Soldier of Love

Sade used to release an album very couple years, but her last two albums were close to eight years apart. No matter how much time passes in between, she has and always manages to deliver something fresh and relevant that's unmistakably hers. Now, nearly nine years after Lovers Rock, she's due to release Soldier of Love. This title track speaks for itself. Listen.

Kenya Blue Stars (1981)

I haven't had much luck finding information about this 12" or about this label in general, but I'm still looking. Regardless, this music must be heard. I was lucky enough to come across this record here in DC at Som Records on 14th St NW.

Talaka - Kenya Blue Stars

Siku Ya Kufa

You Told Your Mama Not to Worry - Hugh Masekela

Hugh Maseklea - Mandingo Man

Hugh Maseklea - Makonko

Franco Luambo and Sam Mangwana – Coopération

François Luambo Makiadi (6 July 1938 - 12 October 1989) was a major figure in twentieth century Congolese music, and African music in general. He is widely referred to as Franco Luambo or, simply, Franco. Known for his mastery of rumba, he was nicknamed the "Sorcerer of the Guitar" for his seemingly effortlessly fluid playing. As a founder of the seminal group OK Jazz, he is counted as one of the originators of the modern Congolese sound.
Francois Luambo Makiadi was born in the rural village Sona Bata in the western Bas Zaire region of what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then the colony of Belgian Congo). When he was still a baby, his parents moved to the capital city of Leopoldville (now Kinshasa). His father, Joseph Emongo, was a railroad worker while his mother baked homemade bread to sell at a local market. At age seven he built a rudimentary guitar that he played to attract customers to his mother's stall. His talent was recognized by guitarist Paul Ebengo Dewayon who taught Francois how to play. In 1950, the twelve year old made his professional debut as a member of Dewayon's band, Watam, impressing audiences with his skills on a guitar almost as big as himself. Three years later, Francois recorded his first single Bolingo na ngai na Beatrice (My love for Beatrice) after he had become part of the house band for Loningisa Studio. The band leader, Henri Bowane, shortened his given name to "Franco", a tag that would stay with him for the rest of his life. Under Bowane's tutorage Franco became a lead guitarist skilled at the Congolese guitar display style called sebene, and also began writing songs for Loningisa artists and singing some himself. By now he had embraced the Cuban rumba and other styles of African music mixed with Latin influences.
Sam Mangwana was born February 21, 1945, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo to Angolan parents. He is a Congolese soukous vocalist. Mangwana grew up listening to foreign musicians touring Kinshasa, especially those from Cuba, who greatly influenced the development of Congolese music. Sam belonged to many bands throughout his career, beginning with Tabu Ley's and Dr. Nico's band African Fiesta in 1962.

Franco Luambo and Sam Mangwana – Coopération mp3

Le Peuple - L'Orchestre le Peuple

I was unable to find much info on this record, but it's a great one. My guess is it came out of the early 1970's, but there's no date on the record. It came out of France on a label called Moninga Star. L'Orchestre le Peuple is made up of: Kifouetti Loubassou, Alphonse Mavungu, François Mackosso, and Tino Muinkua Mvura.

Massavi Fololo y’Africa - L'Orchestre le Peuple


Nzoto ya muana ya moto – L'Orchestre le Peuple

Absence - L'Orchestre le Peuple

Luta – L'Orchestre le Peuple

Letta Mbulu - What Is Wrong With Groovin' (1967)

Letta Mbulu - What is Wrong With Groovin'

This one, written by Hugh Masekela, is an old favorite track of mine that I used to play weekly at Local 16 on U St in DC.  I'm not even sure where this track first appeared, but it was recorded in 1967 and thanks to Jazzman Gerald Short of Jazzman Records, it was re-released in 2001. I got it off this comp called Ouelele - Another Collection of Modern Afro Rhythms, off of Comet Records.

Letta Mbulu was born and raised in South Africa. In 1965 she left for the States and went on to work with David Axelrod, Cannonball Adderly, and Harry Belafonte. 

Farid - Crowd Control (2000)

I checked in with Farid and got his approval to post these two tracks off his Crowd Control EP. This was an exciting time for DC underground music. I was happy to finally find this record probably about five years ago. I was djing at the Lounge one night and as usual, Farid was in the house. When I showed him my recent find, he told me he didn't even have a copy of it on vinyl, and asked me to buy it if I ever saw it again. Of course I ran into another copy a couple months later at CD Game Exchange at 18th St and Columbia Rd NW in Adams Morgan. Coincidentally, the album cover art was shot at an old electronics shop that used to be right there on the other side of Columbia Rd.

