New Releases: July
2010 -> March 2011
Ethnic & World Music
Laurel Aitken -> Lawrence Walker
| JAMAICA |
LAUREL AITKEN |
Pressure Drop 10 |
Voodoo Woman |
$15.98 |
25 tracks, 72 mins, highly recommended
The follow-up
to Pressure Drop's 2009 collection "Anthology: Godfather of Ska"
(Pressure Drop 7 - two CD set - $18.98), this compilation brings
together tracks that the Mods (as in "Mods and Rockers", ie
teenagers) liked to dance to at the clubs. Aiken was huge among the
Mods in the early and mid-60's and many of these tracks were
recorded in 1966, a very prolific year for him singles-wise. With
these tracks, we can hear the heavy influence of U.S. R&B and gospel
either directly (Bewildered and Blue) or indirectly (Looking
For My Baby) on the Jamaican root music that was lapped up by
the hipsters of the time. Since the focus of this CD is dancing, it
makes a fine companion to the earlier collection and a must have for
the serious Ska collector. (GMC)
|
| CAJUN |
CHRISTINE BALFA |
Valcour 890 |
Plays The Triangle |
$6.98 |
13 tracks, 56 min., see review
What can be said
about an album of triangle solos that hasn't already been said by
Dick Cheney's waterboarding team? Yes, Christine Balfa comes from a
distinguished Cajun music family. But, and this is important, this
CD is a joke. I don't mean that it is terrible, which it is. I mean
it is meant as a joke, a jest, an intended gag gift. This album is
every bit as appealing as listening to a metronome run down. The
clues (aside from the music itself) that it is a joke on (among
others) stodgy musicologist types include overwrought liner notes by
"Dirk Powell, Expert." That's right, his official title is "expert,"
ladies and gentlemen. Or how about the note that informs listeners
that "Christine plays a vintage 1986 Don Montoucet Triangle."
Really? Vintage 1986? So, give this to that special someone who's
just stuffy enough to try to explain why this is an enchanting and
transcendent musical experience. Or get it as an obligation gift for
people you dislike. They will never be sure if it was meant to
torture them or if they just don't get it. Get it? (JC)
|
| CUBA |
CELIA CRUZ |
Nascente 025 |
Cuba's Queen Of Song, 1950-1965 |
$15.98 |
2CD, 57 tracks, highly recommended
Celia Cruz was
one of the most recognizable faces in Latin music with a large
catalog to match; this latest collection compiles her early work
with the band La Sonora Matancera (the Latin version of the Duke
Ellington Orchestra), who she sang with for 15 years and who
recorded for the American label Seeco. The first disc contains son
and guaracha classics from La Sonora, including hits like
Burundanga and Caramelos. While the second, although
there are more cuts from La Sonora, focuses on little heard tracks
Cruz cut in the mid 60's with the bands of Rene Hernandez and
Vicentico Valdes. All of these songs put together give a fair
overview of this phase of Cruz's career, before she went solo and
began working with Tito Puente. Any respectable music collection of
Latin music has to contain some Celia Cruz - one of the most
influential singers ever - and this compilation, with its excellent
liner notes and crisp sound, is a good place to start. (GMC)
|
| CAJUN |
THE MAGNOLIA
SISTERS |
Arhoolie 538 |
Stripped Down |
$12.98 |
16 tracks, 48 min., highly recommended
Despite the
cover photo of four dresses hanging on a clothes line near a lake,
the stripping here refers to the sisters' sound, which is described
as "Cajun music played stripped down, no bells no whistles."
Guitars, fiddles, accordions, basses, egg shakers, triangles,
banjos, rubboards, yes. Bells and whistles, no. This is Cajun music
for people who love Cajun music and for those who don't even like
it, if any such there are. It's almost a shame to categorize such
beautiful and spirited music. How could anyone not be charmed by
Grand Texas or Waltz Of The Bayou or Tap Dance/
Bernadette? A treat, with or without clothes. (JC)
|
| AFRICA-SOUTH AFRICA |
THE MANHATTAN
BROTHERS |
Stern's Africa 3013 |
Their Greatest Hits, 1948-1959 |
$15.98 |
20 tracks, 53 mins, highly recommended
Available
again. Wonderful collection of 20 sides by the most popular South
African vocal group of the 1950s. Their music was a blend of African
American jazz and vocal group stylings, a dash of rock 'n' roll and
a South African sensibility and is truly delghtful. Several songs
are sung in English a couple of songs features the group
accompanying Miriam Mekba. Set comes with superb 20 page booklet
with detailed and very interesting notes by compiler Rob Alligham.
