Items12The creator’s order
  1. 1Manu Dibango – Soul MakossaManu Dibango – Soul MakossaOriginally released as an anthem for the eighth Africa Cup of Nations before taking New York loft clubs by storm, Soul Makossa remains the foundational blueprint of African funk crossover. Dibango's gravelly vocal chants and swaggering tenor saxophone ride atop an unstoppable bassline and…0
  2. 2William Onyeabor – Atomic BombWilliam Onyeabor – Atomic BombSelf-recorded and pressed at his private Wilfilms facility in Enugu, Nigeria, Atomic Bomb presents a revolutionary synth-funk vision. Onyeabor fused analogue synthesiser ostinatos, bubbling electronic organs, and repetitive feminist and anti-war mantras into hypnotic dance grooves. The arrangements…0
  3. 3Ebo Taylor – Twer NyameEbo Taylor – Twer NyameGuitarist, composer, and arranger Ebo Taylor is Ghanaian funk's pre-eminent architect. On Twer Nyame, recorded with the Sweet Beans band, Taylor integrates rich Fante folk harmonies, punchy horn fanfares, and fiery James Brown-style rhythm guitar breaks. The interlocking brass charts on Heaven and…0
  4. 4Gyedu-Blay Ambolley – SimigwaGyedu-Blay Ambolley – SimigwaRecorded in Accra with arranger Ebo Taylor, Simigwa introduced Gyedu-Blay Ambolley's gravelly vocal style and his pioneering Simigwa-do rhythm, which many recognise as the earliest precursor to rap in West Africa. Fusing highlife percussion with deep, rubbery funk basslines, the album balances…0
  5. 5Orlando Julius and His Afro Sounders – Afro SoundersOrlando Julius and His Afro Sounders – Afro SoundersSaxophonist Orlando Julius was instrumental in bridging Nigerian highlife and American rhythm and blues. On this electrifying 1973 session recorded at EMI Studios in Lagos, his Afro Sounders deliver blistering brass riffs, distorted psych-rock guitar leads, and dense Yoruba percussion. The grooves…0
  6. 6Steve Monite – Only YouSteve Monite – Only YouProduced in Lagos by Nkono Teles, Only You stands as the pinnacle of Nigerian boogie and electro-funk. Utilising state-of-the-art drum machines, slap bass, and cosmic synthesiser washes, Monite delivers charming, plaintive vocals on the iconic title track and Things Fall Apart. The album captures…0
  7. 7Rob – Make It Fast, Make It SlowRob – Make It Fast, Make It SlowGhanaian keyboardist Rob Roy Raindorf recorded this spiritual funk masterwork at Essiebons Studios in Accra after studying piano in Cotonou. Supported by the military musicians of the Mag-2 band, Rob constructs deep, heavy grooves characterised by hypnotic organ patterns, soaring horn lines, and…0
  8. 8Aleke Kanonu – AlekeAleke Kanonu – AlekeMaster percussionist Aleke Kanonu assembled an extraordinary international ensemble in New York, featuring Hugh Masekela, Wynton Marsalis, and Carl Palmer, to create this rare crossover masterpiece. Happiness features a stunning vocal from a teenage Amel Larrieux, floating above a sophisticated,…0
  9. 9Kiki Gyan – Feelin' AlrightKiki Gyan – Feelin' AlrightA teenage keyboard prodigy with Osibisa before launching his solo career, Ghanaian musician Kiki Gyan was celebrated as one of the era's most gifted instrumentalists. Feelin' Alright showcases his mastery of clavinet, synthesiser, and studio rhythm arrangements. Tracks like 24 Hours in a Disco and…0
  10. 10Peter King – Omo LewaPeter King – Omo LewaMulti-instrumentalist Peter King spent years playing in London jazz clubs and studying at Trinity College before returning to Lagos. On Omo Lewa, he marries high-level jazz harmony and virtuoso flute and saxophone solos with driving afro-funk rhythms. The arrangements are exceptionally tight and…0