African music is enjoying a brilliant spell at the moment, with a resurgence of classic cuts alongside brilliant modern offerings: Acid Arab’s insane North African-inspired techno, Owiny Sigoma Band’s brilliant Kenyan house experiments, rare re-issues from Awesome Tapes From Africa and club-orientated offerings from Highlife and Autonomous Africa.
This dancefloor-ready cut from Bagheera (resident DJ for London promoters Kartel) is five minutes of sunshine for the ears, the perfect antidote to these cold-weather blues. With a guitar riff more tropical than a rubicon in a coconut, it’s that magical combination of Lea’s voice occasionally bolstered by backing singers giving it that real crowd feel. It only takes a few listens til your confident enough to sing along, dancing hands in the air around the room.
Tip your hat to Bagheera, who has taken one of his favourite Soukous records and kept all of the soul and magic of the original, whilst adding just enough extra around the drums and arrangement to turn it into a real peak-time weapon. Free download available from Soundcloud.
Catch Bagheera at Kartel x Stamp The Wax present Autonomous Africa with JD Twitch, Auntie Flo and The Busy Twist – Corsica Studios, 23rd Janaury. Final tier tickets now on sale.