(FS)
|
| CAJUN |
DENNIS MCGEE |
Valcour 011 |
Himself |
$13.98 |
33 tracks, 42 min., recommended
McGee recorded
between 1927-1934 with Angelas LeJeune, Amede Ardoin, and by the
time of this recording, had faded into obscurity. When Gerard Dole
found him in Southwest Louisiana in 1975, McGee was operating a
furniture store and working as a barber. Dole, who traveled with a
Nagra III reel-to-reel recorder, set up his equipment and McGee took
over, playing dozens of songs, many of which had been previously
lost to time, or at least misplaced. A fascinating document of
historical importance, to be sure, this recording includes McGee's
comments (thought not in English) between songs such as Rosalie/
Contredanse/ La Valse Du Cow-Boy/ Corina Corina/ Jim Crow Ou Galop/
Fais Dodo, among others; but, for the casual fan, this may be a
bit too unvarnished and "authentic," what with the coughing and sour
notes and such. (JC)
|
| AFRICA-GHANA |
PSYCHEDELIC ALIENS |
Academy 5 |
The Psycho African Beat |
$15.98 |
8 tracks, 24 mins, highly recommended
This is a
beautifully packaged, extensively researched, astutely put together
CD that collects all of 8 tracks by a band that I'm sure at least
99% of you have never heard of! Nice to see this kind of thing still
happening nowadays, but is it worth all of the fuss? Well it sure is
a fun and funky little gem that fans of Afro-Beat as well as obscure
Funk and Soul will probably dig. The Psychedelic Aliens must have
seemed like they were from outer-space; not a whole lot of people in
Ghana in the Late '60s and early '70s could have been hip enough to
appreciate what they had in their own front yard. In 1973 the film
"Shaft In Africa" was made, the third in the popular Blaxploitation
series; if the band hadn't been already broken up for a couple years
by that point, they could have provided the perfect soundtrack. The
Aliens managed to get a couple singles out, but couldn't go the
distance, like so many classic Music legends. The lengthy liner
notes provided by bandleader Carl Ricky Telfer will tell the whole
story. (JM)
|
| JAMAICA |
MAX ROMEO |
Esoldun 705 |
Wet Dream |
$10.98 |
15 tracks, recommended
Deleted - limited stock. 12
tracks by Max Romeo plus tracks from Bunny Lee All Stars, Derrick
Morgan and Soul Syndicate. It includes his 1968 double entendre hit
Wet Dream which was banned by the BBC (Max claimed it was
about a leaky roof) and in a similar vein Pussy Watchman and
Derrick Morgan's My Dickie which is even less subtle. Most of
the rest are more straightforward reggae tracks with songs about
love and local culture and several political songs which was to
point the way to his future career as a musical spokesman for
Rastafarianism. The Tracks by Bunny Lee All Stars and Soul Syndicate
are fine reggae instrumentals. (FS)
|
| JAMAICA |
ROY SHIRLEY |
Trojan 80424 |
Music Is The Key - The Anthology,
1967-1975 |
$22.98 |
2003 release. Two CD set with 40 tracks from this
rocksteady/ reggae star - Hold Them/ Touch Them (Never Let Them
Go)/ Girlie/ Fantastic Lover/ Dance The Reggay/ Bright Life/
Prophecy Fulfilling/ Don't Do That/ Dance Of Love/ Wonderful People/
Prayer From The Priest, Parts 1 & 2, etc.
|
| GREECE |
MARKOS VAMVAKARIS |
JSP JSPCD 77132 |
Complete Recordings,1932-1937 Plus
Selections From 1938 |
$28.98 |
Another fantastic box set of Greek
rembetika music from JSP compiled and annotated by Charles Howard.
Four CDs with 85 songs from one of the giants of rembetika music.
With his gruff vocal style he brings to mind a Greek Howlin' Wolf! Vamvakaris was one of the seminal figures in rembetika music who
helped popularize the use of the bouzouki in Greek music. The
recordings generally featuring Markos and his bouzouki backed by a
small group of string players and an occasional female vocalist.
|
| NORTENO |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Arhoolie 367 |
Ballads & Corridos, 1949-1975 |
$12.98 |
22 tracks, 69 min., highly recommended
Anyone with
even a passing interest in narco-corridos or Mexican /
Mexican-American history should be drawn to this excellent Arhoolie
release. The celebration of famous and infamous figures of Mexico
via song is carefully traced and examined here by Professor James
Nicolopulos in his scholarly and fascinating booklet notes. (The
transcriptions and translations of the songs are included on the
CD.) Subject matter includes local violent criminals, the Kennedy
assassination, Martin Luther King's assassination, the death of
Caryl Chessman in San Quentin's gas chamber, striking farm workers,
and much more. One of the more curious additions comes from Los
Magnifikos (written by Arnaldo & Rafael Ramirez) which takes as its
subject the kidnapping of Patty Hearst. It is apparently drawn from
an entire LP of Hearst corridos. Artists include Juanita y Maria
Mendoza, Los Nortenos de Teran, Los Desveladores, Meme y Lupe
Cardenas, Los Bravos de Matamoros, Los Oros del Valle, Dueto
Reynosa, and many others. Sound quality is uniformly fine. An
interesting find! (JC)
|
| CAJUN |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Bear Family BCD 17206 |
Acadian All Star Special - Cajun
Recordings of J.D. Mil |
$97.98 |
Incredible three CD set with 78 tracks
and 80 page hard cover book featuring recordings of Cajun music made
between 1946 and 1959 for legendary Crowley, Louisiana record
producer J.D. Miller and issued on his Fais-Do-Do and Feature.
Miller is best known for his classic blues recordings released on
Excello (Slim Harpo, Lightnin' Slim, Lazy Lester, etc). Information
on these Cajun recordings has been very sketchy and many of the
recordings are exceedingly rare and most are making their first
appearance on LP or CD! The material ranges from the simple fiddle
and guitar records of "Doc" Guidry and "Happy" Fats to the raucous
sides of Robert Bertrand and the Lake Charles Playboys. Included
here are the first recordings of Jimmy Newman, Terry Clement's
original recording of Diggy Diggy Lo and Papa Cairo's Big
Texas - the song that was adapted by Hank Williams as
Jamabalaya. Other artists include Jimmy Choates & The Melody
Boys, Austin Pete (Pitrie) & His Evangeline Playboys, Amidie Breaux
& The Acadian Aces, Lionel Cormier & His Sundown Playboys, Abe
Manual & His Louisiana Hillbillies and others. Cajun music expert
Lyle Ferbach, who wrote the book, tracked down as many survivors and
relatives to interview. The book is crammed with rare photos, label
shots and includes full discographical information.
