For the last five years Huntleys & Palmer‘s Highlife imprint has focused on releasing the finest future afro-beat sounds from the across the black Atlantic diaspora – everything from Chicago House, Detroit Techno and Disco to Cumbia, Kwaito and Afrobeat.
To coincide with the 5th birthday showcase celebrations at Shapes open air party in Bristol this Saturday, the boys have kindly drawn up their top 10 favourite Highlife classics.
Tickets are still available for more Huntleys & Palmers’ upcoming showcase at Shapes open air party this Saturday (featuring Auntie Flo, Esa & Mervin Granger). Head to the Facebook event for more details.
1. Emmanuel Jal – Kuar (Henrik Schwarz Remix)
THE stone cold Highlife anthem – gets played at every party without fail.
2. Daniel Maloso – Ritmo Especial
It’s no secret that Matias Aguayo’s Cómeme label has been a force of influence behind us starting Highlife, Rebolledo was our first guest afterall. We bonded over those early releases – which still sound fresh to this day. Five years later and their unique sound seems to finally become more accepted by a wider audience.
3. Africaine 808 – Tummy Tummy
One of the great things about Highlife is that we all come from different musical backgrounds and have found a lot of common ground with what makes a Highlife record – this is one that all three of us have caned from the start, although I think Esa was the first.
4. Zinja Hlungwani – Nwa Gezani My Love
One from the early days. In addition to Cómeme, the exciting Shangaan sounds that Nozinja and Honest Jon’s brought to our attention have been very influential. Check out Esa’s Afrofuturism mix for Fabric here.
5. Khijda – Mustafa (Timothy J. Fairplay Remix)
Again, another one that we all agree on. All about THAT bassline.
6. Actress – IWAAD
Actress has been a Highlife favourite too. Check this Red Bull mix from Rockness a few years back to get the context on this one.
7. DJ Mujava – Muganti / Sgwejegweje
Back in the early days, Township Funk was a record (alongside the Cómeme ones) that Brian and Andrew bonded over. It sounded like nothing else we’d heard at the time and opened our ears to these new sounds from South Africa. ‘Mugwanti’ has been played by all of us lots over the years.
8. Kasai Allstars vs Shackleton – Mukuba Special
Big one from Shackleton who played one of the early parties in Glasgow. This featured on Auntie Flo’s RA podcast a few years later.
9. DJ Sdunkero – Choosing Love
This became a bit of an obsession around the time of the Afrodesia site (a sort of Beatport for African music), we signed it to release on the flip of Auntie Flo’s Oh My Days and has been a classic ever since.
10. Shina Williams & His African Percussionists – Agboju Logun
Can’t get more classic than this!
