December 4, 2011
A stellar set of funky, hot Afro-influenced tracks from the 60s and 70s golden period of the seminal Discos Fuentes label in Colombia. An irresistible mix of Salsa, Cumbia, Boogaloo, Tropical Funk, Chicha and more.
To understand what this compilation refers to as the ‘Afrosound of Colombia’, you have to acknowledge the profound role of African cultures in Colombian life and music. The story of the Afrosound is a tale of transformation. It tells of the enslaved African peoples who were taken to Colombia, who mixed with Europeans and indigenous inhabitants (by force or choice), and were eventually set free, as well as the escaped cimarrones (maroons) that lived in palenques (fortified settlements) and continued their own traditions. The Afrosound sings of a double Diaspora, first the trek in chains during the infamous Middle Passage from the Motherland of Africa to the so-called New World, then much later, the migration from the plantations to the cities.
This release deals with the unique sounds produced as a result of the inventive mixing of pop and roots that took place in the urban confines of the Discos Fuentes studios, far from Colombia’s coastal regions. For our purposes, the invented term ‘Afrosound’ can serve as the title of a thrilling and sometimes odd soundtrack that chronicles the diffusion and evolution of the musical culture from those coastal regions as it was brought inland, where it was translated, simplified, mass marketed, manufactured, modernized, “whitened”, globalized, recycled, and then sent back to the world at large, disseminated from the cities of Medellín and Bogotá, where the major bulk of the music production industry resided in the 50s through to the 70s.
The unifying factor for the collection is that the tracks all have something to do with African roots or influences in one way or another, and they mark a period of sonic experimentation, self expression, upheaval, rebellion and rebirth in the industry, nurtured by Discos Fuentes and its stable of musicians, producers, and engineers. Enjoy the Afrosound of Colombia!
The Afrosound of Colombia Vol.1; Vampisoul, 2010
Find Similar Posts in Navigate The Vault : Drop a Line »
December 1, 2011
Analogue Studies and Mellow Orange present Bossa Break Vols.1 & 2. It’s an exploration into classic Bossa Nova sounds that were mixed and compiled by the man called Question.
Find Similar Posts in Navigate The Vault : Drop a Line »
November 30, 2011
Donat Roy Mittoo, aka Jackie Mittoo, is an unsung hero of Jamaican music and quite possibly its most important. Born on March 3, 1948 in Brown’s Town, in the Parish of St. Ann, Jamaica, he first began playing professionally at the age of thirteen with various bands such as The Rivals and The Sheiks and it was around this time that he started hanging out at Federal Studios and playing with the cream of Jamaican’s musicians who from June of 1964 would become known as the Skatalites.
In 1959 Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd was recording artists at Fedral Studios when he came into contact with Jackie Mittoo. Dodd was so impressed that he asked Jackie to run the sessions at his new studio, Studio One, located at 13 Brentford Road in Kingston when it opened in 1963.
Mittoo and Dodd recorded thousands of tunes throughout the Sixties. When the Skatalites split, Dodd formed a new studio band, The Soul Brothers, under Roland Alphonso’s direction. Alphonso was responsible for the horn arrangements whilst Jackie wrote the music. Jackie went on to lead the session musicians changing their name to the Soul Vendors and later to Sound Dimension. Jackie wasn’t just the leader, he was a creator as well, giving the bass player his lines, writing the chords for the guitarist, playing keyboards himself as well as arranging the recordings.
The artists recorded during this period included Ken Boothe, Bob Andy, Alton Ellis, The Wailers, The Heptones, Marcia Griffiths, John Holt, Slim Smith, Delroy Wilson and many, many, many others. Additionally, he laid down superb instrumental music. This body of music is not only the foundation of Reggae, constantly being covered and versioned, but an incredible artistic and creative achievement in it’s own right.
If you’ve never heard of Jackie Mittoo, then do yourself a favor and pick up this introduction. To hear all the man’s vibes, you have a hell of a lot more digging to do as his catalog is unfathomably deep. I can assure you one thing though, your time will be well worth it as it is loaded with some of the best sides to ever come out of the island.
Jackie Mittoo - Tribute to Jackie Mittoo; Heartbeat, 1995; Disc 1, Disc 2
Find Similar Posts in Navigate The Vault : Drop a Line »
November 28, 2011
Monk Higgins plays tenor sax and organ on these fantastic early-70s Funk-Soul sets that came outta the Los Angeles scene.
Monk Higgins – Heavyweight; United Artists, 1972
Monk Higgins – Little Mama; United Artists, 1972
Find Similar Posts in Navigate The Vault : Drop a Line »
November 25, 2011
In the late 1950s a polio epidemic hit Jamaica. Three of the many youths who fell victim to the disabling impact of the virus were Cecil Spence, Albert Craig and Lascelle Bulgin, later to be known respectively as “Skeleton”, “Apple” and “Wiss”. The boys formed a vocal trio whilst inmates of Kingston’s Mona Heights Rehabilitation Centre, eventually becoming known collectively as Israel Vibration.
