Retro Africa

By Marc Bruner

Check out the "Retroafric" label, which has been dishing out some delicious old-school African music.

There's fantastic Congolese Rumba from Franco, Ryco Jazz and others; seminal early Ghanian highlife from ET Mensah; gorgeous guitar melodies from Mose Se Fan Fan, and the cool funk of Captain Yaba.

Retroafric explains: "As time passes faster with the spinning of each new disc, the musical treasures of Africa disappear further into the mists of cultural memory. RetroAfric continues to comb the continent for forgotten masterpieces by Africa's pioneer artists and showmen. Our time span stretches from the 1940s to the present day and 'retroactivity' is guaranteed. In time all becomes Retro."

Retroafric's catalogue is a treasure trove of African musical history, ranging from well-known classics to the delightfully obscure -- all of it filled with passion and vitality and guaranteed to put a smile on your face. So turn up your stereo and put on your old dancing shoes - it's time to go retro!