Rob - Make It Fast, Make It Slow - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

The Accra-born pianist and frontman only released a few albums in small quantities, yet two of them are among the most sought-after records from 70's Africa. This was the first. So what do we know? After learning his craft in Benin and playing with the likes of Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou, ROB returned to Accra to write his own material and find a sound.Hooked on the driving funk and raw soul of stars such as James Brown and Otis Redding, he would often imitate his heroes on his father's piano during school holidays. The title track sets the pace with a JBs-like rhythm, ROB almost shamanic with his sparse yet commanding vocal. The organ and wah-wah guitar spin us out before those imperious horns bring us back in. And what better way to close this set than with 'More', swept up in a call and response between Rob and his backing singers as a 'Blow Your Head' synth flares and the brass blasts. Good times guaranteed.As the man himself says, InchFunky music is in my blood. What you hear is the coming out of my mind.Inch No one sounds like Rob, because there is no one like Rob.

Leon / Cullins / Eafit University Symphony Orch - Vocal Music [COMPACT DISCS] date 03/10/2015

Girl groups have come and gone over the years, but The Crystals' name, along with the Ronettes, has become synonymous with the groundbreaking early-Sixties wave promoted by producer Phil Spector. As well as including some of their early recordings, the songs featured here on this 180g Vinyl set retain their period charm thanks to what one critic called The Crystals sweet-but-streetwise vocal magic.' File the music under Brill Building, Girl-Group Pop or whatever you choose, it wears it's half a century of history lightly.