Brill

Big up to Jeremy of Brill Music, Coffee and Bagels. Up early he dug into his LP collection and had this display up before the shop opened. Respect too to Sounds of the Universe for wall to wall Gil sound today.

Blackclassical has put together an incredible tribute which you should check out ASAP.

Who will tell the truth now Gil Scott-Heron is gone?

Peace go with you brother.

Hey You! What Song You Listening To?

Thanks to Cortez for the link. Enjoy!

Continental Shift

Another month and another label joins the recycling of material from Africa's golden past. Indie-label Thrill Jockey, home to African-American cross-over band Extra Golden, are releasing what would appear to be a two volume retrospective of Sorry Bamba. This release - with the direct input of Sorry Bamba himself compiles some very rare, never before released tracks from his time as leader of the Regional Orchestra of Mopti (later Kanaga Orch.)

Thrill Jockey join Teranga Beat (Idrissa Diop), Continental Records (KP Frimpong & His Cuban Fiestas), Academy/Voodoofunk (Psychedelic Aliens, Marijata), Kindred Spirits (L'orchestre Kanaga De Mopti), Mississippi Records (L'Orchestre National A de la Republique du Mali), Superfly Records (Rail Band), Hot Casa (Ivory Coast Soul), Daptone (El Rego) as well as "old-timers" Strut, Analogue Africa, Honest Jons and Soundway in what appears to be a rapidly overcrowding sector.

I've been busy too preparing three new releases for the matsuli label. More news as soon as the contracts and details are done.
(I hope there is still room on the shelves)!

Scuse Me While I Kiss the Sky

Classic stuff from the almighty Bembeya Jazz National. And even more incredible material at Graeme Counsel's Radio Africa site including the following version of Sara from Syli Orchestre National performing in Algiers.

Music is a Physical Thing!

Put the Money in the Bowl

Thanks to Whats Up Africa once more for this video tip. Reminded me a little bit of the big cross-over track Hello Africa by the Nigerian/Swedish dentist Dr Alban.

Sweet Times with Strut

The Don Isaac Ezekiel Combination by Strut
To promote their Spring releases the Strut label are giving away some free MP3s. First off from the 3rd instalment of the Nigeria 70 series is the track Ire from the Don Isaac Ezekiel Combination (mediafire download).

The original Nigeria 70 compilation was one of the forerunners of the so-called Afro-funk reissue genre - other early titles include AfroRock on Kona records and the Afrofunk and ClubAfrica compilations by Russ Dewsbury. Nigeria 70 has been compiled by Duncan Brooker (the man behind Kona's AfroRock) and is out now!


Ebo Taylor- Peace On Earth by Strut
Now this retrospective on Ebo Taylor keeps on burning bright and just grows and grows. Seriously recommended. Listen via soundcloud or download via mediafire.

Other releases from Strut to look out for include a new album recorded by funk legend Dennis Coffey as well as the Club Cotonou LP from Orchestre PolyRythmo. These can be sampled at the Strut soundcloud page here