Four in One Serenades Special!

As promised here are the next installments in the African Serenades series. Still to come are AS37 - Tony's Zimbabwean Singles and AS50 Matt's Psychedelic Daze.

Volume 46 has been compiled by Cheeku with some killer rare tracks that you won't find anywhere else. The African Diva volumes (47a and 47b) have been put together by an John B from equally obscure sources but the sound quality is top-notch. The second From Africa to Cuba volume (48) comes once more from artist Ken Abrams. Tracklistings can be found in the pdf covers in the download folder.

For a number of reasons I am using the Badongo service instead of SendSpace. Because of the size of the files you need to download two parts and join them. This should not be too difficult.
UPDATE @ 17.36 GMT on 12 April:
The badongo service is the pits....will be reloading later today to SENDPSPACE.

NEW SENDSPACE LINKS
AS 46 SENDSPACE ZIP FOLDER
AS47A SENDSPACE FOLDER
AS47B SENDSPACE FOLDER
AS48 SENDSPACE FOLDER

OLD BADONGO LINKS
http://www.badongo.net/file/2730883
http://www.badongo.net/file/2730886
http://www.badongo.net/file/2730890
http://www.badongo.net/file/2730893

GET THEM WHILE THEY ARE HOT

A request for help

I am currently sourcing original Syliphone vinyl recordings for two forthcoming compact discs to be released by Sterns. Both CDs will be double CDs and will feature Balla et ses Balladins and Keletigui et ses Tambourinis. I have received vinyl from many collectors but still require the following discs -

SYL 513 Keletigui et ses Tambourinis. Kesso / Chiquita
SYL 514 Keletigui et ses Tambourinis. I boyein-boyein / Tambourinis sax parade
SYL 515 Keletigui et ses Tambourinis. Quinzan / Il tomatero
SYL 516 Keletigui et ses Tambourinis. Banankoro / La loma de belen
SYL 517B Balla et ses Balladins. Vacillon
SYL 519B Keletigui et ses Tambourinis. Guajira con tumbao
SYL 522A Keletigui et ses Tambourinis. N'nadia (May be "Nadia" from SLP 23 or "Nadia" from SLP 1)
SYL 524B Keletigui et ses Tambourinis. Mi corazon
SYL 547B Pivi et ses Balladins. Como cocina et la corda
SYL 572 Balla et ses Balladins. Hafia / Wilikabo

You may be aware of my previous collaborations with Sterns which saw the release of "Bembeya Jazz National. The Syliphone Years", in 2004. I am currenty working on "Authenticite. Guinean Orchestras 1965 - 1980", which will be out in a few weeks. I also manage my web site "Radio Africa" - http://www.radioafrica.com.au- which features many discographies and information on West African music.

If you have any of the above discs in VG++ or at least VG+ condition, or know someone who has, please contact me at
graeme@radioafrica.com.au

Many thanks,

Graeme
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ambiance! Ambiance! (African Serenades 49)

Franco and crew in the early days

Ambiance! Ambiance! - a killer selection of tunes and Volume 49 in the African Serenades series - is courtesy of our very special guest and contributor Jonathan E of blackmagicplasticbullet.blogspot.com

In the mid 1980s the music usually known as soukous from the countries then known as Zaire and the Congo was my favourite African music. I was as crazy for it as I’ve ever been for any music and I bought almost every LP that came my way. The shouted exhortations to the guitarists and dancers, the zippy guitar lines, the sometimes jazzy R’n’B feel of the horns, the clattering drums, its sweetness and joie de vivre all combined to lift my heart and move my feet.

As a DJ I loved spinning soukous in the clubs of San Francisco, at least those that were open-minded enough to hire me to play the mix of musics then known as world beat. This was several years before the “invention” of “world music” at the notorious Empress of Russia meeting of various English music industry dissidents, malcontents and hustlers — but that’s another story.

Soukous appealed to me as a DJ because it was basically impossible to mix on the beat with the songs frequently beginning slow and working up to a frenzy. To tell you the truth, I was a pretty lousy beat mixer anyway, but I liked doing fades from song to song. The varied pacing of soukous with its relatively long songs, its focus on having a good time, and its occasional sonic ferocity fascinated me in other ways. It was at once both a contrast to prog rock, pub rock and punk — all musical genres I admit I had previously obsessed over — and a strange combination of their significant elements.

At the time, soukous also provided a welcome relief to the dismay brought about by the right-wing crackdowns of Reagan and Thatcher, which were beginning to bite down hard on our accustomed freedoms of previous decades. It was fun music, nothing much political to it. Even though it came from countries suffering through the post-colonial traumas that have become such ugly ongoing features of the world today, it was escapist to us and didn’t have the political-correctness baggage that South African music had with the then-current struggle against apartheid.

To some extent, African music was soukous to me for a couple of years. I’d heard Osibisa (Do they count as African music? Sure, they do!) years earlier and Manu Dibango’s mighty “Soul Makossa,” but both had rather faded from the scene. King Sunny Ade’s Juju Music had recently reawoken me to African music, but that and Prince Nico Mbarga’s classic “Sweet Mother” was about all that was available for a time besides soukous, which was presented on various albums and compilations from Island and GlobeStyle. For about five minutes, it looked as though soukous might be “the next big thing” on the music scene — but that was a naïve thought formed before the imperatives of homegrown culture and the conservative influence wielded by industry gatekeepers became obvious. (I should have known better having seen how punk was received in the United States.)

Kanda Bongo Man was the artist I absolutely adored. His cries of “Ambiance! Ambiance!” just enthralled me and Diblo’s guitar carried me right along into that ambiance. In 1984, I embarked on a bicycle tour of southern England. After a few days of slogging along the South Downs, we reached Petersfield in Hampshire, which may be considered my hometown if I have to have one (I wasn’t born there and haven’t lived there since 1966, but a few years of moderately happy childhood were spent there). There, I picked up a copy of NME, then still a readable and credible music magazine. I learnt that Kanda Bongo Man was to perform at the Ashton Court WOMAD festival, on the outskirts of Bristol, that weekend. We got on our bikes and rode for three days along the edge of Salisbury Plain, straining ourselves up and wearing our brakes out down the sides of some steep and narrow valleys. We even stopped to look at the cathedrals of Winchester and Salisbury on the way. On the morning of the fourth day, we were lost riding around Bristol looking for the festival. Eventually we found it. Kanda Bongo Man was superb — the first live soukous I had seen. Afterwards riding back in the dark to our campsite in Bath, my girlfriend fell off her bike and broke her arm. Such was the feel-good power of soukous even that didn’t ruin our day!!

