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.

Brian Shimkovitz is the person behind Awesome Tapes from Africa—the blog, label, and DJ project—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.

Tracklist:
Asnakech Worku / xx / Asnakech (Ethiopia)

Fatoumata Kouyate / Kana Kassi / Fatoumata Kouyate (Mali)

Sali Sidibe / Suruku Ninama / Naka Gnami (Mali)

Kadja Toungara / Seguin Magni / Kadja Tangara (Mali)

Saramba Kouyate / Allah / Kita Musow (Mali)

Molobali Traore / Monian / Molobali 92 (Mali)

Antoinette Konan / Eigvnen -> Yalé / Antoinette Konan (Ivory Coast)

Belinda / Linda Ragga / Belinda (Ivory Coast)

Tshala Muana / M Bombo / Tshala Muana (Congo-Kinshasa)

Aichata Sidibe / Nana Gnanadje / Alabamba (Mali)

Al Balabil / First side of debut tape (Sudan)

Kanel Diop / Yella / Yella (Senegal)

Maty Thiam Dogo / Tooroodo Njum / Yoonu Ndaw Du Gaaw (Senegal)

Aby Ngana Drop / Liital / Liital (Senegal)

Oumou Sinayogo / Nawo Nawo / Oumou Sinayogo (Mali)

Aichata Sidibe / Imakou / La vie est si belle

Djessou Mama Diabate / Kourou Koro Tati / Kourou Koro Tati (Mali)

The Z Boys (featuring Maneli) / Skasenya / Amadela (South Africa)

Aichata Sidibe / La vie est si belle / La vie est si belle

Kade Diawara / A M’Boh / L’Archange du Manding (Guinea)

Al Balabil (Sudan)