Valique & Nawari - Dance On

Canopy Records returns with CNPY018, giving two long out-of-print tracks by Malian musician Nawari an overdue second life.

The title track, originally self-released in 1987, is an upbeat Afro-reggae-disco dancer, while Fanta Cini, originally released in 1989, takes things in a deeper, tougher proto-Afro-electro-funk direction.

Both originals are joined by modern remixes, and this is one of those 12"s where the whole package holds up particularly well — all five mixes are strong, with enough variation to work across different parts of a set.

Warm and rhythmic enough for an afternoon rooftop session, but with enough weight and groove for a proper dancefloor later on.

Canopy have also done a nice job with the physical release. The artwork and presentation give it the feel of a properly considered record rather than simply another anonymous 12".