Various Artists

The sheer exuberance and quality of the compilations of African music is consistently wonderful. This is in the line of compilations of 'lost’ African gems such as 'Green Arrows’, 'Hallelujah Chicken Run Band’ and 'African Scream Contest’ (all on Analog Africa) and Soundway have found material that stands up to those by way of some superb playing, powerful chants and vocals and simply uplifting music.

In the early '70s the likes of Ginger Baker (of Cream fame), and Adrian Gurvitz were visiting Africa to take the sounds of the west and to listen to the sounds of Aftrica. Baker in particular them used a number of Nigerian musicians in his 'Ginger Bakers Army'. At the same time Fela Kuti, Dudu Pukwana and Harry Ransome were studying in England and took Western Jazz and Rock back with them. The result is a melange of Afro beats, rock guitars, jazz piano and psychedelic wonderment.

Some of the music came back to the UK in the shape of Osibisa and the guitar playing of Spartacus R is typical of the playing here – huge fuzz tones, screaming solos and wrapped around percussion that is both expressive and explosive. The jazzy and funky piano and tinny organ tones carry the music along with much gusto and swirl and the vocals and chants could only have come from Africa and specifically from Nigeria.

The opener, 'Ofege’ by Adieu has the rhythmic drive and swing of 'Oye Como Va’ period Santana and the stage is now set: The Action 13 'More Bread to The People’, Mono Mono with 'Kenimania’, Tabukah 'X’ and 'Finger Toe’, Joe King Kologbo and His Black Sound and 'Another Mans Thing’ plus Question Mark 'Freaking Out’ are the tracks that I will go back to time and again but the whole album is a delight – as is usual from these compilations. There must be some absolute junk in the vaults but these sets save us from having to test it for ourselves and I salute the researchers for their diligence – mind, having found these 15 diamonds I think they probably had a rather good time themselves.