Take a Trip to Asiko

Asiko's full-length record Take A Trip With Asiko is not only an amazing record, but a definite "must-have" for any African music enthusiast. This funky album was originally released sometime during the mid-seventies and made more recently available by Gorrilla Records. The record has an overall Afro funk groove with many soulful and jazzy moments. Some of the records highlights include tracks like "Mother's Love", "Relax", "Asiko", and my personal favorite "Love & Peace". As I've mentioned before, there are a number of essential African reissues that have been released over the last few years, Take A Trip With Asiko is certaintly one of them worth owning. Enjoy!

Asiko - Love & Peace

American Athlete Post #1,000

I'm excited to announce that with this entry, the American Athlete Blog has reached it's 1,000th post. In this day and current Internet age with websites and blogs coming and going, I'm very proud to see that this blog has survived and blossomed into the kind of music resource and website that I had hoped for when I first established it back in the Spring of 2006. It's been over four years since I started this blog, and in that time the site has continued to evolve, discussing many different sub genres and artists as my own music tastes have continued to shape and mature. This blog first started off with a focus more on the exciting "nu disco" sound that, at the time, seemed to be developing right before our eyes. The site then took a prominent and important shift, finding it's identity as a credible disco blog in an age where the genre has almost gained a new re-birthing. As we sit here and celebrate the blog's small, yet significant achievement of longevity, it seems like the blog is slightly shifting once again and expanding it's boundaries musically, opening up it's doors to funky African, Latin, and jazz music. I often get asked by those who follow the blog, "Why did you start doing the blog in the first place?". The answer is simple, to share the music I love and enjoy with others while hopefully in the process learning some things as well. What I find that keeps this blog's "engine turning" is the people that continue to keep coming back to it, sharing their own thoughts and ideas about the featured songs and/or artists. For that reason, I must thank all of you for your continued support throughout the years that this site has been up and running. It's very much appreciated and certainly not ever taken for granted.

After much thought about what I should actually do for a post of this significance, I thought I would go back and re-post a bundle of tracks that have previously been featured on this site. Enjoy and Thanks Again!

Arthur Russell - In The Light of the Miracle(Danny Krivit Edit) (Download)
Barrabas - On The Road Again (Download)
Blackwell - Move Your Ass Gringo (Download)
Bonnie Boyer - Got To Give In To Love (Download)
Bruni Pagan - Fantasy (Download)
Bumblebee Unlimited - I Love You (Download)
Capricorn - Pow Pow Pow (Download)
Daniel Jackson Explosion - Hymn For Africa (Download)
Destinantion - Move On Up(Download)
East Harlem Bus Stop - Let's Get It On (Download)
D.C. LaRue - Hot Jungle Drums And Voodoo Rhythm (Download)
Bionic Boogie - Tiger Tiger (Download)
Belle Epoque - Miss Broadway(Download)
Beautiful Bend - Boogie Motion (Download)
Matsubara - SOS (Prins Thomas Edit) (Download)

Boogie Bleue

When it comes to rare African disco, it seems like one of the hardest records to hunt down is John Ozila's 1979 LP Boogie Salsa. This record contains the classic gem "Funky Boogie", which was re-edited a numerous times last year by a number of deejays and producers including the version I put together that made it's way onto the third volume of Cabana Disco under the name "Chant N Boogie". In fact, "Funky Boogie" has been such a classic African boogie gem that is has led to the overshadowing of another great track that is featured on the late seventies album. This funky cut titled "L'Orange Bleue" is the records final track and probably represents the record's most uptempo and cosmic sounding song, featuring a huge emphasis on synths and background arpeggio rhythms to go along with the songs repetitive vocal chants. I'm not here to say that "Funky Boogie" isn't a classic African disco song that doesn't deserves the prime attention that it receives, however I am here to shed some light on another outstanding track, in "L'Orange Bleue", that makes hunting down the entire full-length album a lifelong task for all of us African disco enthusiasts. Enjoy!