ROBERT BERTRAND & THE LAKE CHARLES PLAYBOYS: Drunkard's Two Step/
Lost Love Waltz/ AMIDIE BREAUX & HIS BAND: Hard Luck Waltz/ Hey,
Mom!/ AMIDIE BREAUX & THE ACADIAN ACES: Acadian Two Step/ Criminal
Waltz/ Jole Blonde/ Poor Hobo/ PEE WEE BROUSSARD & HIS MELODY BOYS:
Chere Tu Tu/ Creole Stomp/ Le Valse De Bayou Blanc/ M&S Special/ The
Pee Wee Special/ The Waltz That Carried Me To The Grave/ JIMMY
CHOATES & HIS MELODY BOYS: Chere Meon/ Petite Negress/ TERRY CLEMENT
& HIS RHYTHMIC FIVE: Diggy Liggy Lo/ Le Valse De Te Maurice/ LIONEL
CORMIER & HIS SUNDOWN PLAYBOYS: Sundown Playboys Special/ Welcome
Club Waltz/ JIMMY DURBIN & THE COUNTRY BOYS: Drunkard Waltz/ Fais Do
Do Two Step/ CHUCK GUILLORY & HIS BOYS: Oakdale Waltz/ Walfus Two
Step/ CHUCK GUILLORY & HIS RHYTHM BOYS: Chuck's Waltz/ Teiyut Two
Step/ HAPPY & DOCTOR AND THE HADACOL BOYS: Crowley Two Step/ La
Valse De Hadacol/ HAPPY, DOC & THE BOYS: Allons Dance Colinda/ Bayou
La-Fourche/ Chere Cherie/ Dans La Platin/ Don't Hang Around/ Fais Do
Do Breakdown/ Gabriel Waltz/ Is It Too Late To Cry/ La Cravat/ My
Sweetheart's My Buddy's Wife/ New Jolie Blond/ Setre Chandelle/
Somehow You Don't Care/ Sothe Fermon/ LEBLANC & ADAMS AND THE
VERMILLION PLAY: Chere Petite Brun/ Vermillion Two Step/ ABE MANUEL
& HIS LOUISIANA HILLBILLIES: Country Gentleman (French)/ Country
Girl/ Hippy-Ti-Yo/ I've Got Your Heart Locked Up (French)/ CLEVELAND
MIRE & THE JOLLY BOYS: Hudson Breakdown/ Prison Waltz/ JIMMY NEWMAN
& THE RHYTHM BOYS: (I Know Now That) I've Made A Big Mistake/ I
Don't Know What I'm Going To Do/ PAPA CAIRO & HIS BOYS: Big Texas
(English)/ Big Texas (French)/ AUSTIN PETE & HIS EVANGELINE
PLAYBOYS: Chatatinia Waltz/ Evangeline Playboys Special/ High Point
Two Step/ Redell Waltz/ AUSTIN PETE & THE LOUISIANA RHYTHMAIRES:
Janot Special/ La Valse De Chagrin/ Prison Two Step/ ALDUS ROGER &
LAFAYETTE PLAYBOYS: Hix Wagon Wheel Special/ Love Sick Waltz/ Mardi
Gras Dance/ The Lafayette Playboys Waltz/ LEE SONNIER & HIS ACADIAN
ALL STARS: Acadian All Star Special/ Along The River/ Cankton Two
Step/ Chere Catan/ Chere Eci Et Cher Laba/ Dans Les Grand Meche/ La
Blues De Cajin/ War Widow Waltz/ LOUIS SPELL & HIS FRENCH
SERENADERS: Lover's Waltz/ The Fifty Cent Song/ THE VETERAN
PLAYBOYS: Chinaball Special/ Eunice Waltz
|
| ETHIOPIA |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Buda 82222 |
Ethiopiques, Vol. 10 - Tezeta |
$15.98 |
13 tracks, 75 min., highly recommended
Volume 10 in
the Buda Records (1969-1978) reissue program turns its attention to
music for dark nights of the soul. The subtitle is "Ethiopian Blues
& Ballads," and the selections do possess a wistfulness and
melancholy that transcends language, although the lyrics appear in
English in the booklet. One song contains the line, "I have lost my
health; you are my disease." Another says, "Everyone trips you, but
no-one helps you to pick yourself up." Cheery stuff. Blame it on
love. One of the standouts here, Mahmoud Ashmed's proto-downtempo
Tezeta clocks in at 12:25 and still leaves listeners wanting
more. It's a miniature soundtrack to despair that brings magical
relief for the miserable. Ahmed himself is described in the booklet
notes as "the Ethiopian artist least unknown to the western public."
Yes. Nicely put. Other artists include Frew Hayloe, Alemayehu
Eshete, Menelik Weesnatchew, Getatchew Kassa, Muluqen Mellesse,
among others. Impressive. (JC)
|
| AFRICA-MISCELLANEOUS |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Discograph 1846060 |
Africa- 50 Years Of Music, 1960-2010 |
$129.98 |
Amazing 18 CD box set celebrating 50 years of
African independence with 50 years worth of music. Three CDs each
each from West, Southern, East, Central, North and Lusophone
(Portugese speaking) Africa - almost 17 hours of music drawn from 38
different African nations. 185 performances by 183 different artists
from all part of this massive continent including such legendary
names as Miriam Makeba, Alpha Blondy, Fela Kuti, Mory Kante, Youssou
N'Dour, Toure Kunda, Franco, Abdullah Ibrahim, Cheb Khaled, Thomas
Mapfumo, Cesaria Evora, Aster Aweke, Mulatu Astatke, Salif Keita,
Manu Dibango, Oum Kalsoum and many others. The tracks, licensed from
some of the world's most respected record companies, are all
original studio recordings or, in a few cases, famous concert
performances. Most of them were made in the 50 years from 1960 to
2010 - the main era of African independence - but two landmark
Egyptian classics date from the 1940s. Many of these songs are known
and loved worldwide: Pata Pata/ Soul Makossa/ Yeke Yeke/ Sweet
Mother/ Mario/ Shakara/ Jive Soweto while many others will be
revelations to even the most dedicated record collectors. Packaged
in a 5 1/2" X 11" long box with a 76-page book of photographs,
record cover reproductions, specially-commissioned artwork and
essays by experts on each of Africa's popular styles. A perfect
place to start a collection of African music.
