album:ZANGO artist:WITCH

Zambia's most iconic rock band, WITCH, is back after 40 years with their new album, Zango. The album is a vibrant fusion of psychedelic rock, funk, and traditional Zambian rhythms, and it still breathes the air of the band's classic 1970s zamrock sound.

WITCH, which stands for "We Intend To Cause Havoc," had not released any new music since 1983, apart from a 2012 reissue of their entire catalogue by Now-Again Records. However, their music has not aged a bit, and Zango's garage-psych-rock tones are as fresh and exciting as ever.

The album is an intergenerational collaboration, featuring guest appearances from both zamrock veterans such as Keith Kabwe of Armanaz, as well as new musical stalwarts such as Sampa the Great. The result is a truly unique and exciting album that is sure to please fans of both zamrock and psychedelic rock.

Don't miss out on WITCH's psychedelic grooves! Zango is available now on all major streaming platforms.

album:LONDON KO artist:FATOUMATA DIAWARA

Fatoumata Diawara's new album, London Ko, is a multicultural journey that takes us from London to Bamako to Paris. The album is a collaboration with a host of talented artists, including English artist Damon Albarn, Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca, Nigerian artist Yemi Alade, and Ghanaian rapper M.anifest.

The result is a vibrant and eclectic album that fuses traditional Malian music with elements of jazz, Afrobeat, and electro. Diawara's powerful vocals shine throughout, and she delivers her messages of hope and empowerment with passion and conviction.

London Ko is a must-listen for fans of world music and anyone who appreciates a well-crafted album. It is a testament to Diawara's talent and her ability to blend different musical influences into something truly unique.

artist:KABEAUSHÈ song:BULLY ME

Kenyan artist Kabeaushé has released his debut album, The Coming of Gaze. The album is a genre-bending fusion of R&B, pop, gospel-funk, and pitched rap. Kabeaushé's music is often described as "futuristic pop," and it's easy to see why. His sound is both fresh and familiar, and it feels like it's from the future.

The Coming of Gaze is a true labour of love. Kabeaushé didn't just think of his project as an album, but as a performance. The album is full of intricate details and unexpected twists, and it rewards repeated listens.

Kabeaushé's influences are vast, but he has a unique way of blending them together. You can hear elements of Prince, Grace Jones, and Tyler the Creator in his music, but the final product is uniquely Kabeaushé.

The Coming of Gaze is a must-listen for fans of forward-thinking pop music. It's an album that will stay with you long after you've listened to it.

artist:AJA MONET album:WHEN THE POEMS DO WHAT THEY DO

Aja Monet is a blues poet and activist who upholds the tradition of using music to speak truth to power. In 2021, she released The FREE Tape, a hip-hop-forward album that she co-produced with the Smoke Signals collective. The album is a "soundtrack for liberation" that is full of lessons on activism and the continuum of resistance.

Monet's 2020 poetry collection, My Mother was a Freedom Fighter, is also full of verses about language and speaking as song. The collection includes a revision of Jay-Z and Kanye's "N****s in Paris" and a plea to recognize all the women who have been muses to songwriters in album credits.

Monet's poetry is rooted in her own experiences as a Black woman in America. She writes about the joy and pain of growing up in a world that is often hostile to Black people. She also writes about the power of music to heal and uplift.

Monet's performances are full of energy and passion. She is a gifted freestyler who can weave together words and beats in a way that is both mesmerizing and thought-provoking.

Monet is a rising star in the world of blues poetry and activism. Her work is both timely and timeless, and it is sure to inspire and uplift people for years to come.

song:PASSING THROUGH artist:FAIZAL MOSTRIXX

Faizal Mostrixx's album Mutations is a genre-bending masterpiece that bridges the gap between tribal and electronic music. The album is a reflection of the artist's own Afro-futurist vision, which is a state of mind that explores the possibilities of the future through the lens of African culture.

Mutations is a dynamic and evolving album that moves seamlessly from modern to traditional songs, from amapiano to experimental afro house. The album never quite takes shape, which is part of its charm. It is a work of art that is constantly changing and evolving, just like the African continent itself.

Ugandan musical heritage is at the forefront of Mutations, but the album also borrows polyrhythms from across the African continent. This gives the album a pan-African feel that is both fresh and familiar.

Mutations is an avant-garde, multi-sensory gem that is sure to appeal to fans of electronic music, world music, and Afrofuturism. It is a must-listen for anyone who is interested in the future of African music.

Selection by Willber Willberforce Features within the EthioCreative Spotify playlist