Review: Various Artists - Ostowana Of Organic House Vol. 1 (Ostowana)

Consider this compilation a 'Best Of' if you will as it's got some great tracks on it, perhaps it's time to fully switch to organic?

Some people have trouble with the term/phrase 'organic house' or even the concept but when it comes of Ostowana they are the best when it comes to the traditional ethnic grooves from North African, Moroccan, Arabic and putting artists together. 

Not exactly a cast of 1000s but in these 10 tracks you've got the best of Aziz Ozouss, Blade SA, Cranky, DeDeXgErande, Desert Raven, Enam, Exit Onli, Hassan Tays, Hind Ennaira, Khalid Elhamri, Lilyass, Omary, Sabry, Salah Fafah, Seguya Sadam, The Black Types, The YONA, DJ SK.

Even so, it's hard to fault 'Nkosi Ya Wolo' (see review HERE) and 'Ayamargi', that came out late last year (see review HERE) but as a 'best of', it's all great especially if you like a bit of late night 'shopping' in 'The Kasbah' (Lilyass featuring DJ SK); definitely one for our man in Marrakesh (DJ Bob Hill, not Herbert Lom) or get lost on the camel train with those 'Desert Echoes' (Blade SA).

And if you need a 'companion' to last months' 'Ostowana Of Afro House Vol. 1' (see review HERE) you need not walk through the Saharan sands any further.

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Ostowana Of Afro House Vol. 1

Release date: 19th March, 2025

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST098

Format: Digital

Review: Ostowana Of Afro House Vol. 1 (Best Of 2024) (Ostowana)

Step back into 2024 for the best of Afro House from the Ostowana label with Rønhöff, Blade SA, SMALL F, Thabiso Vocalist, Omary, Saint Evo, Meryame, Mr. BABOO, DJ Danjer, Klarck, Mzala Wa Afrika feat. Nhlanzeko, AfroNerd, Yozif, Zulu Mageba & Lilyass - and this is only Vol. 1!

The best thing about this compilation is that Ostowana's selections emphasise the range of  styles of 'Afro House' last year (and indeed this year, don't miss out on D4NYO's lastest EP, 'Mutujo').

There's lofs of Afro-house branded tracks, but to have the 'real' thing all on one album (10 tracks) starts off with the ironically entitled, 'I Don't Want You' (by Rønhöff) with it's fantastic synths and percussion is a magic opener and keeps going with Yozif & Zulu Mageba's 'Cahabasini' and the 'saxy' play on Klark's 'Bomba' which is a "BOOM" track!

We've previously featured some of these tracks (Ed. well it is a 'Best Of') like 'El Amal' by Omary, Saint Evo and Meryame (see review HERE), Small F featuring Thabiso Vocalist with 'Remember Me' (see review HERE), AfroNerd's 'uMsindo weNdlovu' (see review HERE).

None of these tracks is going to disappoint a dance floor so there's no surprise that you are encouraged to "let the beats take you on a journey filled with passion, rhythm, and emotion, as you experience the stand out tracks from some of the genre's most talented artists. 

They say, "whether you're a long-time fan or new to Afro House, this compilation is a must-have for any music lover's playlist" and it won't take you long to have to agree!

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Ostowana Of Afro House Vol. 1

Release date: 19th February, 2025

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST092

Format: Digital