It’s (NOT) What’s Up Front That Counts.

If you have been lucky enough to hear the recently released Nigeria Special, I’m sure you must be amazed at how a small UK based label has managed to get such an authentic feel for a foreign music. Well there is a reason for this… Although compiled and sequenced by Soundway boss Miles Cleret, who himself has spent much time in Nigeria, behind the scenes were in fact some of the original artists who actually feature on the releases. If you take a closer look at the end credits on the sleeve... [More]

Nigeria Re-Mastered

Not only does music change over time, but so does the way people listen to it. Back in the 50’s US Rock’n’Roll was specially produced to sound its best on the local diner’s juke box. Motown then came along and perfected the ultimate sound for a car radio. A few years later, Dub and Hip Hop records were then produced to be blasted out on walls of speakers stretching up to the ceiling (if there was one). The music produced in Nigeria from 1970-76 is remarkable in many ways. In the 1960’s... [More]

5 Sleeve notes that changed my life

Since the 1960s modern music has become so varied and diverse that at first appearance it looks as if complete chaos rules. But it really doesn’t have to be that complicated. If you can get your hands on the right information, it can only need a few choice articles to get you off on the right foot on a coherent musical journey. What did the trick for me was quite simply a few well written sleeve notes that opened up my mind and ears. Here are the 5 sleeve notes that changed my record collection,... [More]