|
| HAWAII |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Golden Stars 5418 |
Hawaiian Treasures |
$18.98 |
Three CD set with 48 tracks. An entertaining and
wide ranging collection of Hawaiian music including slack key, steel
guitar and more popular type stylings. No notes or recording
information but it sounds like the material ranges from the 20s
through the 60s and includes a number of tracks not available
elsewhere. Includes sides by Sol Ho'opi Trio, Gabby Pahinui, King
Nawahi's Hawaiians, Kalama's Quartet, Haleloke, Tau Moe & His
Original Hawaiians, Kanui & Lula, Andy Iona & His Islanders, Sol K.
Bright & His Hollywaiians, Joe Keawe & The Lei, Andy Cummings & His
Hawaiian Serenaders, Henry Kaalekaahi and others. Sound is fine.
JOHN K. ALMEIDA & JOE KEAWE'S HARMONY HAWAIIANS: Heeia/ JOHN K.
ALMEIDA & JULIA NUI'S KAMA'AINAS: On The Beach At Waikiki/ PUA
ALMEIDA & RANDY ONESS' SELECT HAWAIIAN S: Ku'u Ipo Pua Rose/ ALFRED
APAKA: Aloha Oe/ Twilight In Hawaii/ Two Shadows On the Sand/
Makalupa/ SOL K. BRIGHT & HIS HOLLYWAIIANS: Papio/ SOL K. BRIGHT'S
HOLLYWAIIANS: Hawaiian Cowboy/ La Rosita/ ANDY CUMMINGS & HIS
HAWAIIAN SERENADERS: Kaimana Hila/ Maui Girl/ HOOT GIBSON: Mai Givee
(Don't Give It Away)/ HALELOKE: Alekoki/ SOL HO'OPII & HIS HAWAIIAN
QUARTETTE: Hula Girl/ SOL HO'OPII & HIS NOVELTY FOUR: Iniki Malie/
SOL HO'OPII TRIO: Palolo/ HONOLULU POLICE GLEE CLUB: Ulili E/ ANDY
IONA & HIS ISLANDERS: Minnehaha (Hawaiian Stomp)/ Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wa-I/
HENRY KAALEKAAHI: Ho'okipa Paka-Maunawili Medley/ KALAMA'S QUARTET:
He Manao He Aloha/ Lei E/ Sassy/ Tu-Tu-E, Tu-Tu-Hoi/ ALVIN KALEOLANI
ISAACS & HIS ROYAL HAWAIIANS: Aloha Ku'u Pua/ DOROTHY KALIMA & THE K
SISTERS: Ali'ipoe/ KANUI & LULA: Tomi, Tomi/ GENOA KEAWE & HER HULA
MAIDS: Nani Wai'ale'ale/ GENOA KEAWE & JOHN K. ALMEIDA'S HAWAIIANS:
Maile Swing/ JOE KEAWE & THE LEI: Papalina Lahilahi/ MABEL KEKINO &
THE K SISTERS: Puamana/ JACOB K. MAKA & JOHN K. ALMEIDA'S HAWAIIANS:
Ka Wai O Namolokama/ TAU MOE & HIS ORIGINAL HAWAIIANS: Hula Blues/
Little Brown Girl/ TAU MOE & LANI MOE: Hilo Hattie/ GEORGE NAOPE &
GENOA KEAWE: Hupe Kole/ KING NAWAHI'S HAWAIIAN BEACH COMBERS:
Hawaiian Me/ KING NAWAHI'S HAWAIIANS: I Went To Hilo/ May Day is Lei
Day In Hawaii/ Ticklin' the Strings/ KING NAWAII'S HAWAIIANS: Mauna
Kea/ JOHNNY NOBLE & HIS HAWAIIAN MUSIC: Hilo E/ Lei Ohu/ GABBY
PAHINUI: Hula Medley/ Ki Ho'alu/ Wai O Ke Aniani/ PALAKIKO &
PAALUHI: Maui
|
| AFRICA-EAST AFRICA |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Honest Jon's 50 |
Something Is Wrong - Vintage
Recordings From East Africa |
$25.98 |
2CDs, 35 tracks, highly recommended
Once more the
Honest Jon's label brings us exotic music from the early 20th
century; "Something is Wrong" presents recordings drawn from EMI's
vaults that were recorded in Kenya and Uganda between 1938 and 1957.
These "Native Records" (i.e. recordings that were aimed at native
Africans rather than the white colonialists or communities of Indian
traders and clerks) were pressed by EMI in England and returned for
sale in East Africa. These recordings constitute, more or less, the
popular music of the day and fall into three types of performance:
minstrelsy, percussion-based ensembles, and taarab. Minstrels,
typified by Ssekinomu on Wireless and Ali & Party on Enyi
Wa Hiari, were often social commentators as much as they were
entertainers and usually accompanied themselves on stringed
instruments, especially lyres. Taarab is characterized by lilting
melodies that are usually provided by violins or Indian harmoniums,
Indian or Arabic percussion, and sometimes an Arabic oud; Jumbe
Ali's Silwezi Tabu and Badi & Party's Wangu Mliwazi.
