tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234536472008-10-16T02:19:22.086+01:00Juju, dub and afro funk outernationalmatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comBlogger220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-4509607696746526752008-10-11T16:24:00.007+01:002008-10-12T12:25:53.956+01:00

Quickly before I head off to Africa and the Middle East I thought I'd share with you some of the tunes making headway at the matsuli headquarters in London. Enjoy it whilst the leaves turn because soon enough the clocks will take us into Winter time. The image above is from a light created by Cape Town artists Brett Murray. You can order these here. I trust the link is still working. 01 Strange

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-31998323501628088962008-10-02T13:45:00.007+01:002008-10-04T14:01:55.785+01:00

A classic LP that sold in vast quantities in Southern African and Australasia but that sank without notice in the States, Europe and the UK. Originally released in 1971 no self respecting record collector would be without a copy of this LP. By the the time television finally arrived in South Africa and sitting around the radio or listening to LPs was consigned to the past I could recite just

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-68576305383626969322008-09-19T18:58:00.014+01:002008-09-20T13:02:41.181+01:00

I was lucky enough to catch up with Analog Africa label boss Samy earlier this summer at Cargo in London for the Soul Jazz Orchestra gig. He had just spend a few days and a bunch of cash getting the tracks for this new Orchestre Poly-Rythmo long player cleaned up. His enthusiasm for all things Poly-Rythmo was clearly evident when talking about the band... "West Africa's best kept secret." And so

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-85460273906891605672008-09-16T09:45:00.005+01:002008-09-16T10:18:10.068+01:00

At long last Cadillac Records have completed the long promised 5-CD retrospective of South Africa's most important Jazz group The Blue Notes. Check your local stores or order on-line from Dusty Groove or Cadillac Records directly. The set includes the Blue Notes Legacy, a live date in South Africa from 1964; Blue Notes For Mongezi, a double-length set recorded after the passing of group

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-23704569844841842962008-09-11T22:03:00.003+01:002008-09-11T22:15:26.845+01:00

Gone so soon after giving us so much. Bheki Mseleku RIP.

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-86580330807997225652008-09-06T13:10:00.009+01:002008-09-06T14:19:41.956+01:00

A massive treat today courtesy of a couple of matsuli friends. This LP was issued in 1977 on the Motella label and includes key vocalists and backing band of mbaqanga's heyday. The compositions are all credited to Robert Bopane and Marks Mankwane and the backing band is almost certainly the Makhona Tshole Band. Tracklisting: 1. Mathari - Mbaqazo Boys 2. Sibata Simabifi -Mbaqazo Boys 3.

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-41548823634610176952008-09-03T11:24:00.006+01:002008-09-04T16:04:47.778+01:00

Thank goodness for the holidays. I got some sunshine in Mallorca along with a car crash, lost keys and an ATM machine that stole my card. No crate digging just sun, sea, good food, some day trips to Deia and Formentor and some relaxation. Already the holidays seem so far away. I'm back into the London groove whinging about the weather, politicians, the recession and other things. So I'm turning

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-79017716866093441152008-08-03T23:42:00.005+01:002008-08-06T08:40:38.987+01:00

I'm headed for some sunshine in the Balearics for the next few weeks. Looks and sounds idyllic. We'll see.

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-85685693658927708032008-08-01T19:32:00.007+01:002008-08-27T07:55:38.202+01:00

The original Kenyan issue ASLP 927. "Ladies and Gentlemen lets go disco. Its disco time with Virunga!" The 1984 Earthworks re-issue. "The first night in town I found the Starlight Club, on stage I found VIRUNGA. It was wonderful to ask my favourite band if they did requests. They said 'yes' and I requested the contents of this album." The 1990 CD Earthworks issue that added two additional

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-52469182817352911902008-07-21T20:01:00.002+01:002008-07-21T20:07:19.611+01:00

Whilst researching the forthcoming South African soul compilation on Matsuli Records I came across the intriguing story of Sharon Tandy. ALEC PALAO over at Ace Records put it like this: "IT READS LIKE a tragic fairy tale: how a full-throated, music-mad young Jewish girl from the suburbs of Johannesburg fell in love with a man of mixed race, and followed him to England, not knowing really what to

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-33825323766627709242008-07-20T19:22:00.003+01:002008-07-20T19:33:42.315+01:00

In which Ibrahim Sylla dispenses with the numbering of the African Pearls series and revisits Congo for some "rumba rock". I'm certain many of you will have these tunes on one or other existing compilation so hats off to the recycling man! Tracks A: 1. Boma l'heure - Franco et OK Jazz 2. Zonga Zonga - Papa Wemba et Viva la Musica 3. Tu m'as décu Chouchou - Dr Nico 4. Tambola Na Mokili -Johnny

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-6744193965172212542008-07-19T12:08:00.007+01:002008-07-19T12:43:15.612+01:00

I returned to the Albany in Deptford last night for the first time since seeing Jali Musa Jawara some 20 years ago. This time round it was for a revelation in brass led and directed by the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. Nice venue, great crowd and a top class band at the height of their powers. Support was provided by Bass Clef, a one man trombone and beats maker. The Sankofa track, recorded for

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-33928080694990040302008-07-18T14:26:00.003+01:002008-07-18T14:34:29.142+01:00

Happy Birthday Madiba!

