Demon Fuzz - Afreaka! (1970)

A phenomenal fusion of psych, jazz, Afrobeat, and funk, courtesy of a a group of African ex-pats. Three things that are spooky about this record: 1) "Demon." 2) They cover "I Put a Spell on You". 3) Organ, organ, organ.

Track listing:
1. Past, Present, and Future
2. Disillusioned Man
3. Another Country
4. Hymn to Mother Earth
5. Mercy (Variation #1)
6. I Put a Spell on You
7. Message to Mankind
8. Fuzz Oriental Blues

I don't care if you don't want me
Cause I'm yours anyhow

Also check out:

Osibisa -
Osibisa (1971)

Cos -
Viva Bomba (1976)

Manu Dibango - Soul Makossa (1972)

Vibrant, funky, infinitely likeable, jazz-inflected Afrobeat courtesy of African saxophonist Manu Dibango. Genuinely feel sorry for anyone who can't get down with this.

Track listing:
1. New Bell
2. Nights in Zeralda
3. Hibiscus
4. Dangwa
5. Lily
6. Soul Makossa
7. Oboso

Wild man in the city

You undoubtedly will also enjoy:

Mulatu Astatke -
Mulatu of Ethiopia (1972)

William Onyeabor -
Crashes in Love (1977)

William Onyeabor - Crashes in Love (1977)

Afro-funk legend William Onyeabor's perfect debut. Call-and-response vocals, rich horn-section melodies, and killer solos from every instrument in the band's arsenal, all as buoyant, percussion-heavy grooves stay locked in a mesmerizing state of rhythmic nirvana. If everyone in the world listened to Onyeabor at least once a week, we'd achieve world peace within a couple of months.

Track listing:
1. Something You'll Never Forget
2. Ride On Baby
3. Crashes in Love
4. Heaven and Hell
5. Jungle Gods

I don't know why
You make me get crazy

To keep riding these vibes, try:

Mulatu Astatke -
Mulatu of Ethiopia (1972)

King Sunny Ade & His
African Beats - Aura (1984)

King Sunny Ade & His African Beats - Aura (1984)

Buoyant, infectious Afrobeat that mixes organic percussion with programmed beats. Makes me long for a car full of friends that's headed for the river, the coast, or the mountains, and thankfully, what with summer almost being here, this dream's gonna be a reality real soon. Aura served as my introduction to the wonderful world of King Sunny Ade -- maybe it'll be yours, too.

Track listing:
1. Ase
2. Gboromiro
3. Ogunja
4. Oremi (feat. Tony Allen)
5. Ire
6. Iro

Synchro feelings

You'll also want to hear:

Osibisa - Osibisa (1971)

Magnum - Fully Loaded (1974)

Osibisa - Osibisa (1971)

Sunny, prog-y Afrobeat. The bands starts out by explicitly declaring their intention to spread positive vibes, then proceeds to expertly do just that for the entirety of the album. Discovered Osibisa, just like this little gem, due to its having been produced by Tony Visconti.

Track listing:
1. The Dawn
2. Music for Gong Gong
3. Ayiko Bia
4. Akwaaba
5. Oranges
6. Phallus C
7. Think About the People

Spirits up above

You might also enjoy:

Oneness of Juju - African Rhythms (1975)

Ricky Ililonga - Soweto (1978)