The Revolutionary Beats of Cuba

Over this past weekend, I was excited to pick up the first volume of the Waxing Deep Records' released Si, Para Usted compilation. The well-compiled collection of tracks that makes up the release, features rare and funky cuts from revolutionary-era Cuba. The double-vinyl record includes funky jazz and Latin flavoured cuts from groups and artists like Irakere, Los Reyes '73, Grupo Monumental, Jorge Reyes and Orquesta Riverside among many others. My favorite track on the compilation is probably the record's opener in "Son A Propulsion" by Juan Pablo Torres Y Algo Nuevo, who is featured three times on the release. Overall, the first volume in the two part series of Si, Para Usted is a solid compilation that gives great insight into the music and artists during a very controversial period in Cuba. Enjoy

Juan Pablo Torres Y Algo Nuevo - Son A Propulsion

We Are The Africans

Today, I'm excited to share another re-edit track from the upcoming Cabana Disco Vol.4 release. Here we have the record's A-side cut, a re-working of Buari's 1975 African disco classic "Advice from Father". On this edit, I tried to ride the heavy Afro groove along with the chanting chorus's of the original, as well as continue with my ongoing experiments with subtle topical and animal sound effects. Overall, I think the edit, which was renamed "We Are The Africans", makes for a nice introduction into the rest of the twelve-inch release, which will feature two other edits including Chocolat's "African Choco" (Listen/Download here) and Black Soul's "Dakar Sound". The record should be out in stores worlwide starting at the end of April. As always, I would love to hear everyones feedback. Enjoy!

Buari - Advice From Father (Pat Les Stache Re-edit)



Purchase Cabana Disco Volumes 1 - 3 by visit this site.

Afro Percussion Incorporated

Here is a heavy-weight Afro-Latin funk gem, titled "Ritual", by Nico Gomez And His Afro Percussion Inc.. This was the title track off the group's solid and hard-to-find 1971 album. The track, which can also be found on a number of compilations, is a producer and deejay's dream, as the song is overloaded with many funky drum and instrumental breaks. This is just one of the many great tracks from the Ritual album, which also includes other Afro and Latin flavoured funk cuts like "Caballo Negro", "Lupita", and "Baila Chibiquiban". Nico Gomez has released a number of great records throughout his life, however this early seventies masterpiece might just be his best work. Enjoy your weekend!

Nico Gomez And His Afro Percussion Inc. - Ritual

Double Action

Here's a funky disco gem titled "Double Action" by the group Sarr Band. This was the titled track off the group's only full-length album, released back in 1978. Another version of the track was released under a different aliase, The Salsoul Invention, on the group's 1977 Salsoul Explosion album. "Double Action" is just one of the many standout tracks on the Sarr Band's album which also includes funky disco cuts like "Magic Mandrake", "Soul Machine", "Soul Tango", and The Salsoul Orchestra's "Nice & Nasty". Overall, this hard-to-find record is a great find for any disco lover. Enjoy!

Sarr Band - Double Action

Shaft in Africa

Here's a funky gem from the Shaft in Africa soundtrack, properly titled "Shaft In Africa (Addis)", conducted and composed by Johnny Pate. This movie and soundtrack came out in 1973 and unfortunately didn't receive the same kind of attention that the original Shaft movie got during it's initial run. However as time has gone on, the soundtrack has continued to be a nice find as the album features some other funky instrumental gems, as well as The Four Tops' standout track "Are You Man Enough". I originally picked this record up when I was visiting New York last year without knowing that much about the songs (outside of The Four Tops' track) featured on the soundtrack. That being said, the funky soundtrack has turned out to be a quite a find and, in my opinion, one of the better soundtracks from the blaxploitation era. Enjoy!

Johnny Pate - Shaft in Africa (Addis)

Do It 'Til You're Satisfied

I've had B.T. Express's "Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)" stuck in my head all day long while I've been trying to get some work done. Therefore, I thought I would share the funky disco classic. This track was the first break though hit for the group back in 1974 and in my opinion, the group's best overall song in general. The funky cut was also the title track to the group's solid debut record which consists of other standout cuts like "Express", "Everything Good To You (Ain't Always Good For You)", and "That's What I Want For You Baby" among others. I suppose if I was going to get a song stuck in my head for an entire day, B.T. Express's "Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)" might just have to be my first choice. Enjoy!

