The Second Hand Orchestra
Colours

Beaut Hi-Life & Afro Funk album from one of the greatest Ghanaian singers & composers - reissued for the first time by Hot Casa.The legendary Alhaji Kwabena Frimpong's fantastic rare album was recorded in 1984 in Germany and originally produced and distributed from Hamburg. K . Frimpong was born on July 22nd 1939 at Ofoase in the Ashanti - Akim district, died Oct 18th 2005 in Kumasi (Ghana).He entered right into music after elementary school by joining "Star de Republic" and later "Oko's band" after which he left for K. Gyasy's band where he worked for more than 6 years. As a prolific songwriter and singer, here's the reissue of his amazing album, a modern fusion of Hi-life and Soul . The excellent background is given by the famous Cubanos Fiesta with members of Vis-A-Vis band such as the famous Sammy Cropper on guitar or Slim Manu on bass.Originally produced by Atakora Mensah in Hamburg, this four songs recording is a blend of danceable and spiritual Soul and straight Hi-life. A must-have vinyl of percussive Afro Funk for all the music connoisseurs, Abrabo is a true masterpiece, so hard to find and reaching crazy skills for a decent copy affordable.Remastered by Frank Merritt at The Carvery. Pressed on Replika format. Fully licensed by the Alhaji Kwame Frimpong Family.

Uruguayan trio's sole LP reissued by Little Butterfly & Vampi Soul. A mix of folk, avant-garde & pop under the influence of bossa nova & Tropicalia. Beauty.

Vol.4 of Balearic jazz edits. Apparently these guys spin at Pike's (Ibiza) & Ronnie Scotts (London). Killer sunshine jazz DJ reworks.

Growing Bin strikes again, with the reissue of this AOR, jazz fusion, cosmic folk, yacht rock LP from 1980, by Bordeaux-born troubadour - Guy Maxwell.OG tracklist has been stripped-back for the reissue, in favour of a concise six song LP which brings brilliance in every bar. Beaut record, don't sleep!

Hot Mule comp dedicated to Guinea-Bissau bandleader José Carlos Schwarz, ft. killer track "Na Kolonia" & some great traditional West African songs.Schwarz wrote in Portuguese and French, but sang in Creole. In 1970, he formed the Cobiana Djazz band with a group of friends. After the independence of Guinea-Bissau, Schwarz became the director of the Department of Arts and Culture, and also the responsible for youth matters. In 1977, he started working at the Embassy of Guinea-Bissau in Cuba. On May 27 of the same year, Schwarz died in a plane crash near Havana.Hailed by african giants like Orchestra Baobab, Letta Mbulu or Miriam Makeba (with whom he recorded his first and only solo album), “Zé Carlos” and his poetry won a lasting position in the annals of Guinea-Bissau. However, this collection of songs remains relatively unknown outside the country and its diasporas.Hot Mule present the first official reissue on vinyl, remastered and pressed on heavyweight wax.

Deep, intimate, soul LP from the great jazz singer. Lovely version of Nick Drake's 'River Man'.