Review: No Era & Sorensen - Wind Shifter (Ostowana)

Ostowana have picked up on their usual hybrid North African trade winds with a banger of a 'Wind Shifter' from  No Era & Sorensen that's already timeless.

A more than solid January following on from LEONOIR's 'Chombona' earlier this month (see review HERE) whilst this could connect with some Indo-house; watch this space!

Artist: No Era & Sorensen 

Title: Wind Shifter

Release date: 31st January, 2025

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST089

Format: Digital

Review: LEONOIR - Chombona (Ostowana)

"Get ready to dance and feel the rhythm with 'Chombona' - a perfect anthem for dance celebrations. Don't miss out on this unique addition to the Afro house scene!"

That's what Ostowana say and even though it's so hard to follow the release towards the end of last year, Cranky and Salah Fafah featuring Hassan Tays with 'Ayamargi' (see review HERE), this vocals and instrumental combo will go a long way to brighten up the new year.

Leonoir's debut is that connection with deep and Afro house and with the synths to swing it along, it's a bit of train ride; which is always good news. 

Artist: LEONOIR 

Title: Chombona

Release date: 17th January, 2025

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST087

Format: Digital

Review: Cranky, Salah Fafah Feat. Hassan Tays - Ayamargi (Ostowana)

A tribute to Raiss El Hajj Mehdi Ben Mbark by Cranky and Salah Fafah featuring Hassan Tays in the form of 'Ayamargi' is more than uplifting.

I can't say I know much about Amazigh music but one of their heroes, the 90 year old Raiss El Hadj Mehdi Ben Mbark (المهدي بن مبارك), the Moroccan religius singer and acknowledged pioneer of Amazigh religious song, has passed away in Casablanca.

Apparently his passing is in somewhat mysterous circumstaces which is made the more tragic as he'd been working on this update of his song 'Manik Arad skergh Ayamargi'.

The aim of fusing "modern elecctronic sounds" and traditonal North African folk/world with the vocals of Hassan Tays is definitely in the "job done" folder and equally a great companion to othe releases on Ostowana, just like the 'Angelito EP' by Miserez (see review HERE) as we all encounter sunrises and sunsets in out lifetime. 

Artist: Cranky, Salah Fafah Feat. Hassan Tays  

Title: Ayamargi 

Release date: 8th November, 2024

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST080

Format: Digital

Review: Miserez - Angelito EP (Ostowana)

Don't think this EP is as yogic as the cover but Ostowana have an eye for the sunrise/sunset tracks and here's two from Mizerez.

Sylvia, Sue and Laura (my favourite yoga teachers) are not fans of house, organic or otherwise, but the percussion and mantra on 'Aaya' is definitely more there sort of thing.

Hardly a downward dog more from last months' 'Handwork EP' by Arrumar but just as hypnotic.

Artist:  Miserez  

Title: Angelito EP , 

Release date: 6th September, 2024

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST070

Format: Digital

Review: Arrumar - Handwork EP (Ostowana)

Dubbed out Indo-House fusion, you've got it with Arrumar's handywork on a new EP out on Ostowana.

A bit different for the label as Arrumar's Balearic is closer to the Goa shoreline on the eight minute lead track, 'Matsena' with Henrikraabe.

Like I say, somewhat different to their last release, Mzala Wa Afrika's 'Resurrection EP' (see review HERE) but then 'Africa Dzonga' really does give it the full Afro-House Serengeti treatment.

Two huge tunes that'll get everyone excited about the forthcoming album which reflects on Arrumar's village life; what a night club of a village that must be! 

BBBBB

Artist:  Arrumar  

Title: Handwork EP, 

Release date: 16th August, 2024

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST068

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

Review: AfroNerd - uMsindo weNdlovu EP (Ostowana)

So this is a 3 track EP.  All tracks are roughly 6 minutes long. The problem? 

They all need to be longer as this Afronerd needs more AfroNerd Afro-house space lab boogie on the dancefloor. 

The title track is classic mix of synth disco-house that blend an 80s vibe of sorts with modern Afro-house.