As for the percussion bands-like Florence, Wasonga Muga, and Oluoch
for example-they often played at parties or other celebrations and
the upbeat-in every sense-music reflects that distinction. As is
often the case with recordings from Africa, the sound quality is not
of the greatest fidelity but this is an invaluable record of
musicians that very little is known about. And it's fun to listen to
too. (GMC)
|
| CUBA |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Not Now 361 |
Cafe Cuba - 50 Original Cuban
Classics |
$9.98 |
2 CDs, 50 tracks, highly recommended
This excellent
compilation of Cuban music contains examples of many of the
different styles that have emerge from the island during the last
century-guajira, son, salsa, rumba, mambo, and latin jazz-as played
by the most important and bands and artists of Cuban music's golden
years, including Abelardo Barroso, Sonora Matancera (featuring Celia
Cruz on Melao De Cana), Perez Prado, Tito Puente, Beny More,
and Mongo Santamaria. Other highlights include early work from
future Buena Vista Social Club members Omara Portuondo, Ruben
Gonzalez, Ibrahim Ferrer, and Compay Segundo, as well as treats like
the first rumba song- El Manisero-performed here by Antonio
Machin. The liner notes could have been a tad more comprehensive,
but every major player in Cuban music is present and accounted for
which makes this a perfect place for the novice to start or for a
fan to get a one-stop-shopping CD. (GMC)
|
| CAJUN |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Rounder 6121 |
Louisiana Cajun And Creole Music:
Newport Field Recordings |
$17.98 |
27 tracks, 75 mins, very highly recommended
Terrific
collection of traditional Cajun and Creole music collected by
folklorist Ralph Rinzler on behalf of the Newport Folk Foundation
between 1964 and 1966 and previously available on two of Rounder's
first Cajun CDs. The first 7 tracks are vintage Balfa Brothers
material with at times 3 fiddlers (Dewey, Will & Rodney) plus the
triangle of Harry or Nelda Balfa, accordion by Hadley Fontenot and
guitar by Rodney Balfa. There are three tracks by superb singer and
fiddler Austin Pitre - two of them recorded live at a dance with a
band including a version of his most famous song Les Flammes
D'Enfer. Edius Naquin was the oldest performer here and
performed in the oldest style with just vocal and fiddle - four
beautiful performances. There are five tracks here devoted to creole
musicians Alphonse 'Bois Sec' Ardoin and Canray Fontenot, on
accordion and fiddle respectively. Canray is in especially fine form
on Jug Au Plombeau (Bottle on the Saddlehor). Singer and
harmonica player Isom Fonenot is featured one track accompanied by
fiddler Aubrey DeVille and guitarist Preston Manuel who have a track
to themselves. The disc ends with five tracks by the exciting duo of
Adam & Cyprien Landreneau with vocals, accordion and fiddle plus
Dewey Balfa on triangle. They perform in an uncompromising
traditional style with raw abandon. Complementing the music is a
superb 84 page booklet which is a pdf file on the disc with in depth
notes, photos, lyric transcripts annd more. Wonderful stuff. (FS)
|
| AFRICA-SOUTH AFRICA |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Sony (South Africa) 68783-2 |
Celebrate The Best Of South African
Traditional Folk Music |
$10.98 |
14 tracks, 58 min., recommended
No, that's not
Swahili on the back tray card, it's a typographical disaster. So
while track 10 is correctly listed as Long Ago by Kwa Shaka
Dynamics in the booklet, the tray card gives the track as number 21
and the song title as !MPOH!BHP as by LXB!TIBLB!EZOBNJDT. You
get the idea. One could also fuss with the album title, since this
collection has little business with "traditional folk music," at
least as that phrase is commonly understood. The good news it that,
like other volumes in this series, the album is full of wonderful
music. If the Boyoyo Boys' Alex Corner doesn't bring you to
your feet, there may be a little tag tied around your big toe.
Likewise for the tracks by Vusi Ximba (Amazambane), Dilika (Lomhlaba),
Impumelelo (Imikhuba), Abagqobhi (Ngiyaifun'imali Yami),
and more. Fans of Paul Simon's Graceland should find much to get
happy about here. A great little various artists oddity. (JC)
|
| AFRICA-SOUTH AFRICA |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Sony (South Africa) 68786-2 |
Celebrate The Best Of South African
Jazz |
$10.98 |
14 tracks, 76 min., recommended
Those looking for a
little education with their South African jazz will have to keep
looking, as the booklet offers nothing more than song titles,
artists names, and song writing credits. But if Sony cheaped out on
the notes, they at least sprang for some quality tunes, including
Phatha Phatha by the Elite Singers, the aptly titled Smooth
Survivor by Four Forty, the uplifting Maru A Pula by the
always impressive Letta Mbulu, and many more. Sometimes the jazz is
glass smooth, sometimes it gets a bit feisty, but it's always
completely accessible. Superstar Sibongile Khumalo is represented by
a live performance of her Township Medley, which is anything
but quiet. Perhaps the best known artist here is Hugh Masekela, But
the finest moment belongs to Jonas Gwangwa for his sparkling
Kgomo, with the instrumental Township Dance by Oupa
Makhubela a close second. A nice starting point for S.A. jazz
exploration, a solid various artists compilation. (JC)
|
| AFRICA-SOUTH AFRICA |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Sony (South Africa) 68849-2 |
Celebrate The Best Of South African
Choral & Gospel |
$10.98 |
14 tracks, 56 min., highly recommended
No
information given with this one, and the artists are pretty obscure
(at least outside of gospel circles in South Africa). Despite a
booklet full of nothing, and singing that is almost never in
English, the music is irresistible. Sure, I can only guess at what
they may be saying, but whatever it is, it sounds life affirming and
joyous. So, Masibuyele Ku Jehova may very well be singing about Dick
Cheney's political legacy on Abantu Balibele, I chose to
believe it is a song of religious affirmation and life eternal.
