Sandwidi Pierre - Le Troubadour de la Savane (Production Kouri, PK 002 : Nigeria, 1984?)

Fresh Nigerian recorded synth-funk from Sandwidi Pierre (of Burkina Faso), possibly released in 1984. Groovy dancing sounds and killer keys. And the slow burners are all killing me softly. Le Troubadour de la Savane is part of a small stack of amazing wax recently lent to me by my pal Jason Urick of Galaxy My Dear. Big thanks! 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.



Sandwidi Pierre - Le Troubadour de la Savane (Production Kouri, PK 002 : Nigeria, 1984?)

Side A

Nab Wind Sigda
Fils du Sahel (Wenega)
Mousso Gwe (Balafon)


Side B

Pang Nooma (Calao)
Je Suis un Salaud (Slow)
Lucie (Slow Disco)

New Posts or Reposts?

OK friends, please pardon the epic sabbatical. My high hopes of returning full force this January were wounded by Google's sudden deletion of Holywarbles (RIP), not to mention the fullforce federal takedown of Megaupload. For me, these things amounted, respectively, to a mournful tragedy and one major inconvenience. It's been hard to summon inspiration since then, but here I am missing that thing that I do, ready to exert the overpowering musical wanderlust that seems to persist somewhere in the mix between my head, heart & gut.

Here's my first question for you folks: Should I focus more right now on fresh rips (See the photo above: Ghostcapital's partial vinyl backlog currently in queue) or mediafire re-ups?

See now, my time for gratis vinyl ripping is limited. Now, more than ever. And likewise, the time has come when I need a new computer, a new turntable, needles, and a scanner. I've been posting from much of the same equipment since the get-go, and things are getting laborious and slow. I profit not from this endeavor and I'd like to ask for just a little help, because I can't afford to fund this much needed overhaul alone. I don't want adds here, do you?

So, If you like what I do, and want me to keep it fresh, please do consider a humble donation to keep this ship afloat. FYI, Re-up requests will be more promptly addressed via PayPal message. I mean that with love.

Paz.

Shajariyan-Payvar Ensemble : Dashti (Taraneh Enterprises CS, 1989)

Siamak Shajarian born in the city of Mashad in northeastern Iran, is arguably the most accomplished Persian traditional singer living in the United States. He has performed with such masters as Jalil Shanaz, Faramarz Payvar, Mohammad Ali Kiani-nejad, Mohammad Esmaeli, and Farhang Sharif.

Shajarian's public musical life began when he was sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and the Arts in Mashhad at age eleven. He inherited his talents in singing from his father and in calligraphy from his mother. He studied the Persian vocal art (avaz) and its Radif with Ghafoorian and Gholam Hossein Zahiredini, and completed his studies under the direction of his brother, Mohammad Reza Shajarian and Esmaeel Mehrtash. In addition to mastering the vocal Radif of Persian traditional music, Shajarian has also studied Tar, Santur and Tombak.

In 1977, he moved to the United States. Soon after he joined Oshagh Ensemble and gave numerous concerts across the U.S. and Canada... Currently he lives in Los Angeles where he teaches Persian traditional vocal Radif. (Source)

Quite the stirring traditional Persian (by way of California) sounds. This old tape was a discerning thrift score recently mailed out west by my cousin Jess in Savannah, GA. Good looking out! Big thanks also to Mr. Saadoun Al-Bayati for the helpful phonetic assistance with the Farsi up above. 320 mp3 transfer by yours truly.



Shajariyan-Payvar Ensemble : Dashti (Taraneh Enterprises CS, 1989) *Re-upped 9/15/12

Street Muse documentary, featuring Gull

My good friends Nate Rappole (Gull) & Len Albright are in the home stretch for Kickstarting their Street Muse documentary project in East Africa. Fingers crossed...They've got four days left to raise just under $5,000 to make it happen. Check the rundown:

"The Street Muse Project is a documentary project exploring the culture of street and public music around the World. This component of the project will document street performances in Africa. In addition, Gull will perform on the street throughout the project as an offering and thank you to those who are sharing their talents and energy with us. The documentary will be the first in a series.