As the doctrines of Rastafarian faith began to spread through the island of Jamaica the youthful trio fell under its influence and they began to grow dreadlocks – with the result that they were expelled from their ‘caring institution’. For around the next five years they lived on the streets on the streets of Kingston, literally busking a living, until adopted by the Twelve Tribes of Israel organisation. Other Rastas had refused to work with them through the belief that Jah had caused their disability as some form of punishment for previous wrongdoings.
Audiences at live performances were dumbfounded at the sight of three handicapped young men delivering Rastafari’s righteous message via their own trademark – real time dubbed vocals – whilst joyously skanking away on their crutches!
While the group has over twenty albums, spanning three decades, in their catalog, it is true to say that they have never surpassed the initial achievement of the first album, that enduring classic – The Same Song.
Israel Vibration – The Same Song; Pressure Sounds, 1995
Find Similar Posts in Navigate The Vault : Drop a Line »
November 22, 2011
Massively funky sounds from the Hammond B-3 organ of George Semper, who was also the owner of Inner City Records. Dirty, jazzy, and nasty. Well worth tossing this one in the crates.
On “Get Out of my Life, Woman”, you can hear the drum break from Cypress Hill’s “Insane in the Brain”; and, on that note, did you ever know that the noise sample they drop in that song is a horse!? Awesome!
George Semper – Makin’ Waves; Imperial, 1961
Find Similar Posts in Navigate The Vault : Drop a Line »
November 19, 2011
November 17, 2011
Analog Africa delves into the sounds of Burkina Faso, one of the jewels of the Sahel, a harsh and arid strip that straddles the southern Sahara, stretching from Dakar in the west to Djibouti in the east. Formerly known as Haute Volta, Burkina Faso’s sound was organized and nurtured during the country’s time as part of a vast patchwork making up French colonial West Africa.
The raw sound of Burkina Faso combined Afro-Funk, traditional Islamic rhythms and subtle Afro-Latin sounds brought over by visiting Cuban ensembles. Mandingue melodies and guitar techniques from Mali and Guinea, however, were by far the most defining traits of a potent African mix that distinguished the Voltaic style between 1974 and 1979.
Various Artists – Bambara Mystic Soul – The Raw Soul of Burkina Faso 1974-79; Analog Africa, 2011
Find Similar Posts in Navigate The Vault : Drop a Line »
November 17, 2011
Showin’ some love to Polyrhythmics, out of Seattle, WA, and their recently-released 45 featuring “The Imposter” b/w “Klompton”. Distributed by Kept Records, this one is a winner for those who dig the sounds of Afro-beat, Funk and just downright-good music. Pick up the A-side below and navigate here to pick up the wax.
Polyrhythmics – “The Imposter” b/w “Klompton” 7-Inch; Kept, 2011
Find Similar Posts in Navigate The Vault : Drop a Line »
November 13, 2011
Michael James Williams aka “King Cry Cry” aka “The Voice of Thunder” aka “Prince Far I” possessed a style that was incomparable to all others in JA throughout the mid- to late-‘70s and early-‘80s (and ’til this day to be honest). His deep, gruff tone is wholly captivating and floored me upon my first listen as it continues to do so. Rougher than fucking rough! This set collects some of his best vibes, but one would surely be remiss to stop here as there are heaps more platters that deserve your listening and attention. Read more about the man here.
Prince Far I – Under Heavy Manners 1977-83; Trojan, 2003 Pt.1, Pt.2
Find Similar Posts in Navigate The Vault : Drop a Line »
November 13, 2011
If I lived in the ATL, I’d toss these vibes on the turntable tonight, tilt back a few pints with the fellas and head over to the Pietasters show at the Star Bar for some drunken revelry. Bet it’s gonna be a fun evening!
Top Rankin’ Hi-Fi – ATL: The Best Place in the World, 2011
Find Similar Posts in Navigate The Vault, Top Rankin' Hi-Fi : Drop a Line »
November 11, 2011
A thoroughly-enjoyable blend of Reggae vibes from all corners of the World…except Latin America which they slighted on this compilation. Then again, they devoted an entire album to Latin Reggae. Opened my ears up to a few artists I had never heard before including Intik and Gnawa Diffusion from Algeria, Ale Muniz from Brazil, Chris Combette from French Guiana, Bernard Uedre from New Caledonia and Majek Fashek from Nigeria among a few others. Choice selections with the only downside really being that it doesn’t contain more cuts. Cheers to Putamayo for another solid addition to their outstanding catalog.
Various Artists – Putamayo Presents World Reggae; Putamayo, 2004
Check the video below for a mix of all the tunes.
Find Similar Posts in Navigate The Vault : Drop a Line »
November 9, 2011
A beautifully-crafted African Jazz album recorded in St. Louis, MO circa 1973 by Senegalese drummer Mor Thiam. Check the percussion on “Ayo Ayo Nene (Blessing For The New Born Baby)”. Impressive.
Mor Thiam – Dini Safarrar (Drums of Fire); Rite Record Productions, 1973
Find Similar Posts in Navigate The Vault : 1 Comment »
November 6, 2011
November 4, 2011
I’ve been bumpin’ this record non-stop lately. Love the PUTS’ style and sound. Get it if you ain’t got it!
People Under the Stairs – Highlighter; Piecelock 70, 2011
Find Similar Posts in Navigate The Vault : Drop a Line »
