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

Review: Mzala Wa Afrika - Resurrection EP (Ostowana)

It may not be "Coming Home" but you can't keep a good thing down and here's some 'Resurrection' to proove it from Mzala Wa Afrika.

If you thought the 'uMsindo weNdlovu EP' by AfroNerd and featuring Notha Shoto was good (and we certainly thought it was better than that, see review HERE), you're going to love this new 3-track EP on Ostowana even more!

We've got a deep dub flava on the high plains  with 'Amasiko' (Original Afromix) that has all the elements of sunrise, sunset and morning chorus infused in the synths.  Definitely my favourite (and in the office) but don't rule out the opener, 'Ngikhulule Set Me Free' featurig the vocals of Nhlanseko which is your main room stomper/dreamer and the 'Samburu' chant.

We're told this is a "must-listen for all Afro House music aficionados", but this has a much wider appeal and any of the tracks could be included in our sets - watch out for the 'Best Of' July session.

Artist:  Mzala Wa Afrika 

Title: Resurrection EP

Release date: 26th July, 2024

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST065

Format: Digital