I've got a fuzzbox and I'm going to use it

Part 3 of Soundway's deep dig into Nigeria's seventies sounds is unleashed on May 12 - hot on the heels of the Disco Funk Special and the Nigeria Special 2CD/4LP extravaganza. Its a flipside to the HighLife and Afrobeat documented elsewhere. At its core a group of young bands fusing fuzz guitar, psychedelia and groove-based rock. Hendrix was definitely in the air and Cream's Ginger Baker fell in love with Nigeria, making a number of trips to jam with various bands.

Some time back I put together the final compilation in the African Serenades series entitled Afropsychedlicdaze which mined the same area. Much of that compilation was inspired by Uchenna over at the comb&razor site who also gets a big shout out on the liner notes here. In addition to picking up a copy of this new Soundway compilation check out two "Flashback" compilations featured by Uchenna some time back.
FLASHBACK VOL 1
FLASHBACK VOL 2

Nigeria Rock Special: Psychedelic Afro-Rock and Fuzz Funk in 1970s Nigeria features the following songs:
1. Adieu-Ofege
2. More Bread To The People-The Action 13
3. In The Jungle-The Hygrades [Instrumental]
4. Odenigbo-The Wings
5. Eniaro-Ofo The Black Company
6. Ku Mi Da Hankan-The Elcados
7. Kenimania-Mono Mono
8. Finger Toe-Tabukah 'X'
9. Acid Rock-The Funkees
10. Cotocun Gba Gounke-Colomach
11. Another Man's Thing-Joe King Kologbo & His Black Sound
12. Freaking Out-Question Mark
13. Igba Alusi-Original Wings
14. Omoba D'Eru Ri-Tunji Oyelana
15. Chant To Mother Earth-BLO

Highly recommended! Buy with confidence.

Heliocentric EthioJazz Meltdown

First time at Cargo for me. 20 years back the Bass Clef was the only similar venue in Hoxton. Sold out and wondering seriously if Mulatu was going to pitch, whether the Heliocentrics had managed to put in some practice time with Mulatu and whether the originator of EthioJazz still had some fire.

First off a great set from the Heliocentrics. Lots of funk based groove with electronics and references heading towards cosmic jazz and the outer regions. Think Sun Ra, Coltrane but all underpinned by a solid bass and drum funk groove.

Then on to the main event and from the opening chords of Yegelle Tezeta to the final encore of Yekermo Sew the Heliocentrics keep the EthioJazz renaissance on time and funking. Mulatu seemed constantly amazed at the audience response...reminding me of the first appearance of Mahlathini at the South Bank in 1986. The amplification and mix of the vibes was not up to scratch unfortunately but this didn't diminish the power of the Ethiopian groove as interpreted by the band. They had reheased the whole of Vol 4 of the Ethiopiques LP and played it with a hard afro-funk backbeat. This is the 40th Anniversary of EthioJazz says Mulatu. His new album is taking shape. A real pity that Soundway's compilation of his rare work did not see the light of day and that the collaboration between Will Holland, Mulatu and others seemed to run into legal problems.

Nigeria Now!

Midst all this 2008 Nigerian retro madness (no complaints from me!) here comes a mix of current Lagos sounds courtesy of Nicholas at the Protea Hotel Victoria Island. Not quite sure if he put this mix together or whether its a boot of another DJs' set. I can't even try to list the tracks or artists, even Nicholas had difficulty when I asked if he knew the track names and artists. If you want to know more about this scene I suggest a visit to AfricanHipHopDotCom In the meantime download and test the sound.
LIMITED SENDSPACE DOWNLOAD

Bjork and Toumani in London last night

A great and wonderful moment from last night's Bjork concert in London when Toumani Diabate is brought on as a special guest. The venue was packed and the performance memorable but the sound was murky at times raising the acapella material above the beats and solid bass. Her duet with Anthony was a highlight for me. Toumani, gracious as ever, did his stuff and Bjork looked on in awe, as most of us do when seeing the world's greatest living kora player.

