WORLD

Soul Circus

Analog Africa No.15 – ANGOLA SOUNDTRACK 2
*Hypnosis, Distortions & Other Sonic Innovations 1969-1978* 
Catalogue No. AACD 075 (1xCD)/AALP 075 (2xLP) 
CD with 44-Page Booklet / LP with 16-Page LP Size Booklet


In 2010, against all odds, Angola Soundtrack Vol.1 was awarded the German Record Critics’ Prize in the category "Black music". This victory was all the sweeter for its triumph over the predicted winner, Aloe Blacc´s multi platinium record, "Good Things".

Many were surprised that the award was handed to a compilation that covered obscure music, but it didn’t surprise the team behind Analog Africa who believed such award should have come much earlier. 

Since discovering the music of Angola 15 years ago, styles such Kazucuta, Rebita and Semba have become an addiction for Samy Ben Redjeb, the compiler, who proclaimed a serious warning in the first edition liner notes: 

"Listening to these tracks may cause addiction and provoke heavy rotation!"

The unique blend of incomparable musicianship, passionate delivery and regional rhythms that make these tracks so combustible are no accident.  An exceptional set of circumstances existed in the history of Angola before Independence that created the giant leap in the style and standard of bands and recordings of the time.

When Portuguese repressive measures prevented the small Turmas, street musician groups, from being able to perform in Carnaval celebrations in 1961, a Portuguese civil servant, entrepreneur and Angolan music fan named Luis Montês was already in a position to capitalise on Luanda’s need for a live music scene. His self-designed “Kutonocas”, Sunday afternoon live music festivals, delighted a Luandan population hungry for a communication between the city and musseques (townships). It also forced groups to adapt to a different style of playing that would accommodate large stages and broader audiences. They equipped themselves with electric guitars, and fed on the musical influences from Cape Verde, Congo and the Dominican Republic, while staying patriotically true to their own musical legacy and unique rhythms. 

The intimacy of those participating in this musical revolution meant they playfully and professionally wanted to trump each other’s style; communication between the groups was frequent as everyone studied each other’s records and concerts and players were under a lot of pressure to outdo each other due to the limited recording and performing opportunities.  Development of skill and ingenuity was a must, as well as addressing the highly politicised climate.  The optimism of Independence can be heard in these recordings; a common goal between the audience and musicians.

Upon reading the characteristically generous liner notes of this new Analog Africa release, you will be given more hints of the crucial melting pot that allowed this short period to have such an outstanding productivity.  Featuring 44 pages acquired in coordination with the National Library of Luanda and the art magazine “Note E Dia”, Analog Africa head honcho Samy Ben Redjeb has managed to collect newspaper clips, extremely rare pictures of the bands on stage and printed interviews from the 70s. 

The stunning pages of passionate photography and artistic design also include interviews with many of the original artists and their families, biographies of the three labels that made it all possible, and of Luis Montês, who was the pulse of the live music scene in Luanda.

This compilation represents the best of the short lived recording industry in Angola, a brief moment of history between 1969 and 1978, when three recording companies produced approximately 800 limited records, mostly singles. They are rare jewels, each song with a significant story and feel behind it. You will hear exciting music blazed with the anticipation of emancipation, tracks fuelled with a sense of unity, community, importance and immediacy.

This addictive, outlawed music from Angola shakes and grooves with the smoothness of staccato machine gun fire.  Do yourself a favor and submerge yourself  into some of the most the addictive music created by mankind! 

Avante Juventude - Os Anjos

Some records seem to come out of nowhere. Witness this debut EP by the half-Mauritian percussionist & singer Mo Kolours, which unites an array of more familiar influences with the Sega music of his island roots.

These heavily rhythmic slave songs from the Indian Ocean offer a vital clue to the sound of this enchanting EP. The rhythms lead the way here, whether the straight percussive workout of Drum Talking or the crafty vocal manipulation that drives the low-slung bump of Biddies, a song that traces an imaginary line between Theo Parrish and Gonja Sufi.

Dead of Night mines the symbolism of The Beatles’ outwardly chirpy Blackbird while his own Bakiraq (like Burt, the songwriter) resembles a soul classic pieced together from fragments around the flickering light of a fire. There’s a sense of spontaneity at the heart of Mo Kolours’ music and much of the music he loves: Jimi Hendrix, Nina Simone, King Tubby and many more. Like the best records, the result is so much more than just the sum of its influences: it’s a new feeling which breathes fresh life into the past and keeps its eyes set firmly on the future.

This EP boasts a the first ever remix by our favourite re-edit crew: Truth Is Light, whose incredible series of limited 12"s from Vancouver have accorded them cult status. 
HAND12009

Mo Kolours - Biddies

Such a true pleasure to work with kaya projects beautiful music! 