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-18018189075672512742008-07-17T20:39:00.001+01:002008-07-17T07:27:20.522+01:00

Time again for a matsulidelic mix. Most of these tunes have been on heavy rotation over the past couple of weeks. I hope you enjoy the trip. 01 See Emily Play :: Martha Wainwright The wonderful Syd Barrett-penned tune redone by Martha from her new album where she resolutely steps beyond the shadows of Rufus and her parents. 02 You've Got The Love I Need (F/ Anthony Hamilton) :: Al Green A

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921269478070718832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-53940767428224731842008-07-17T00:32:00.004+01:002008-07-17T00:43:14.934+01:00

Soundway label boss Miles Cleret chats to boss DJ Gilles Peterson about his musical journey. DOWNLOAD SHOW or subscribe to the Gilles Peterson podcasts.

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-53812044787038565132008-07-12T10:03:00.008+01:002008-07-17T07:25:43.594+01:00

Charlie Gillett recently pointed out how difficult it would have been back in the seventies to get your hands on this music or even hear it. So hats off to musical archaeologist Miles Cleret for his ongoing excavation of Nigerian popular music. In this episode we get an album dedicated to Sir Victor Uwaifo and some very chilled guitar-based hybrid highlife grooves. Uchenna from combandrazor

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-61023035588902224362008-07-09T18:58:00.004+01:002008-07-11T13:23:44.603+01:00

Afro-exotic grooves overload. Think Heliocentrics, Mulatu, Salah Ragab or Budos Band. Check the interview with band leader Karl Hector over at soulsides.com. Limited download available of the Nyx track courtesy of Stones Throw here. Highly recommended.

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-26910056531665925322008-07-07T09:54:00.002+01:002008-07-07T10:01:25.021+01:00

I've been away in South Africa to sprinkle my fathers ashes at "Ukhahlamba" (the Barrier of Spears)- the Drakenberg mountains of KwaZulu Natal. I'll be back when the time is right. Hugh Masekela with his classic exile lament.

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-61795436094121979552008-06-19T11:55:00.007+01:002008-06-19T12:29:06.023+01:00

Due to the overwhelming number of requests to repost the African Serenades compilations I have finally relented with the reposting of two sets that focus on East African rumba-inspired sounds. These are from Tim, who has recently established the incredible KenTanza web-site. Here is Tim's original introduction to the compilations: "I taught near Eldoret for two years in the early 1980s, fell in

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-12994785742019852912008-06-14T22:44:00.000+01:002008-06-14T18:18:25.769+01:00

I first heard Hal Singer via his collaboration with Manu Dibango on the lovely laid-back track "Soukouss". Recently I picked up the Kindred Spirits reissue of his sought after 1974 LP Soul of Africa. Whilst in Johannesburg at the collectors market in Rosebank I came across a bashed up copy of the LP that I'm sharing with you today. It was a surprise to me that he visited South Africa and

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-23815985832686514662008-06-12T19:54:00.000+01:002008-06-12T19:55:36.295+01:00

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-25379523256161519142008-06-11T13:12:00.004+01:002008-06-11T13:19:08.035+01:00

Nice read in Times2 yesterday all about the film maker Ken Russell's obsession with collecting and the fire that took 5000 LPs away! Check it here: "I have not bought a single record since that terrible couple of hours"

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-56445725884811128532008-06-04T07:44:00.002+01:002008-06-04T07:48:34.213+01:00

Bo Diddley (1928-2008) R.I.P.

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-16813046006321159862008-06-03T15:33:00.002+01:002008-06-03T15:47:38.438+01:00

Back in April I told you about the Vampisoul African excursions.(STRIKEOUT) Well I picked up the sampler today and there is even more on its way if you read between the lines on the tracklisting. If all goes well then we should see the following emerging: BOLA JOHNSON Anthology AFRO PSYCHEDELICS Compilation STARS SOUL INTERNATIONAL Compilation FRED FISHER Anthology All this in addition to the

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23453647.post-1216345094974619282008-05-31T11:42:00.004+01:002008-05-31T14:41:49.569+01:00

Suddenly CDs seem so last year. But I still feel cheated when I pay for a digital download. I was brought up on the physical product (artifact) and that's not going to change. So it makes me very happy when labels like Soundway, Honest Jons, Numero and others rise to the challenge of making their CDs seem like valuable artifacts in their own way. Its amusing to look back at the introduction

matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14742182508844340006noreply@blogger.com