Brian Shimkovitz is the person behind one of the most notable music blogs available. Awesome Tapes from Africa—the blog, label, and DJ project— was initially created as a way for Shimkovitz to share the music he had come across while on a Fulbright scholarship in Ghana. He was interested in the variety of genres and artists he found, distributed mainly on cassette tapes at markets, but that he had not come across outside West Africa. Most Awesome Tapes From Africa releases are official re-releases of out-of-print cassettes from African musicians and bands. In addition to the website and his show on dublab, Shimkovitz DJ’s concerts, clubs, and at festivals.

On his monthly dublab program, Brian Shimkovitz presents live cassette-only DJ sessions of rare Afro-rhythm magnetism. Each themed edition of the program pursues sonic avenues across the continent’s micro- and macro-music, including many styles and genres you might not have heard yet. Press play and let music from the Mother Continent ripple through you.

Tracklist
Wande Kouyate / Bano Yatera / Bara Muso
Mamady Kaminsoko / Aisisa Koulou / Le Roi du Desert
Molobali Keita / Abi Dioula – Magnale / Vol. 4
Krapo Kriye / Krapo Kriye
Damba Kante / Nana Bintou / Lanaya
Fatou Guewel / Barak / Fiirnde Santa Bamba
Fode Baro / Doonsoke / Urgence
Hadja Therna Condé / Sona / Les Ailes de Hamana presentent Hadja Therna Condé
Djamil Thiam / Diarra / Super They Mou Neekh
Toto Konan Secret / Gonou / Le Travail c’est La Travail
Mory Dienne Djeli Kouyate / Assetou Kouyate
Djeneba Seck / Les Aigles / Les Aigles
Batmen Music / Salegy (compilation)
Les Guignols Soutien Aux san Papiers / Les Guignols d’ Abidjan
Mav Cacheral & Kebo /Appel / Triple Force
Claude Romy et le Wassiato / Zolepahi / Zolepahi
Gnaore Djimi / Nagnon / Defi
Sidibe Daouda / N’grin Konon / Selekonoba
Sadio Kouyate et son Epoux / Mokho Mandi Diougouye Sadio / Samaba
Abou Djouba / Doro Dia / Teddoungal Toro
Teningnini Demba / Fagate Dankele / Teningnini Demba
Lagni-Sussu / M’suombulle / Nabi Camara
Steve Kekana / Ngayivuye / Izifungo