Kaya Project - One Hundred Lights - Grouch in Dub Remix

Full Post + Exclusive Photo at:
http://lesmainsnoires.blogspot.com/2015/06/y15w23-ndikho-xaba-and-natives-nomusa.html

Y15W23 .Ndikho Xaba and the Natives - Nomusa.

Mad Hatter (epic instrumental)

Tryo - Viajes

vinyl 45 release on march 4th 2016. limited edition to 300 copies. 

Buy here 
UK : 
http://www.juno.co.uk/products/magdy-el-hossainy-music-de-carnaval/604036-01/
http://honestjons.com/shop/artist/Magdy_El_Hossainy/release/Music_De_Carnaval
http://fatcity.co.uk/magdy-el-hossainy-music-de-carnival
http://www.phonicarecords.com/product/view/136002
http://www.jazzmanrecords.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=magdy

GERMANY : 
http://oye-records.com/sgl.php?id=147249&aplay=0

FRANCE :
http://www.sofarecords.fr/magdy-el-hossainy-music-de-carnaval/i3048558764,2
http://www.betinos.com/disque/3084

NEDERLAND : 
http://www.rushhour.nl/store_detailed.php?item=88842

ITALIA : 
http://www.ledisquestore.com/en/ecommerce/94326_Music-De-Carnaval.htm

Magdy el Hossainy - Music De Carnaval

Africa 45, number 11 – http://www.mrbongo.com/products/ayalew-mesfin-ghedawou-mulatu-astatke-ft-feqadu-amde-mesqel-asmarina-7

Ayaléw Mèsfin ft. Black Lion Band - Ghedawou

Ethiopian dance floor Funk rarity originally released on Kaifa 7” (KF 31) in 1976. Hand claps, guitar lines and call and response lead vocals punctuate the driving bass line and understated drum groove.

Mesfin played primarily at the Lumumba Club in Addis Ababa’s red light district and released many 45’s and cassettes during the mid seventies. He worked very closely with the Black Lion Band (or Tequr Ambessa Orchestra) 

Mulatu Astatke ft. Feqadu Amdé-Mesqel - Asmarina

Laid back, drum-heavy, Ethipian jazz taken from the legendary Ethio Jazz’ LP on Amha (AELP 90). Typifies the sound of the country and the period, truly classic stuff. Mulatu will be touring heavily in 2016, which we are very much looking forward to.

Buy vinyl

Mulatu Astatke ft. Feqadu Amdé-Mesqel – Asmarina

Marijata - I Walk Alone

Kenya Special : Volume Two is available to pre order on Soundway Records now. 

Direct: http://smarturl.it/KenyaSpecial2Direct
Digital: http://smarturl.it/KenyaSpecial2

Lulus Band - I Can Feel It

From his studio in central Bobo-Dioulasso, photographer Sory Sanlé documented a nation's transformation from colonial foothold to cosmopolitan oasis. Bobo Yeye: Belle Epoque in Upper Volta provides an intimate look into the landlocked nation's pop culture explosion of the 1970s. A melange of community elders and emboldened youth spill from the brightly lit confines of Sanlé's Volta Photo into the dimly lit nightclubs of Upper Volta's cultural capital. Accompanying this hardbound monograph are dozens of rare and evocative recordings spread over three discs by Bobo-Dioulasso's musical titans: Volta Jazz, Dafra Star, Echo Del Africa, and Les Imbattables Léopards. 

Bobo Yéyé: Belle Époque in Upper Volta

Volta Jazz - Wêrê Wêrê Magne

Mastring by Rune Lindbæk.

Free Download at Bandcamp,
follow the Buy link.
:)

BHLB - Orias Bataria Mash Up

Tabula Rasa, Blank Slate from Obsqure is a Trip-hop / Down-tempo album created with both modern and oriental various instruments.
In terms of sound, the artist invites us on a sonic journey with a weird, disturbing and oriental atmosphere.
On a traditional altogether building , the album starts quietly with just enough sophistication with "Hijaz" to install an oriental atmosphere with an Eastern electro-jazz accents. The first three tracks elapsed, the compositions are gaining depth and pleasure grows. "Hijaz" and "Rabbath" beautifully introduce "Cloud Chaser", the summit of this album, the track that could definitely be on a compilation somewhere between Massive Attack and Archive without having to blush at the comparison. It is dynamic, catchy, melodic and rich at the same time and above all it's fun! Do not be surprised to nod, shake the shoulders or the beat with your foot while smiling. ​

Endless Roads

VIVIAN HILL - Turn on your love light

Shanti Planti

Record label. Record shop. Film label. Since 1989.

Mulatu Astatke ft. Feqadu Amdé-Mesqel – Asmarina

Mr Bongo

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