Entries from November 2009
November 29, 2009
If the refugee is today’s tragic icon of a war-ravaged world, then Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, a reggae-inflected band born in the camps of West Africa, represents a real-life story of survival and hope. The six-member Refugee All Stars came together in Guinea after civil war forced them from their native Sierra Leone. Traumatized by physical injuries and the brutal loss of family and community, they fight back with the only means they have — music. The result is a tableau of tragedy transformed by the band’s inspiring determination to sing and be heard. An unbelievable testament to the human spirit, the journey of Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars exemplifies the universal healing power of music.
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars – Living Like a Refugee; Anti, 2006
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November 27, 2009
November 25, 2009
I live in Thailand. Most of my records live in Atlanta, GA, USA. While I do have hella high stacks at my house here, tons and tons of them didn’t come with me when I took that flight. Here are two of them that are tucked away somewhere in those records of old.
The record on the left, Run Rhythm Run, is loaded with undiscovered and mostly unreleased instrumentals outta Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle stable. Certified scorchin’. The story behind this one is that I used to deliver pies for Papa John’s Pizza on 10th and State. One regular customer was the folks who worked at Earwax Records on Peachtree and 11th. The key thing with them was that not only would they hook you up with a nice tip, but they’d let you pick out a CD also. That’s how I got Run Rhythm Run. And yes, they were confused that out of all the selections they had (predominantly hip-hop), I chose this classic from the late-60s Kingston scene.
The record on the right, Head Shot, is instrumentals, dubs, and other oddities from Niney the Observer. Killer vibes from Sir Winston Holness. The story behind this one is that I had been eyeing it at Full Moon Records in Candler Park for a while, but passed it up on more than one occasion for some other goods. It was a budget consideration thing more than anything. However, one day, I finally picked it up and was delighted with the sounds it contained. At the time, it was some of the first cuts of Niney’s that I had ever heard. Definitely a crucial addition to the crates, but after I first heard Microphone Attack; this one got put on the backburner for a while.
Good memories from these records of old. I know you all got stories like these. If you don’t, it’s never to late to hit up a local record shop and start collecting. I’d kill to thumb through some albums at my favorite spots, but I’m miles and miles away from the sights, smells, and sounds of those places. Hittin’ download just ain’t the same…but it sure as hell is cost effective.
Various Artists – Run Rhythm Run; Heartbeat, 1996
Niney the Observer – Head Shot; Heartbeat, 2002
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November 24, 2009
Found this Tokay gecko when I went into my bathroom the other evening. The smaller House geckos are around (and inside) my house every day, but these larger, more colorful ones only come by every now and then. Amazing creatures and, after reading up on them today, vicious biters too!
Still hoping to see the 25-cm (10-inch) Tokay gecko, that I saw a few months ago, again. It crossed my path while I was taking a shower and ate one of the House geckos! After freaking out, staring at it, and then trying to quickly get my camera; it had disappeared into the night and it was too late. Incredibly vivid colors on that one!
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November 23, 2009
November 20, 2009
Celebrated writer-director Jim Jarmusch serves up this witty and intoxicating brew that’s as addictive as caffeine and as buzzy and ephemeral as, well, coffee and cigarettes. Sneakily delirious and way cool, this funny cluster of eleven stories delivers inspired eccentric match-ups from an incredible all-star cast, making Coffee and Cigarettes an absolute must for fans of film, fun and fantastic wit!
Coffee and Cigarettes – Directed by Jim Jarmusch; 2003
Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.4, Pt.5, Pt.6, Pt.7, Pt.8
Photo by JD Beley
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November 17, 2009
Sometimes I find records, sometimes records find me. Here’s three that found me this afternoon. k-os’ Yes came out earlier this year and went under my radar, Paten Locke’s Super Ramen Rocketship just came out but I hadn’t tracked it down, and Blakroc’s Blakroc hasn’t come out yet and I was completely unaware of it anyways. Toss three more into the never-ending stack of records that need to be digested. Not a problem in my eyes.
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November 17, 2009
November 16, 2009
Choice cuts inna punk-ska fashion picked up along the way from here and there throughout The Land of Smiles. I’ve been rockin’ out to this one for a while now, hope you dig it too. Rudeboys and rudegirls…Luak Man Kun!
Top Rankin’ Hi-Fi – Luak Man Kun; 2009
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November 15, 2009
Two EPs from the incredible Gerardo Frisina. Salsa and Latin grooves, dynamic percussion, hypnotic flute lines, improvised scat-style vocals, subtle bells, smooth Jazz, Batucada and African-tribal beats, laidback trumbet and piano elements, and heavy, dancefloor-directed Broken Beat and Deep House vibes. Simply superb in every way. Incessant rhythms straight to your head.
Gerardo Frisina – Donke De 12″; Schema, 2008
Gerardo Frisina – Samba Skindim 10″; Schema, 2009
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November 15, 2009
Federico Aubele’s Amatoria was inspired by the classic and passionate sounds of bolero and Argentinian tango and infuses his distinctive Spanish guitar sound with sultry vocals and subtle electronic beats to create a unique collage of intimate love songs. Now the tunes have received the remix treatment and are presented in this six-song EP. Killer vibes throughout!
Federico Aubele – Amatoria Remixed; ESL, 2009
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November 14, 2009
Check the first single, “The Gift” feat. Edan and Mr. Lif, off The Whitefield Brothers forthcoming album on Now-Again, titled Earthology, set to be released in January of next year (digital advance in December!). The flipside features Oh No choppin’ up the beats alongside some instrumental versions. I already got this dish on lock for the best album of 2010. We’ll see who contends. Pick up the digital advance now or the wax in December via Stones Throw.
The Whitefield Brothers – “The Gift” feat. Edan and Mr. Lif; Now-Again, 2010
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November 13, 2009
A post for Khun Ree who had been vibin’ out to the heavy heavy sounds of Jimmy Radway & The Fe Me Time Allstars recently. Here’s a collection of Jimmy Radway productions which includes the vocal companions that were found on the flipside of those wicked dubwise 45s. Dig it!
Various Artists – Keep the Pressure Down; Fe-Me-Time, 1974-77
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November 12, 2009
Finally got my hands on this long-lost Afrobeat gem recorded in 1973 by Nicholas Addo-Nettey, one of the percussionists in Fela’s Africa 70. Hidden from the hands and ears of Nigerian music lovers everywhere until Frank, from Voodoo Funk, came across its glory at Smith’s Records in Philly. After hunting down the Mr. Addo-Nettey and being granted permission; he teamed up with Daptone Records to remaster, repackage, and reissue it. Read more about this fantastic treasure here and here. Pick up a copy via Daptone.
Pax Nicholas & The Nettey Family – Na Teef Know Da Road of Teef; Daptone, 2009
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November 10, 2009
A case of confusion in Baan Dtah Sae, Trang
The royal flag of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej commemorating his 80th birthday (left), H.M. King Chulalongkorn and Luang Paw Ri Sut Toh (above center), and a door emblazoned with a swastika (center). I understand that this is the mirror image of the the one used on the Nazi flag and there are various meanings for this symbol, but……what was your first impression of this picture? Yeah, me too.
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