Afrodesia – The Afro Soul-Tet

The Afro Soul-Tet, the rerelease of an obscure and globe-spanning artefact of the late 60s, is a bizarre work which incorporates elements of jazz, Latin jazz, samba, Africana and possibly some of the earliest experiments with sampling. The result is a piece that works well as both an ambient soundscape and as an engrossing distraction from modern troubles.

There is a definite mastery in the merging of styles, a cohesiveness that pervades throughout and allows a solid groove to form and sustain itself. This is partly due to Jack Millman’s skilful production and handling of these previously unknown musicians, but also to a willingness to absorb the emotions attached to each region’s indigenous sound and twist it into a mysterious yet absorbing work, most strongly exhibited on the album’s centrepiece Torrid Zone. A rewarding listen for both newcomers and aficionados of a fertile period. [David Bowes]