The history of soukous is a complicated tangle of shifting alliances between musicians with added difficulties for outsiders due to the frequently long Lingala names and the geographical confusion of the two competing capital cities of Congo and Zaire, Brazzaville and Kinshasha, facing each other across the Congo River, not to mention the changing names of those countries. It is much and variously told in African music reference books. There is little agreement even about the name used for the music, some preferring rumba, rumba rock, or various Lingala words referring to specific styles covered by the convenient overall umbrella of soukous. Perhaps the quickest, more detailed introduction for the neophyte is the Wikipedia page on the subject.

In its heyday, soukous was popular throughout Africa, pretty much the fabled Pan-African sound, with substantial migration of musicians to both Kenya and Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire. Later, as conditions worsened in Zaire, Paris became a place of refuge and many musicians relocated there. However, ultimately Paris was not good for the music. Production styles became increasingly technological with drum machines and synthesizers substituting for the musical interplay between humans. Much of the emphasis even shifted from the music to the extravagant high-style suits worn by the musicians. The sapeur movement, as this was known, was considered to be a sophisticated fashion statement and “the antithesis of hippiedom.” To this old hippie, it was more like the antithesis of music. Thankfully, in the past few years artists such as Kékélé, Sam Mangwana, Papa Noel, and Mose “Fan Fan” have all revived the earlier, more organic styles of Congolese music with an impressive series of releases. RetroAfric, Crammed, Syllart, and Network Medien have all released reliable compilations of the early days of Congolese music, while Stern’s has a selection of later soukous titles.

Ambiance! Ambiance! is a personal selection of fine soukous tunes from the decade between the mid 1970s and the mid-late 1980s. Some purists might quibble that a couple of the earlier songs predate the general definition of soukous. No matter! It’s all great music of the time with plenty of feel-good exuberance from Congolese-Zairean musicians. All are taken from original vinyl, as you will hear in a couple of spots despite my efforts with SoundSoap — that’s the nature of the wax. As far as I can ascertain, only one track can be found on any sort of current release — that would be Kanda Bongo Man’s “Djessy,” available on a GlobeStyle compilation, Non Stop Non Stop, and a song that exemplifies the call of “Ambiance! Ambiance!”

Enjoy! That’s the point of soukous!

Tracklist
1. Franco et Orchestre T.P.O.K. Jazz — Matata Ya Muasi Na Mobali Ekoki Kosila Te
2. Tou Lè Dè — La Vieille Marmite Prepare Toujours De La Bonne Soupe
3. Les Bantous De La Capitale — Boumamou Sili
4. Moro Beya Maduma — Mamema
5. Fidele Zizi — Ma Musique A Moi
6. Nino Malapet — Mokilimbembe
7. Arlus Mabélé — Africa Mousso (Femme d'Afrique)
8. Kanda Bongo Man — Djessy
9. Shaba Kahamba et Les Esprits Saints — Naweyi
10. Lutchiana Mobulu accompagné par Empire Bakuba — Malata

DOWNLOAD Wax d'Afrique Vol. 2 — Ambiance! Ambiance! [SENDSPACE FOLDER]

And if thats not enough of an Easter Monday treat then check out this video of Sam Mangwana with Franco (thanks to the Lone Groover for this)

The Toast of Old Havana

A special treat for those of you outside the UK or not currently subscribing to the Times newspaper. A great feature on Cubas first female orchestra and six tracks to download sans DRM.

"This is the extraordinary story of Anacaona, a glamorous all-girl orchestra which stormed to success in Thirties Cuba and became the toast of Old Havana. The 11 sisters took their exotic ‘son’ rhythms across the world before fading into obscurity after the Cuban Revolution. Here, in an extract from a new book, saxophonist Alicia Castro, now in her eighties and one of the surviving four, recounts how it all began."

For the rest of the story, downloads and sleevenotes CLICK HERE

The sun restores the soul

Summer-time arrived in the early hours of Sunday morning whilst I was enjoying the tropical tunes at the Soundway Records' Colombia LP launch party. An update tonight with lots of odds and ends:
* If you plan to drop my DJ set at Mash It Up on 12 May then remember to book your by clicking on the picture on the right hand side.
* I've swopped out the podomatic player with the new listening widget from box...much cleaner and it means I can add more tracks quicker. The podcasts will continue by iTunes subscription or through visiting the mastuli podomatic page
* Listener and soon to be African Serenades contributor John Beadle has picked up a repeat track on Tim's Kenyan Singles set. So to correct this here are the correct Part One and Part Two of the track Mokili by Orchestra Mos Mos.
* The African Serenades series is set to end with Vol. 50. A new moniker is required - suggestions to me by mail: matsulimusic AT gmail.com. Winning entrant will received a DVD of the African Serenades series and a few other bits and pieces from the matsuli library.

On rotation at matsuli headquarters, and in no particular order:

Bokoor Beats - Vintage Afrobeat, Afrorock and Electric Highlight from Ghana
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Colombia - Soundway compilation
Timbaland Presents Shock Value
A Tribute to Joni Mitchell
Shannon Wright - Let In the Light
Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall
African Serenades Kenyan Singles I&II
What's Happening In Pernambuco - New Sounds Of The Brazilian Northeast
Tinariwen - Water is Life
Bob Marley Live at Rufaro Stadium 1980
Kashmere Stage Band - Texas Thunder Soul

Upcoming and on the radar:

Si Para Usted - Funky Beats from Revolutionary Cuba (Waxing Deep)
King Sunny Ade - Gems from the Classic Years (Shanachie)
Matata - Independence
Fania DJ Series - Gilles Peterson (Fania)
Nigeria Special: Highlife, Afro Funk and Nigerian Sounds 1970-76 (Soundway)
Moussa Doumbia Keleya - Raw Malian Funk from the 70s
Djelimadu Tounkara and Super Rail Band - Allo Bamako: Malian Dance Music of the 70s

May the sun restore your soul. Peace

Details and dancing in "64"

The Kenyan town of Eldoret has the unique boast that it was founded by Afrikaaners - white farmers who did not stop their journey from the British controlled Cape Colony until reaching close to Lake Victoria. The town was originally known as 64, because it was established at the 64th mile post on the wagon route from Londiani.

Tim, who has lovingly compiled the next set of African Serenades, explains: "I taught near Eldoret for two years in the early 1980s, fell in love with the music and then found that my Zigzag-reading, album-sleeve-obsessive completist's mindset was completely turned upside down because, of course, none of the friends I made - and who guided me towards the records I have sent you - cared about who was responsible for that amazing guitar solo or impassioned vocal on individual songs. All they were concerned about was "Can you dance to it?" Which isn't a bad take on things when it comes
down to it."

So without further ado here are two killer sets of Congolese inspired Kenyan singles.


