A couple of months ago, we picked out our <a href="http://www.stampthewax.com/2013/08/05/top-five-fela-kuti-reworks/" target="_blank">Top Five Fela Kuti Reworks</a> to mark the 16th anniversary of his death. The overwhelming response was confirmation of the feeling that had compelled us to write the feature; that Fela's musical legacy still resonates strongly today. Another testament of this is Red, Hot & Fela, a new compilation marking the 75th anniversary of Fela's birth, containing 13 interpretations by ?uestlove, tUnE-yArDs, Spoek Mathambo, Nneka, Tony Allen and Chance The Rapper. Our standout, however, was an interpretation of 'Sorrow, Tears & Blood' by a selection of names who were initially a little less familiar: Grammy award-winning string ensemble Kronos Quartet and TV On The Radio's Kyp Malone and Tunde Adebimpe.

Read our thoughts at <a href="http://www.stampthewax.com/2013/10/09/kronos-quartet-sorrow-tears-blood/" target="_blank">Stamp The Wax</a>.

Kronos Quartet & Stuart Bogie - Sorrow, Tears & Blood (STW Premiere)

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

Manu Dibango - Lakisane

Saxon lee & The Shadows international: Mind your buisness ( Dj Julien Lebrun edit)

Most fans of the blues believe it was born in the Mississippi delta shortly before 1900. They are definitevely wrong.The blues had its roots in other forms of older black music that are traced to the music of West Africa. In that sense, Mali music constituting the DNA of the blues and the griots can be identified as the direct ancestors of the rural bluesmen.Baba Sissoko is from Mali and he is the last undisputed griot alive.His voice evokes the lost vibe of the deepest and wildest side of west Africa. A magic land that he largely crossed since his childhood in singing and playing with his legendary grandfather Djeli Baba Sissoko. 

With the help of the soulful voices of Djeli Mah  Damba Koroba  and Djana Sissoko, respectively his 78 y.o. mother and his young daughter he recorded  “Three Gees”.

They are the voices of the past, the present and the future living in the twilight zone where the malian roots blooms into a new sound of hope and happiness.

Involved are also Fernando "Bugaloo" Velez on percussions and the grammy winner Corey Harris on slide guitar.

Somebody called it as Bambara Mystic Soul, we dig it and really hope you enjoy listening this album as much as we have enjoyed making it.




Three Gees

Aiulado

BUY YOUR COPY HERE !

Baba Sissoko - Aiulado

Knasty Nuckles

This is an edit inspired by a fantastic track from Edmony Krater called Chimin Spirit, originally released on the album "Tijan Pou Velo" recorded in France in 1988. 

A few limited 12" vinyl copies are available for sale. Message here or drop us an email pull8up@gmail.com to order.

EDMONY KRATER - CHIMIN SPIRIT (Xav Roots edit)

Agua Viva is taken from the debut album by Lisbon based DJ and producer iZem.  'Hafa' is available to pre-order from Soundway Records here http://smarturl.it/HafaDirect

Hafa

iZem - Agua Viva

Taarab doublesider killer! Harambe with it's insane R&B groove riff, flip it and you have the crazy liverpool track. Originally from mid 60s aimed for the growing tourism in Mombasa and it's regions. Both tracks officially licensed on our inhouse label. Comes in tasty Afro7 sleeve with original label design. Head over to afro7.net READ THE FULL STORY and get your copy today!

Harambe / Liverpool

Mac & Party Harambe / Liverpool - New Afro7 single!

Turntables On The Hudson Lunar New Year 4707

Why Can't We Live Together (feat. Petra Philipson)

Nickodemus & Osiris - Why Can't We Live Together

Mohammed Malcolm Ben & His African Feeling Organization - Preservation Of Humanity

http://vimeo.com/51325336


mixes: https://www.mixcloud.com/cl-audio/

Manu Dibango - Lakisane

CL:AUDIO