If you thought the 'Amnay EP' by Enskyer featuring Salah Fafah was good (see review HERE), you're going to love the closing track, 'Moya Wami' featuring the vocals of Notha Shoto for a dreamier Afro-house.

Three tracks you said!  Remarkably, 'Sands Of Time' has a Indo-rain forest take from the South African DJ/Producer to show of his skills even more.

Prime Colour & Pitch Sessions material and very confident that you'll hear much more AfroNerd this summer. 

Artist: AfroNerd Feat. Notha Shoto

Title: uMsindo weNdlovu EP

Release date: 5th April, 2024

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST052

Format: Digital

Review: Desert Raven - Nkosi Ya Wolo EP (Ostowana)

There's no stopping the Ostowana team as Desert Raven's love of creating soundscapes with layers of emotion, depth and extened build-ups and climaxes is exposed on this brand new track, 'Nkosi Ya Wolo'.

So different the label's last release, Enskyver's 'Amnay EP' feat. Salah Fafah (see review HERE) but then again, not as the original is a proper fusion of Afro-house, WOMAD and spoken word/rap/poetry.

The Maris remix is a harder version of the original and Purple Tape's orgainic house is the straight from the rain forest to the dancefloor.

These guy's are speaking musically like 'men' (in a good way, like a insightful Bruce Lee) and DJs can't wait to play this out.

Artist: Desert Raven Feat. Seguya Sadam & Exit Onli 

Title: Nkosi Ya Wolo  EP (Original / Maris  & Purple Tape Remix)

Release date: 29th March, 2024

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST051

Format: Digital

Review: Enskyver Feat. Salah Fafah - Amnay EP (Ostowana)

Ostowana are celebrating thier 50th release with Enskyver and featuring more Morrocan tradition from Salah Fafah with an EP, 'Amnay'.

The two tracks highlight traditional instruments in the house with the Ouitar on 'River' and 'Amnay' features Ribab (one-stringed fiddle) and Amazigh (Berber of Morocco) music.

Is the 'River' balearic? The Ouitar is like the North Africa electric benju; or have we a mix of Oud and Guitar? Either was, it's a mesmerising track 

And whilst 'Amnay' just misses St. Patrick's Day, the fiddle like sound is perfect for Gallic reached house music.

Salah has all the rock-star attributes and this is going to get even more global appreciation.

Artist: Enskyver Feat. Salah Fafah

Title: Amnay EP (River / Amany)

Release date: 22nd March, 2024

Label: Ostowana

Catalog Number: OST050

Format: Digital

Review: Omary, Saint Evo Feat. Meryame - El Amal (Ostowana)

North African house from Moroccan DJ/Producer Omary meets Keyan DJ/Producer Saint Evo that features to vocals of Morrocan singer Meryame, finds up absorbed on the dancefloor with 'El Amal'.

You'll remember the last release on the label, SMALL F and Thabiso Vocalist's 'Remember Me' (see review HERE) or last year's collaboration between Omary and kawtar Sadik on 'Maktoub' with Amine'O on the remix which kind of links all the Mediterean/North African house with the (ethnic) flute gang.

There seems a renewed interest in Morrocan influences from DJ Bob Hill (Illicit Groves half-term break session) to Shay Hazan's 'Wusul) (see review HERE).

Artist: Omary, Saint Evo

Title: El Amal feat. Meryame

Release date: 12th February, 2024

Label : Ostowana

Catalog Number : OST047

Format: Digital

Review: SMALL F Feat. Thabiso Vocalist - Remember Me (Ostowana)

Ostowana is a record label that focuses on African and Middle Eastern culture and artists who promise to provide a wide variety of artists and an array of music; and you definitely get that from Small F and Thabiso Vocalist on 'Remember Me'. 

Following on from the previous Small F release from the end of last year, 'Kayhal EP' (definitely check out 'Clouds') this London-based Morocan DJ has teamed up with South African, Mr. Vocalist for a more African house vibe to remember them by.

As Ostowana approach their 50 release, we're definitely looking forward to that and checking out more of their back catalogue.

Artist: SMALL F Feat. Thabiso Vocalist 

Title: Remember Me 

Release date: 16th February, 2024

Label : Ostowana

Catalog Number : OST045

Format: Digital