World Psychedelic Classics 3: Love’s a Real Thing – Vinyl LP

2014 double vinyl LP reissue of the 2005 original. Seeped in the heavy electric sounds of the ’70s, this cohesive introduction to the wild music of West Africa is an experience for any psychedelia fan. There’s the raucous sounds of psychedelic rock, the exuberance of soul, the sweetness of Latin rumbas and the madness of the Afro-beat, all combining to produce one powerful, provocative sound. “Guajira Van,” with it’s fuzzy guitar solo, is chill; “Allah Wakbarr” is more heavy, with it’s acid rock guitar lead ringing as a conga drum keeps time. There’s alien keyboard sounds in “Better Change Your Mind,” an organ solo in “Ifa” and funky Afro-beat in “Love’s A Real Thing.” A great survey of west Africa altogether, this album is an excellent entry point for the new listener. Luaka Bop.