Various

Russ Dewbury's third collection of African funk (second in the Club Africa series) provides yet another powerful tribute to the music inspired by Fela Kuti, spanning both musical eras and global communities. Included here we find many European recordings from the '70s by great yet often unsung African performers like the hard driving tribal beats of Max B, the slinky jazz-funk of Manu Dibango and the progressive sounds of West African Cosmos. Explosive underground recordings from Guadaloupe and Brazil are contrasted by a couple of gorgeous, early '70s tracks from the well known South African horn player Hugh Masekela, along with a soaring track from South African soul vocalist Letta Mbulu. American acid-jazz legend Roy Ayers is also represented here, with an '80s track inspired by his stint touring with Fela, while another Fela band-mate, saxophonist Bukky Leo, provides an unreleased jazz-funk track from '97 to the mix. There's even a wild keyboard jam from an obscure Nigerian contemporary to Fela, named Rex Williams. As is the Strut tradition with these collections, great packaging and detailed liner notes on each track make Club Africa 2 both an insightful history and a powerhouse party jam.