Various

A palpable shimmy permeates many of this compilation’s tunes, gathered here from artists representing places like Mali, Mozambique, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Congo. DJ Nikodemus leads off with his take on Vieux Farka Toure’s "Sangare” (with a soukous treatment, plus house beat). Next, a few comfortable grooves surprise with a softer feel, in particular Massuko’s wailing "Ntolilo” and, later, Kas Kasozi’s Afro-ballad "Nkukyaye.” Both tracks could lull rather than rev up listeners expecting the up-tempo vibe to persist throughout the disc. Latin infusions keep the brew simmering though, including Cape Verde’s La MC Malcriado, the highlife salsa of Angola’s Dog Murras and an infectious mambo Afrobeat by Luisito Quintero, featuring Francis Mbappe. Not to be outdone, Kenya’s Kenge Kenge bring the friction drum funk, while revered master Fatai Rolling Dollar (81 and reportedly still playing Lagos clubs every night) gets the second last spin with sax, back beat and chants on the progressive highlife-fusion cooker "Awure Banza.”