NEWSLETTER #136
Ethnic & World Music
Rosa Balisteri ->
Various Artists
| ITALY |
ROSA BALISTERI |
Dejavu Retro Gold 4424 |
Canti Siciliani |
● CD $12.98 |
Two CD set with 25 songs by this brilliant Sicilian singer
accompanied by her own guitar with with small groups (mandolins, violins,
etc). Rosa is a very soulful and emotional singer in the vein of someone
like Amalia Rodriguez.
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| NORTENO |
ISIDRO LOPEZ |
Arhoolie 9047 |
15 More Original Hits |
● CD $9.98 |
Second collection of 15 tracks recorded for Ideal in the
late 50s and early 60 by band led by vocalist and alto sax player Isidro
"El Indio" Lopez who is considered the father of Tejano music. Includes
rancheras, boleros, rock 'n roll and polkas with varied arrangements from
small accordion led conjuntos to 15 piece orquesta tejanas. Sadly, Lopez
passed away at the age of 75 as this release was being prepared.
|
| REGGAE |
BOB MARLEY & THE
WAILERS |
Trojan 80481 |
Roots Of A Legend |
● CD $24.98 |
CD - 21 tracks - 69 min, DVD -10 tracks - 48 min,
essential
Don't confuse this with the lavish set on Trojan from a few
years back with the same name. This has the best of the Trojan/Tuff Gong
years, with mostly Scratch Perry producing, though there's some Leslie
Kong & self-produced. A lot of these tracks will be familiar, as Marley
re-recorded a lot when he moved over to Island - those versions were much
slicker - these are the original JA versions of such great tunes as
Trenchtown Rock/ Duppy Conqueror/ Concrete Jungle/ Lively Up Yourself Kaya/
Small Axe. As a bonus, there's a promo film shot in 1980 at the Santa
Barbara Stadium, with Bob & band doing 10 numbers including Concrete
Jungle/ Jammin'/I Shot The Sheriff & Stir It Up. (GM)
|
| HAWAII |
FELIX MENDELSSOHN & HIS HAWAIIAN SERENADERS |
ASV CDAJA 5538 |
ENADERS: Drifting & Dreaming |
● CD $11.98 |
26 tracks, highly recommended Violinist Felix Mendelssohn
had one of Britain's most popular bands in the 30s and 40s. In the late
30s he became enamored with Hawaiian music and transformed the band into a
Hawaiian style group complete with Hawaiian costumes and dancers and
played music in Hawaiian style - often using genuine Hawaiian performers
alongside British musicians. The recordings here were made between 1940
and 1950 and includes a mixture of Hawaiian standards along with pop and
jazz tunes often featuring fine steel guitar (usually Roland Peachy).
About two thirds of the tracks are the rest are vocals by British
vocalists like George Barclay and Archie Coates along with authentic
Hawaiian vocalists Kealoha Life and The Hawaiian Sisters. Excellent sound
and decent notes by Peter Dempsey. (FS)
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| REGGAE |
LEE PERRY & THE
UPSETTERS |
Trojan 80463 |
Dub-Triptych |
● CD $18.98 |
2 CDs, 38 tracks, essential
Three of history's best & most
influential dub LPs under 1 roof. "Cloak & Dagger" ('73) was one of the
first LP's to have "version's" (backing tracks) & dubs together, with The Upsetter's wild production craziness. This was only released in Jamaica
with a plain cover - when reissued on Rhino in the UK, the dubs were taken
off to be replaced by other "versions". '73's "Blackboard Jungle Dub" AKA
"Rhythm Shower", was released in an edition of 200, & features more
experimentation - this one's got "versions" of three Wailers tracks
including a fine version of Kaya Skank. The third, "Revolution
Dub", is from '75 & was his first out of his Black Ark studios - this one
has strangeness related to TV & movies & includes Kojak. (GM)
|
| REGGAE |
SLIM SMITH |
Trojan 80461 |
Keep That Lovelight Shining |
● CD $18.98 |
Two CD set by this brilliant and influential Jamaican
singer who died in 1972 under somewhat mysterious circumstances. It
features 48 sides recorded between 1965 and 1972, initially as lead singer
for The Techniques and The Uniques and then as a solo performer. Slim was
considered Jamaica's answer to Curtis Mayfield. It includes many of his
most popular recordings as well as rarities that have been unavailable for
more than 30 years. Many tracks are making their first appearance on CD.