Other artists include Pongola Gospel Wagon, Avante, Vuyo Mokoena,
Rebone Kgotso, Jabu Hlongwane, Derrick Ndzimande, among others. A
little mysterious in origin, but a bit of a find. (JC)
|
| CHINA |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Sublime Frequencies 057 |
Ethnic Minority Music Of Northwest
Xinjiang, China |
$16.98 |
17 tracks, 61 mins, highly recommended
Superb field
recordings of traditional music collected by Laurent Jeanneau and
Shi Tanding in the northwest corner of China's Xinjiang province
during the weeks leading up to the volatile Uyghur uprising of 2009.
The recordings, preserved here, display several unique varieties of
traditional Islamic folk music with traces of Arabic, Persian, and
Turkish influences heard throughout. The players are Kazakh, Uyghur,
Kirgiz and Mongol Erut musicians performing on a wide array of local
stringed instruments including topchar (2 nylon string instrument),
komuz (3 string fretless plucked instrument), dongbar (2 stringed
plucked lute), satar (1 stringed bowed instrument with 12 side
strings) and others. Most of the performances are solo instrumentals
with occasional vocals and one duet and one trio performance. The
music is powerful, haunting and beautiful and accessible to Western
ears. The CD comes with a 16-page full-color booklet featuring
photos of the musicians and informative liner notes chronicling the
journey and trials in making these recordings, notes on the
musicians, instruments and performances. Sound quality is superb.
(FS)
|
| AFRICA-GUINEE |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Syllart 6129872 |
African Pearls: Vol. 2 - Guinee -
Cultural Revolution |
$22.98 |
Two CDs, 25 tracks, very highly recommended
"Guinean
music was in the vanguard of African music -- it was the musical
beacon of Africa." These words by Maestro Mitoura Traor beautifully
reflect the importance and influence of the renowned Guinean bands
of the 1960s and 70s. Traor was a trailblazer as the leader of
Horoya Band National, one of the first Guinean bands formed after
independence in 1958. Horoya Band National, as well as other bands
such as Balla et ses Balladins, Kltigui et ses Tambourinis, and
Super Boiro Band (all featured here) were forerunners of the
"cultural revolution," whose official objective was to modernize
traditional Guinean music and to restore national pride and dignity.
This cultural revolution, like many other radical events in Africa
during the 1950s and '60s, found its roots in the fight for
independence. A very diverse collection is featured here, covering
the period from just before independence through 1986. In addition
to the aforementioned groups the material ranges from a flute
instrumental by Ensemble Instrumental du Mali to some small group
acoustic string groups like African Virtuoses and Virtuoses Diabate
to the wonderful electric group Bemebeya Jazz National featuring the
amazing and legendary guitarist Sekou Diabate aka "Diamond Fingers."
There are also tracks by South African female singer-in-exile Miriam
Makeba, legendary Guinean saxophonist Momo Wandel and much more.
Includes a 24-page booklet with full-color photos and notes in
English and French. Wonderful music. (FS)
|
| AFRICA-MALI |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Syllart 6130132 |
African Pearls: Vol. 3 - Mali - One
Day On Radio Mali |
$22.98 |
Two CDs, 22 tracks, 146 mins, highly recommended
Following independence in 1960 and the establishment of Radio Mali
the Malian government actively and financially supported music (now
there's a concept!). Radio Mali made recordings of musicians from
all over Mali representing the diverse styles - old and new - in
this huge country of over ten million inhabitants. Unfortunately not
all these recordings survived but in the 1980s a selection were
issued as a series of five albums which forms the basis of this
gorgeous two CD collection which features recordings made between
1965 and 1985. The first disc is mostly rural performers - solo or
small groups, usually featuring instruments like the kora, balafon,
ngonmi and percussion. The kora duet from Siki Diabate and Djelimadi
Sissiki is a truly and haunting shimmering instrumental. The second
disc is devoted to the larger "Orchestras" some of which were to
provide the jumping off for some musicians who were to achieve
worldwide acclaim and fame like Salif Keita (who is heard here with
Les Ambassadeurs du Motel and The Rail Band), Zani Diabate (singing
and playing superb guitar with Super Djata de Bamako) and Kasse Mady
(with National Badema). It also includes tracks by The "A" National
Orchestra (formed the day after independence and the first Malian
group to play electric instruments) and various regional bands. Two
sides of Malian - both very different and both very wonderful. (FS)
|
| AFRICA-SENEGAL |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Syllart 6131572 |
African Pearls, Vol. 4: Senegal -
The Teranga Spirit |
$22.98 |
Two CDs, 30 tracks, highly recommended
Another
superb collection of African music from the 60s and 70s - this time
from Senegal and the adjacent nation of The Gambia. Most of disc one
features traditional stylings focusing on powerful declamatory
vocal stylings with accompaniments by percussion and various
stringed instruments including kora, xalam, ngoni and guitar. It
includes a track by legendary griot Ndiaga Mbaye - a brilliant
singer, philosopher and poet who was so influential on the Senegalese
music scene that Youssou Ndour dedicated his 2005 Grammy to him. In
the 60s Senegal, like other West African nations, became entranced
by Cuban music and many bands performed rumba and salsa influenced
music represented here by the great Orchestra Baobob, Star Number
One (featuring the gruff voiced vocalist Papa Seck) and others. In
the mid 70s, Senegalese musicians started to integrate traditional
rhythmic structures and instruments into the music and adding
elements of American soul and funk resulting in a musical style
called mbalax featured here by such great musicians as Ouza Diallo,
Ifang Bondi, The Star Band and others. A wonderfully exciting and
varied collection.