John Ozila - L'Orange Bleue

The Funky Sounds of Akoko Ba

Thanks to many record labels and record collectors, there have been a lot of great funky African reissues released as of late. Generally I'm not a huge fan of reissues, however when it comes to most of the recent African reissues, I have a great appreciation for them because I believe they serve a major purpose in exposing very rare and almost "impossible-to-find" African gems to new generations of music-seekers. This month, another superb African reissue in Gyedu Blay Ambolley's 1975 classic album Simigwa made it's way to many record shops. This record which was originally released by the Ghanaian label Essiebons and now reissued by New York's Academy LPs record shop, has been one of the most sought after Afro Funk/Ghana Highlife records, usually going for a large chunk of change (with it recently being spotted at Paris' Superfly Records for a few hundred euros). The album is solid from start to finish with funky cuts like "Kwaakwaa", "Akoko Ba", and "Fa No Dem Ara" to name just a few. I highly recommend snatching up this reissue as I believe it will move off shelves fast, and eventually gain worth in it's own right (ie. the reissue of The Har-You Percussion Group's self-titled LP). Sometimes I feel like labels reissue records for purely profitable reasons. In this instance however, the reissue of Simigwa is genuine and one which serves an important purpose that has to be truly valued. Enjoy!

Gyedu Blay Ambolley - Akoko Ba

The Afro-Cuban Messengers

It's great that it's finally Friday, as I'm sure all of you will agree. Time to relax and catch up on some much needed rest. Anyways, I thought I would end the week with a funky Afro-Cuban jazz cut from Art Blakey titled "No Hay Problema". This Latin-flavoured track was originally released on the 1960 French soundtrack Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers were responsible for the film's entire soundtrack and features a few versions of the "No Hay Problema" song. The most notable version of the song, featured below, was also included on the first volume of the incredible compilation series Mojo Club Presents Dancefloor Jazz. Overall, it's a great track that goes nicely with all those refreshing Happy Hour cocktails. Enjoy!

Art Blakey - No Hay Problema

Afro Influenced Funk Music

You have to enjoy the batch of new Afro beat group's that have been popping up over the last decade. Amazing nu school Afro beat bands like The Souljazz Orchestra, Antibalas, Fanga, Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble, The Daktaris, and many others have continued to develop the sound that Fela Kuti and Tony Allen helped create during the early seventies. Another recently established Afro beat group that can be added to that list is the dutch band AIFF (which stands for Afro Influenced Funk Federation). The group was founded by Phil Martin and Ton van der Kolk, who along with a full line-up of funk and jazz musicians, wanted to create their blend of funky Afro beat music. The group released a critically acclaimed seven-inch titled "Akwaaba" in 2006, which then led the group to release their first full-length, titled Afro Soul System, the following year. The record contains of many standout moments including unky tracks like "Circles", "Water Girls", "Don't Stop", and the heavy-weight Afro gem "The Seduction". We haven't heard much from the group as of late, however hopefully we will see another release somewhere down the line. For now, the group's 2007 release of Afro Soul System has plenty of great tracks to keep us happy. Enjoy!

AIFF - The Seduction

Survival Sounds of Woyaya

In the coming weeks, I plan to post more African, Latin, and funky jazz gems as that is what I've been collecting and listening to a lot lately. I will mix in some disco tracks, especially edits here and there, however I wanted to start sharing some of the music that has really been capturing my interest as of late. With my one thousand post coming up next week, I hope people continue to enjoy the evolution of this site.

That being said, here is one of my favorite tracks from the London based African group Osibisa in "Survival". This funky African cut was included on the group's 1972 Woyaya album. The original version of this group was formed in 1969 and made up of three Ghanaian and three Caribbean musicians. The group went through a few lineup changes during it's tenure. The group can sometimes be a little hit-or-miss personally, and some releases are harder to find than others. Overall, if your looking for a good introduction to Osibisa's music, Woyaya might be a great place to start. Enjoy!

Osibisa - Survival

A Treat For You

Like I mentioned in the previous post, I'm back from my Paris vacation and quickly trying to recover from all the jet lag and time change that this trip brought along with all the good times that I had. To that point, I'm going to keep it short and sweet with a great track by the French group Martin Circus that I originally posted on this site over a year and a half ago titled "I've Got A Treat. This funky disco gem was featured on the group's 1979 album Shine Baby Shine, which also features the classic cut "Number One Woman". Overall, it's a great track and a good way to start off this shortened week back. Enjoy!

