From Africa to Cuba Vol 1 (aka African Serenades 43)

After some recent hiccups African Serenades is back with a blast. Volumes 41 and 42 were compiled by Ekki, comicstore supremo and originator of the Jamaican Serenades series. (Please contact me for more details)

But today I'm pleased to present a killer set of African salsa compiled by the artist Ken Abrams. Check his work out here: PAINTINGS. He is responsible for the painting I featured for the Laba Sosseh post some time back.

My own foray into this genre was via a cassette I bought at the Camden market in the eighties. Not only was this my first introduction to Orchestra Baobab, Bembeya Jazz, Daouda, Marvaillas du Mali but it also contained some tunes and artists I'm still searching for. Since then we've seen a number of compilations and artists mining the genre, specifically Africando who have had great success internationally.

Ken has steered away from the usual suspects and delivered a wonderful set.
Enjoy!

African Serenades 43 - From Africa to Cuba Vol 1
Compiled by Ken Abrams
1.Viva Africa - Laba Sosseh (Laba Sosseh with L’Orchuestra Aragon, Akogun Theresa, Disco Stock SA 300070)
2.Seis Lindas Cubanas - Doh Albert (Doh Albert, A Manhattan USA, Salsa Africana Vol.3 - P.1980-Sacodis)
3.Whiskey et Coca-Cola - Amadou Balake (Amadou Balake - Afro-Charanga , Zamidou, Prod. 1582, 1981)
4.Con el Masayo - Laba Sosseh (Laba Sosseh - Salsa Africana
Vol. 4 - P.1980 Sacodis, LS 38)
5.Descarga Africana - Dexter Johnson (Dexter Johnson – Estrellas Africanas Vol 1, Disco Stock)
6.Micorazon – Laba Sosseh (Monguito el Unico presents Laba Sosseh in U.S.A, Salsa Africana vol. 1- Lassissi -.P.1980 Sacodis LS 26)
7.Yamba – Amadou Balake (Amadou Balaké - Amadou Balaké A New York '79, Sacodis LS 22)
8.Ne Dihon Yale – Doh Albert ( Doh Albert a New Jersey USA, P.1980 Sacodis LS 34)
9.Avalou - El Jowania Y Su Orquestra Africa Mania (El Jowania Y Su Orquestra Africa Mania / Missan Bailar)
10.Sama Yaaye - Thierno Koite (Teranga –Method/JFC/Cat# JFCCD008 2005)
11.Sangre De Africa - Patato with vocals Samba Mapangala (The Legend
of Cuban Percussion - Six Degrees- 2000)
12.Li Ci Seye - Thierno Koite (Ubbite -Method/JFC/Cat# JFCCD013 2005)

Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose

The soundtrack to the film version of Giles Foden's The Last King of Scotland features some great cover versions: Kris Kristofferson's Me and Bobby McGee by Ugandian soul singer Angela Kalule and Super Mazember's Kasongo performed by the Afrigo band. The scene above re-creates the smokey atmosphere of a seventies nightclub in Kampala. The rest of the LP is good and well worth checking out.

The Last King of Scotland OST:
1. Toko-Momo Wandel Soumah
2. Nakawunde-Percussion Discussion Africa
3. Idi's Story-Alex Heffes
4. Afro Disco Beat-Tony Allen
5. Save Me-E.T. Mensah & Tempos Dance Band
6. Ambush-Alex Heffes
7. Me And Bobby McGee-Angela Kalule
8. Kasongo-The Afrigo Band
9. Fever-Jingo
10. Bonnie Banks O' Loch Lomond-Oscar Sulley
11. Bukom Mashie-Alex Heffes
12. Press Conference-Alex Heffes
13. Love Is You-Ofo & The Black Company
14. Getting The Evil Of Nicolas-Alex Heffes
15. On The Runway-Alex Heffes
16. Down Over Lake Victoria-Alex Heffes
17. Acholi Pot Song-Ndere Dance Troupe
18. Voice Of The Forgotten-Kawesa

Recycling AfricanFunk

When I was in HMV recently I noticed that the first African Funk compilations by Russ Dewsbury had been recycled and re-issued under the Pulp Fusion brand. It seems that aside from mixing up the track order and dropping in a few new tunes its the same heavyweight selection. Fantastic photos of Fela's wives taken by Adrian Boot adorn the cover but the proofs in the listening. The tracklisting is as follows:
Disc: 1
1. African Rhythms - Oneness Of Juju
2. Ajo - King, Peter (3)
3. Malik - Lafayette Afro-Rock Band
4. Racubah - Lafayette Afro-Rock Band
5. Yegelle - Mulatu Of Ethiopia
6. BLA - Massak
7. Fire - Osibisa
8. African Boogie - Dibango, Manu
9. Uprising - Antibalas
10. Road Close - Allen, Tony
Disc: 2
1. Africa - Steele Beautah
2. African Carnival - Dibango, Manu
3. Na Waya - Ghetto Blaster (2)
4. Nairobi - Mombassa (1)
5. Karam Bani - Buari
6. I Feel Funky - Matata
7. Ole - Funkees
8. El Safari - Javi P3Z Orquesta
9. Time Will Tell - Ice (4)
10. Precious Mother - Leo, Bukky

If you're new to this genre then this is a great place to start. To get you in the mood heres the original 45 mix of the killer opening track African Rhythms from Oneness of Juju:
LISTEN/DOWNLOAD

Mi Cyaan Believe It

Its Michael Smith on YouTube doing "Give Me Likkle Dub Music". Enjoy

Countdown at Kusini

With a story written by Original Music's John Storm Roberts and starring Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis and Greg Morris amongst others the music for this 1976 Blaxpoitation film was composed and performed by Manu Dibango. "This rare soundtrack was produced in tiny quantities for the premiere of the obscure Ossie Davis movie in Seattle in August 1975. Each album is individually numbered, and signed by the cast. It's a superb blend of African rhythms, jazz, and a heavy dose of space jazz and funk. There are too many good tracks to mention, from uptempo dancefloor cuts to slower mellow numbers, all featuring Manu's superb sax playing." Blaxloitation.com


Manu Dibango - Kusini OST
1. Go slow streets
2. Motapo
3. Promenade (kusini)
4. Bokolo's boogie
5. Jam session
6. Marine
7. Bush
8. Lea's love theme
9. Blowin' western mind
10. Liberation song
11. Red salter

Enjoy

Strictly Roots

Anthea and Donna with their classic tune. Enjoy

The good, the bad and the future

Quite simply the good news is that I haven't been hauled into a legal case because of the African Serenades site. The bad news is that I haven't had a chance to let people know what happened. So let me explain.

I posted the site on Sunday 28 January. On Wednesday 31 January I noticed that a number of the links were down. The hosting provider had quarantined the files: "We have received a formal DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) notice regarding allegedly infringing content hosted on your site."

The complaint had been received by The MCPS-PRS Alliance acting on behalf of one of their members: "There was no WhoIs information available for your site so I went straight to the host of the content. Sorry but the complaint is anonymous and we are merely protecting our members's interests," Mark Taylor, Internet Investigations Officer, MCPS/PRS Anti-Piracy Unit, The MCPS-PRS Alliance, 29-33 Berners St, London W1T 3AB.

I think that the site was a victim of its own success...too much traffic and a mushrooming of interest. So that's it.

Regarding the future I will continue to promote music and provide samples. It is my belief that there has been a seismic shift in the music industry and that a new way of compensating artists is needed. From the feedback I have received to date I don't think that my actions have dented potential sales but have probably increased them.

P.S. A number of missing tracks in the series will be posted this weekend.