|
| AFRICA-CONGO |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Syllart 6139342 |
African Pearls: Congo 70 - Rumba
Rock |
$22.98 |
Two CDs, 23 tracks, highly recommended
This volume
in this great series features recordings from Congo in the 70s. The
influence of Cuban music was waning and the style that developed was
called "rumba rock" and it's powerful rhythms and ringing electric
guitar work influenced many other orchestras on the African
continent. This set features some of the legendary and influential
Congolese artists like Franco et OK Jazz, his rival Tabuley
Rochereau (his 10 minute Maze is a fantastic tour de force of
great singing and guitar playing with some hot tenor sax thrown in
for good measure)), the iconoclastic Papa Wemba et Viva la Musica,
the amazing Dr. Nico with his truly sublime Hawaiian guitar playing,
Zaiko Langa Langa and other less well known but very fine artists.
This CD is loaded with sensuous irresistible rhythms, haunting
vocals with gorgeous harmonies and dynamite guitar playing. (FS)
|
| AFRICA-GUINEE |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Syllart 6140252 |
African Pearls: Guinee 70 - The
Discotheque Years |
$22.98 |
Two CDs, 25 tracks, very highly recommended
Another
fabulous collection of African music - this time Guinea which
achieved it's independence from France in 1958 and for 26 years was
ruled by Marxist dictator Sekou Toure who put great emphasis on
boosting Guinea's pride, both on a cultural and spiritual level. His
party sponsored numerous local, federal and national orchestras who
produced some of Africa's greatest and most influential music in the
1970s when the recordings here were made. The music made in Guinea
drew on local traditions, Afro-Cuban, pop, rhythm & blues and rock
influences. Powerful lead singers, wonderful vocal harmonies and
instrumental arrangements including hard driving horn sections,
dynamic guitar work and in the case of the Super Boiro Band some
amazing organ work. The traditional balafon is heard in the
recordings by Horoya Band National and Sopry Kandia Kouyate and the
rock influences make their presence felt in the incredible music of
Pivi & Ses Balladins who's Samba is considered one of
Guinea's best dance tracks ever with it's incredibly propulsive
rhythm, fuzz guitar and soaring horn work. You'd need to have a
strong heart to dance to this one! Lots of other great artists are
here including the venerable Bembeya Jazz National featuring the
twinkling guitar of Sekou Diabate, Camayenne Sofa, Kaloum Star, Tele
Jazz De Teleme and others. Another wonderful and indispensible
collection. (FS)
|
| AFRICA-MALI |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Syllart 6141132 |
African Pearls: Mali 70 - Electric
Mali |
$22.98 |
Two CDs, 24 tracks, very highly recommended
The
second collection of music from Mali continues the trend of the
second disc on the first collection featuring bands and orchestras -
some that started in the 60s and others in the 70s. The musicians
had amplified their guitars, acquired electric organs, recruited
fantastic lead singers and expanded and sharpened their horn
sections. I'm not normally an enthusiast for the electric organ but
the musicians here play it in a whole different and immensely
appealing way - listen to the incredible solo on Djama by
Idrissa Soumaoro whose band also includes a young Amadou Bagayoko of
future Amadou & Mariam fame. Some of the groups like The Rail Band
(featuring the great albino vocalist Salif Keita), The Super Djata
(with revolutionary guitar stylist Zani Diabate), National Badema
(with Kasse Mafy on vocals) and others became well known outside
Africa while others here are more obscure, sometime having recorded
only one single or LP. There's one treasure after another to
discover here in this incredibly varied selection and in addition to
exceptional guitar and electric organ playing some tracks also
feature hot saxophone solos. Riveting, haunting and shimmering music
that really gets under your skin. (FS)
|
| ARMENIA |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Traditional Crossroads 4279 |
Armenians On 8th Avenue |
$15.98 |
22 tracks, highly recommended
1996 release. Reissue
of 22 sides recorded in the 40s for small local labels featuring
Armenian-Turkish musicians popular with the Armenians who thronged
the many Armenian clubs on 8th Avenue in New York in the 1940s and
50s. The music is vibrant featuring mostly traditional instruments
like the ud, kanun, violin and clarinet - the material includes
popular songs as well as more classical pieces featuring gazels
(vocal improvisations). All the songs are sung in Turkish. Although
not well known outside the Armenian community it includes legendary
performers like Kanuni Garbis, Marko Melkon, "Sugar Mary" Vartanian
and others. Sound quality is superb and there is a 28 page booklet
with informative notes and song lyrics in Turkish and English. (FS)
|
| TURKEY |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Traditional Crossroads 4280 |
Women Of Istanbul |
$15.98 |
24 tracks, 77 mins, highly recommended
1998 release.
Superb collection of songs by Turkish female singers recorded
between 1929 and 1953 with the majority being from the 1930s. There
were a vast range of musical styles in Turkey in the period and this
collection focuses on the folk repertoire (turku), light classical
songs (sarkt) and light urban lieder (canto) which became the
popular music of Istanbul's nightclubs and theaters. Most of the
singers here are little known in the West with the the exception of
Roza Eskenazi who was born in Istanbul and moved to Greece in 1920
where she became one of Greece's rembetika singers. Singing is
haunting, often with vocal choruses echoing the lead vocal and
instrumentation includes violin, oud, kanaun and other instruments.
