Awesome Tapes from AfricaAwesome Tapes from Africa
- Heineken Backyard / SUN 16.8.
Awesome Tapes from Africa is a long-time project of US-born music researcher Brian Shimkovitz. He founded the concept in 2006 after discovering interesting cassettes from flea markets in Ghana, first starting a blog and later a reissue record label with the same name. Awesome Tapes from Africa has released more than 50 records of African music from different eras, from disco to highlife, soul, jazz and pop.
The label has made famous artists such as Hailu Mergia and Ata Kak, who both had ended their musical careers but made comebacks after the success of their reissued music. Throughout the history of Awesome Tapes From Africa, Shimkovitz has DJ’d all around the world, staying true to the original concept and playing cassettes. In the 2020s, Awesome Tapes From Africa has expanded its scope to release contemporary music by younger African artists.