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.

Big Box of Rare Tapes Just Arrived…Here Are Some, Part 1
Awesome Tapes rom Africa January 2019

Ephat Mujuru – Shumba – Hapana Mutorwa Pasi Pano (Zimbabwe)
Transit Crew – Maniac – Money (Zimbabwe)
Na Diakate – Sanfine – San Finne (Mali)
Yoro Gueye – Lëngo – Yoro Gueye (Senegal)
Souleymane Traoré dit Neba Solo – Lamissa Bengaly – Hommage a Lamissa Bengaly (Mali)
Tradimo – Eya Gnin – Bla Etran (Cote d’Ivoire)
Chino Rem’s – Digbeuteti – Chino Rem’s (Cote d’Ivoire)
B da Peace & Madou le Gros – Bliwan – Memorial Ernesto Djedje (Cote d’Ivoire)
Ndoigou Seck -Lupaa-Lup-Samba – Tarou (Senegal)
Khalifa Gueye and Madou Diabate – Xaar – Ruba (Senegal)
Zeze Lavet – Gouza – Zeze Lavet (Cote d’ Ivoire)
Khalifa Gueye and Madou Diabate – Yoolmbene – Ruba (Senegal)
Ndiaga Mbaye – Naniou Mougne – Naniou Mougne (Senegal)
Fode Kouyate – Bangali – Djelia (Mali)
Madjan Doumbia – N’Bessokoma – Madjan Doumbia (Mali)
Khaira Arby – L’oufack – Khaira Arby (Mali)
Amadou Barry – Attyouta Houbham – Djiba Mane (Guinea)
John Jay – Brother Jay (Remix) – L’heure est Grave – (Cote d’Ivoire)
Kerfala Kante – N’na Kissi – l’Oiseau de Sankara (Guinea)
CRS – Manierage – Danger Public (Cote d’Ivoire)
Brinch – Mo Go (instrumental) – Woro Woro (Cote d’Ivoire)
Lapiro De Mbanga – Basingedi – Ndinga Man Contre-Attaque (Cameroun)
N’gues Bon Sens – Il Etait Une Fois – Il Etait Une Fois (Cote d’Ivoire)
Zougloumental – Men – Zougloumental (Cote d’Ivoire)
La Associes du BTS – Djonfadjoh – BTS Galère (Cote d’Ivoire)
Yehia Arby – Goi Ma Gandadi – Kaba Hinca Adasa (Mali)