Alafia was a studio project from the mid 80s in Paris. Masterminded and written by musical maverick Phil Han Mandounou and bringing together musicians from Benin, Cameroon and the French Antilles. The project is a superbly orchestrated and expertly delivered exploration of funk and afro off-beats with 80s synth leanings. Precise musicianship and forward leaning afro synth funk wizardry. Dextrous, extrovert, playful and masterful.A1. Alafia – Assanssan (Original Mix) (33rpm)Uplifting vocals are set against shimmering guitars and punctuated by triumphant horns. Growling and bouncing synth bass is underpinned by tight digital drums. Assanssan defies categorisation while encapsulating many vibrant genres and motifs. “A proper mind melting hybrid tropical beast of a tune”!“Assanssan” refers to a type of quilted fabric popular in West Africa and is a metaphor for togetherness and blending cultures harmoniously. “Assanssan hé hé hé, come and sing along, Assanssan hé hé hé, come and dance along.”A2. Alafia – Assiove (Original Mix) (33rpm)A powerful afro funk groove built around punchy off-beat digital drums and tightly syncopated guitar and bass-lines, augmented by searing synth arrangements and positive vocal passages. Assiove is a highly successful fusion of western and African influences.B1. Alafia – Assanssan (Bosq Remix) (45rpm)Bosq, the man with Midas touch, takes Assanssan and pours gasoline on the already raging flames, setting the whole funky situation alight! Swapping out the bass groove for an insistent and pulsing funk, he switches the track into overdrive while the original passages shine sublimely under his benediction.
(Artwork: Franco Storchi) Funk, space disco, electro, eurodance... tout le spectre de l'italo disc...
What The Funk
Add some and rhythm and blues to your blank walls with this retro FUNK Poster Print. This awesome piece of wall art is designed to make a statement and typography artwork and posters are so hot right now! This unframed print pairs a grey background with two tone orange 'FUNK' text. Our FUNK poster is available in four sizes: A4 – Packed lovingly in a card envelope A3, A2 & A1 – Rolling beautifully in a tube Each art print is digitally printed using acid free, archival quality, 200gsm paper. These super stylish prints are designed by the amazing Nanas of Anarchy. Nanas of Anarchy is the brainchild of the creative minds of two self confessed interior junkies. With a background in interior design, retail, fashion and graphics.
Legendary funk bassist Bootsy Collins speaks with Jim Fusilli about the release of his new album, "The Funk Capital of the World" and reflects on his career playing with the likes of James Brown, George Clinton, Parliament, Funkadelic and P-Funk.
This week, 25 years ago, I graduated from high school. Technically speaking, I’m now old. I have no hair, I’m a size 34 waist when I should be a 32, and the 12, 10 and 8 year olds parading around our home, masquerading as "children" and causing irreparable havoc, occupy 134% of my [...]
Casimir Funk poster print. Crafted from museum-quality, crease-resistant matte paper, this poster is built to last - just like the lasting impact Casimir Funk had on history.It's more than just a decorative piece - it's a compliment magnet that starts conversations like wildfire! Bold and imposing, this print instantly transforms the look of a room. The satisfyingly sturdy paper is equally at home in or out of a frame, and you'll quickly get used to hearing 'where did you get that?'Whether it adorns a classroom wall, personal study, living room or office, it also packs some serious educational value. As a captivating reminder of the story that Casimir Funk represents, it piques curiosity and inspires deeper learning.Like all our home decor, your print is carefully packaged to ensure it arrives in pristine condition, ready to captivate and inspire. And if you have any questions, comments or suggestions? We're a small friendly team, and we're just a message away!
Jeff Mills
