CD Reviews

Femi Kuti has endeavoured to capture something of his father's aggressive energy by returning to the Decca studio in Lagos where Fela produced some of his best work. The resulting 14-track album is a horn-driven Afrobeat barrage against the corrupt and incompetent in African politics, and a familiar call for unity in the face of such evils.

What Femi lacks in musicality he more than makes up for in enthusiasm but there's a sameness to such titles as Politics In Africa, Can't Buy Me, Bad Government and E No Good that all but the most dedicated fans will find desensitising.

Single download: Africa For Africa
For those who like: Fela Kuti, Afrobeat

- Jeff Harford

The third release from New York afro-funk collective The Budos Band further enhances its reputation as a purveyor of sure-footed, rousing grooves.

The 11 tracks offered here - all sinewy bass, minor key horns, and parping farfisa organ - are infectious, furiously percussive, and showcase a band adept in fusing pop, jazz, and world music, whether via the brooding psychedelia of Nature's Wrath, Black Venom's mariachi-fuelled strut, or the spacey noodling of Reppirt Yad, a funkadelic reworking of the classic Beatles number.

Even more impressive is the fluid coherence of the set, given it was recorded in a mere 48 hours.

Single download: Black Venom
For those who like: The Dap-Kings, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

- John Hayden

Proudly proclaiming its heritage with one of the boldest band names to emerge from the UK, the six-piece that originally formed in Yorkshire is something of a festival institution.

Straddling the divide between post-punk and Brit pop, yet with a strong indie aesthetic, BSP employs anthems both sweeping and angular; plus wry wit and scathing social comment.

The band's quirky compositions have genius melodies, but no matter how many times Valhalla Dancehall gets played, these just don't seem to stick.

Single download: Georgie Ray
For those who like: Pulp, Manic Street Preachers, Embrace, The National

- Mark Orton