Fela Mixup?

In which ChiTown DJ Mike Love meets Jay Z and Fela in a mixtape showdown. Here is the tracklisting and the Fela samples used. Download link below.
1. Intro
"Army Arrangement" from, the Best Of Fela Kuti (2000)
"VIP" from, VIP (1979)
2. Pray
"Sorrow Tears And Blood" from, the Best Of Fela Kuti (2000)
3. American Dreaming
"Upside Down" from Album, Upside Down (1976)
4. Hello Brooklyn
"Mistake" from Live! (With Ginger Baker), (1971)
5. No Hook
"Ariya" from album, Roforofo Fight/The Fela Singles (1972) (2006)
6. Roc Boys
"Water No Get Enemy" from, Expensive Shit, (1975)
"Mop / movement of the people" from Live in Amsterdam (1984).
"Stop The Violence" from, By Any Means Necessary-BDP (1988)
7. Sweet
"My Lady Frustration" The'69, Los Angeles Sessions (1993)
8. I Know
"Confusion" from, Confusion (1975)
9. Party Life
"Viva Nigeria" from, The Los Angeles Sessions '69, (1993)
10. Ignorant Shit
"Fear Not For Man" from, Stalemate (1977),
11. Say Hello
"Coffin For Head Of State" from, the Best Of Fela Kuti (2000)
"Mr. Grammarticalologylisatitiona Is The Boss" Monkey Banana, (1976)
12. Success
"Swegbe And Pako" from, Open & Close (1971)
13. Falling
"Mattress" from, Noise For Vendor Mouth (1975)
14. Blue Magic
"Water No Get Enemy" from, Expensive Shit, (1975)
15. American Gangster
"Kalakuta Show" from, Kalakuta Show (1976)
"Wayo" The'69, Los Angeles Sessions (1993)
DOWNLOAD

Ethio-London-Jazz

MULATU ASTATKE & THE HELIOCENTRICS
DJS: KAREN P + GILLES PETERSON + KARL INJEX
THURSDAY 17TH APRIL, 7-1, £15 ADV @ CARGO
Playing in London for the first time in 15 years Ethio-Jazz sound pioneer Mulatu Astatke, plays an exclusive live date at Cargo. His backing band will be made up of the fantastic Heliocentrics (Now Again / Stones Throw), who also provide a support set on the night. Host and DJ Karen P is also very happy to be joined by long-time friend, Gilles Peterson alongside NYC’s legendary party purveyor Karl Injex.

Born in Ethiopia in 1943, Mulatu Astatke is an innovative multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and originator of the Ethio-Jazz sound. Having studied music in London and then the US, he established himself as a vital vibraphone, conga and percussion player on both sides of the Atlantic before returning to his homeland to introduce Jazz, Soul and Latin to Ethiopia’s native musicians and artists. Included in the now legendary Ethiopiques compilations, Jim Jarmusch’s Broken Flowers soundtrack, and much sampled by Hip-Hop and Dance producers alike, his sound will be familiar to many even if his name isn’t.

These days Mulatu regularly lectures at Harvard and gave a memorable lecture at the Red Bull Music Academy in Toronto last year. Karen P’s Broad Casting is honoured to host Mulatu’s first UK performance in over 15 years.

Mulatu meets Duke in a New York Ethio-Jazz showdown

Lagos Jumping

Quinton Scott's old Strut label is on the mend. First out of the blocks with Disco Not Disco 3, followed by Funky Nassau and now returning to mine the Naija grooves. The Nigeria 70 compilation set the standard some five or more years ago before the label went under. Now underwritten by L7 in German the new items are looking as good as ever. Here's the tracklisting for the new Nigeria 70 compilation:

