Brian Shimkovitz

Since 2006, Brian Shimkovitz's Awesome Tapes From Africa (ATFA) blog has been shedding light on sounds from across the continent. In 2011 ATFA developed into a critically acclaimed vinyl label, re-releasing records by artists including Ata Kak, Dur-Dur Band and Hailu Mergia. The label plays an essential role in furthering Shimkovitz's mission to build an international audience for African music through touring and re-issues. Drawing on his vast cassette archive—which includes Highlife, Fuji, Benga, Tsonga Disco, Soukous, Hip-Hop, Rhumba and Ethio-soul, among countless other genres, his role combines that of educator, promoter and selector, finding himself as a DJ across the world.

As of March 2019