01. Tshiku Pt 1 - Orchestra Les Noirs
02. Tshiku Pt 2 - Orchestra Les Noirs
03. Pamela Pt 1 - Orchestra Les Wanyika
04. Pamela Pt 2 - Orchestra Les Wanyika
05. Virunga Pt 1 - Orchestra Virunga
06. Virunga Pt 2 - Orchestra Virunga
07. Na Bimaka Pt 1 - Orchestra Super Mazembe
08. Na Bimaka Pt 2 - Orchestra Super Mazembe
09. Koleta Pt 1 - Orchestra Super Volcano
10. Koleta Pt 2 - Orchestra Super Volcano
11. Fifi Pt 1 - Orchestra Shika Shika
12. Fifi Pt 2 - Orchestra Shika Shika
13. Joka Pt 1 - Mwenge Jazz Band
14. Joka Pt 2 - Mwenge Jazz Band
15. Akamba Pt 1 - Orchestra Viva Makele
16. Akamba Pt 2 - Orchestra Viva Makele
DOWNLOAD


01. Yo-Mabe Pt 1 - Orchestra Super Mazembe
02. Yo-Mabe Pt 2 - Orchestra Super Mazembe
03. Amua Pt 1 - Orchestra Les Mangelepa
04. Amua Pt 2 - Orchestra Les Mangelepa
05. Kajituliza Pt 1 - Orchestra Les Wanyika
06. Kajituliza Pt 2 - Orchestra Les Wanyika
07. Ole Ole Pt 1 - Orchestra Les Mangelepa
08. Ole Ole Pt 2 - Orchestra Les Mangelepa
09. Paulina Wanje Pt 1 - Butere Sharpshooters
10. Paulina Wanje Pt 2 - Butere Sharpshooters
11. Celibataire Pt 1 - Orchestra Baba National
12. Celibataire Pt 2 - Orchestra Baba National
13. Shika Shika Pt 1 - Orchestra Shika Shika
14. Shika Shika Pt 2 - Orchestra Shika Shika
15. Mokili Pt 1 - Orchestra Mos Mos
16. Mokili Pt 2 - Orchestra Mos Mos
DOWNLOAD

Update from Tim (Sat 24 March):
"I was also a long way out in the sticks at Lelmokwo, a village with no electricity and one shop. The nearest bar, at Mutwot, entailed a five-mile walk each way and we rarely made it into Eldoret. When we did, the town's one nightclub, the Olympic, owned by Kipchoge Keino, favoured Western music, which inevitably meant Boney M, Abba and Motown. The one record stall was by the bus station and sold cigarettes and sweets as well as a few records.

"I saw a couple of bands while I was there, but both were strange occasions. Super Mazembe played at the Eldoret Agricultural Show, erecting a bamboo fence around the area where they were to play - no stage, just an awning - and charging 10KSh entrance. Since it was daytime, there was very little atmosphere and the impression was of a band just jamming and jamming, with a heavy rotation of players. Soe one who play drums for half an hour or so and then just get up wander off and someone else would take over.

"The other band I saw was the Maroon Commandos, who were much tighter and slicker and put on a show. Unfortunately, it was at a local army base, so the audience consisted of about 500 soldiers, a truckload of women, who had been rather reluctantly bused in from local bars, and me."

From the Soul

Thanks to the heads up for this video link from Oliver Wang over at Soul Sides . Can't believe it was almost 20 years ago that De La Soul broke onto the scene. Check the shout outs from KRS 1, Big Daddy Kane, Run DMC, DJ Red Alert and others....

Bare feet dancing in the sand!

For a while I was getting worried that the Miles Cleret's Soundway label would be going the same was as Strut/Afrostrut after being burnt with their ambitious Mulatu retrospective.. Previously responsible for unearthing some great Afrofunk originals they are now back with a second latin Long Player and limited issue 7" focusing on Columbia and the output of Disco Fuentes. This takes me back to the eighties when Mango were licensing material from Disco Fuentes and when World Circuit put out a killer Joe Arroyo compilation called Rebellion. Head over to the Soundway site for some samples and download the exclusive Matsuli MP3 below.

Colombia! The golden age of Discos Fuentes, the Powerhouse of Colombian music
1. Fruko Y Sus Tesos-Salsa Na Ma
2. Lito Barrientos Y Su Orquesta-Cumbia En Do Menor-2:46e
3. Michi Sarmiento Y Sus Bravos-Hong Kong
4. Sonora Cieneguera-La Piojosa
5. Fruko Y Sus Tesos-Improvisando
6. The Latin Brothers-Patrona De Los Reclusos (CD ONLY)
7. Wganda Kenya-Tifit Hayed
8. Pedro Laza Y Sus Pelayeros-Fandango En Percusion
9. Orquesta Nunez-La Samaria
10. Los Corraleros de Majagual-El Mondongo
11. Fruko Y Sus Tesos-A La Memoria Del Muerto
12. Michi Sarmiento Y Sus Bravos-La Primavera (CD ONLY)
13. Wganda Kenya-Elyoyo (CD ONLY)
14 Lucho Bermudez-Gaita De Los Flores
15. El Sexteto Miramar-Cumbiamba
16. Michi Sarmiento Y Sus Bravos-Mirame San Miguel
17 Pedro Laza Y Sus Pelayeros-La Picua (CD ONLY)
18. Climaco Sarmiento Y Su Orquesta-La Pata Y El Pato
19. The Latin Brothers-Las Calenas Son Como Los Flores
20. Afrosound-Pacifico

As a Matsuli exclusive here's the track Susan (DOWNLOAD) from the Wganda Kenya LP Cartagena Caribe. "Wganda Kenya is a Disco Fuentes studio band that was put together a while back to record non-latin tropical hit songs from places like West Africa, Curaçao and Martinique. This kind of music is very popular with the ‘champeta sound systems’: pretty similar set-ups to the reggae sound systems that you see at places like Notting Hill Carnival. ‘Champeta’ is supposed to sound like the noise that bare feet make when they’re dancing in sand!" (John Armstrong from the UnionSqare website)

African Serenades Again! (41+42)

One step forward and two steps back. Playing catch up here with a simultaneous posting of the African Serenades Volumes 41 and 42 compiled by comic store supremo Ekki. (And Vol 44/45 by the end of the week!)


Instrumental Special
01. Mandiani - Cissoko
02. The Quest - Afro Cult Foundation
03. Ceddo End Title - Manu Dibango
04. Nyusamkhaya - Gwigwi Mrwebi
05. Yekermo Sew (A Man of Experience and Wisdom) - Mulatu Astatke
06. Kadia Blues - Orchestre De La Paillotte
07. Egyptian Bint Al Cha Cha - Ginger Folorunso Johnson
08. Lonely Days - Zacks Nkosi
09. Heaven (Edit) - Ebo Taylor
10. Afro-Love - The Lafayette Afro Rock Band
11. Kata Kata - Manu Dibango
12. Grazing in the Grass - Hugh Masekela
13. Midnight Ska - Reggie Msomi's Hollywood Jazz Band
14. Hellfire - African Jazz Pioneers
15. Dubaduba - West Nkosi
16. Afro Disco Beat - Tony Allen and Africa 70
17. Qongqothwane (The Cockroach Click Song) - Amampondo

Download link (ZIP FILE - UPDATED)


01. Ake (Yoruba Work Chant ) - Unknown
02. Emvenyane - Harmony Baca Gumboot Dancers
03. Babalasi - Irene Buyiswa Ndumo & The Jury Mpelho Band
04. Mbube - Solomon Linda's Original Evening Birds
05. Thula Thula - Five Roses
06. Umtsahakasi - Slo Foot King Brothers
07. Chaka - Manhattan Brothers
08. Nthambeleni - Tshigwada Tsha Toronto
09. Ndi Vlubva - Colbert Mukwevho
10. Ngiyalila - Koernag Namadlanga
11. Umfaan - Ricardo Bornman
12. Zulu Boy Kwela - Toko Tomo and The Bachelors
13. Bayeza - Soul Brothers
14. Bullets for Bafazane - Juluka
15. Jita Bug - West Nkosi
16. Yaka Mama - Lucie Eyenga
17. Love's a Real Thing - Super Eagles
18. Psychedelic Woman - Honny and the Bees Band
19. A.I.E. (A'Mwana) - Black Blood
20. Allah Wakbarr - Ben Ofoedu, Ofo & The Black Company
21. Zombie - Ephraim Uzomechina Nzeka
22. Ifa - Tunji Oyelana & The Blenders
23. Do You Remember Malcolm - Miriam & Mbongi Makeba
24. Cousin Mosquito #1 - Congresswoman Malinda Jackson Parker

Download link (ZIP FILE)

Tom Waits Live

Step right up. Since no-one can realistically get tickets to Tom Waits these days I've uploaded a show from the 2006 Orphans tour that took place on August 13 in Akron. You can listen via the right hand sidebar or via download HERE (MP4/AAC FILE

367 (days) is my number

Time flies when you're having fun! Matsuli celebrates 12 months of existence and I would like to say thank you. Well over 80 000 page views and just under 40 000 visitors have looked at the 98 posts over 12 months.

The map above shows a sample distribution of where everyone is from.

On the agenda for the next month is another rare Manu Dibango LP, an extended version of the Michael Smith Mi Cyaan Beleive It LP and some early electric jive from South Africa. Also plenty more from the African Serenades crew.

And if you're in London I'll be spinning some Afro Funk and Rumba tunes at Mash It Up on May 12. Check here for more details.

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.

African Serenades site

I am happy to announce that a labour of love over the past two weeks (and lots of frustrating html) has finally reached fruition. This is the archive of African Serenades compilations, some which have been featured here. Now they have a dedicated site and storage thanks to a generous benefactor. But it won't be around for long so spend some time exploring and broadening your musical horizons.

EDIT: (Wed 31 Jan @10.49pm) Almost all the folders have been removed. I am trying to work out what's happening.

Heres the link. Enjoy.

Destination Dar es Salaam

Orchestra Makassy was formed in Uganda by Mzee Makassy together with a number of Ugandan and Zairian musicians. In 1975 they were forced to leave Uganda and took up residency at the New Africa Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. At this time many of the popular hotel bands were comprised of Zairean musicians who sang in Lingala, and later modified the music to fit the inflexion of the Kiswahili language. Another performer at the same hotel, namely Mose Se Fan Fan, joined the band and the first four tracks presented here were recorded with him as leader. The song Chama Cha Mapinduzi, in praise of the Tanzanian independence party, has lyrics based on the words of the country's first president, Julius Nyrere. Remmy Ongala sang with the band during this period until such time that the band re-located to Nairobi.

These songs, recorded by Radio Tanzania Dar Es Salaam (RTD) during 1975-1980, were later updated in the studio for the Agwaya sessions that found release in the UK on the Virgin label in 1982.


The Radio Tanzanian Sessions (Dar es Salaam 1975-80) [DOWNLOAD]
1. Ciska
2. Molema
3. Bakokabolakate
4. Chama Cha Mapinduzi
5. Mosese Pt 1
6. Mosese Pt 2
7. Siku Ya Kufa Pt 1
8. Siku Ya Kufa Pt 2
9. Athumani Pt 1
10. Athumani Pt 2
11. Mume Wangu

Doing it in Soweto

Heres a podcast of a compilation I did some time ago focusing on seventies funk, fusion and soul in Apartheid South Africa. You can listen to it on this page (click play at bottom right in the podcast section) or download. I've included the notes to provide a little context:

For young South Africans in the early seventies, groovin’ to “soul” or jazz provided access to a “non-tribal” identity at a time when the South African government was seeking to appropriate tribal identity in the furtherance of its apartheid policies. By contrast older musical styles including sax-jive, mbaqanga, and mbube were perceived by many young urbanites to be tribalistic, rural, and un-sophisticated. This rejection of older forms was also a symptom of generational and cultural change. The move to the city from rural areas (a trend necessitated by successive South African governments’ attempts to transform the rural black peasantry into an urban proletariat with roots in “traditional homelands”) weakened traditional bonds and opened up new possibilities for the construction of cultural and political identities.

Aside from a number of experiments with older forms it would take until the eighties for the “pure” older styles to regain currency with urban groovers. In part, this re-evaluation was prompted by the projects of foreign enthusiasts - Malcolm McLaren, Manfred Mann, Lizzy Mercier Descloux, and Paul Simon all worked with indigenous mbaqanga sounds. It was also driven by the ongoing “Africanist” attempt to reclaim and revitalise African identity. Prominent proponents of Africanism included the ANC, exiled musicians, and various internal Black consciousness movements.

The 1970s music served here is drawn from a number of different scenes and places. On the rich and varied menu are afrorock from Jonas Gwangwa and Assegai, afrobeat from Hugh Masekela, jazz-dance from Letta Mbulu, 60s soul from the Flames, mbaqanga soul from the Soul Brothers, “cross-over” pop, soul and rock from The Beaters, The Movers, Mpharanyana, The Cannibals and Margaret Singana, jazz-fusion from Dick Khoza, soul fusion from Pacific Express, sax-groove from The Hockers, and a little more.

While 1970s South African soul borrowed heavily from the Motown and Stax blueprint, its indigenous re-interpretation and articulation can’t be missed. Moreover, each producer tended to have his own style, and include his own innovations. Many of the key producers from the South African “soul” scene are represented here: Hamilton Nzimande - credited by many to be the first producer to take South African “soul” seriously, Rashid Vally - producer of seminal seventies jazz sessions, David Thekwane – producer of big-sellers The Movers and West Nkosi who took over the production reigns of the Mavuthela stable from Rupert Bopape.

For many the period documented here is best forgotten. Black music production houses were messing with Motown techniques whilst the soul of the nation was being plundered by successive National Party governments. It’s no wonder, perhaps, that some of the more dour political militants of the time had a problem with the soul scene.

1.LM Radio excerpt
LM Radio was a non-stop music station, based in Lorenzo Marques, Mozambique, where the latest international and local hits could be heard.
The Boy’s Doin’ It - Hugh Masekela (Masekela, Ekemode, Kwesi, Todd, Opoku, Gboyega, Warren)
Original mover and shaker Hugh Masekela struts his stuff whilst backed by the funky Ghanaian outfit Hedzoleh Soundz. Taken from the Casablanca LP of the same name and dedicated to Fela Ransome-Kuti this track was recorded in Lagos, Nigeria in mid 1975.
Chapita – Dick Khoza (Khoza)
Acclaimed jazz drummer Dick Khoza was a regular and in-demand session-man at the many jazz venues in Johannesburg in the early seventies. These included the Pelican in Soweto where he played in the band the Jazz Revellers with bassist Sipho Gumede. The Pelican was a great musical laboratory in the 1970's. On any given night, legendary artists would pop in for a jam or perform as part of the Sunday night cabaret. Gumede was later to form the band Roots, then Spirits Rejoice with Bheki Mseleku, and in the early eighties the visionary band Sakhile. This mighty track from the LP of the same title on Rashid Vally’s Ashrams (Sun) label in 1976 includes Gumede alongside Dick Khoza’s 12-piece band.
Switch #2 - Jonas Gwangwa and African Explosion (Gwangwa)
Jonas Gwangwa recorded his first LP in the USA on Ahmad Jamal’s label in 1969. A colleague of fellow musical exiles Caiphus Semenya, Hugh Masekela, Letta Mbulu, Dudu Pukwana, Abdullah Ibrahim and Johnny Dyani, Gwangwa later became the musical director of Amandla - the cultural ensemble of the African National Congress.
Johannesburg Love Trip – Thembi (unknown)
Thembi had a top twenty hit in the Netherlands in 1977 with a pop version of Afrikaans folksong “Take Me Back to the Old Transvaal”. On the LP of the same name this Is a travelogue of the urban centres and languages of South Africa.
Kinzambi – Assegai(Duhig)
Assegai was anchored by African musicians Louis Moholo, Mongezi Feza, Fred Coker and Dudu Pukwana. They were signed by British label Vertigo in the label's attempt to capitalize on the popularity of Afro-rock bands such as Osibisa. Taken from a re-issue LP Afro-Rock this track features members of the UK band Jade Warrior.
For Your Precious Love – The Flames (Brooks and Butler)
This “Indian” soul group from Durban featured Blondie Chaplin and the Fataar Brothers. They released two classic albums in the '60's – 'Soulfire' and 'Burning Soul' - and then headed off to work with the Beach Boys. This song, a cover of the Impressions track from 1958, was a No. 1 hit on the Springbok Radio charts in October 1968 and spent 11 weeks in the Top Twenty. In the seventies a number of top US soul acts, including Curtis Mayfield, the O Jays, Joe Henderson, Tina Turner, Brook Benton and Percy Sledge all toured South Africa.
Harari - The Beaters (Mabuse, Khaoli, Ntuli)
The Beaters were formed by Selby Ntuli in the late 60s in Soweto and comprised Sipho Mabuse (drums), Alec Khaoli (bass), Monty Ndimande (guitar) and Ntuli (guitar). In March 1969 their first album Soul-A-Go-Go was released. A further two albums Bacon and Eggs (1970) and Mumsy Hips (1971) followed. In 1976 the band headed north for a three-week tour of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), which turned into a three-month success. As a result of this tour the band changed their name to Harari and recorded an album of the same name. This is the title track from that album. In 1978, Harari was invited to the USA by Hugh Masekela to perform with him. Unfortunately the bands leader Selby died and the tour didn’t take place. Harari did however support and back Percy Sledge, Timmy Thomas, Letta Mbulu, Brook Benton and Wilson Pickett on their South African tours. In 1979 they were the first black group to appear on South African television and the first black group to have their own show at the Colosseum in Johannesburg in 1980. In the same year the band was featured in a BBC TV documentary. The 1980 album Heatwave was released in the USA and in 1982 the Party 12” single entered the American Disco Hot 100.
I Never Loved a Man - Margaret Singana (Russel)
Margaret Singana started performing with the Symbols in 1972 and had an early radio hit with Good Feelings. In 1973 she was cast as the lead singer in the musical Ipi Ntombi and became famous with white audiences for the song Mama Tembu’s Wedding. The production toured Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. However it was the song featured here that made her the first black artist to be feature on the Radio 5 hit parade. She suffered from bad health but made a comeback of sorts with the theme song from the series Shaka Zulu. Wheelchair bound and penniless Margaret died in 2000 after a long illness.
Ngasuka Ekhaya - Stephen Moleleki (Moleleki)
A Sotho language version of the George Benson track Broadway taken from a David Thekwane produced various artists LP Hlubane Special from 1980.
Katlehong - Mpharanyana and the Cannibals (Radebe)
In 1975 the Cannibals, featuring young guitarist Ray Phiri, paired up with Jacob “Mpharanyana” Radebe who was considered by many to be the greatest male singer of the whole pre-disco soul era. They recorded together for four years producing a string of hits featuring Radebe’s impassioned vocals and monologues.
How Long - The Movers (Chounyane)
The Movers were producer David Thekwane’s big success in the “soul” market. As with so many other bands playing within this genre they rarely addressed politics directly, but they rejected the ethnic associations used to divide people under apartheid and embraced the international sound purveyed by the likes of Wilson Pickett and Percy Sledge.
Get Funky(edit) - The Cannibals (Ndlovo, Phiri, Shongwe, Hlophe, Mtshali)
From 1979 and produced by Hamilton Nzimande this track in its full form at 15 minutes covers one side of the LP by the same name. The Cannibals recorded this soon after the death of star Mpharanyana and were later to evolve into the band Stimela. Ray Phiri gained fame (and in some circles notoriety) for working with Paul Simon on the Graceland LP and then having a song banned from airplay by the SABC.
Brother - Pacific Express (Schilder)
Pacific Express originally formed in Cape Town in the late 60s. Following the arrival of pianist Chris Schilder in 1975 the band took on a jazzier sound and built a reputation that spanned the whole of the sub-continent. Members of the band included Basil “Mannenberg” Coetzee, Robbie Jansen, Jonathan Butler, Barney Rachabane, Chris Schilder and others. Chris Schilder had earlier played alongside the seminal Soweto jazz-funk outfit The Drive with Ronnie Madonsela, Bunny Luthuli, Tony Soali, Nelson Magwaza, Lucky Mbatha, Mavis Maseku and the Sithole Brothers Stanley, Danny & Henry. Sadly only one track by The Drive was ever issued commercially (Various Artists – National Jazz Festival, ATC 8001 – 1974) and live recordings made by David Marks still languish in the 3rd Ear Archives. This is the lead track off their 1976 LP Black Fire.
Take Me Home Taximan - Soul Brothers (Masondo)
This example of mbaqanga soul at its finest is taken from the Soul Brothers 3rd LP from 1977 “I Feel So Lonely Without You”. Previously known as the Groovy Boys and then the Young Brothers they were persuaded to change their name to the Soul Brothers by producer Hamilton Nzimande in 1974. Original members included Zenzele Mchunu, David Masondo, Tuza Mthethwa and Hammond B3 organist Moses Ngwenya. From the moment they recorded their first two singles in 1976 and with the solid backing of legendary producer Hamilton Nzimande behind them, the Soul Brothers were consistent hit makers. With over 30 albums to their credit, the Soul Brothers now operate recording studios, a record company and a publishing business. They stand as one of the great success stories of South African music having survived disco, bubblegum and now kwaito.

Download Podcast

James Brown in Africa

As a tribute to the recent death of James Brown, matsuli music brings you his legendary 1974 Kinshasa performance. This was part of the "African Woodstock" musical build up to the Rumble in the Jungle fight between Mohammed Ali and George Foreman. The documentary When We Were Kings captures these events in vivid detail. If some of the re-collections are to be believed then America's black musical elite could have dissappeared overnight if their overloaded DC8 had gone down on its way to Kinshasa.
"I, along with the James Brown band, had flown to Kinshasa, Zaire, on the same overloaded DC-8 as Muhammad Ali and his crew. The plane was so overloaded because the organizers had tried to get all the people who participated in the music festival on that same airplane. I don't think they had properly anticipated the amount of equipment the performers carried with them. I bet the wardrobe for the Pointer Sisters alone took up an entire bin. The plane barely got off the ground.

"Along with Brown and the Pointer Sisters, the cast included B.B. King, the Fanya All-Stars, the Spinners, Bill Withers, the Jazz Crusaders, Sister Sledge, some African bands and dancers and a lot of artists, I'm sure, I am forgetting. I sat with Big Black, the great percussionist. I remember asking him how it felt to be returning home to Africa. He told me that contrary to his persona and attire, he was from South Carolina and that this was his first trip.

"There was a prevailing feeling of excitement throughout the plane as we interacted with one another, laughing and talking and anticipating each other's performances in Africa. Johnny Pacheco of the Fanya All-Stars provided much of the entertainment with his flute and his comedy during the long flight over.

"When we arrived in Kinshasa the real fun began. I was personally greeted by Hugh Masekela. For some reason he had sought me out and we were frequent companions for the whole two weeks. We checked into our hotels and were told to charge all food and drinks to our rooms. This was hard to believe. Who in their right mind would let a bunch of entertainers eat and drink free with no limit?

"I think maybe some of the economic problems Zaire is experiencing today are a residual effect of that 1974 music festival." Fred Wesley, Seattle Times, Monday, April 21, 1997.

James Brown- The Godfather Goes To Africa
The Zaire Music Festival, Kinshasa Stadium, 23/9/74
Tracklisting:
1. Intro
2. The Payback
3. Soul Power
4. The Boss
5. Make It Easy
6. Doin' It To Death
7. Bewildered
8. Sex Machine
9. Interlude
10. The James Brown Theme Part 1
11. The James Brown Theme Part 2
12. Caught With A Bag / Gimme Some More
13. Get On The Good Foot Part 1
14. Get On The Good Foot Part 2
15. It's a Man's World Jam Part 1
16. It's a Man's World Jam Part 2
17. Money
18. Finale

DOWNLOAD ZIP FILE

Lou Blackburn's first Mombasa LP re-issued

As first sampled on the Africafunk compilations by Russ Dewsbury this is a classic and sought after blend of spiritual jazz and African rhythms. Original copies of the LPs now exchange hands in the region of £100! Six tracks, pulsating african rhythms with funk bass and heavy brass sounds. Lou Blackburn, from LA, put the band together in Europe and recorded two LPs as Mombasa.
Highly recommended:

DOWNLOAD/LISTEN: African Hustle

Bandwidth issues

509 Bandwidth Limit Exceeded
The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later. Apache/1.3.37 Server at www.matsuli.vectoredhost.com Port 80

So you lot are hungry for African music! As some of you have reported there are some issues with the downloads on this site. I thought I had the problem sorted with a free hosting deal (vectoredhosting) but they have a cap of 5gigs of traffic volume per month. That was exceeded within 48 hours of me posting the music! As a result I am having to rely upon SendSpace and its far from perfect service. The link for AS 35 has been updated.

Free doesn't mean free and I've had to shell out some cash on a hosting deal. Bandwidth is still limited so I will need to be careful in what I upload. And for the record there have been over 15000 visitors to matsuli during the past six months.

More soon...

Timor No 1

What to use when the mosquitos get to you


And plenty more vintage African advertising to discover here

Fast Forward 2007

Happy New Year. All the very best for 2007. And to welcome in the New Year here's another African Serenades for your listening pleasure. Rare and unavailable tracks compiled by Cheeku. Enjoy.

Tracklisting:
01. Charles Iwegbue & His Archibogs - Igwala
02. Camille Feruzi - Cha Cha Cha Bay
03. Mac Group - Liverpool
04. Orchestre Hi Fives - Mpempe club
05. Chuza and Les Noirs - Sikiya Sauce Pt 1
06. Chuza and Les Noirs - Sikiya Sauce Pt 2
07. Celestine Ukwu - Money Palava
08. Amara Toure et son Ensemble - N'niyo
09. Soleyamama et Waato Sita - Balinger
10. Abel Lima E Les Sofas - Corre Riba Corre Baxo
11. Luiz Visconde - Chofer De Praaa
12. Balla et ses Balladins - Paulette
13. Super Boiro Band - Nanibaly
14. Rail band - Balakononifing

DOWNLOAD

Guinea Extravaganza

Another in the African Serenades series as selected by Chatty Mouth regular Melvyn. A Guinnea extravaganza. Enjoy.