1 Sir Shina Peters & His International Stars / Yabis
2 Ify Jerry Crusade / Everybody Likes Something Good
3 Bola Johnson & His Easy Life Top Beats / Ezuku Buzo
4 Ashanti Afrika Jah / Onyame
5 Olufemi Ajasa & His New Nigerian Brothers / Aiye Le
6 Peacocks Guitar Band / Eddie Quansa
7 Peter King / African Dialects
8 Dynamic Africana / Igbehin Lalayo Nta
9 Chief Checker / Ire Africa
10 Tony Tete Harbor & The Star Heaters Of Nigeria / Tete Muo Bu Muo
11 The Faces / Tug Of War
12 Eric (Showboy) Akaeze & His Royal Ericos / Wetin De Watch Goat Goat Dey Watcham
13 The Immortals / Hot Tears
14 Rex Williams / You Are My Heart
15 Sir Victor Uwaifo & His Melody Maestros / Dododo
16 Eddie Okwedy / Happy Survival
Unfortunately not many more details over at the new strut site HERE

And thats not all, Honest Jons release their Nigeria Shake compilation of Tony Allen remixes with a cover shot by Peter Hugo
1 Sankofa - Allen, Tony & Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
2 Kilode Remix - Allen, Tony & Carl Craig
3 Awa Na Re Remix - Allen, Tony & Bonde Do Role
4 Mark's Disco Dub - Allen, Tony & Mark Ernestus
5 Regga Land Dub - Allen, Tony & Wareika Hill Sounds
6 Tetsuya's Theme - Allen, Tony & Newham Generals
7 Samba - Allen, Tony & Son Palenque
8 Fuji Ouija - Allen, Tony & Diplo
9 Ole - Allen, Tony & Salah Ragab
10 Ole - Allen, Tony & Moritz Von Oswlad

Nigerian Strikeout!

As if the recent Soundway and Analog Africa offerings were not enough Vampisoul gives us a triple dose of Nigeria madness. Expected May.

STRIKE ONE: Various-Highlife Time (Nigerian & Ghanaian Sounds from the 60's and early 70's)
IT's HIGHLIFE TIME! Highlife, dance music played mostly in Ghana and Nigeria, represents one of the century's first fusions of African roots and western music, and before 1970 it ruled dancefloors across much of West Africa. The story of West African big-band Highlife is the story of West African independence itself. From its early roots in church music, old African song forms, sea shanties and military brass bands to the orchestra podiums of the slickest nightclubs and concert halls of Lagos and Accra, Highlife has charted the growing confidence of a proud and gifted people casting off the shackles of empire: a people ready to live the High Life.

Available on 2CD and 2LP formats, both with complete and informative essay by African music authority John Armstrong.

Disc 1 -
1. DR. VICTOR OLAIYA & E.T. MENSAH - TRUMPET HIGHLIFE; 2. OPOTOPO - BELAMA; 3. REX LAWSON AND HIS RIVERS MEN - NUMFINYE (NOME ALOBO); 4. STAN PLANGE AND THE UHURU DANCE BAND - GRAZING IN THE GRASS; 5. ST AUGUSTINE - JOLOSHO; 6. REX LAWSON AND HIS RIVERS MEN - YELLOW SISI; 7. STAN PLANGE AND THE UHURU DANCE BAND - DABRA BA; 8. OPOTOPO WITH FATAI ROLLING DOLLAR - WON BUM; 9. CHIEF STEPHEN OSITA OSADEBE – MAKOJO
Disc 2 -
1. SIR VICTOR UWAIFO AND THE MELODY MAESTROES - JOROMI; 2. DR. VICTOR OLAIYA - MOFE MUYAN; 3. REX LAWSON AND HIS RIVERS MEN – OKO; 4. STAN PLANGE & THE UHURU DANCE BAND - AASEM; 5. REX LAWSON AND HIS RIVERS MEN - PERI SPECIAL MBANGA; 6. DAN SATCH AND HIS ATOMIC 8 - IKORO SPECIAL; 7. CHIEF ENYANG HENSHAW - ESONTA; 8. PROFESSIONAL SEAGULLS BAND - AFRO BABY; 9. REX LAWSON AND HIS RIVERS MEN - PAY ME MY MONEY NOW; 10. OPOTOPO - ETUK OWO; 11. AKANA MAN - OKINA