Why Street Music?

Have you ever stopped and listened to a street musician, maybe given them a dollar, and wondered about their story? What are their musical influences? What can their life and art open to you about the World? That's the goal of the Street Muse Project...to capture and share these stories and use them as a springboard for education. Many countries in East and West Africa are facing incredible humanitarian and political challenges. We see public music as a way to help inspire education and foster a sense of mutual humanity.

Over the last 5 years Gull (Nate Rappole) has been performing as a street musician across much of the United States and Mexico. He is known for his percussion project that involves the simultaneous playing of the drums and guitar. Through his travels, Nate has come to see the importance of street music as a public display of emotion and how it can be used to break down social barriers and constraints. The street can serve as a public venue for artistic experimentation and social/political creativity. In the Spring of 2011, Nate was joined on a tour of the American South by Len Albright, who had recently completed a PhD in urban sociology. They discussed the possibility of interviewing musicians on the streets in other parts of the world and how the sharing of this could open pathways for creative politics and experiences across the globe. The Street Muse Project was born." (More here)

Paul Ngozi - The Ghetto (Zambia, 1976 + Shadoks, 2011)

"Paul Ngozi (Nogozi means danger) with his band gave a popular voice to what later was called 'Zamrock,' a cool fusion of older African rhythms and '70s rockish underground modes -- never too polished, but with a tightness that might have made Anglo groups up in London sit up and take notice. The guitars are razor-sharp here which sounds great next to the harder rhythms at the bottom, and the album's mix of English and Zambian lyrics. Paul Ngozi recorded at least ten albums, another one which is famous among collectors is Chrissy Zebby Tembo & Ngozi Family. You will love this one if you liked the Witch and Amanaz. Great album, great artwork, a masterpiece from Zambia." (Promo hype)

Hey there. Long time no see. Happy 2012. Much like my good compadre, Owl, these blog efforts ran aground for a spell in a much needed holiday from ye olde internet responsibilities. As a bona fide labor of love, rendered gratis for all you friends and dreamers out there, this humble adventure became a bit burdensome to maintain over the course of December. Inspiration, energy, money and time just sort of ebbed. Well, I'm back in the saddle, and happy as can be to greet the new year with this auspicious slab of newly reissued, primo Zamrock fuzz. Paull Ngozi's The Ghetto should prove an essential addition to the canon. Hope you folks dig this goodness for real. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly. 2011 Shadoks limited edition reissue. Word.

And by the way, I might mention that I've come up with a sort of New Year's type resolution related to this blog: I'm going to really do my best to start responding to you folks who've emailed or dropped in good comments. Its hard to overstate how much the feedback is appreciated. That said, it's true I've been downright terrible about getting back to you folks sending in requests, questions, etc. I'ma get on it.



DL: Paul Ngozi - The Ghetto (Zambia, 1976 + Shadoks, 2011)

A1 In The Ghetto
A2 Help Me
A3 Anasoni
A4 Who Will Know
B1 Suicide
B2 Bamayo
B3 Can't You Hear Me
B4 Ulesi Tileke
B5 Jesus Christ

Chief Brigadier Olu Oni & His Marathon System - Juju-Marathon System Vol. 1 (Nigeria, 197x + Klimt, 2011)

A heavy juju set from Chief Brigadier Oluoni – working here in a version of the style that's much grittier than mainstream recordings you might know! The record features one "Juju Marathon System Jam" that spans the course of both sides – a very offbeat version of the juju groove that often has a spacey sound in the echo, and lots of weirdly-tuned guitar parts that give the recording a very dark edge – even in some of the brighter moments! Vocals have lots of odd echo too, and when they drop out, the guitar parts get even weirder – making for some especially great instrumental moments over the driving rhythms of the track (Dusty Groove)

Relentlessly off-kilter 70's Nigerian Juju. 2011 Klimt LP reissue. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.



