Soul Scrapbook marks the beginning of a new feature on D.I.A. – a showcase of vintage photography, album covers and anything else in the way of music related graphics. I mean, the music is where it’s at, but sometimes I get just as excited flipping through a batch of stunning photos, and this set that I’m about to share is definitely no exception.
For this first post I’m thrilled to share an amazing collection of vintage soul, jazz, funk and gospel photos I was fortunate enough to stumble upon – essentially a who’s who of all things soulful from the 50′s through the 70′s. You can click on the thumbnails above to start the slideshow or you can go directly to my new flickr page where you can view the entire set (only about 50 out of 100 are posted here). I’ll be uploading all of my scrapbook photos, mixtape covers, as well as other music related images onto this page, and I probably won’t post about it all so I’d recommend adding it to your bookmarks or checking it periodically so you don’t miss anything.
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.
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.
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.
Finally got around to doing a Summer mix, inspired by the Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rythm Band track “Express Yourself.” Here, it’s covered by Byron Lee and the Dragonaires to great summer effect, setting the tone for the entire mix. A pretty diverse collection of warm summer vibes – something you can enjoy at a BBQ or picnic, or on your stoop sipping sangria. Some longtime summertime favorites of mine here, like Cymande’s “Bra” or Wilson Simonal’s “Nem Vem que Nao Tem,” as well as some recent discoveries. Hopefully everything meshes well together despite the eclectic selection. Enjoy and have a great summer.
Part 1
01. Jorge Ben – Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu
from Africa Brazil, 1976
02. Orchestre Poly Rythmo – Assibavi from Volume ONE “The Vodoun Effect,” 2009
03. Blo – It’s Gonna Be a Good Day from Phase 2, 1974
04. Johnny Osbourne – We Need Love from Truth & Rights, 1979
05. Who Can Get Busy Like This Man – Brand Nubian from One For All, 1990
06. Sister Nancy – Bam Bam from One, Two, 1982
07. Byron Lee & The Dragonaires – Express Yourself from Reggay Splashdown!, 197?
08. Wilson Simonal – Nem Vem que Nao Tem from Alegria Algeria!!! Vol. 1, 1967
09. Marcos Valle – Mem Paleto Mem Gravata from Previsao Do Tempo, 1973
10. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – All the Places from The Main Ingredient, 1994
11. Marvin Holmes – Find Yourself from “Find Yourself b/w Part 2″, 197?
12. Leo’s Sunshipp – Give Me the Sunshine from We Need Each Other, 1978
Part 2
13. Rosinha Da Valenca – Summertime from Um Violao Em Primeiro Plano, 1971
14. Love – Hummingbirds from Forever Changes (Collector’s Edition), 1967/2008 15. Happy End – It’s Summer from Kazemachi Roman, 1971
16. Shuggie Otis – Strawberry Letter 23 from Inspiration Information, 1974
17. Main Ingredient – Summer Breeze from Euphrates River, 1974
18. Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 – For What It’s Worth from Stillness, 1971 19. Roy Ayers – Everybody Loves the Sunshine from Everybody Loves the Sunshine, 1976
20. McNeal & Niles – Summertime from Thrust, 1979
21. Cymande – Bra from Cymande, 1972
22. Stevie Wonder – All I Do (U-Tern Remix) from Digital Release, 2007 23. Rye Rye – Shake it to the Ground (Arthur King Remix) from Digital Release 2008
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 [...]
Complex Magazine recently featured Kon & Amir’s 50 greatest hip hop samples of all time, a pretty comprehensive run-down that features audio of the original and a track that sampled it, as well as words from the duo. Like many vinyl heads (myself included) the record thing starts with breaks and samples; trying to find [...]
Ebo Taylor is one of the most accomplished Highlife, Afro beat and jazz composers of Ghana. Having studied along side another legend in Fela Kuti from 1962 and 1965 at the renowned Eric Guilder School of Music in London, Taylor is largely responsible for shaping the musical landscape of Ghana, as a solo artist, producer, [...]
Afromentals | A Dreams in Audio Mixtape CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Let’s start the week off right with another Dreams in Audio mix, and one that I’m especially excited about. I continue to focus my attention on African music, and sifting through the records I’ve accumulated over the months I’ve come across a lot of [...]