STRIKE TWO: Fela Kuti-Ransome - Lagos Baby, 1963-1969
Fela Kuti (1938-1997) was the first and brightest African super star, and a music genious of colossal dimensions, considered by many the unrivalled king of african music for more than 30 years. What Vampisoul has the inmense pleasure to offer, as part of our ongoing African sonic exploration (Tony Allen, Orlando Julius, Highlife collection and more to come), is the musical birth of a MYTH and GIANT of world's music.

CD 1: Bonfu; Fere; Onifere No 2; Oyejo; Oluruka; Awo; Great Kids; Amaechi's Blues; Yese; Egbin; Orise; Eke; VC7; I know your feeling; Alagbara; Ajo; Signature Tune; Highlife Time; Lagos Baby; Omuti Soul; Olulufe Mi; Araba's delight. CD 2: Wa Dele; Lai se; Mi o mo; Obinrin Le; Omo Ejo; Everyday I got my Blues; Moti Gbrokan; Waka waka; Ako; Ororuka; Lai se.; Onidodo; Abiara; Se e tun de; Waka waka; My Baby Don Love Me; Home Cooking.


STRIKE THREE: Various -Afrobeat Nirvana
In this special priced collection you will find a wide variety of exciting african sounds created in Nigeria from the late 1950's up to the late 1980's. All the songs are taken from recent or upcoming releases on Vampisoul's massive Western African reissue project so consider it an appetizer!
On "Afrobeat Nirvana" music speaks for itself in its conflation of african tradition, Jazz, Highlife, Psych, Funk, Soul, R&B and –of course- AFROBEAT. Some of the names here are familiar to our occidental ears, such as the great Tony Allen, Orlando Julius, and of course Fela Kuti (here in his early years). But there are plenty of others, more obscure amd mindblowing artists, in here such as Godwin Omobuwa, Dr.Victor Olaiya, Bola Johnson, Fred Fisher and Opotopo. Equally hot and vibrant, these will be a total finding for you.
"Afrobeat Nirvana" is the perfect introduction to the almighty African sounds and rhythms… and soon to be one of your favourite compilations. In any case, one thing's for sure, if you don't feel like moving when you hear this stuff go to your doctore: you're probably dead!

BOLA JOHNSON: Lagos Special; FELA-RANSOME KUTI & HIS KOOLA LOBITOS: Lai Se; OPOTOPO: Belama; VICTOR OLAIYA & HIS ALL STARS: Okere / I Feel Alright; TONY ALLEN WITH AFRICA 70: Progress; ORLANDO JULIUS: Psychedelic Afro-shop; GODWIN OMOBUWA: Oriri Jerode; FELA-RANSOME KUTI & HIS KOOLA LOBITOS: Ajo; ORLANDO JULIUS & HIS AFROSOUNDERS: My Girl; FRED FISHER ATOLOBOR: W.T.F.S.; TONY ALLEN WITH AFRICA 70: Afro-Disco Beat.

Back to Africa Pt 8: The final [OUT] post

After an intense four days in Jozi catching up with family and friends plus business meetings I took a few hours off to visit Chilli Vinyl (pictured above). Steve runs the business from rooms behind a horse-shoe shop! There was a nice rack of South African material and I picked up some original 60s folk (Des Lindberg, Mel and Mel, Des and Dawn), psychedelia (Hawk) plus a few other bits and pieces. Well worth visiting. Then it was off to the airport and I was hit for being overweight (thats vinyl for you). Finally I got to my parents spot around eight and spent an emotional couple of days packing up the house and coming to terms with my Dad's Altzeimers...he's in a world of his own. On Friday I journeyed up to Durban and saw more friends and family and made a lightening visit to 3rd Ear Music to meet with David Marks (pictured below).

Finally back (home) this morning to a white welcome. Its been a long but rewarding journey.