Review: Awa Khiwe - African Women Arise (Outhere Records)

These guys are so Out Here with 'African Woman Arise' by Awa Khiwe, 'Zimbabwe's Rap Queen' as this is more than a call to arms.

Produced by Ghanaian Stallion (who has worked with Joy Denalane, Black Sherif, Burna Boy and more) this is Africian hip-hop blended with the sounds of Malatu, Fela, Pat Thomas et al as the music label based in Munich does a take of Philophon (Berlin). 

As strong as Awa's vocal performance, the music is perfect "WOMAD" by Zimbabwe's Mokoomba band with the horns of Ghana's Kwashibu Area Band on selected tracks.

For Awa's debut album this is very impressive and having a release on the day before Record Store Day is very brave' don't overlook this one.

Note: "Huge thanks to Lomedy Mhako for the beautiful artwork"

Artist: Awa Khiwe

Title:  African Women Arise

Release date: 11th April, 2024

Label: Outhere Records 

Cat. No: TBC

Format:  LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Santrofi - Making Moves (Out Here Records)

Santrofi are on their third album in three years and they are definitely 'Making Moves' to the top of modern Highlife/Afrobeat/Funk.

No matter how experience you are, if you are supported by folks that have collective worked with Ali Farka Toure, Buena Vista Social Club, Orchestra Baobab, Kronos Quartet, Ebo Taylor, Pat Thomas, and AK Yeboah (he of 'Nde Yen Da' see review HERE) you've got to be on your best form: and these eight guys are with this eight track album.

It's been 5 years since they released thier debut album but 'Making Moves' is a shift of gears opening with 'Amina' in a rock/funk/chant/horn that's more Jame Brown influenced than some of their other tracks that are soaked in their traditiona' Ghananian musical heritage; like 'Su nkwa', 'San su', the beautiful 'Domebi' and the even more beautiful vocal/guitar duet 'Woara wosempa'.

Could 'Gyae me how' be Sly Stone meeting up with Fred Wesley in Accra with the Tower Of Power under the supervision of Fela?  Probably not, but tracks 'San su' and 'No Money, No Honey' sound like Saturday afternoon's 'Nostalfgie Ya Mboka' with the twangy guitars.

The title track 'Making Moves' includes a rather clunky rap in English which kinda of lets it down as I'd have prefered a longer sax solo but I think we can forgive that as we look forward to seeing them live at festivals somewhere near you in the summer.

Artist: Santrofi 

Title:   Making Moves 

Release date: 14th February, 2025

Label: Out Here Records

Catalog Number: TBC

Format:  Vinyl LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp