The following are my own personal favourite selections of the vast array of psychedelic music that has come out of Africa, particularly from Zambia and Nigeria. The borders of psychedelia are somewhat streched in a few of these cases, with funk, afrobeat and afrojazz being the predominant genres at points, however psychedelic undertones flow throughout this selection. In no particular order:

The Funkees (Nigeria)

Emerging from Nigeria’s afrorock scene in the early 70’s, The Funkees later moved to and recorded in London before breaking up in the mid 70’s. From an article on Bandcamp Daily: “Funkiness is an intangible quality. It’s something you have, but not something you can teach, trade, or tabulate. The Funkees had it. They were a ball of pure energy, full of smooth, psychedelic guitar riffs, infectious organ stabs, and relentless drums. ” Listen to their song Abraka below and listen to their album Now I’m a Man here.

Blo (Nigeria)

Formed in the early 1970’s, Blo were another seminal act of the 70’s AfroRock scene that blossomed in Nigeria. Recording until the 80’s, their sound incorporates psychedelia with funk, soul, afrobeat and later, disco. The track below, Beware (which cuts off early for some reason), comes from their debut album Chapter 1 released in 1973 – avaliable to listen to in its entierity here.

Amanaz (Zambia)

Players of Zamrock, the name given to the incredible psychedlic scene/genre that emerged in Zambia during the 1970s, these guys are as good as any of the legendary 60s groups from whom they drew inspiration. Sadly they only released one album, Africa, but it is endlessly listenable and holds up so well today. Listen to the beautiful track Sunday Morning from this album below, and listen to the whole album here.

Witch (Zambia)

Another legendary band who formed in the Zamrock scene, their sound utilises garage rock rythms, organs and wah-wah fuzzed out guitar. Witch were a mainstay of Zamrock until the mid 1980’s when state repression of music hindered their ability to continue as a band. Listen to the title track of their album Lazy Bones below, and listen to the entire album here.

Marijata (Ghana)

Absolute revelation finding this band. From a fitting review: “a sensational, multi-talented avant-garde, hard-hitting, hair-rising, Afro-fuzz Ghanaian highlife band which made its name in the Ghanaian musical landscape in the 1970’s.” Their 1976 album This is Marijata is a masterpiece – the track below from this album, I Walk Alone, is some of the best psychedelic soul you’re likely to hear. They also absolutely tore it up when it came to funk, whilst simultaneously reminding us in these neo-fasicst times that no condition is permanent, see here.

Bombino (Niger)

A contemporary singer songwriter, Bombino gets people dancing whilst educating about geo-political issues. From a No Depression review: “cutting on the upswing, percussive on the downbeat, snatches of Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix and even Jerry Garcia can be heard in the sound Bombino creates”. Below, killing it at Austin Psych Fest 2014, to listen to more of his work see his bandcamp page.

Assagai (members from South Africa and Nigeria)

According to a Guardian article, Assagai’s aim was “get people dancing, not to make a name for themselves”, which might explain why they only recorded two albums and broke up just before they were scheduled to start an American tour. Incorporating psychedelic guitar licks with funk and afrojazz, their two albums deserve far more historic recognition. Listen to a playlist of their work in a Guardian article here, and listen to their song Cocoa below.

Tamikrest (Mali)

Contemporary fusion band, from a soundcloud review: “Tamikrest means “crossing” in the language of the Kel Tamashek, a traditionally nomadic Saharan people that are commonly referred to as the Tuaregs. Echoes of dub, blues, psychedelia, funk and even art-rock are seamlessly weaved by Tamikrest into their increasingly individual take on the Tuareg musical tradition.” Listen to their song Imanin bas Zinhou below, bandcamp page here.

Le Super Borgou de Parkou (Benin)

Playing in the Islamic funk belt that existed in the 1970’s, this band has a fascinating history very much tied into the political history of Benin – read about it in a Quietus article here. From said article: “Untutored and unrestrained, what you hear is what you get, as musicians wrestle their instruments unbound by limitations, to create their pure sounds, as perfect for headphones as for the dancefloor.” Playlist of their work here.

Les Amazones D’Afrique (Various countries)

Formed in Mali but wth members from across the continent, Les Amazones D’Afrique are an all female feminist ‘supergroup’ collective, who use their music to campaign for gender liberation. Their sound encompasses funk, blues and dub amongst other genres, with guitar and echoey vocals that I think qualifies it for this blog (kind of). Their debut album, République Amazone, has rightfully been much hyped and is already one of my favorite releases of 2017. Listen to Doona from that album below, and stream the full album here. Definitely a band to watch in the future.

Pat Thomas (Ghana)

Ghanaian highlife music, Pat Thomas has been voted “the golden voice of Africa”, and continues to record and tour to this day with over 15 albums to his name. Listen to his excellent song Coming Home below, and check out his bandcamp page here.

Wells Fargo (Zimbabwe)

From the youtube description: “Wells Fargo were part of a counterculture that has been almost totally forgotten, even in its country of origin. In the 1970’s, during the last decade of Zimbabwe’s War of Independence, rock music exploded with a message of unity and hope. Wells Fargo was at the forefront of the “Heavy Music” movement serving as fuel for the fight.” Good to see these guys are still playing.

Don Bruce and the Angels (Nigeria)

Little info on this band seems to exist online, including what years they were recording, though it’s thought to be around the late 70’s/early 80’s. Certainly on the more straight-up funk/afrobeat side of this selection, but smattered with psychedelic guitar stylings, this is solid feel good music with an infectious groove. More of their work is available of youtube here.

Tirogo (Zambia)

Ten years after the summer of love, Tirogo recorded a cult classic of psychedelia, ‘Float’. Psych/fuzz guitar with R&B and afrobeat influences, the lofi production makes for an underground, mysterious sound. Listen to the song Gypsy Girl below, and to the entire album here

The Hygrades (Nigeria)

1970’s creation of guitarist and producer Goddy Oku, The Hygrades provide trippy instrumentals with funk rock rhythms. The layered instrumentation and more bluesy guitar riffs of The Hygrades is standout amongst the many Afrorock bands playing in Nigeria at the time. Couldn’t find an album anywhere but plenty of their songs are on youtube, listen to their song Rough Rider below.

Ebo Taylor (Ghana)

A legend of Ghanaian highlife (also pictured at the top of this blog, incase you were wondering), starting out in the 1950’s, he is still touring and recording to this day at aged 81. His music is beatiful to listen to and really doesn’t require me to add any more description. His song Come Along is below, and for more of his work, including recent releases, check out his bandcamp here.