Boat Floaters - February 2019

This month's Meet Bernard playlist kicks off with Sudanese London collective The Scorpios' take on the classic Sisters Al Balabil tune Mashena.

Next up is one of my favourite songs right now: Arriba from Fémina (more sisters), from their Quantic-produced third album, Perlas & Conchas, which will be launched in April. 

It's a truly global selection, with tracks from France (the brilliant Souleance, plus La Cantina, whose new La Note Bleue album is well worth checking out on Bandcamp, and free to download), Israel (iogi), Zambia (Sampa the Great), Los Angeles (Jerry Paper, who can do no wrong), South Africa (The Survivals – what a unique track My Brother is), Melbourne via Peckham (Prequel, whose 2016 Nothing Better still floats my boat), Brazil (Rosana Mendes, Grupo Veneno) and more ...

There is also plenty of London goodness: Oscar Jerome, who is one to watch; Hackney Wick's Flamingo Pier (great name – and their eponymous EP is out on February 8); eight-piece Afrobeat heroes KOKOROKO; Tokyo-born Anchorsong; and the legendary Marc Mac of 4Hero fame, here in his Nu Era guise (The Third Adam releases on February 8).

The Cinematic Orchestra are back, thankfully, and I prefer this instrumental version of A Caged Bird/Imitations of Life, though the one with Roots Manuva rapping over the top is well worth seeking out. Kapote from the irrepressible Toy Tonic label is at his top tapping best, once again, withBrasiliko.

Alongside the new there is plenty of old gems. How good is Infinity's Queen of My Universe (1980)? And I Got The Rhythm by Beautiful People is 17 years' old (Spotify doesn't have the Hip Hop Mix, which I prefer).

I'm delighted with the feedback from last month's playlist, and look forward to your comments on February's selection.

Yours in music,

Ollie (Boat Floaters)