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
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 great instrumental tracks. There’s something very pure about instrumentals, not that I don’t like vocals, but it’s another layer that tends to mask the craftsmanship that goes into playing great music. Hypnotic rhythms, punchy horns, soulful keys and psychedelic guitars; the sum is always overflowing with excitement, and that’s probably what I love most about African music.
As the popularity of African music continues to rise, there are more and more quality mixes being thrown out there. Some of my favorites are the ones Superfly Records has up on Paris DJs and of course, Frank over at Voodoo Funk continues to kill it with his selection of mixes. His collection certainly dwarfs mine, but I haven’t seen any African mixes that focus solely on instrumentals, and that’s where the idea for Afromentals came from. These aren’t the most obscure tracks in the world, but they’re definitely groovy and I hope you think the same. Cover art inspired by 101 Apparel’s Africa ’70 t-shirt. Enjoy.
Listen to Part 1
Afromentals Tracklisting:
01. Monomono – Kenimania (from Give the Beggar a Chance, 1972) 02. Black Children Sledge Group – Sledge Afro Funk (from Love is Fair, 1976)
03. The Visitors – Here We Come Brothers (from My Good Friends, 1977)
04. One World – The Movement (from The Movement, 197?)
05. The Funkees – Abraka (from Point of No Return, 1975)
06. Ofege – Gbe Mi Lo (from Try & Love, 1973)
07. Mebusas – Son of Mr. Bull Dog (from Blood Brothers, 1973)
08. Freedom Family – Holy Worhipping (from Freedom Family, 1977)
09. Tony Safro – I Beg (from Superman, 1976)
10. Marijata – Mother Africa (from Pat Thomas Introduces Marijata, 197?)
11. Aktion – Centipede (from Clover Comes Together, 1977)
12. Asiko – Hot Black (from Take A Trip With Asiko, 197?)
13. One World – Fricate (from Victory, 197?)
14. Afro Funk – Afro Funk (from Body Music, 1973)
15. The Apostles – Disciple Funk (from Bank Woman, 1977)
16. Fela Kuti & The Africa ’70 – Chop & Quench (from Best of Fela Volume 2, 196?/197?)
It took being sick on a Saturday for me to finally get around to putting this mix together, a continuation of D.I.A.’s seasonal mixes. How Long is a collection of winter themed tracks that give you that cold prickly feeling. No sequencing or anything fancy here, just the tracks in their entirety. Enjoy.
Tracklisting:
01. Early Morning by Troyka from Troyka (1970)
02. A Little Girl Lost by David Axelrod from Songs of Experience (1969)
03. Winter Song by Nico from Chelsea Girl (1967)
04. Snow Roses by Jan & Lorraine from Gypsy People (1969)
05. How Long by Circuit Rider from Circuit Rider (1980)
06. Forge Your Own Chains by D.R. Hooker from The Truth (1972)
07. Owl of Winter Fortnite by Collie Ryan from Indian Harvest (1973)
08. Afrikan in Winter by Positive Force with Ade Olatunji from Oracy (1977)
09. Winter Serenade by Terje Rypdal & Jan Garbarek from Bleak House (194)
10. Song For Bobby Smith by Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson from Winter in America (1974)
11. Will to Love by Neil Young from American Stars ‘N Bars (1977)
12. Gently, Gently by Serpent Power from The Serpent Power (1967)
by Brian on February 15, 2010 filed in Audio Posts
Compiled and released by Joel Stones of Tropicalia in Furs, Brazilian Guitar Fuzz Bananas brings together some of Brazil’s rarest fuzz/funk/psych 45s from 1967-1976. Rarely do I get geeked about new releases, but I’ve been looking forward to this since Joel talked about it in the Wax Poetics Brazil issue last year. Born and raised in Brazil, Joel knows his shit, and in a world cluttered with comps, this one just seems like a no-brainer.
I’m eagerly awaiting my copy, but you can order them direct here. This is the limited edition version with amazing custom artwork complete with 3D glasses, and in my opinion this is the only way to fly as the regular cover art is pretty bland. Don’t sleep on this one!
Tracklisting:
1. CELIO BALONA – TEMA DE BATMAN
2. LOYCE E OS GNOMES – ERA UNA NOTA DE
3. THE YOUNGSTERS – I WANNA BE YOUR MAN
4. SERGUEI – OURICO
5. FABIO – LINDO SONHO DELIRANTE
6. TONY E SOM COLORIDO – O CARONA
7. 14 BIS – GOD SAVE THE QUEEN
8. BANDA DE 7 LEGUAS – DIA DE CHUVA
9. TON & SERGIO – VOU SAIR DO CATIVEIRO
10. ELY – AS TURBINAS ESTAO LIGADAS
11. COM OS FALCOES REAIS – ELE SECULO XX
12. MARISA ROSSI – CINTURAO DE FOGO
13. THE POPS – SOM IMAGINARIO DE JIMMI HENDRIX
14. LOYCE E OS GNOMES – QUE E ISSO?
15. PIRY – HEROI MODERNO
16. MAC RYBELL – THE LANTERN
o news spread quickly today that vibraphonist and visionary Monty Stark passed away on November 26. His group, The Stark Reality with John Abercrombie, Phil Morrison, and Vinnie Johnson, released their only album in 1970 which remains one of the most cherished records amongst producers, musicians, hip hop fans and record collectors alike. A unique blend of funk, jazz, and psych – to this day there is no other album that sounds quite like it. Stones Throw has a nice memorial page of sorts up that commemorates his career. R.I.P. Monty.
o news spread quickly today that vibraphonist and visionary Monty Stark passed away on November 26. His group, 
