2014: New but Old (Reissues & Comps)

My favourite reissues and compilations of this year (click the album title to listen)... Enjoy!

Francis Bebey - Psychedelic Sanza 1982-1984 (Born Bad)

Excellent follow-up-compilation to 2011's 'African Electronic Music 1975-1982', in a wonderful design by Brussels-based artist Elzo Durt...

Hailu Mergia and The Walias - Tche Belew (Awesome Tapes From Africa)

Worth the wait, this Awesome Tapes From Africa-reissue of Ethiopian legend Hailu Mergia's legendary 'Tche Belew'-album...

Shuggie Otis - Live in Williamsburg (Cleopatra)

The succes of last year's 'Inspiration/Information'-compilation inspired Otis to form a new liveband; this live recording from a concert in Brooklyn's Music Hall in April '13 proves that was an excellent idea...

Horace Andy - Ain't No Sunshine: The Best of Horace Andy (Not Bad)

Great collection of songs and covers by one of Jamaica's most distinct and recognisable voices...

William Onyeabor - Box Set (Luaka Bop)

Last year, Luaka Bop introduced the world to the Nigerian genius, this year we got a complete box containing all of Onyeabor's recordings. Essential stuff!

Marshall Allen presents Sun Ra and His Arkestra - In the Orbit of Ra (Strut)

Longtime Sun Ra-collaborator Marshall Allen's selection might be the perfect introduction into Herman Blount's expansive universe...

Keyboard - Hungry Man (Soundway)

Big up to Soundway for reissuing this in demand Nigerian afrobeat record from the late seventies...

Fela Kuti - Vinyl Box Set 3 (Knitting Factory)

Brian Eno curated this third set of vinyl reissues including the 'London Scene', 'Shakara', 'Gentlemen', 'Afrodisiac', 'Zombie', 'Upside Down' and 'I.T.T.'... Great stuff!

John Coltrane - Offering: Live at Temple University (Impulse!)

Essential live recording dating back to a few months before Coltrane's death in 1967. A must-have for every jazz fan...

Funky Chicken - Belgian Grooves From The 70's Part 1 & 2 (Sdban)

NEWS-sublabel Sdban went diggin' in the Belgian jazz-, fusion-, prog- and funk archives and cameback with magnificent tracks by the likes of René Costy, Alex Scorier and Leo Cavallo...

Joël Vandroogenbroeck - Meditations Vol. 1 & 2 (Aguirre)

Aguirre is doing a great job reissuing legendary Brainticket-founder and Belgian library-legend Joël Vandroogenbroeck's impressive output, with 'Biomechanoïd' as an obvious favourite...

Black Fire! New Spirits! Radical and Revolutionary Jazz in the USA 1957-1982 (Soul Jazz)

Stunning compilation with tracks by Yusef Lateef, Archie Shepp, Doug Hammond and Tyrone Washington; the perfect soundtrack for the book with the same title, also available at Soul Jazz...