Includes Little Did You Know/ Evil Love/ People Rock Steady/ Watch
This Sound (For What It's Worth)/ Facts Of Life/ The Beatitude (Blessed
Are The Meek)/ Everybody Needs Love/ Spanish Harlem/ Ain't Too Proud To
Beg/ My Love Cam True/ Burning Fire/ Where Do It Turn/ Rain From the Skies
and more. Includes fold out booklet with notes by Tony Rounce.
|
| AFRICA-SOUTH AFRICA |
SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR |
Shanachie 66036 |
Voices From Heaven |
● CD $15.98 |
16 tracks, 56 mins, highly recommended
More wonderful
choral singing from South Africa's vibrant gospel music scene by this
acclaimed 32 member male and female choir from Soweto originally formed in
2002. They perform mostly acapella along with occasional tracks with
instrumental backing and their distinctive South African harmonies and
rhythms are used on a selection of mostly traditional and contemporary
African gospel songs along with international favorites like Amazing
Grace and Many Rivers To Cross. (FS)
|
| INDIA |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Dejavu Retro 4287 |
The Music Of India |
● CD $12.98 |
Two CDs, 8 tracks, recommended
Nice budget priced two CD
introduction to some of the treasures of Indian traditional music
featuring three instrumentalists and three vocalists. Best known performer
here is sitarist Ravi Shankar who became something of a pop icon in the
60s and 70s due to his mentoring of George Harrison and other rock
performers. He is featured on the 24 minute Raga Hameer accompanied
by tabla and tampuras. The other instrumentalists featured are sarodist
Ustad Amiad Al Khan and the foremost Indian flute player Pandit Hariprasad
Chaurasia. One of the vocalists Abida Parveen is actually from Pakistan
and her songs are rooted in the Sufi tradition - one of her three songs
updates the tradition somewhat with the effective use of synthesizer and
bass guitar. The other vocalists are Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (accompanied by
harmonium and tabla) and Shobha Gurtu (with sarangi, tabla, harmonium and
second vocal). Some beutiful and haunting music. Booklet has photos and
brief bios of the artists but information on the performances themselves.
(FS)
|
| ITALY |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Dejavu Retro Gold 4405 |
Canti della Montagna - Antologia del Coro
Alpino |
● CD $12.98 |
2 CD set of male choirs from the Alpine regions of Italy:
Coro della S.A.T., Coro delle Dolomita, Coro Grigna, Coro La Rocca di
Garda, and Coro Stella Alpina di Verona - 46 selections.
|
| AFRICA-SOUTH AFRICA |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Heritage 43 |
Iscathamiya - Zulu Worker Choirs In South
Africa |
● CD $16.98 |
Not a new release but not listed before. Now on CD.
Another marvelous album of acapella choral music from South Africa
following "South African Trade Union Choruses" (Rounder 5020). This was
recorded in 1982-85 at the "ingoma ebusuku" or all night choral
compititions held at various migrant worker hostels in Durban and feature
the expressive singing of The Durban High Stars, Kings Boys, Cup And
Saucer, and the Jabula Home Defenders. Styles range from the iscathamiya
or soft, stalking approach made popular by Ladysmith Black Mambazo to a
more jubilee style (Just A Closer Walk With Thee ), to the "Sikwela
Joe" or high-pitched, "bombing" style with. Comes with extensive
historical notes by Veit Erlmann, brief translations of these tales of
migrant workers lives. Lovely and moving music. (JM)
|
| HAWAII |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
JSP JSPCD 7738 |
It's Hotter In Hawaii - Early Hits From A
Unique Musica |
● CD $28.98 |
Four CD set featuring 105 tracks of vintage Hawaiian music
with emphasis on hot steel guitar work. It features artists from Hawaii as
well performers from the American mainland and since the music became
popular worldwide we also hear some performers from Europe, Argentina,
Mexico and elsewhere. It includes some of the greatest and most
influential exponents of the genre including performers like Sol Ho'opii,
Frank Ferera, Tau Moe with Wife & Family, Roy Smeck, Master's Hawaiians,
Kanui & Lula, King Bennie Nawahi, The Hawaiian Quintette, Jim & Bob,
Kalama's Quartet along with lots of lesser known artists. If you already
have all the albums of Hawaiian music on Rounder, Yazoo, Arhoolie, T.O.M.,
Harlequin, etc. then you probably have most of the recordings here though
I think there are a few tracks making their first CD appearance here. If
you don't have all the other reissues this is an excellent and inexpensive
way to get a great cross section of recordings. Sound quality is
excellent. It's too bad that the notes are so cursory.