Martin Circus - I've Got A Treat

Back From Paris

Back from my wonderful week-long vacation in Paris. Thanks to everybody who came out to at least one of the three nights I deejayed. I had an amazing time hanging out and deejaying in one of the greatest cities in the world while meeting many new faces and friends. It's definitely a trip I will certainly never forget. Thanks again to everyone.

I did manage to do some record shopping while I was in Paris, therefore I look forward to sharing many of my new finds throughout the next coming weeks, so stay tuned and check back often!

The last bit of news I wanted to share with everyone, was the re-pressing of Cabana Disco Vol.04. The record, which has received praise from people like Gilles Peterson, Al Kent, Nik Weston, Tim Sweeney, Tal M. Klein, as well as being recommended by Juno Records has been re-pressed and is now once again available. You can find the record in many of the major online and dance music record shops. The last issue of the record sold out within a couple of weeks of it's release, and with this being the FINAL PRESSING of this volume in the series, I highly recommend snatching up this latest pressing while they are still available.

Pat Les Stache in Paris: Part 3

Friday, July 16
Tape Bar
21 rue de la Roquette
w/ Guillaume Galuz
10:00pm - 2:00am

Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '88 - I'll Tell You

Pat Les Stache in Paris: Part 2

Thursday, July 15, 2010
Curio Parlor
16 Rue des Bernardins
Paris, France
8:30pm - 2:00am
>>Facebook Event Page

Don Armando's 2nd Ave. Rhumba Band - Deputy Of Love

Pat Les Stache in Paris: Part 1

Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Chez Moune
54 Rue Jean-Baptiste Pigalle
Paris, France
11:00pm - 6:00am
>>Facebook Event Page

Sam-Jam - Dance and Chant (Todd Terje Re-edit)

Nights Of The Elephant

Amon Düül II - Da Guadeloop (Prins Thomas Re-edit)

New Shoes On My Feet

Since I will be leaving for Paris on Monday and won't be near a computer, my posts next week will be very short, including just a song and a photo. I'm sure everyone can get by fine with the temporary limited approach. So continue to check this site next week, even though I will be away.

If your in Paris next week, please come out to one of the three (if not all three) night's I am deejaying. I would love to meet many new people, along with all those from Paris that have followed/supported this blog and my music/edits over the years.

To end this week, I thought I would leave off with a song I always like to play out while deejaying in Loose Joints 1983 disco classic "Tell You (Today)". By now, I'm sure everyone is aware of the pure brilliance that is Arthur Russell, and this funky track is just one of his many great songs that he wrote and recorded during his life. Even though the song was released during the eighties, the song has an overall late seventies groove to it. It certainly captures that "Disco-not-Disco" sound that seemed to develop shortly after the commercialization of disco during the late seventies. Over time, the disco gem has become one of my favorite Arthur Russell songs. The song's lyrics and uplifting groove seem to always have the ability to put me in a good mood. Overall, like many of Arthur's songs, "Tell You (Today)" is a classic among classics. Enjoy!

Loose Joints - Tell You (Today)

Edits By Mr. K, Volume Two

I was excited to get a press release today from Strut Records announcing the much anticipating upcoming release of Edits By Mr. K Vol. 2 by the one and only Danny Krivit. The first volume, which was released by Strut back in 2003, included some incredible re-edits including Diana Ross' "No One Gets The Prize", Lenny Williams' "You Got Me Runnin'", Ecstasy, Passion & Pain's "Ask Me", The Sisters Love's "Give Me Your Love", and Betty Wright's "Where is the Love" among many others. Volume 2 of the series will begin where the first record left off with Krivit tackling Milton Hamilton's "We Have All The Time", Midnight Movers' "Follow The Wind", Black Blood's "Chicano", The Fatback Band's "Spanish Hustle", and Rare Pleasure "Let Me Down Easy" just to name a few. This new collection of re-edits will be released on September 14th. From the difficulty that I have found in trying to hunt down the first volume, I will assume that this record will move very fast and quickly become just as hard-to-find, therefore making it an absolute priority to purchase this record very shortly after it's been released. I heard about this release way back at the beginning of the year and have been anticipating it's release ever since. I am certainly going to enjoy the remaining days of summer, however I now have at least one reason to look forward to the fall and the upcoming second volume release of Edits By Mr. K.

Tracklist:
1. PATRICE RUSHEN – MUSIC OF THE EARTH
2. MILTON HAMILTON – WE HAVE ALL THE TIME
3. MIDNIGHT MOVERS – FOLLOW THE WIND
4. BLACK BLOOD – CHICANO
5. RARE PLEASURE – LET ME DOWN EASY
6. BLUE MODERNE – THROUGH THE NIGHT
7. PHILADELPHIA ALL-STARS – LET’S CLEAN UP THE GHETTO
8. SOUND EXPERIENCE – DON’T YOU KNOW YOU’VE BROKEN MY HEART
9. THE FATBACK BAND – SPANISH HUSTLE
10. CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD – LIFE & DEATH

Here is one of my favorite re-edits from the first volume. Enjoy!

Lenny Williams - You Got Me Runnin' (Danny Krivit Edit)

A Coltrane Rhythm

Here is a funky jazz gem titled "A Coltrane" by Richard Raux & Hamsa. This rare track, which features some tasty African influenced percussion work combined with some nice saxophone leads, was featured on the group's 1975 self-titled album. The track was also more recently included on the amazing "Bilongo - A Third Collection Of Modern Afro Rhythms" compilation. Overall, it's a great track that nicely brings together elements from both jazz and African funk. Enjoy!

Richard Raux & Hamsa - A Coltrane

Love The Way You Move

I'm counting down the final days until my trip to Paris. I've very much excited, as this visit has been in the works now for almost an entire year. Note the dates I will be playing, which have been posted at the top of the right-handed side of this site.

To lead off this final week before my trip, I thought I would post Michele's brilliant 1977 disco classic "Disco Dance". This track was originally released by West End Records as a twelve-inch single that featured two incredible mixes, the original eight-plus minute mix by Tom Moulton and the extended thirteen-minute version by Patrick Cowley. The original version of the song was also included on Michele's full-length album release Magic Love, which also featured the ground-breaking disco gem "Can't You Feel It". More recently the track has found it's way onto the screen in West End Record's 2006 documentary, Gay Sex In The 70's. Overall, Disco Dance is a classic among classics and one that has helped make both the twelve-inch single and her full-length album prime finds for any disco collector. Enjoy!

Michele - Disco Dance (Patrick Cowley Mix)

Have a Happy Fourth!

Enjoy the BBQ's, the Cheap Beer, and the Butter...America, this is for you!

Sound of the Jungle

I'm counting down the hours to the beginning of the long 3-day weekend, however before I sign off for a few days I thought I would share a recent re-edit I did of Kongas' 1978 tropical disco track "Jungle". As soon as I heard this track years ago, I knew I would want to eventually put my own spin on it and re-edit the song. This was a really enjoyable edit to work on, as I got to play around, as I always like to do, with a lot of interesting nature sound effects. Right now I haven't decided if this edit will receive a proper release or not, as I've been spending most of my time trying to organize the next Cabana Disco release. Until then, sit back and enjoy your long weekend to the funky sounds of the jungle.

Kongas - Jungle (Pat Les Stache Re-Edit)

Record Shops in Paris

With my upcoming trip to Paris being only one week away, I thought I would ask those that either live in Paris or are very familiar with the city to give me some recommendations on some of the cities best record shops. I've noted a few like Croco Discs, Croco Jazz, Groove, Superfly Records, and a few others, however I wanted to know if there is any places I might be missing. I certainly will appreciate any helpful hints. Thanks!

Lectric Love Music

Here is a re-post of the slightly erotic disco gem "Lectric Love" by The Destroyers. This cosmic cut was originally released as a twelve-inch single off of Salsoul Records. Unfortunately, this twelve-inch single represents the only release from the New York trio. The track was more recently included on the second volume of the Salsoul Presents: Disco Funk Flavas compilation. Overall, a classic cut made perfect for all those more interesting "late night situations". Enjoy!

The Destroyers - Lectric Love