Tracklisting:
1. Balla et ses Balladins – Bambo (SLP 75)
2. Horoya Band National – Zoumana (SLP 41)
3. Balla et ses Balladins - Moi je suis Decourage (SLP 23)
4. Keletigui et ses Tambourinis - J.R.D.A. (SLP 35)
5. Camayenne Sofa – Könönin (SLP 48)
6. Pivi & les Balladins - Fe sama (SLP 31)
7. Keletigui et ses Tambourinis – Donsoke (SLP 40)
8. Pivi & les Balladins – Yahadi Gere (SLP 31)
9. Horoya Band International – Touraman (SLP 41)
10. Camayenne Sofa – Samba-Mana (SLP 52)
11. Sombory Jazz – Nana (SLP 50)
12. Le Palm-Jazz de Macenta – Kobogui (SLP 73)

DOWNLOAD LINK
NEW "NON-SENDSPACE" LINK

For those interested check out this detailed Syliphone discography site by the Australian ethnomusicologist Graeme Counsel, compiler of the excellent 2CD Bembeya compilation.

Makossa Man

Manu Dibango with the evergreen afro-funk hit Soul Makossa

2006 Rewound Podcast

This years round up of new music lovingly sequenced and mixed by Matt and Tsu of Matsuli Music..
01. Workinonit - J Dilla
02. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
03. Daydreamin' - Lupe Fiasco
04. LDN - Lily Allen
05. I Need You - Amp Fiddler
06. Come To Me - Koop
07. Rose Hybride - Emilie Simon
08. Forgotten Places - Alif Tree
09. The Songs That We Sing - Charlotte Gainsbourg
10. Caballeros Para El Monte - Free Hole Negro
11. Ho Miguel - Kékélé
12. Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae
13. Night baking - Kathryn Williams
14. Cosmia - Joanna Newsom
15. Mali Sadio - Toumani Diabate
16. You Can Never Hold Back Spring - Tom Waits
Selected by Matt and Tsu of Matsuli Music

DOWNLOAD LINK 1
DOWNLOAD LINK 2

The Toure Spirit Lives On

The son of legendary African bluesman Ali Farka Toure, Vieux Farka Toure, playing some awesome guitar. Check out his myspace page and look out for his album on Modiba Productions.
MYSPACE

I'm the Jungle Man

The Meters in full effect 1974.

2006 Rewound

Single of the Year
Crazy by Gnarls Barkley

Records of the Year

Afro Strut by Amp Fiddler
Alright Still by Lilly Allen
At War with the Mystics by Flaming Lips
Aystelum by Ed Motta
Boulevard de L'Independence by Toumani Diabate
Chemist by the Necks
Coles Corner by Richard Hawley
Corinne Bailey Rae
El Nino Y El Sol by Ocote Soul Soundz
Estudando o Pagode by Tom Ze
Food and Liquor by Lupe Fiasco
Forever Polida by Moussu t & Lei Jovents
Free Hole Negro by Superfinos Negros
Jarvis by Jarvis
Lagos No Shaking by Tony Allen
Life Aquatic Sessions by Seu Jorge
Maurice El Medioni Meets Roberto Rodriguez
Orphans- Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards by Tom Waits
Savane by Ali Farka Toure
Songs of Icon by Lekan Babalola
St Elsewhere by Gnarls Barkley
Taiga by OOIOO
The Dusty Foot Philosopher by K'Naan
The Greatest by Cat Power
Ys by Joanna Newsom

Compilations

African Pearls 1-4
Brazilian Funk Experience
Bulawayo Jazz 1950 '51 '52
Eccentric Soul: Good God! A Gospel Funk Hymnal
Endurance by Les Mangelepa
Experience Brazil
Florida Funk: Funk 45s From The Alligator State
Hugh Masekela Chisa Years
Jamaica To Toronto: Soul Funk & Reggae 1967-1974
Life Goes in Circles
London is the Place for Me
Mizell Productions
Orchestra Baobab A Night at Club Boabab
Panama - Latin, Calypso and Funk on the Isthmus
REM - And I Feel Fine
Revolution Rock - Clash Jukebox
Rogues Gallery
Roots of Rumba Rock
Sound Affects Malmaison: Africa
Studio One Groups
Studio One Sound Dimension
Sunday Afternoon at Dingwalls
Take Me to Jamaica- The Story of Mento
Thomas Mapfumo Spirits to Bite our Ears
Tropicalia


CDRs, Bootlegs and Recordings of Indeterminate Origin

African Serenades Series
Bluebeat 45s Series
Camille Black Sessions
Joana Newsom live at Academy 2, Manchester, 14 April 2005
Kraftwerk Radio Bremen 1971
Mile Davis live at the Rainbow Theatre, London, July 10, 1973
Nirvana Live at Nakano Sunplaza, Tokyo, 19/2/92
Smiths Troy Tate Sessions
Surjan Stevens Live at Lees Palace
Tom Waits VH1 Storytellers

Re-issues

African Highlife by Solomon Ilori
Bobby Babylon by Freddy McGregor
Elgin Avenue Breakdown by 101ers
Kwela by Gwigwi Mrwebi
Let My People Go by Darondo
My Life in the Bush of Ghosts by David Byrne and Brian Eno
Psychocandy by Jesus and Mary Chain
Remain in Light by Talking Heads
Screaming Target by Big Youth
Zulu Rock by Lizzy Mercier Descloux

Labels

Honest Jons
Numero
Pressure Sounds
Soul Jazz
Soundway

Radio/Podcasts

Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour
Funky 16 Corners Blogcast
Gilles Peterson Brahma Podcasts
Khalil's World Passport
Tim Young's Contract Podcast

Rewound podcasts to follow!


Don't forget to drink your milk!

The Sublime Sounds of Baobab in action

Check out the solo from Barthelemy Attiso on lead guitar.

Its Disco Time!

Time for dancing. This here mix of African party tunes is guaranteed to set your feet alight. Liven up one of those boring pre-Christmas parties!

Tracklisting:
1. African Typic Collection - San Fan Thomas
2. 365 Is My Number - King Sunny Ade
3. Calculer - Salif Keita
4. Pata Pata - Miriam Makeba
5. Soul Makossa - Manu Dibango
6. Fuji Satisfaction - Bantu and Ayuba
7. Amadlozi - Bongomaffin
8. Seamanjolle - Sly-T
9. Why Can't We Live Together - Tony Allen
10. Beau DiManche - Amadou et Mariam
11. Marie Jose - Lokassa
12. Koumakan - Kasse Mady Diabate
13. Jive Soweto - Sipho Mabuse
14. Bul Ma Miin - Orchestra Baobab

MATSULI AFRICAN DANCE MIX - DOWNLOAD LINK (Updated)

Power Show at the Shrine

Fela at his nightclub The Shrine in Lagos Nigeria. Look out for the customised VW Beetle at the end that featured on the cover of one of the Club Africa compilations.