Many thanks to Farid for these great tracks.

Farid - Pit Stop

Farid - DC Masala

DJ Day - Four Hills (2007)

DJ Day - Four Hills (2007)

This record stayed in my bag and in my sets for at least a full year right in and around the time I transitioned to Serato. I was glad to be able to tell him this when he came to DC to play at Eighteenth Street Lounge last month. His set was all encompassing, educating and motivating the dancefloor while maintaining a high standard with straight classics old and new. I still need details on the 1950's, 1960's R&B power set that happened 2/3's into his set. It hurts just thinking about my ignorance of that heat. Thanks for permission to post this beautiful track.

Hutchy - Gas Prices/Dub Prices (2008)

Michael Hutchinson aka Hutchy aka Song Writer of the year 2007 DC Reggae Awards Sponsor by Jamaica National produced these videos here in DC about a year ago. Hutchy recruited friends to make these videos happen. He had serious help from our friend Robin Bell http://bellvisuals.com/ who shot and edited these videos. Hutchy was going relevant on this track addressing gas prices and the economy. His 2007 album, My Time hit the Billboard charts in the UK. You can also find him on early Thievery Corporation albums, namely Sounds from the Thievery Hi-Fi. Hutchy also performed with Thievery Corporation at 930 Club in DC in January, 2009.

DJ Dolores - Salvo! [The Preacher] (2007)

Many thanks to Mike G who put me onto this track when we met in Rio a few weeks back. He was playing this compilation at the flat we rented for the week, and this track jumped out at me. This is not recorded off vinyl, but who cares. DJ Dolores aka Helder Aragão is from Recife, Brazil. As far as I know, he's still over there, but has performed with the band Apaerlhagem in NYC at SOB's as recently as July, 2007.

DJ Dolores - Salvo! [The Preacher] ( 2007)

Liquid People feat Heidi Vogel - Don't You Go Away (2003)

This is a great track off the Yellow Productions record label. The label was started in 1993 in Paris by DJ Yellow and Chris LeFriant aka Bob Sinclair. The UK's Liquid People are Dan Smith (Cambridge) and Conan Manchester (Colchester). Heidi Vogel is from London and has performed, recorded and toured with countless artists including The Brand New Heavies, Zero DB, Cinematic Orchestra, and Kindred Spirit.  

Liquid People feat Heidi Vogel - Don't You Go Away

Belleh - Friday (ca. 2008)

Belleh is from Liberia and once again, there's very limited info on them on the cd, and no info on them online... until now. This album (CD) has a self titled song, which is one of the strongest songs on the album. I had to include a few others because they're too good. 

Belleh - Belleh

Belleh - Mublee

Belleh - Popo Wlee

Belleh - Shay Deeway 

Bjork - Gling Glo (1990)

Bjork & Trio Guomunda Ingolfssonar - Gling Glo (1990)

Gling Glo is Icelandic for "ding dong" and is also the name of a jazz album by Bjork & Trio Guomunda Ingolfssonar.

Personnel: Bjork Guomundsdottir - vocals, Guomundur Ingolfsson - piano, Guomundur Steingrimsson - drums, Porour Hognason - bass.

King Tubby - King at the Control (1981)

This whole record is great, but here are two of the best ones.

King Tubby's Special (1981)

Tad's Special (1981)

Big Bad Boogaloo - Harmless Records (2002)

I got this comp at Other Music on E. 4th St back in 2002.  There's something good about every track on this record, but these are the standouts. Subway Joe is a true banger with heavy percussion and big bass. Chua Chua Boogaloo is off the 1962 album Boogaloos Con El Grand. Mercy Mercy Baby is off the classic Ray Baretto album, Acid.

Joe Bataan - Subway Joe (1978)

El Gran Combo - Chua Chua Boogaloo (1962)

Ray Baretto - Mercy Mercy Baby (1967)

This song is off Ray Baretto's legendary album "Acid". 

Koop - Waltz for Koop (2002)

Koop - Waltz for Koop

Koop is an electronic jazz duo from Stockholm, Sweden named Magnus Zingmark and Oscar Simonsson. This track is off the album, Waltz for Koop and features Cecelia Stalin.  

