A7 Edits is a sub-label of Africa Seven formed by a collective of crate diggers, afro music-heads, label spotters and vinyl buying obsessives focussing on bringing back rare African music for reissues and compilations, packing both holsters with edits alongside sought after originals. After Stefano Ritteri (who was in charge of the first edition), A7 Edits welcomes volume 2 offering two edits alongside their sought after original counterparts from Africa Seven favorites’ M’Bamina and Tala AM. JD Twitch, or Keith McIvor, is one half of Optimo (espacio), a DJ duo that used to run legendary nights under the same name at the Sub Club in Glasgow. As a producer, he has mainly been accountable for a large array of dancefloor based edits across a number of styles.
The A-side sees JD Twitch take on M’Bamina’s 1982 ‘Kilowi-Kilowi’, from the group’s third album ‘Reflexion’. M’Bamina, meaning lightning, formed in 1972 when the band stumbled across the tools and equipment they needed to play in Italy. Twitch takes this already dance-friendly number and stretches it out, producing and a laidback disco groover with added effects for good measure. A delightful organ line pops us near the beginning, reappearing throughout the edit, often taking turns for center stage with the vocals or the horns, whilst the funky bass keeps the pace and style throughout. Following Twitch’s version is the original which starts with a rather trippy, meow infused intro before slipping into the type of groove that M’Bamina became known for.
On the B-Side Tala AM is first up re-edited in classic Optimo eclecticism. ‘Arabica’ was the lead track on Tala André Marie’s 1978 album on Fiesta records. This was the Cameroonian’s 5th studio album in a number of years. JD Twitch goes large with his version, amping up the already powerful original into overdrive with heavy drums, plenty of reverb and some trippy Frankie-goes to Hollywood-esque effects glittering over the top. It’s not what you expect, but exactly what you wouldn’t expect from a man like Twitch, and definitely works on the floor. The B-side closes with the original version, more disco but all the same power behind it.
Release date: 3/05/2019
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