In times like these, we can only welcome with open arms and bless any fresh and forward-looking adventure that is set in motion in the music world…just like NYP Records, a brand-new label launched in Brussels by Tony Heynen.
“NYP (Name Your Price) Records is the latest project of Tony Heynen, founder of Global Riddims and curator at Groovalizacion Radio. A non-profit record label with the aim of gathering talented global grooves artists from the 4 corners of the world and give them a new platform to promote themselves.
NYP Records released their first album Global Riddims Volume 1 two weeks ago and a second album will be released on July 3rd“.
To let you discover NYP Records we asked Tony Heynen to compile a playlist of his favourite tracks on his own record label.
01. Kolonel Djafaar – The Heist
Extremely talented instrumental afrobeat band from Antwerp, Kolonel Djafaar released last year their debut album Forgotten Kingdom, a mix of danceable percussion beats, attractive copper ensembles and catchy tunes to shake your ass off all night long. Influenced by Jungle By Night, Fela Kuti and Mulatu Astatke, they are bringing their own version of afrobeat and Ethio-jazz. ‘The Heist’ is their brand new single.
02. Afriquoi – Ndeko Solo
Ndeko Solo is an awesome track with some Congolese guitar, Gambia kora & African djembe mixed with contemporary electronic music. The track is taken from Afriquoi new EP Time Is A Gift Which We Share All The Time and is out now on Mawimbi Records. I also love the artwork which was done by Accra-based Derrick Ofosu Boateng.
03. Les Frères Smith feat. Seun Kuti – No Waiting
Les Frères Smiths is following a dusty and analog trail that winds through Conakry, Ghana, explores Cameroon, and goes back to the Nigerian spring, they composed and recorded their third album Mutation. The single ‘No Waiting’ was composed by LFS and lyrics by Seun Anikulapo Kuti & Prosper Smith.
04. Chouk Bwa & The Angströmers – Sali Lento
Haitian seven-piece Chouk Bwa and Belgian production duo, The Ångströmers . Afro-Caribbean voodoo polyrhythms meet bass-weight dub electronics. Their debut album Vodou Alé is a mixture of distinct traditional Haitian mizik rasin (roots music) and rumbling electronic production, forging a thrilling and hypnotic dialogue between minimalist sound design and Afro-Haitian drum talk.
05. Y-Bayani & Baby Naa – Nsie Nsie
Nsie Nsie is the title track of the debut album of Y-Bayani (spelled like Why-Bayani) & Baby Naa, the new and exciting voices of soulful reggae. They are backed by lushly grooving The Band of Enlightenment, Reason & Love. The album is released on Philophon, a Berlin-based label run by Max Weissenfeldt.
06. Schroothoop – Obsolescence Programmée
Brussels-based trio Schroothoop (dutch for ‘junk yard’) plays tribal tunes played on DIY instruments made from lost and found objects. In May 2020 they released their tribal orientated mini-album Klein Gevaarlijk Afval where the band incorporates Northern African chaabi, jazz and reggaeton with Eastern melodies and Afro-Cuban rhythms. Dijf Sanders post-produced and mixed the album.
07. Afro Social Club – Archfoe
Afro Social Club is a French collective of nine musicians gathered around Fela Kuti’s legacy. They all share the same passion for afrobeat, but also influenced by Ethiopian jazz, Ghanaian highlife and even trip-hop. Their debut album Sittin On a Bomb was released in 2014. ‘Archfoe’ is taken from their recent album Stuck in the Storm published a few months ago.
08. Koichi Sakai & Afla Sackey – Atenteben Blues
Koichi Sakai is a London-based producer and DJ, a well-known head in London music circles thanks to his role in co-founding the legendary Afrobeat Vibration nights alongside Dele Sosimi. Afla Sackey is leader of 10-piece afro funk and highlife orchestra, Afrik Bawantu, and the man who the likes of Kokoroko call when they need some extra power on the percussion or a singer to lead their Church of Sound tribute to Ebo Taylor. Wono is their first collaborative project on Olindo Records.
09. Ian Simmonds & The Ekonda Women – King (Number Rework)
Ian Simmonds started his musical career with the Sandals and then moved on to producing as Juryman. The collaboration between Simmonds and the Ekonda Women of Kinshasa came about late 90’s when he met Vincent Kenis (Crammed Discs/Aksak Maboul), who had just returned from the Congo with hours of field recordings. Our favourite is the remix of Number, a new project of Ali Friend and Richard Thair from Red Snapper.
10. Elite Beat – Sports Radio (RLC Dub Mix) (Exclusive track for NYP Records)
Elite Beat is a musical collective from Portland, Oregon with a history spanning back to 2006. Rooted by powerful melodic basslines, and percussion-driven polyrhythms, Elite Beat creates ecstatic horn and guitar fuelled compositions that invigorate the senses. This wonderful ‘Sports Club (RLC Dub Mix) was especially recorded for the first release of Global Riddims Vol. 1 on NYP Records. Perfect dub disco trip!
Watch the playlist: