Thursday, July 26, 2012
Gyedu Blay Ambolley and the Steneboofs—Simigwa Soca
Side 1
Simigwa Soca
Abrantsie
Bend Down Low
Ehuruw A Whewhe Beebi Koto
Side 2
Burkina Faso
Atwer
Nsamanfo
Somewhat rare version of this late-era recording by the Ghanaian hiplife originator/highlife innovator Gyedu Blay Ambolley. His 1975 lp Simigwa is a collectors' fave. He is still around playing shows, worth checking out.
RIP to Ghana's President Atta Mills.
Monday, July 09, 2012
Lahbib Boutaxi
Side A
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Side B
Track 4
Track 5
Track 6
This is an awesome tape from Morocco: passionate and virtuosic on a track to track basis. A slight to yodel in the voice when things get intense. Wall to wall nimble hands and fingers. Get in the zone with Lahbib Boutaxi. I recently did and I don't think I've been the same since.
Thursday, July 05, 2012
Sandwidi Pierre—Vol. 3
Face A
Cousin Halidou
Nougbinga
Ballade
Face B
Kirga
Boanga President
Cousin Halidou
Final recording by one of Burkina Faso's more powerful vocalists, circa 1995. Pretty much a lively synth-horn section and twinkly guitar supporting Pierre's grown-n-sexy party tunes. Music to sway in your seat at a wedding to. At the very least.
Check out a probably cooler Sandwidi Pierre record at Ghost Capital, upped by pal Jason Urick.
This dude actually appears on the recent Bambara Mystic Soul compilation from Analog Africa.
Tuesday, July 03, 2012
Archach
Side A
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Side B
Track 4
Track 5
Who wants to hear an Amazigh futurist ensemble actively big-upping Souss region traditional rhythms (i.e. ahwach) while presenting their music in a context of more cosmopolitan practices? I do. These guys have been doing it for decades with much success. They have made many, many records. Bliss out to tracks 1, 3 and 4 right now.