B.T. Express - Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)

Quarried From Across The Continent

Another great African based compilation, titled "Afro Rock Volume 1" was recently released by the good people over at Strut Records. Like most of the Afro-based compilations that have been recently released, this funky record is very solid. The compilation focuses on a diverse selection of very rare Afro beat and Afro funk gems alongside some more psychedelic cuts that have, until now, been nearly impossible to track down. Some of my favorite cuts include Jingo's "Fever", Mercury Dance Band 's "Envy No Good" , Orchestra Lissanga's "Okuzua", and the funky laid back gem "Kyenkyen Bi Adi M'awu" by K. Frimpong & His Cuabo Fiestas. Overall, this compilation is one of the more diverse African based releases I've heard over the past few years as each track tends to stand on it's own. With Strut's impressive showing of "Afro Rock Volume 1" , it's safe to say that I'm already looking forward to the follow-up releases to this new series. Enjoy!

K. Frimpong & His Cuabo Fiestas - Kyenkyen Bi Adi M'awu

Afro Funky

Here is a funky Latin percussion masterpeice titled "Afro Funky" from Cuban percussionist Lazaro Pla, aka Manteca. This track is featured on Manteca's only full-length album Ritmo Y Sabor, released in the early seventies. Even though this is Manteca's only known full-length release, this master "bongosero" as many call him, was one of Cuba's finest and most influential musicians dating all the way back from the 1940's, as he is featured on many releases from that region. Standout tracks on Ritmo Y Sabor include "Cosas De Manteca", "Abacua", "Son Montuno", and my personal favorite "Afro Funky". These are the breaks...So Enjoy!

Manteca - Afro Funky

Beats Along the Caribbean Path

With the weather warming up to 70 degrees here in the bay, I thought I would go a little tropical with one of the many great re-edits, titled "Caribbean Path", from Ture Sjöberg, aka the Beatconductor. On this edit, Sjöberg uses a tasty dose of Caribbean-style steel percussion blended with a nice heavy backing groove to reproduce a track that is not only tropical, but very funky. This clever re-edit was released as a twelve-inch, alongside two other solid edits, in 2008 off the Spicy label. I admit that I'm not the biggest fan when it comes to steel-styled percussion, however on "Caribbean Path" the Beatconductor proves once again why he always tends to be ahead of the pack. Enjoy the sunshine!

Beatconductor - Caribbean Path

Get Down With The Philly Sound

I was given this exciting new promo mix from the good people over at BBE Records previewing Dimitri From Paris's upcoming compilation Get Down With The Philly Sound. This is the 5th collaborative between Dimitri and BBE, and from the sound of things, this might be their best release so far. The mix features some of the highlights from this upcoming comp with a narrative of each track from Dimitri himself. The upcoming release will include a mixture of Philly original disco classics, as well as a solid new batch of re-edits by Dimitri. All the bases surely look to be covered as this compilation will include classic cuts from some of Philadelphia's finest including Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The Trammps, MFSB, The Salsoul Orchestra, The Jacksons, The John Davis Monster Orchestra, Montana Sextet, plenty of Teddy Pendergrass, and much much more. Regardless of your listening preference, BBE has you covered this May, as the compilation will be released on both CD and vinyl. Overall, here is a little preview to get you excited about this upcoming release. Enjoy!

Dimitri From Paris - Get Down With The Philly Sound Promo Mix

Hot Pants Road

Here's a funky Latin cut titled "Hot Pants Road" from a group I've been listening to a bit lately called Ocho. The heavy-hittin' Latin gem was released off the group's 1974 album Numero Tres, which as the title already suggests, was the group's third full-length record. The track has a nice groove in blending Afro-Cuban rhythms with a heavy funk sound. Overall, it's just one of the many great songs written and released by this seminal group of the seventies' Nu Yorica music scene. Enjoy!

Ocho - Hot Pants Road

Children of the Universe

Here's a re-edit of Seiko Brothers' "Children of the Universe" that was recently handed to me by local San Francisco deejay Hotthobo (who hosts the brand new monthly Grow Up inside Madrone) with the assistance of AmyWhoa. AmyWhoa found this random track when she recently visited Scotland, which according to her was in dire need of some re-edit treatment. That being said, this tag-team really did some fine work producing something very tasty for the dancefloor. I don't really know much about the original, however it's safe to say I've been listening to the cut non-stop ever since I got my hands on the edit. I would definitely love to see this make it on to wax at some point. Enjoy!

