OSIBISA

The debut Osibisa album is a well-presented blueprint for their unique world fusion sound, combining musical influences from across the world in a unique mixture. Don't let the Roger Dean artwork on the cover fool you into imagining that this is a symphonic album - this is Afro-funk jazz rock crossover music, with the musical traditions of three continents blending as equals. Santana is the primary influence from the rock and jazz end of things, with the addition of a horn section and incredibly complex African rhythms transforming the music into something altogether different. Personally, I find that the band's second album is a bit better than this one - the production values are a bit meater and shinier, and there's a bit more funk influence - but this one is still well worth a listen.