Parts Unknown: 911 Funk, Another Day in EPA, and Time for Turmoil
From Time for Turmoil (Self Release, 1991)

Some raw Bay Area heat was brought to my attention last week, a tape called Time for Turmoil released by East Palo Alto’s Parts Unknown in 1991. A fascinating time capsule into Bay Area rap, with influences coming from all corners of hip hop. “911 Funk” has that classic Bay Area bounce, while “Another Day in EPA” has a golden era feel to it, and “Time for Turmoil” sounds like a stripped down Bomb Squad production. Hearing stuff like this makes me want to delve deeper into the Bay’s rap vaults, although I’m not sure I have the time or money to add another genre to my music fetishes. A cassette copy just sold on ebay for $325. Damn!

At the very least someone needs to step up and start reissuing stuff like this. There’s certainly a market for it, and I’m sure there’s an endless supply of dope raps dying to be unearthed.

Favela on Blast is the directorial debut of Wesley Pentz (better known as DJ and producer Diplo) and Leandro HBL. A true labor of love and years in the making, the documentary explores Brazil’s vibrant musical subculture called Baile Funk, as Pentz travels deep into favelas to examine the artists and communities that have helped shape this culture, as well as the output of his Mad Decent label.

Really looking forward to watching this. You can get a digital copy for only $5 here.

As I’m currently working on a project involving typographic treatments and motion graphics, I’ve been looking for possible things to reference. This Cee-Lo video came just in the nick of time as it’s a perfect example of how engaging simple text animation can be, and is very close to the vision I had in mind for this particular project. The old school film treatment is a nice touch too.

Miles Cleret, founder of UK-based Soundway Records, is inspired by music from some of the world’s most colorful cultures. From Africa to Latin America to the Caribbean, Cleret has made it his life’s mission to scour the world for sounds on the brink of extinction, in some cases sourcing the artists and learning about the context of the music, all culminating with the re-release on his imprint.

Anyone can put together a comp, but few put the type of thought, depth and presentation that Cleret does into his releases. The liner notes are like text books, going into the history and back-story of every release. You can tell he doesn’t just want you to hear the music, but he wants you to understand it as well.

For more check out this nice interview with Cleret up on Vice Magazine.

Alemayehu Eshete: Kochen Messassate
From Kochen Messassate b/w Alemayehu Eshete 7″ (Amha, 1973)

Like many people, I was introduced to Ethiopian music through Mulatu Astatke, the most commercially successful Ethiopian musician, arranger and composer and whose career seems to be enjoying a second wind through renewed interest in his work. But I must admit, beyond Astatke, I don’t know a whole lot, partly because of the obscurity of the music and the fact that I can never remember anyone’s names. However, this gem by Alemayehu Eshete entitled Kochen Messassate is one I will never forget – a late night jazz vibe with heartfelt vocals. I don’t speak Ethiopian so I have no idea what he’s singing about, but it resonates with unparalleled depth and soul.

Academy Records and Frank at Voodoo Funk will soon be releasing the heavily anticipated CD and 7″ box set for the Psychedelic Aliens, an obscure rock outfit from Ghana that released the obscenely rare EP pictured above. Original copies are pretty much non-existent, and thanks to the dusty fingers and hard work of Frank and Academy, this was really the only way anyone was going to hear it. In my mind, this is what reissues are all about – taking something that literally only a handful of people have heard and bringing it to a wider audience, in effect resurrecting a long deflated music career. I can’t wait.

Check out the promo below, hot off the press.

Sorry about the complete lack of posts in July – I was in the middle of transferring Dreams in Audio to another web host which seems to finally be complete.

Just wanted to give a quick plug to Numero Group’s latest project, The Syl Johnson Complete Mythology, a comprehensive 6LP/4CD box set detailing the man’s work from 1959-1972. Many believed Johnson had the talent and charisma to be as big as James Brown or Al Green, yet for some reason he never managed to achieve crossover appeal. Still, his talents are undeniable, his voice sprawled across over 60 45s and 2 LPs – a discography that could certainly take a lifetime to track down. But Numero, quickly becoming the authoritative voice in resurrecting long-lost musical artifacts, has done everyone a favor by packaging Johnson’s work, revealing the man behind the myth. Numero is currently taking pre-orders and the first 350 orders will receive a bonus 7″ as well as a signed contact sheet by the man himself. This is about as close to essential as it gets.

Peep the promo below and check out Johnson’s gut wrenching “Is it Because I’m Black” here.

Came across this nice mix dedicate to Blue Note records, in my opinion the greatest jazz label ever. You can download it here.

Tracklisting:

I’m a huge Seu Jorge fan so I was excited to hear about his upcoming project with Almaz (drummer Pupillo and guitarist Lucio Maia from the stalwart Nação Zumbi, with bassist and composer Antonio Pinto). Apparently they worked on a track together for a Walter Salles film and enjoyed the experience so much that they decided to record a full-length album together that will be released by Now Again on July 27. Covering famous Brazilian tunes as well as some American and European soul classics, their first single is a cover of the Roy Ayers anthem “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” and if this is any indicator of the entire album, I can’t wait for it to drop. Loving the artwork with all of this too.

You can read more about the project here and listen to the first single below.

Seu Jorge & Almaz “Everybody Loves the Sunshine”

Seu Jorge and Almaz (Self-Titled Album)
Tracklist
01. Errare Humanum 4:50
02. Das Model 3:07
03. Cristina 3:08
04. Saudosa Bahia 3:17
05. Cirandar 4:15
06. Tempo De Amor 3:23
07. Everybody Loves The Sunshine 4:56
08. Pai Joao 3:53
09. Rock With You 4:51
10. Cala Boca, Menino 2:21
11. Girl You Move Me 5:32
12. Juizo Final 4:54