Various Artists – Afro Psych (Journeys Into Psychedelic Africa 1972 – 1977) (2LP)

Whilst the continents contribution to the global funk, boogie and disco canon has been well documented for decades, the strong presence of rock and psychedelia in 1970’s African music has been a more slowly evolving story over the years. Pockets of young Africans, turned on by Hendrix, the Doors, Santana and more, started to add heavy guitar riffs to rumbling, ever present funk, and built an afro psych scene that is still turning up gems to this day. With Lagos an epicenter for the emergent scene, in 1972, local headquartered label Afrodisia was born near to the eye of the storm, and provides many of the tracks on this latest attempt to capture a bit of afro-psych magick. Iconic Lagos twins The Lijadu Sisters’ ‘Bayi L’ense’ (1977) opens proceedings in LP defining style : the Yoruba vocals, pattering percussion and cooly strutting funk bassline are eventually joined by soaring, scything fuzz guitar, and we’re off on a six and half minute head journey. From there, tempo’s and moods shift throughout.