Chief Brigadier Olu Oni & His Marathon System - Juju-Marathon System Vol. 1 (Nigeria, 197x + Klimt, 2011)
A: Jam 1
B: Jam 2

Luk Thung 45 : Riam Daranoi - Chan Ru Than "I Know What You're Up To" + Don Denduang - Suai Ching Muai "Muai, The True Beauty" (LK 154)

I scored this Luk Thung 45 (LK 154) from a bargain bin 1ast week and just had to share it, pronto. Look at the front jacket! Easily one of the wildest covers in my collection.

The thing is, the record that came with it (LK 094) doesn't match. This might've been a source of eternal lament if the mismatched record wasn't itself such a pearl. To get the real scoop on these, I sought the expert counsel of my good pal Peter over at monrakplengthai. Enormous thanks, man. Knowing the deal makes this artwork even stranger. Check it:

"the jacket advertises the song "kot mai fai daeng (law of the "red light" [period])" by phanida sutthicharoen... and yes, that's "period" as in menstruation.. thus the blood-soaked cover: bizarre!

...the record inside is "chan ru than (i know what you're up to)" by riam daranoi, who shows up on both of chris menist's recent compilations for soundway (DL) & finders keepers. she is great! the b-side is "suai ching muai (muai, the true beauty)" by don denduang. both songs are with the "sit suraphon (suraphon's disciples)" band (after "king of luk thung" suraphon sombatcharoen)"

So, Thai speakers, please pardon the somewhat false inclusion of the Red Light cover. The image was just too astounding not to include here. I'm have every hope that one day we're able to hear The Law Of The Red Light LK 094, but in the meantime....Enjoy LK 154. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.



Riam Daranoi - Chan Ru Than "I Know What You're Up To" + Don Denduang - Suai Ching Muai "Muai, The True Beauty" (Luk Thung 45 - LK 154)*

*Featuring Sit Suraphon (Suraphon's Disciples)

(V/A) Hits From Telugu Films Vol. 5 (Odeon/EMI - India, 1967)

"Melodies From N. T. Rama Rao Starrer Pictures"

An exquisite collection of classic Telugu playback tracks from the 1950s & 60s, all of which were originally featured in the films of N.T. Rama Rao. All legendary songs, with no filler. Heavy on the Ghantasala and P. Susheela, which is a very good thing. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly. Highly recommended!



(V/A) Hits From Telugu Films - Volume 5 : Melodies From N. T. Rama Rao Starrer Pictures (Odeon/EMI - India, 1967) *Re-upped 7/20/12

3AEX.9013

1. Kalavaramayemadhilo (Film: Pathala Bhairavi) -- Ghantasala & P. Susheela
2. Lechindi Mahila Lokam (Film: Gundamma Katha) -- Ghantasala
3. Brindavanamidhi (Film: Missamma) -- A.M. Raja & P. Susheela
4. Janani Sivakamini (Film: Narthanasala) -- P. Susheela
5. Kanupa Pa (Film: Chiranjeevulu) -- Ghantasala & P. Leela
6. Adakaichina (Film: Dagudu Moothalu) -- Ghantasala & P. Susheela
7. Ravoyee Chandamama (Film: Missamma) -- A. M. Raja & P. Leela
8. Anthaka Nanuchoodaku (Film: Manchi Manishi) -- Ghantasala & P. Susheela
9. Edu Kondalavada (Film: Pellichesichoodu) -- P. Leela Ghantasala
10. Athey Athey (Film: Ramudu Bheemudu) -- P. Susheela & Ghantasala
11. Amma Nanna (Film: Panduranga Mahatmyam) -- Ghantasala
12. Lahiri Lahiri (Film: Maya Bazaar) -- Ghantasala & P. Susheela


Unrelated to the Telugu record above, but reasonably still on-topic -- Check out this Cubano flavored playback stunner from Puthiya Paravai. This jam is dynamite:

Guitar Slim Green's "Stone Down Blues" -- With Johnny and Shuggie Otis (Kent, 1970)

"A great deal has been written about the blues and the people who sing them. Most enthusiasts are familiar with the names of Elmore james, Muddy Waters, Sonnyboy Williamson, Lightnin' Hopkins and Little Walter, for these are the names of artists who have won wide recognition for their talents and their contributions not only to the blues, but to Rock & Roll as well.