Seiko Brothers - Children of the Universe
(Hotthobo & AmyWhoa Horsiverse Edit)

Ring The Bell

Here is one of my favorite Manu Dibango tracks in his 1972 cut of "New Bell". This funky African jazz gem was originally released off of Dibango's classic album Soul Makossa. The song is often over-shadowed by the record's titled track, "Soul Makossa", and probably rightfully so. That being said, "New Bell", which finds Dibango's signature sound at it's best, is an overall amazing track that certainly has the ability to stand on it's own. Enjoy!

Manu Dibango - New Bell

Moods & Grooves

I've mentioned before on this site that occasionally I like to re-post certain songs, especially if the original post was featured a while ago. That certainly is the case with today's featured track in Ju-Par Universal Orchestra's funky 1976 track "Flute Salad", which was featured on this site about two years ago. I've been a huge fan of the song ever since I first came across the song and the group's album Moods & Grooves a few years ago in a Seattle record store. To this day I very much regret not splurging and buying the expensive used original because I haven't seen a copy of the record since. That being said, "Flute Salad" is just one of many great tracks from the mid-seventies album which also includes funky cuts like "Funky Music", "Time", "Chicago Calypso", and "Mocha Velvet" to name a few. As I find myself constantly expanding my boundaries musically, I find myself enjoying Moods & Grooves even more than what I did a few years ago. The record nicely blends jazz, funk, soul, and even a touch of Latin grooves together to produce an absolutely brilliant masterpiece. I just hope that the "Vinyl Gods" will be kind and someday present me with another opportunity to purchase the album. Enjoy!

Ju-Par Universal Orchestra - Flute Salad

Librae, Solidi, Denarii

With baseball season fast approaching, I find that I'm in a bit of a "left-field" mood today (My far-reaching attempt to make today's featured track relative to the time of year). Therefore I thought I would share the cosmic psychedelic cut "L.S.D. (Librae, Solidi, Denarii)" by The Duke of Burlington. This track, which has to be considered one of the most erotic songs ever written, was released on the group's 1970 self-titled album. I find that the group is mostly known for their funky keys-driven single "Flash", which I also highly enjoy, however the erotic mood that is beautifully crafted on "L.S.D." should not go ignored. With one listen, I'm sure you'll understand that this song was the soundtrack for one thing, and one thing only. Enjoy!

The Duke of Burlington - L.S.D. (Librae, Solidi, Denarii)

24→24 Music

I'm almost finished reading Tim Lawerance's excellent Arthur Russell biography Hold On To Your Dreams and it's safe to say that I've learned a lot of insight into the music and life of this incredible artist. One of my favorite sections of the book is the sub-chapter that discusses the recording sessions for Arthur's Dinosaur L album, 24→24 Music. The 1981 record consists of funky left-field classics like "#5 (Go Bang!)", "#1 (You're Gonna Be Clean On Your Bean)", and "#3 (In The Corn Belt)". That being said, the song that has always intrigued me is the album's only live recorded track "#7". This funky live track was recording during the group's 1979 live performance at the avant-garde venue, The Kitchen. The show was slated as a live performance of a disco orchestra, which was a bit controversial at the time, due to the idea of disco being performed at a dedicated avant-garde venue. Never the less, the show went off with mixed results from the people attending the show and "#7" is the only track to have been released from the performance. The funky track is a solid cut that has a lot of energy similar to the other songs that appear on 24→24 Music. My only real complaint about the live track is that it's a bit too short, registering in just over two minutes in length. After listening to this track, I would love to hear the entire recording of that Kitchen performance. I suppose that unless the entire live recording surfaces, "#7" will have to serve as our only artifact to that unique event. Enjoy!

Dinosaur L - #7

Mulatu Steps Ahead

One of last year's best releases was Strut's release of retrospective works by Ethio jazz legend Mulatu Astatke titled "New York-Addis-London: The Story of Ethio Jazz 1965-1975". I featured this amazing record in a post at the beginning of the new year (Read the Blog Post The Story of Ethio Jazz). Mulatu and the Strut label are back at it again in 2010, this time with the first solo record from the artist in over 20 years, titled Mulatu Steps Ahead. For the record, Mulatu did release a collaborative with The Heliocentrics as part of Strut's Inspiration Information series. On Mulatu Steps Ahead however, the father of Ethio jazz returns with a solid new effort that sounds like it could have been released around Mulatu's recording prime during the early to mid seventies. Mulatu combines some new songs like "Green Africa", "Radcliffe", "The Way To Nice", and "Assosa" with some new renditions of Mulatu classics including "Boogaloo" and "I Faram Gami I Faram". Overall, Mulatu Steps Ahead is a solid new record that I highly recommend checking out, especially if you have enjoyed the legendary artist's earlier releases from the late sixties and early to mid seventies. The only thing I can hope for now is a new batch of tour dates that take him to the west coast. Until then, I will be satisfied enjoying his new masterpiece.

