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