Month: June 2009

Fela Kuti

/ David James / 2 Comments

Fela Kuti is a supernatural being.  An extraterrestrial.  A god.  A politically charged, female-fueled rhythm machine.  He basically invented what we know as afrobeat.  He challenged the deadly authority of Nigeria’s oppressive government through song and action, and paid a price for it.  He popularized and reinvented jazz in Africa, then brought the explosive results to the West.  He was a visionary, a revolutionary, a womanizer, a pioneer, a king… a bad ass mother fucker.

fela_exp_hemiss

Most of his music was released in single and 12″ form, and the majority of his tracks were 10+ minute floor pounding epics.  Thus when being reissued, most of the originals were combined on CD, with it’s longer running time; which brings me to Expensive Shit + He Miss Road.  The impossible nature of selecting a favorite Kuti track or album led me to sharing, as an introduction, the release which I simply have listened to most often.  The tracks here are simply some of the most addictive numbers in his catalogue.  Aside from the two title tracks, we have Water No Get Enemy, Monday Morning in Lagos, and It’s No Possible – all long form, mercilessly energetic pieces designed to kickstart brains and shake asses at the same time.  Most Kuti songs follow a formula of intense rhythm buildup, chanted or sung culturally incisive lyrics, a beat explosion, and an extended hypnotic ending.  The sound itself begs no description; it just is.  Those who have listened know; those who have not are missing out on some fiercely energetic hip-shaking deep groove jams.  The stories behind the songs’ genesis are often intriguing enough for a small book, Expensive Shit in particular, so be sure to read up on them.  It not only aids in the enjoyment of the tracks (as if these masterpieces needed help to be enjoyed) but provides some insight into the man and his tumultuous life.

Just give this a try, especially if you’re completely new to it – in such a case, I promise no less than the most interesting thing you’ve heard all week/month/year.  Open your ears and prepare for spastic motion, mental and physical.  This is only the beginning.

[purchase the groundbeaking combo at cduniverse, wrasserecords, or the always-reliable amazon]

Sujinho

/ David James / 2 Comments

Jackson Conti is an exotically beautiful collaboration between producer extraordinaire Otis Jackson Jr. (aka Madlib) and Azymuth drummer Ivan ‘Mamão’ Conti which began when Jackson took a trip to Brazil and fell in love with the sounds of the country’s funky jazz and bossa nova, with a particular interest in Mamão’s band.

KSR024CD

Unapologetically deep into it’s alluringly exotic sound, both artists dive into the project with abandon, creating an environment marginally detached from anything Madlib‘s been involved with yet, including most of his jazz-centric Yesterday’s New Quintet material (excepting, of course, the few Jackson Conti-titled tracks on the YNQ compilation album Yesterday’s Universe).  It’s straight up pure old school Brazilian jazz, with the same feel that Conti’s been pounding out for over 30 years – with enough intricate production flourishes and head-nodding polyrhythmic tones that let us in on the fact that it’s, in fact, a very modern record.  It’s truly impossible to describe exactly what this feels like if you’re not familiar with the sounds, so I’ll leave it at this:  if you want a relaxed but intense jazzy tropical vibe to get lost in for days, give this a try.  It’s habit forming in the best way.  As a huge Madlib fan, I must admit that despite it’s esoteric nature and loose connection to any of his other work, Sujinho is near the top of my favorite records by the prolific artist.

[snap this up at undergroundhiphop if you’re cool, or go to amazon.. or grab the import version right here]

Guilty Not Guilty 2

/ David James / 1 Comment

album-doot-doot

This track is pure 80’s fizzy pop majesty.  I can never get enough of it.  Ever.

And a little background information:  Freur died only to be reborn, with members Rick Smith and Karl Hyde, as Underworld.  Although the former band is nearly unrelated, musically, this song certainly displays their ability to craft an earbending single.  Spin it!

Pharoah Sanders – Karma

/ David James / 6 Comments

Pharoah Sanders - Karma

Pharoah Sanders may be regarded as, without reservation, one of the greatest modern jazz musicians. His saxophone has graced the heights of recorded music, including his work with John Coltrane on the revolutionary freakout Ascension and Alice Coltrane‘s spiritual jazz masterpieces. He’s played with nearly every major jazz artist you love and he’s appeared on more records than you own. Probably.

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Disco Inferno – The Five EPs

/ David James / 5 Comments

Here for all to witness is the wonderfully fleshed out evolution of one of the premier bands of modern times, Disco Inferno.  I’ve already shared their greatest album – DI Go Pop – so now it’s time to realize the full trajectory of this majestic yet mind-bogglingly ignored outfit from post-punk innovators to something altogether more advanced, alien, and never since equalled.

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Between 1992 and 1994 this band singlehandedly expanded the concept of what rock music could be, influencing countless other forward-thinking artists while remaining shrouded from the public, and as it turns out, history’s gaze.  The five EPs collected here represent some of the most staggering artistic growth a single group has ever achieved in a lifetime – and Disco Inferno accomplished this feat in only two years.

DISCO INFERNO - SUMMER'S LAST SOUND EP F

Summer’s Last Sound

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A Rock To Cling To

DISCO INFERNO - THE LAST DANCE EP F

The Last Dance

DISCO INFERNO - SECOND LANGUAGE EP F

Second Language

DISCO INFERNO - IT'S A KID'S WORLD EP F

It’s A Kid’s World

[normally this is where you’re pointed towards a purchase point.  unfortunately none of these EPs have been reissued since their first release and are currently unavailable commercially.  if you find used copies please bring it to my attention and that will be shared here.  for now just enjoy the music.]

Can – Future Days

/ David James / 7 Comments

Can - Future Days

Can rock the world.  Really fucking hard.  If you don’t know this in your body and soul, then take the time to either A) reassess your lifestyle, or B) start listening to their albums and make life a little better for your self and loved ones alike.

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Bill Fay

/ David James / Leave a comment

Bill Fay is a criminally forgotten singer-songwriter musician with a handful of releases under his own name, all orbiting within the few years before and after 1970, when his eponymous debut LP was released.  Obscured by the curtains of history, I’m drawing them back to reveal a vital force in pop songcraft.

Bill Fay - Bill Fay (1971)

Wondrously baroque orchestral arrangements embrace his Dylan-echoing lyrics, conveyed via endearingly imperfect vocals.  The instrumentation dances a fine line between the majestic pop of early Scott Walker and the near-cheese overblown nature of Burt Bacharach, yet feels all the more appealing for this uneasy blend.  The near-awkward earnesty of his approach grows by leaps and bounds upon repeated plays, buffeting apprehension, giving way to an elated comfort with the style.  There’s an nigh-indefinable attraction built in to this album which manages to defy any and all possibly-unfavorable comparisons to the exalted greats like Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, or Donovan.  (I’d toss in Harry Nilsson‘s tenuous sound connection to this album because of my personal affinity and the fact that his Nilsson Schmilsson album entered my mind upon first listen).  Fay simply exists in his own musical ecosystem, relating to but standing outside the historical idioms and standardized notions of his more famous peers.  This certainly isn’t a perfect cup of tea for everyone, but those of us struck by the sounds of any artist I’ve mentioned here should spare the necessary time to take the whole record in.

Note: The final track, one of two bonus cuts, has an added poignancy and heft for fans of the film OLDBOY.  I won’t give anything away, other than to urge a close listen, and possibly a cracked grin upon the first few seconds.

[although reissued this decade, it’s semi-difficult to obtain.  thankfully amazon has a selection of new and used copies, and it’s available digitally as well]