VA - World Psychedelic Classics series [1999-2013] (5 x CDs)

WORLD PSYCHEDELIC CLASSICS

VA - World Psychedelic Classics series [1999-2013] (5 x CDs)

The World Psychedelic Classics series, curated by David Byrne’s Luaka Bop label, is a genre-defying celebration of global groove, soul, and sonic experimentation. Rather than focusing on traditional psychedelia in the Western sense, the series redefines the term, highlighting music that’s spiritually expansive, rhythmically adventurous, and culturally transformative.

It began in 1999 with Vol. 1: Everything Is Possible!, a vibrant introduction to Brazil’s Os Mutantes, whose tropicalia-infused rock challenged dictatorship-era norms with surrealism and satire. 

Vol. 2 Inspiration Information [2001] spotlighted Shuggie Otis, the American prodigy whose 1974 album fused soul, funk, and early electronic texture, years ahead of its time.

Vol. 3: Love’s a Real Thing [2005] turned the lens to West Africa, compiling rare tracks from Mali, Nigeria, Guinea, and Senegal. Artists like Moussa Doumbia and Super Eagles delivered fuzzed-out funk and Afrobeat with raw energy and political edge. This volume became a gateway for many into the deeper crates of African psych and funk.

Vol. 4: Nobody Can Live Forever [2012] honored Brazil’s Tim Maia, whose existential soul and cosmic funk made him a cult legend. And Vol. 5: Who Is William Onyeabor? [2013] introduced the world to the enigmatic Nigerian synth pioneer whose DIY electronic funk remains unmatched in scope and mystery.

Together, these volumes form a mosaic of musical resistance, joy, and innovation. They’re not just compilations, they’re cultural documents, lovingly assembled with liner notes, restored audio, and historical context. Luaka Bop’s commitment to ethical reissues and artist recognition makes this series essential listening for anyone interested in music’s power to transcend borders and eras.

Whether you’re crate-digging or soul-searching, World Psychedelic Classics offers a passport to the sublime. (B)

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Track lists

CD1

01 Os Mutantes - Ando Meio Desligado 3:03

02 Os Mutantes - Ave, Lúcifer 2:19

03 Os Mutantes - Dia 36 4:02

04 Os Mutantes - Baby (1971) 3:40

05 Os Mutantes - Fuga No. II 3:41

06 Os Mutantes - Cantor de Mambo 4:38

07 Os Mutantes - Adeus Maria Fulô 3:06

08 Os Mutantes - Desculpe, Babe 2:51

09 Os Mutantes - El Justiciero 3:54

10 Os Mutantes - Panis et Circenses 3:38

11 Os Mutantes - A Minha Menina 4:40

12 Os Mutantes - Bat Macumba 3:09

13 Os Mutantes - Le Premier Bonheur du Jour 3:36

14 Os Mutantes - Baby (1968) 3:00

CD2

01 Shuggie Otis - Inspiration Information 4:12

02 Shuggie Otis - Island Letter 4:41

03 Shuggie Otis - Sparkle City 5:57

04 Shuggie Otis - Aht Uh Mi Hed 4:16

05 Shuggie Otis - Happy House 1:16

06 Shuggie Otis - Rainy Day 2:42

07 Shuggie Otis - XL-30 2:08

08 Shuggie Otis - Pling! 4:28

09 Shuggie Otis - Not Available 2:30

10 Shuggie Otis - Strawberry Letter 23 3:58

11 Shuggie Otis - Sweet Thang 4:02

12 Shuggie Otis - Ice Cold Daydream 2:30

13 Shuggie Otis - Freedom Flight 12:55

CD3

01 Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou Dahomey - Minsato Le, Mi Deyihome 3:19

02 Super Eagles - Love's A Real Thing 2:59

03 Moussa Doumbia - Keleya 6:42

04 Manu Dibango - Ceddo End Title 5:09

05 Sorry Bamba - Porry 8:17

06 Starband Number One De Dakar - Guajira Ven 5:12

07 William Onyeabor - Better Change Your Mind 8:23

08 Ofo & The Black Company - Allah Wakbarr 3:30

09 Gasper Lawal - Awon-Ojise-Oluwa 6:23

10 Bunzu Sounds - Zinabu 3:20

11 Tunji Oyelana and The Benders - Ifa 4:59

12 Orchestre Regional De Kayes - Sanjina 6:00

CD4

01 Tim Maia - Que beleza 3:28

02 Tim Maia - Let's Have a Ball Tonight 5:11

03 Tim Maia - O caminho do bem 6:06

04 Tim Maia - Ela partiu 4:15

05 Tim Maia - Quer queira, quer não queira 4:50

06 Tim Maia - Brother Father Mother Sister 3:19

07 Tim Maia - Do Leme ao Pontal 3:12

08 Tim Maia - Nobody Can Live Forever 2:52

09 Tim Maia - I Don't Care 2:47

10 Tim Maia - Bom senso 5:07

11 Tim Maia - Where is My Other Half 4:00

12 Tim Maia - Over Again 3:24

13 Tim Maia - The Dance is Over 2:31

14 Tim Maia - You Don't Know What I Know 0:33

15 Tim Maia - Rational Culture 12:19

CD5

01 William Onyeabor - Body and Soul 10:08

02 William Onyeabor - Atomic Bomb 7:59

03 William Onyeabor - Good Name 10:05

04 William Onyeabor - Something You Will Never Forget 10:07

05 William Onyeabor - Why Go to War 9:04

06 William Onyeabor - Love is Blind 7:48

07 William Onyeabor - Heaven and Hell 4:03

08 William Onyeabor - Let's Fall in Love 7:19

09 William Onyeabor - Fantastic Man 6:26

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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