparty.Colm K steps up for the third release on Tiff's Joints with two contrasting off-kilter jams. "Beginnings" sees Colm strip things right back - led by a bubbling organic percussion line, soothing chords and a near g-funk lead melody. "Six Four Hundred" steps things up a notch. Kicking off with jagged, broken drums and morphing into a skippy, bottom heavy bubbler with a tilt of the hat to West London's Co-Op movement. The B-side sees the inimitable K15 (Eglo Records/Wild Oats) put his own spin on "Beginnings", trading the spaced grooves for a driving beat and luscious keys licks. Early support comes from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Josey Rebelle, Alexander Nut, Jimpster, Kev Beadle and more.

Boogie Jams On Wax by Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel

Eko Roosevelt Louis has had a music career spanning over forty years, born the grandson of a Kribi tribal chief, his musical persuasion beginning humbly with his village's local church before his formal education at the Senegal conservatoire and Paris' Ecole Normale de Musique. Eko then cut his teeth making jazz funk and disco records in the mid-seventies before extensive touring in and around France. In the 90's Eko returned to Cameroon to take over his grandfather's tribal chieftaincy, a role he still holds today. Eko also works with the Cameroun artistic societies and schools performing, teaching and even leading Cameroon's national orchestra.For this Africa Seven foray we take a trip to 1979. "Funky Disco Music" was Eko's third LP. It is locked-on with the sound we here at Africa Seven like and after what seemed like ages we finally tracked Eko down in Cameroun and persuaded him that a re-issue was most definitely needed.The LP opens up with the bright and uplifting disco-swing gem and title track "Funky Disco Music". Punchy horns, afro rhythms and groovy bass (From Vicky Edimo) power this groover along before mixing straight into the Jazz-Funk-Disco hybrid "Ndolo Embe Mulemadolo". Taking its cue from the age - Paris 1979 - "Une Chanson Sans Paroles" is a French power pop meets afro swing belter to keep the LP tempo high.To close off side A is the gloriously uplifting "Bowa'a Mba Ngebe". Dripping in positivity and goodwill this feel-good disco gem was a recent highlight of our African Airways 04 compilation. Side B opens with the afro-folk meets pop "Doi Da Manga". Next is "Me To A De Try My Own" and "Esele Mba Musango Na Ndol'am" with their locked on bass grooves and afrobeat grooves. The LP closes with the smooth ballad jazz of "Emen' Ango". The heartstrings are all a flutter.Stay tuned for more Eko later in the year. Africa Seven.

Tim (aka Jean Marie Tiam)and the sadly departed Maurice Foty who died in 2011. The musical cousins hails from Bafoussam in Cameroon. Their signature vocal harmony sound may be the first thing you hear, however they also have produced a host of funkiest African funk around. They sing in their native language Ngomâlah, as well as Duala and English.We start the album off slowly with the scene-setting and largely instrumental "Douala By Night". Tight guitar and choppy clavi drive this song along. The groove is so deep even Missy Elliot couldn't resist a cheeky sample. "Funky Bafoussam" carries on the theme and expands it to include a kick-ass horn section. "More And More" is next and here the vocals burst forth over this up tempo punchy pop-funk track. With "Love Is Light" the pair show their versatility with a smooth English-sung soul ballad.The hopelessly upbeat "Aie" is next with its earworm keyboard riff, slice guitar and catchy falsetto vocal. "Not So Bad" brings on the boogie. "I Love Yaounde" is a smooth swinging boogie-ballad with a killer chorus hook. "Eda" is a hit from early in their career. We close of the comp with the disco funk of "Funky Boogie Love" and synth grooves of "Eya Mba".The songs on the comp represent only a 2 year period but some of the finest from the duo. These days Tim keeps the Tim and Foty flame alive. He currently lives between France and Cameroon. A musical flame that most definitely is burning bright.

Chicago DJ & Editor Jamie 3:26 presents the first release on his own 326 Records. Kicking off with his edit of the Pyramid Records classic - Sun, Sun, Sun by JAKKI from 1976. On the flip we have a rework of Purple Music by the one and only Prince.Release wise Jamie 3:26 is one of those guys that doesn't have many releases but when he does put something out it's pure gold! His less is more approach seems to be working with several of his releases now going for decent money on Discogs.Don't sleep on this great double header which perfectly captures the original house sound of the Windy City.Repressed on black vinyl.