SAM ALAMA: Ama Ama/ H.M. BARNES & HIS BLUE RIDGE RAMBLERS: Honolulu Stomp/
BEZOZ HAWAIIAN ORCHESTRA: Pame Sti Honolulu/ BILTMORE HOTEL TRIO: Clownin'
The Frets/ BILTMORE ORCHESTRA: Kaui Kahio/ GINO BORDIN HAWAIIAN ORCHESTRA:
Caresses Venitiennes/ SOL K. BRIGHT: Tomi Tomi/ CORAL ISLANDERS: Na Lei/
S. CORTES Y SUS HAWAIINOS: Caperucita/ Lirios/ EMERY COURNAND: Why My Craf
Vex With Me/ EDDY'S HAWAIIAN SERENADERS: Down In Waikiki/ FRANK FERERA:
Honolulu March/ In The Heart Of Hawaii/ Maui/ Melani Anu Ka Makani/ St.
Louis Blues/ Cielito Lindo/ Iko Okamuko/ FERERA, FRANCHINI & LUFSKY:
One-Two-Three/ FRANCHINI & DETTBORN: Palakiko Blues/ HANAPI TRIO: Indiana
March/ HAUULEA ENTERTAINERS: 12th Street Rag/ Ellis March/ Railroad Blues/
HAWAIIAN QUINTETTE: Akahi Hoi/ Pua I Mohala/ HAWAIIAN SONGBIRDS: Happy
Hawaiian Blues/ HAWAIIAN SILVER QUARTET: Honolulu March/ HAWAIIAN
SERENADERS: Honolulu Stomp/ HAWAIIAN SILVER QUARTET: Kawahau/ HAWAIIAN
TRIO: La Paloma/ My Hawaii (You're Calling Me)/ O Sole Mio/ Valse Bleu/
HILO HAWAIIAN ORCHESTRA: Hula Love Medley March/ HONOLULU PLAYERS:
Mindinao March/ SOL HOOPII: Hawaiian March/ Lady Be Good/ Lehua/ Lepe Ula
Ula/ Pidgin English Hula/ Uheuhene/ JIM & BOB: By The Waters Of
Minnietonka/ Chimes/ Hula Blues/ Song Of The Range/ KALAMA'S QUARTET:
Pehea Hoi Au/ KAMSKU & KAWAIHAE: King Kalakaua March/ KAMSKU & KAWALHAE:
Pua Lima Waltz/ KANE'S HAWAIIANS: Hilo/ KANUI & LULA: My Little Grass
Shack In Kealakekua/ KEAUMOKA LOUIS: Garden Of Paradise/ Penei No/ JOE
KEAWE & HIS HARMONY HAWAIIANS: Hookipa Paka/ My Little Grass Shack/ GEORGE
KEOKI DAVIS: Slack Key Hula/ KING, QUEEN, JACK: Stack-O-Lee/ RAY KINNEY &
HIS ROYAL HAWAIIANS: Coral Isle/ Kauna Kea/ WALTER KOLOMOKU: Medley Of Old
Time Waltzes/ GEORGE KU TRIO: Kuu Lei/ Na Ali'l/ Na Pua O Hawaii/ SAM KU
WEST: Hawaiian Hula/ WangWang Blues/ LAWSON'S HAWAIIANS: Drifting And
Dreaming/ LES LOUPS: La Portena Es Una Papa/ HELEN LOUISE & FRANK FERERA:
K'alu Luliluli/ Kai Maia O Ka Madi/ LUA & KAILI (IRENE WEST'S ROYAL
HAWAIIAN: Drowsy Waters/ Kohala March/ MASTER'S HAWAIIANS: Blue Sparks/
Hawaiian Stormy Weather/ MOANA SERENADERS: E Mama Ea/ He Mea Nui/ TAU
MOE'S HAWAIIAN JAZZITES: U Like, Noa Like/ M.K. MOKE: Moana Chimes/ JAMES
MOLKEHA: Maui Girl/ KING BENNIE NAWAHI: Waikiki Waltz/ PAT PATTERSON & HIS
CHAMPION REP RIDERS: The Cat's Whiskers/ ROLAND PEACHY & HIS ROYAL
HAWAIIANS: China Boy/ Goodby Blues/ MM. RIVIERES HAWAIIANS: E Mama Ee/
Ellis March/ La Lupe Ua Sola/ Mai Kai No Kauai/ Paahana/ RODNEY ROGER'S
RED PEPPERS: Milenburg Joys/ ANDY SANELLA: Blues Of The Guitar/ Sliding On
