Introducing the real Hedzoleh Soundz

I went out this week to visit Honest Jons record store as well as the Record and Tape Exchange at Notting Hill. I returned with a few things including Lagos Disco Inferno, The Ruben Blades-Willie Colon LP, a Simba Wanyika 7" as well as the new CD budget release from Soundway which captures the Ghanaian band Hedzoleh Soundz before Hugh Masekela met and re-recorded the repertoire for his well regarded Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz LP on Chisa. Much as I love the Masekela LP its fantastic to hear the songs in their earlier forms. Highly recommended.

Links:
Hedzoleh on FACEBOOK
Soundway
Masekela with Hedzoleh

Viva el Ritmo!

A very nice departure of sorts for Analog Africa with this compilation of accordian-led cumbias and tropical sounds. Anibal Velasquez - known locally as "El Mago" (The Magician) - embodies Barranquilla's rich musical heritage. Perfect sounds for summer and out now in all good stores. More details and sound samples over here. More words and mix is available at the Quietus here. Check out this video as well

Preview copy provided by Ilkamedia.

A belated Record Shop Day to you too!

I was reading some of the readers comments to the Guardian article on Record Shop Day and I thought I'd finally post a short video I made from a record dig back in 2008 in Jo'burg. I'd originally intended to write a story about Hillbrow Records but if you check the link most of the history is there. It doesn't mention the help Leonard got from Rashid Vally early on when the record companies refused to sell Leonard records because they were being shared in the record club.

Some of my record shop favourites through the years:
Lord John (Pietermaritzburg), Manhattan (Durban), Ragtime (Cape Town), Hillbrow (Joburg), Kohinoor (Joburg), Red Records, Sterns, Honest Jons (London), Red Eye, Egg and Mojo (Sydney)

Weekend Special

"Eeish" as a South African may exclaim. Whilst most of the South African music industry were gathered in Sun City for the South African Music Association Awards on Friday night, South Africa's viral sensation Die Antwoord were playing the Sahara stage at Coachella in California on Saturday night. At the SAMA awards matsuli favourite Adam Glasser walked away with the award for Best Contemporary Jazz album. Meanwhile here in London we enjoyed a sunny flight-free weekend.

I've been served!

Too much monkey business around town....stay tuned!

.......


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