Record Digging in Shibuya, Tokyo (2002)

This is footage me and Matt shot in Tokyo in 2002. Thanks to Matt for joining me on the mission to hit Shibuya - the neighborhood known for having lots of vinyl. There were people with portable turntables selling vinyl in the streets... or at least cooling out and listening to vinyl in the streets.

DJ DSL - I L.O.V.E. You (2002)

DJ DSL - I L.O.V.E. You

Rosalia De Souza - Maria Moita (Zero DB Remix)

Rosalia De Souza - Maria Moita (Zero DB Remix)

Zero DB is made up of Chris Vogado and Neil Combstock out of London. They've been producing together since 2000. They've got two full lengths and tons of great remixes for people like, Nicola Conte, Grupo Batuque, and Truby Trio. 

Astrud Gilberto - Maria Quiet (1966)

Astrud Gilberto - Maria Quiet (Maria Moite) 1966

Astrud Gilberto, former wife of Joao Gilberto is a 1965 Grammy Award Winning Artist for her song, The Girl From Ipanema. Her mother was Brazilian, father was German; she was born in the state of Bahia, Brazil (b.1940) and raised in Rio De Janeiro. This is another classic of hers that was remixed by UK duo, Zero DB. Both versions are so necessary.

DJ Krush - Kemuri (1994)

DJ Krush - Kemuri

DJ Krush aka Hideaki Ishi is a legendary dj and producer from Japan. He has an interesting early history worth checking out. He began djing in the eighties but this track from the nineties is a serious standout. 

Stone Roses - I Wanna Be Adored (1989)

The Stone Roses - I Wanna Be Adored

The Stone Roses were a Manchester band from the late eighties and early nineties. They had several rotating band members but the main players were: Ian Brown - vocals, John Squire - guitar, Gary "Mani" Mounfield - bass, Alan "Reni" Wren - drums. The Stone Roses cover art was done by John Squire, who later quit music to pursue a painting career.

The Dynamics - Music

The Dynamics - Music

The Dynamics -  Music (Dub Edit)

They came out of France in 2003 and are produced by Patchworks, a dynamic french producer. Patchworks is responsible for a wide variety of productions from deep house to jazz to soul. This track happens to be a Madonna cover, but no need to hate. The Dynamics music is very difficult to find in the U.S. I had to buy this 7 inch overseas. If you try and buy their music at online record stores you get blocked based on region. 

Zee Boyee - Zee Boyee ca. 2008

Zee Boyee was a rebel in Liberia's civil war; now he's doing music there. It seems as though it's common in Liberia right now to have a self-titled track on your album. This song sounds like the best one on the album. There's no date on this but I'm guessing it's recent.

Deadline vs Batacumbele - Batacumbele (2004)

Forever grateful to Gilles Peterson for exposing me to tons of music I may have never discovered - like this track.

Vuelvo Al Sur - Gotan Project feat Cristina Vilallonga

Gotan Project - Vuelvo Al Sur feat Cristina Vilallonga

This is recorded off the 10" released in 2000. Gotan Project is a musical group based in Paris, consisting of musicians Philippe Cohen Solal - French, Eduardo Makeroff - Argentine, and Christoph H. Müller - Swiss.

Saveray Wali Gaadi - An Original Soundtrack Recording - 1984

Dekho Yeh Kaun Aya - Suresh Wadker and Asha Bhosle

Din Pyar Ke Aayenge Sajania - Lata Mangeshkar

Jab Do Pyar Milte Hai - Kishore Kumar

Saanjh Pade Gaye Deewana - Kishore Kumar & Chorus

Do You Like Brazilian Music?

I shot this video in mid-afternoon on February 8, 2009. I was biking to the beach at Ipanema and had to stop and shoot some of this. 

Ini Kamoze - World A Music

 Ini Kamoze - World A Music

1984

 

Produced by Lowell "Sly" Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare

Mulatu Astatke - Emnete

Mulatu Astatke - Emnete

Soundway Records

SNDW 10001

2005

Nguendi Aladji - Baluti Part II

Nguendi Aladji – Baluti Part II

1977

Nguendi Aladji - Baluti Part I

Nguendi Aladji – Baluti Part I

1977

This is an old recod that was bought in either Nairobi, Kenya or Kampala, Uganda.

Noiseshaper - Only Redeemer

Noiseshaper – Only Redeemer

Myriam Makeba - Kulala 1977

Myriam Makeba - Kulala 1977

This is a live version off the Myriam Makeba live album Pata Pata that came out on the french label, Disques Esperance