The Frets/ ROY SMECK: 12th Street Rag/ Bugle Call Rag/ Hilo March/ Kalima
Walk/ Limehouse Blues/ Twilight Echoes/ TOMMY SOLOMON: Old Timer's Hula/
SOUTH SEA ISLANDERS: Liliu E/ DANNY STEWART: Les Femmes d'Amerique/ TAMARI
TAHITI: Parari'i Pararara'i/ TRUETT & GEORGE: Ghost Dance/ UNKNOWN GERMAN
ORCH: The Road To Paradise/ CHARLIE WILSON: Palolo/ JIMMY YATES' BOLL
WEEVILS: Smiles
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| REGGAE |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Silverline 284603 |
Is It Rolling Bob? - A Reggae Tribute To
Bob Dylan |
● CD $19.98 |
Side One - CD, 13 tracks/ Side Two - DVD, highly
recommended
This is a dual disc - one side of the disc is a CD with 13
sides in stereo - the other side is a DVD featuring the 13 tracks in 5.1
surround sound and stereo, videos on the making of the album, dub remixes
of seven of the songs plus artist photos, liner and track notes and ROM
content. Excellent collection of sides recorded in 2003 featuring reggae
artists performing the songs of Bob Dylan - mostly drawn from the early
part of Dylan's career including Apple Gabriel with The Times They Are
A-Changin', Toots Hibbert with Maggie's farm Nasio with Drummer
Zeb and The Razor Posse with a Rastafarian flavored version pf Gotta
Serve Somebody, Michael Rose of Black Uhuru doing The Lonesome
Deathe Of Hattie Carrol and more. The songs are great to begin with
and these versions give them an exciting new twist without destroying
their integrity. The bonus features on the DVD side make it doubly
worthwhile and the cover art alone is almost worth the price of admission.
(FS)
|
| REGGAE |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Trojan 80488 |
Trojan Sixties Box Set |
● CD $21.98 |
3 discs, 50 tracks, highly recommended
I LOVE early ska &
reggae covers, & this set is nothing but! In fact, disc 2 is nothing but
covers of then-current Motown tunes, so there's Keith & Tex with a version
of Don't Look Back that sounds like it was taken note for note by
Peter Tosh for his '78 hit version. Also a fine version of I Can't Help
Myself (here called Baby Baby) by The Clarendonians, & the
great Harry J All-Stars (of "Liquidator" fame) doing My Cherie Amour
& Put A Little Love In Your Heart. There's a bunch of instrumental
covers here I've never heard before that would also sound good to "Lounge
Music" collectors, including versions of Words (BeeGees), Love
Is Blue, Puppet On A String, & the great Tommy McCook
doing a version of Spanish Flea called Ska Flea! (GM)
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