However, one should be aware that there were others, some still around, that were equally as talented, but not as fortunate. All too often their contributions were quickly recognized, borrowed or stolen and the artists themselves ignored and forgotten. Such was almost the tragedy that occured with GUITAR SLIM GREEN..." (Cover notes)

I've said it before, the Boogie Blues aren't generally my thing. I tend to be fairly selective. This 1970 Kent outing by Norman "Guitar Slim" Green is good & solid, though. Kept me steady rocking through a huge load of dishes tonight, with no complaints. (Well, aside from the dishes.) The back-up from Johnny and Shuggie Otis doesn't hurt much, either. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly. Word.



Guitar Slim Green's "Stone Down Blues" -- With Johnny and Shuggie Otis (Kent, 1970) *Re-upped 7/20/12

KST-549

1. Shake 'Em Up 2:11
2. Bumble Bee Blues 3:26
3. Make Love All Night 2:36
4. My Little Angel Child 3:57
5. 5th Street Alley Blues 3:13
6. Old Folks Boogie 2:13
7. This War Ain't Right 3:04
8. You Make Me Feel So Good 2:05
9. Big Fine Thing 2:48
10. Play On Little Girl 3:10

Pepe de Almeria -- Guitara Flamenca : 45 Tours (196x - Symphonium, SEP 6)

Real-deal flamenco dynamite from heroic Spanish Gitan, Sr. Pepe de Almeria. Blazing hot, folks. Legendary axe. 45 rpms. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.



Pepe de Almeria -- Guitara Flamenca : 45 Tours (196x - Symphonium, SEP 6)

1. Malaguena
2. Soleares

Les 4 Guaranis - Musique Folklorique d'Amerique Latine (BAM, 1953 *Paraguay)

Another early & great 4 Guaranis release. Romantic folk harmonies and more from this versatile Paraguayan string band. Recorded in 1953. Cool Paraguayan harps in many spots. 10" microgroove LP release on the french label, La Boite a Musique. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.



Les 4 Guaranis - Musique Folklorique d'Amerique Latine (BAM, 1953 *Paraguay)


1. El Chupino 1:48
2. El Humahuaqueño 2:26
3. Musiqueada Jazmin Guype 3:18
4. Viva Jujui 2:09
5. Entre San Juan y Mendoza 2:26
6. Chococué Purajhei 2:26
7. Mazamorreando 2:24
8. El Arriero 4:12
9. Pájaro Campana 3:09
10. Guapo Mi Viejo Buey 3:16
11. Grito del Pueblo
2:19

Farid El Atrache -- Original Soundtrack Album From: El Hob El Kebir + El Khourouj Men El Gana (Voice of Lebabon, VLMX. 17)

Greek-pressed Lebanese LP of classic Egyptian film songs from the immortal Farid Al Atrache. The slick cover of him by the hi-fi is not to be trifled with. Thanks to David H for this record. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.



Farid El Atrache -- Original Soundtrack Album From: El Hob El Kebir + El Khourouj Men El Gana (Voice of Lebabon, VLMX. 17)

1. Bitomor Al Rass Oul Eyn 6:17
2. Ya Weili Men Hobbo 9:16
3. Ala Bali Ala Bali 6:28
4. Adnaytani Bil Hajr 10:01
5. La Ouaeynayki 5:59
6. Ana Ouenta Ou Ba Bass 8:29