>afro rock vol. 1< is one of the most important compilations of heavy original 70s afro funk and soul to be released in recent years. originally surfacing on duncan brookers indie kona label in early 2001, the album single-handedly kick-started the thirst among jazz, funk and soul fans and diggers to rediscover lost music from africa made during the 60s and 70s from a time when many countries were gaining independence and celebrating a pan-african identity within their music. the album was one of the first to reach a far different audience to the traditional ?world music? market and spawned many further projects and labels in its wake. a year later, the >nigeria 70< compilation surfaced on strut and labels like soundway and analog africa would continue to unearth amazing lost gems from the motherland.