In music, the terms Afro, Cosmic Disco, the Cosmic sound,[1] free style[2], and combinations thereof (Cosmic Afro[3], Afro/Cosmic[4] Afro-Freestyle,[5] etc., as well as Afro-Funky[6]) are used somewhat interchangeably to describe various forms of synthesizer-heavy and/or African-influenced dance music and methods of DJing that were originally developed and promoted by a small number of DJs in certain discothèques of Northern Italy from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s.
From Afro/Cosmic musicI personally like the Cosmic-Afro definition (and the music) a lot, although when i first heard what "Afro" meant for the Cosmic People in 1984, i was really confused. Like most people i associated african music with it. I included a few classical Cosmic-Afro tracks, most of them are really hard to find records. Some tracks are classical Afro-Funk tracks. Here we go:
Timmy Thomas - Africano
Classical Cosmic-Afro Track and was released as a B-Side of Touch To Touch in 1977. Great grooving tune, combines funk with some hooky synth lines and african percussion.
Soulful Dynamics - Jungle People
Liberian Band started as band in the 1960's. Jungle People was released on Columbia 1976.
Olatunji - Soul Makossa
This is a cover version of the mighty Soul Makossa from Manu Dibango. Babatunde Olatunji is a fantastic Nigerian percussionist . Unfortunately Olatunji died April 6, 2003 at the age of 75. He is greatly missed!
Soul Makossa is from the Album "Soul Makossa" released 1973.
Cultural Vibe - Ma Foom Bay
This is a massive classic! Released on Easy Street Records 1986 and is probably one of the first Afro-House records. Wicked, this is a real must!
The Unknown Cases - Masimba Bele (Dub Mix)
Masimba Bele was a massive club hit in 1983. Combines electronic drums with great percussion and a driving synth line.
Oneness of Juju - African Rhythms
Afro-Jazz with Babatunde Olatunji on Percussion. From the Album African Rhythms (1975)
Kabbala - Ashewo Ara
Rare track from the musician from Ghana. Fantastic driving afro-funk from 1982 released on Red Flame.
IMPI - Impi
This is a huge Cosmic-Afro hit. Contains heavy tribal percussion. It remembers me Johnny Wakelin's "In Zaire". Another really rare track released 1982 on Jive Records.
Fela Ransome Kuti & Africa 70 - Let's Start
From Fela Kuti's Live! Album released 1971 together with Ginger Baker on drums.
Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers - Berro & Sombaro
Ahh.. Berro & Sombero is another Cosmic Afro Classic from the grand masters of gogo-funk. Found on the mythical Bustin' Loose released 1979.
Buari - Karam Bani
Funky Afro from Ghana. Released on RCA 1976.
Dogs Of War - Future Jungle
Rare canadian disco track (1977) with excellent percussions and hooky synths. Re-released recently.
Manu Dibango - Abele Dance (Dub)
Great electro-afro-funk from the master of afro-groove. Released on Celluloid 1984.
Barrabás - Wild safari
A huge classic from the Spanish Funk Band from 1972. Funky tune with a great afro groove.
Banzaii - Rhythm Kung Fu
Obscure funky disco track with fantastic percussions. Mixed by Tom Moulton.
Kongas - Anikana-O
Now this is a massive track from the french group. Released 1974 on Barclay. Highly recommeded.
Kebekelektrik - War Dance
Another fantastic track from the french band. Fantastic electro-disco with excellent percussions and and some great synth works. Again highly recommended. Released 1977.
Ok that's it for today. This was a huge post and lot's of work. Enjoy it!