Mulatu Astatke - Green Africa



Mulat Astatke's new album Mulatu Steps Ahead comes out March 30. Learn More about the record at www.mulatu-steps-ahead.com/.

Mucho Macho Revisited

Recently someone asked me to re-post Macho's 1977 erotic disco gem "Mucho Macho" and I thought it would be a good chance to clear up some misled facts about the track that I've discovered over the past year. When I first posted this track almost two years I just assumed that the song was written and produced by the same Macho group that did "I'm a Man", however after some research, that assumption was wrong. This track was released by a different group named Macho, which consisted of two members from The Fatback Band in Bill Curtis, who is credited as a co-writer, and Gerry Thomas who is credited as the song's arranger. The other co-writer of the song is Richard Cromwell, who also wrote a number of songs to The Fatback Band. The "Mucho Macho" track was originally released as a seven-inch single that was divided into two parts and was later remixed to bring both parts of the song together into one extended version. Now that I've cleared up any confusion that I might have caused from previous posts, we can sit back and enjoy this erotic-cosmic gem. Enjoy!

Macho - Mucho Macho (Part 1 & 2)

Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz

In the most recent Wax Poetics issue, which I highly recommend purchasing, the magazine reviews a number of amazing and rare African artists and records. One of the albums featured in the latest issue is Hugh Masekela's amazing 1973 release "Hugh Masekela Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz". This funky record which combines Masekela's signature jazz sound alongside the Afrobeat grooves of Ghana's Hedzoleh Soundz. Masekela teamed up with this group after he arrived in West Africa during the early 70's looking for a fresh group of musicians to perform with. After hearing the seven member group of Hedzoleh Soundz at the Napoleon nightclub in Accra, Masekela recruited the group to become his new backing band. Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz is the only album recorded by this collaborative group and features some amazing tracks including "Languta", "Adade", "Rekpete", among many others. Overall, this short-lived collaboration is beautifully captured in this amazing record, which certainly works out to be one of Masekela's finest.

Hugh Masekela - Languta

Got To Get Together

Here is one of my favorite tracks from the legendary Latin percussionist Ray Barretto, titled "Together". This funky Latin gem was originally the title track to his 1969 album Together, which was released off Fania Records. When it comes to Barretto, it's safe to say that he had quite a prolific career which started off as being a member of Tito Puente's orchestra during the late 1950's before he went on to form his own Latin orchestra, and eventually becoming a part of the Fania All Stars. On my recent trip to Seattle, I was excited to snatch up a used copy of his 1973 Carnaval album, which I've been enjoying and playing in heavy rotation ever since. For those who aren't as familiar,"Together" might just be the perfect introduction to his amazing collection of music. The song definitely has an overall Latin feel, as does all of his songs, however crosses over nicely when comes to the dance floor, as well as the blending of the track within other genres of music. At times it reminds me of an early Barrabas song. Overall, it's just a glimpse of the brilliance that is Ray Barretto. Enjoy!

Ray Barretto - Together

Nigeria Afrobeat Special

In 2009, Soundway Records had a very good year releasing a number of great compilations including Ghana Special, Panama! Volume 2 & 3, and my favorite compilation from last year Tumbele!. Well the record label has reasons be excited as they have started off again strong in 2010 with some solid early releases including the Afrobeat masterpiece, Nigeria Afrobeat Special: The New Explosive Sound In 1970s Nigeria. This record might be one of the finest Afrobeat compilations I've ever heard with some funky gems from Afrobeat heavy-weights Fela Ransome Kuti & His Africa 70, Orlando Julius & His Afro-Sounders, and The Sahara All Stars. There is also plenty of great cuts from a select group of lesser known groups like Bongos Ikwue & The Groovies, Godwin Omabuwa & His Cassanova Dandies, The Tony Benson Sextet, and among many others. For the record, Fela's opening track, "Who're You?", might be one of his best songs ever released in my opinion. Soundway had last year's best compilation and they might be well on there way of having this year's best as well. With all that being said, I recommend doing yourself a favor and purchase a copy of this record. I promise you'll be satisfied.

Fela Ransome Kuti & His Africa 70 - Who're You?