Sound quality is superb, most tracks taken from original metal
masters and 40 page booklet gives extensive background information,
notes on the performers and photos of most of them as well as lyric
transcripts in Turkish and English. (FS)
|
| MISCELLANEOUS |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Trikont 326 |
Stranded In The USA - Early Songs Of
Emigration |
$18.98 |
26 tracks, very highly recommended
Back in stock at
a lower price. Beautifully compiled collection of recordings of
ethnic music made between 1928 and 1959 on the subject of emigration
to America and the immigrant experience here. Includes Irish, Serbo-Croation, Trinidadian, Polish, Jewish, German, Italian, Greek,
Puerto Rican, Ukrainian, Finnish, Austrian music and more. Sound is
excellent and the set includes two 28 page illustrations booklets
with extensive notes in English and German including background
essays and annotation for all the tracks and German and English
lyric transcripts. (FS)
|
| MEXICO |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Trikont 362 |
Mexican Boleros, Songs Of
Heartbreaking, Passion & Pain |
$18.98 |
20 tracks, 62 mins, highly recommended
The Mexican
Bolero was a sensation throughout Latin America and up into Northern
America (to a certain degree) for about 30 years, starting around
the late 1920s. Actually I'm not really telling the truth there;
there is an actual known date when the Bolero craze started: August
19th 1927, the date when Guty Cardenas played his Nunca for
the "This Is My Country" Mexico song contest. The innovative
Cardenas wowed all in attendance with his passionate and daring new
composition, and by the next day record companies were recording it
using some of the top Opera stars of the day like Carlos Meija and
Margarita Cueto. The classic Bolero is nothing if not melodramatic,
as heard in songs like Vete de Mi (Leave Me Alone) with the
lines "I, who have spent my whole life fighting evil, have arms that
are too exhausted/ No longer can I hold you to me. Therefore leave
me alone." This collection cherry-picks 30 years of classic
recordings to provide 20 tracks worth of fantastic performances by
greats like Fernando Rosas, Lupita Palomera, Pedro Vargus, Hermanas
Aguila, Agustin Lara, Pedro Infante, etc. (JM)
|
| JAMAICA |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Trojan TJDDD 313 |
Dip & Fall Back - Classic Jamaican
Mento |
$22.98 |
Two CDs, 35 tracks, 120 mins, highly recommended
Not
a new release but not listed before. This is a wonderful reissue of
recordings made between 1955 and 1967 featuring Jamaican mento
music. Mento is a dance style that like much Caribbean music draws
on both African and European influences. It has some similarities to
Trinidadian calypso but is a distinctly Jamaican musical form. The
songs, like calypso, deal with topical events, philosophical
observations and, of course, the joys and tribulations of love.
Instrumental accompaniments are by small groups featuring
instrumentation which includes fife, banjo, guitar, maracas, rumba
box (a form of bass thumb piano), violin, bamboo clarinet and more.
There are some wonderful singers here including Count Lasher, Lord
Lebby, Lord Power, Chin's Calypso Quartet, King Bravo, Lord Jellicoe
and others. With song titles like Dr. Kinsey Report/ Strip Tease/
Talking Parrot/ Cinemascope/ Wrong Impressions Of A Soldier/
Referendum Calypso/ Haile Selassie/ Zombie Jamboree/ Hooliganism
and The Obeah Man you know you're in for a treat. Marie
Bryant's deightful Little Boy was covered by U.S. R&B duo
Mickey & Sylvia as Mommy Out De Light. Sound quality is as
good as can be expected considering that many tracks were recorded
in makeshift studios and fold-out booklet has informative notes by
Jeremy Collingwood. (FS)
|
| JAMAICA |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Trojan 2700584 |
The Trojan Calypso Collection |
$19.98 |
Two CDs, 40 tracks, 115 mins, highly recommended
A
condensed version of the out of print three CD box issued about ten
years ago - "The Trojan Calypso Box." A delightful collection of
Trinidadian calypso, its Jamican cousin mento along with some ska -
all from the 50s and 60s. Includes sides by Count Lasher, Chalie
Binger & His Quartet, Tommy McCook & The Supersonics (two tracks
from this legendary Jamaican instrumental group including an amazing
ska version of Get Me To The Church On Time), Lord Spoon &
David (wonderful music on the cusp of mento and ska), Phyllis
Dillon, Marva Moore & Gaysters, Lord Kitchener, Nora Dean, Lord
Creator, LOrd CRisto (the fabulous Dumb Boy And The Parrot),
Mighty Sparrow, Mister Calypson (a tribute to Muhammad Ali), LOrd
Tanamo, Lord INvader and others. Great music but notes in booklet
are unreadably small. (FS)
|
| CAJUN |
LAWRENCE WALKER |
Swallow 6221 |
The Essential Collection of Lawrence
Walker |
$15.98 |
22 tracks, very highly recommended Lawrence Walker,
born in 1907 in Scott, La., was one of the greatest singers and
accordianists in the early combo style, enjoying great popularity in
the 1930s. He retired in the heyday of the stringbands, to come back
strong in the 50s & 60s. With his smooth, powerful accordian style
and original songs, he packed the dancehalls until his death in
1968. This great collection features some of his best and most
popular waltzes and two-steps recorded for several labels between
1951 and 1962 in the company of his great band The Wandering Aces,
often featuring the twin fiddles of Lionel Leloux and Dick Richard
and some great steel guitar. The earlier Khoury's and Lyric sides
sound a bit rough - a combination of primitive recording conditions
and worn 78s but the beauty and power of Lawrence's music comes
through loud and clear. (FS)
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