The second clip has Fela rehearsing Authority Stealing. Look out for his son Sean or is it Femi on Alto and of course his wonderfully adorned wives. The photo below is taken by Adrian Boot whilst in Nigeria during the eighties.

Fina Magarine (and African Rock and Roll)

Fela Kuti and his Koola Lobitas from a Vogue photo shoot in the sixties

Woman: "Mmm." ( "Mmm.")
Man: "Nde. Boni solo kitoko mpo na ndako?" ("What smells so delicious in the house?)
Woman: "Nakalingaki ngombe na mafuta ya mindele." ("I fried meat in the oil used by the whites.")
Man: "Nini? 'Margarine Fina'?" ( "Which one? 'Fina Margarine'?")
Woman: "Ehn?" (Disbelief)
Man: "Mekisa ngai moke." ( "Let me try a little.")
Woman: "Mma." (Signals him to open his mouth)
Man: "Mmm. Ya solo. Elengi, eh?" ("Mmm. Really good, no?")

Like imported margarine so too musical forms like the rumba, cha-cha-cha, twist and rock 'n roll were often seen as agents of value, modernity and power. But thats just scratching the surface when it comes to the music. Collected here for your listening pleasure is the second in my series of African Rock and Roll collections. There's a lot of Kenyan Twist, Nigerian soul and some cheesy Congolese covers. Enjoy it.



Tracklisting:
1. Margarine fina - Tino Mab (Congo)
2. Tucheze Twist - Fadhili Williams Mdawida (Kenya)
3. Angelike Twist - John Amutabi Nzenze (Kenya)
4. Thousands of Miles Away - Daudi Kabaka (Kenya)
5. Seven O'clock Twist - Isaac Musekiwa (Congo)
6. My Baby Don Love Me - Fela Ransome-Kuti and His Koola Lobitas (Nigeria)
7. Venus - Orchestra Veve (Congo)
8. Sookie - Docteur Nico & Orchestre African Fiesta (Congo)
9. Everyday I Got My Blues - Fela Ransome-Kuti and His Koola Lobitas (Nigeria)
10. Save Me - Docteur Nico & Orchestre African Fiesta (Congo)
11. Maloba D'Amour (Words of Love) - Orchestra Super Mazembe (Kenya)
12. A Follow Te Sun - Docteur Nico & Orchestre African Fiesta (Congo)
13. You've Got It Made - The Flames (South Africa)
14. When a Man Loves Woman - Docteur Nico & Orchestre African Fiesta (Congo)
15. Big City Blues - Fadhili Williams Mdawida (Kenya)
16. Daniel - Star Band de Dakar (Senegal)
17. Lal' A By (Let It Be) - Tabu Ley Rochereau (Congo)
DOWNLOAD ZIP FOLDER

Shumba

More from YouTube. Thomas Mapfumo live in Chicago earlier this year. And yes its been a long time since I first saw him play at the Queens Hotel in Harare in 1984. Now in self-imposed exile sans dreadlocks but still on the groove. His recent LP for RealWorld RiseUp is well worth checking out.

Jah Shaka in late 70s session

Killer slice of history. Plenty of posts and music bubbling under here at Matsuli so please bear with me. In the mean time, between time enjoy the Dennis Brown selection from the Brixton town hall sometime in the late golden seventies.

World Circuit exclusives

Ali Farka Toure with Toumani Diabate

Cancer claimed Ali Farka Toure's life earlier this year. I'm thankful we can continue to feel his presence in the recordings he has left behind. Nick Gold and the producer Jerry Boys captured some of his greatest moments for the World Circuit label. In the Heart of the Moon and Savane are both breathtaking recordings and well worth investigating. The label, started by Nick Gold, this year celebrates 20 years of business with a 2-CD compilation of tracks that's a great introduction to a top notch label.

Without further ado here are those World Circuit exclusives:
Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate in concert at Bozar, Brussels, 29 January 2005
DOWNLOAD - Kaira
DOWNLOAD - Debe
Ali Farka Toure (previously unreleased)
DOWNLOAD - Amandrai

Maybe God himself is lost

Tom Waits returns in November with an epic three-CD collection entitled Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards. Today I'm giving you three tracks to sample and get excited about. Here's Tom explaining the songs:

Kathleen and I wanted the record to be like emptying our pockets on the table after an evening of gambling, burglary, and cow tipping. We enjoy strange couplings, that’s how we got together. We wanted Orphans to be like a shortwave radio show where the past is sequenced with the future, consisting of things you find on the ground, in this world and no world, or maybe the next world. Whatever you imagine that to be.

If a record really works at all, it should be made like a homemade doll with tinsel for hair and seashells for ears stuffed with candy and money. Or like a good woman’s purse with a Swiss army knife and a snake bite kit.

Orphans contains songs for all occasions. Some of the songs were written in turmoil and recorded at night in a moving car, others were written in hotel rooms and recorded in Hollywood during big conflamas. That’s when conflict weds drama. At any rate these are the ones that survived the flood and were rescued from the branches of trees after the water’s retreat.

DOWNLOAD: YOU CAN NEVER HOLD BACK SPRING
DOWNLOAD: BOTTOM OF THE WORLD
DOWNLOAD: RAOD TO PEACE

Full release details at the ANTI site.

Blindfolded in Africa - Competition Time

OK...so the first five readers to provide me with the correct details of the opening and closing track of my latest podcast Random Africa Vol 1 will receive a free CD. One tip is in the photograph above.

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MATSULI PODOMATIC PAGE

Salsa Africaine!

In recent trawling and music mining through the net to discover new worlds and what people are listening to I found this outstanding LP by the undisputed master of Senegalese Salsa. Highly influenced by the Cuban craze of the 50's that saw many African hotel bands emulating the sound, Laba Sosseh formed the Star Band du Dakar in the sixties. He has worked with a number of other artists such as Papa Seck and Youssou N'Dour. More recently he was invited to play with Africando.
Without further ado here he is on his 1982 recording "Roberto Torres Presenta Laba Sosseh".

Tracks:
Ngombelle
Gualli Sengue
Maracaibo Oriental
Botom Belle
Anichayi
Pelota
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Its well worth looking out for his compilation LP/CD El Maestro - 40 ans de Salsa ... that includes some killers...ENJOY!