SOUL UNLIMITED Radioshow 627

The musical coordinates of this episode can be summarized quite simply with the term Afro-Latin Grooves. To kick things off, there is a short round of Nigerian boogie from the late 70s and early 80s. The album “Music Of Many Colors”, an extraordinary collaboration between Fela Kuti and Roy Ayers, who died on March 4, 2025, was also released during this period. The remarkable song “2000 Blacks Gotta Be Free” can be heard in his honor. Over 18 minutes of fascinating music with these two exceptional artists.
The first new release comes from La BOA and Tony Allen, the legendary drummer from Fela Kuti’s band Africa 70. The album “La BOA meets Tony Allen” is based on drum patterns that Tony Allen, who died in 2020, recorded in 2011. Based on these recordings, the musicians from Bogotá Orquesta Afrobeat have created their own vision of Afrobeat, raw and expansive, but also with great respect for Tony Allen’s unique rhythms and drum tracks, which are the blueprint of Afrobeat and play a central role. La BOA expand the stylistic spectrum with casual raps, cumbia elements and other Colombian grooves. An exciting album!
Then it’s back to the past and Benin. Gnonnas Pedro was a successful musician there in the 70s and 80s, but was little known outside Benin. After Analog Africa released four of his songs on the compilation “Legends Of Benin” in 2009, the time is now ripe for a comprehensive compilation of the best songs by Gnonnas Pedro & His Dadjes Band. The music is a unique blend of Agbadja, Cuban Fon, Jerk, Highlife and other African rhythms. Agbadja was previously unknown to me, it is an old rhythm that was played at funerals in the Le Mono region. Gnonnas Pedro, who came from this region, adapted and modernized this rhythm. He called it “Agbadja Modern” and became known and loved as “Roi de l’Agbadja Modern”. The 16 songs on this compilation develop a special magic when you listen to them, which immediately inspired me.
“Fintou” is the new, now fifth album by Vaudou Game, Peter Solo’s band with Togolese and French musicians. The new album has a musical surprise in store, as the band has expanded its sound and incorporated Colombian elements into its music. They have developed a harmonious blend of highlife and cumbia. The grooves are hypnotic and have the mystical voodoo magic typical of Vaudou Game that you can’t escape. I think the album is great and it’s the record of the week!
After African grooves with a cumbia influence, we move on to cumbia from Colombia, which originated in the 60s. A few years ago, the Spanish label Rocafort Records launched the small and very fine compilation series “Cumbia Sabrosa”, the third installment of which was released at the end of last year. This installment features six rare tracks from the archives of the Codiscos label that have it all.
After more than 10 years, there is new music from Ray Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers. On the new album “Coucou Boogaloo” you can hear a pure boogaloo sound that is really great.
The French band Setenta, which also features pianist Florian Pellissier, released their sixth album “Apollo Solar Drive” in January. This is Latin funk with a strong pinch of jazz, which is great fun. Enjoy listening to this episode!