– THE CHARM OFFENSIVE –

Africa Express is less a band, more a movement. Founded in 2006, it is a collective of musicians whose collaborations are designed to blend cultures, genres and generations, all with the aim of breaking boundaries and piercing perceptions about Africa and its sound.

In January of 2018, a selection of said artists travelled to South Africa with the aim of recording an album in just seven days; the result was EGOLI; an album of such freshness and Afro-Futuristic fun that it transcends the sum of its parts.

Nevertheless, said parts are pretty good.

Morals’ stellar cast-list includes self-styled “Future ghetto punk” Moonchild Sanelly, South African vocal harmony group the Mahotella Queens, producer (and recent Gruff Rhys collaborator) Muzi and mr jukes (the solo name for Bombay Bicycle Club frontman Jack Steadman).

The resulting track sounds like Tank and the Bangas collaborating with One Giant Leap over Salt-n-Pepa beats. It’s a crazy, colourful combination that ramps up the good vibes and brings the sunshine in abundance.

EGOLI is out now through Africa Express Records.

MORE FROM THIS WEEK’S MIX

SHARDS: UNREST
DEF SOUND: HIDE N SEEK
BLUE LAB BEATS: STAND UP
MARO: WHY

P.S. You can find all of the tracks reviewed above in the 45 Revolutions per Minute playlist below or click to access the 45 RPM Playlist on Spotify itself.

If you like what you hear (or even if you don’t), please engage in dialogue with me @45rpm_Reviews on Twitter. And, if you’d like to receive updates weekly, please subscribe to the email list to get these recommendations sent to your inbox weekly.

– SV –