Here is a great soul jazz gem titled "Brotherhood" from Kamal Abdul Alim. This funky track was featured on the trumpeter's 1983 self-titled album, which features some jazz heavy weights including James Spaulding (Alto & Flute), Bobby Watson (Alto & Soprano), Ron Burton (Piano), and Idris Muhammad (Drums). The remainder of the line-up is rounded out by some lesser known, yet solid musicians that include Sabu Adeyola (Bass), Abdul Wali (Guitar ), and Abdus Saboor (Percussion). The entire album is solid from start to finish, staying with an overall soulful jazz groove that blends nicely with some of the records more spiritual moments. Overall, this is an amazing jazz album that I highly recommend keeping an eye out for. Enjoy!
Let's start the week off with a selection off of Ray Stephen Oche's rare African jazz album Interpretation of the Original Rhythm, titled "Okwukwu-Kiwongo". This funky track is just one of the many amazing cuts off of this LP, which was recorded back in 1970 by a number of brilliant musicians hailing from the Congo, Togo, Guinea, Gambia, Brazil and West Indies. Honestly, every song is truly great as it features a nice blend of Afro and Latin rhythms and vocal chants. Even though this record is very hard-to-find, it shouldn't stop it from being very high on everybody's wishlist. Enjoy!
Today is John Coltrane's birthday (born in Hamlet, North Carolina on September 23, 1926). He would have been 85 years of age. Surprisingly I haven't mentioned him much (if at all) on this site as I felt his sound didn't really fit the format of this blog, meaning his recordings aren't the kind of thing you drop on the dancefloor and expect people to "get down" to. However that being said, Coltrane is my favorite artist of all-time (only competing with the great Arthur Russell). The last record I generally spin at night, when I'm hangin' out at home, tends to be one of the many LP's (Over 20) I own by the legendary jazz giant. Some of my favorites include Africa/Brass, Olé Coltrane, A Love Supreme, Impressions, My Favorite Things, Kulu Se Mama, Coltrane (1962 Impulse version), Giant Steps, as well as many others. I'm not going to try to sum up Coltrane's brilliant and complex career with this post because their is a book worth of material if not more to examine and discuss. Many great writer's have already done that, therefore I'll just keep it simple and say that John Coltrane's sound, compositions, and releases are more than music to me, it's more like a spiritual experience that has the ability to unleash multiple emotions all at once by being subtle yet complex. The first time I heard A Love Supreme I was actually in an airplane and dealing with some intense anxiety due to my constant fear of flying, and by the time Part 4: "Psalm" (the final track) completed I felt extremely calm and the emotional transition had nothing to do with anything other than the music I just heard. From there on out I became hooked on Coltrane's music and sound. Coltrane was the first artist to really open me up to the spiritual side of jazz which eventually led me to discovering my love for other spiritual jazz artists like Archie Shepp, Pharaoh Sanders, Horace Tapscott, Cecil McBee, Alice Coltrane, Don Cherry, Steve Reid, and so many others. So to basically sum it, John Coltrane's music has changed my life and for that, it's nice to put some time aside to help pay tribute to one of the greatest musicians and artists of all-time. Happy Birthday Trane!
Let's keep it short and sweet with the classic Latin rock gem "Na Na" from the Florida based group Coke. This funky groove heavy track was featured on the group's early seventies self-titled release, which was originally released on Sound Triangle Records. During the group's short-lived existence, they mastered the ability to blend the Latin the NuYorican sound with heavy-hitting funk grooves led by soulful vocals. Definitely a true gem!
Here's a preview of the forthcoming release from Sofrito titled Sofrito Super Singles 004 - Highlife Underground EP. This amazing new twelve-inch single features two new funky tropical Afro edits. The A-side track has the Sofrito crew teaming up with London based producer DrumTalk in remixing Mpese Mpese Band's 1986 bass heavy gem "Mpese Mpese Theme" into a futuristic highlife dancefloor cooker. The flip continues to turn up the heat with a reworking of an early eighties Afro-funk track from the Canadoes Dance Band. It's safe to say that there will be no standing around on the dancefloor when either of these heavy-hitting Afro gems get spun. Overall, Sofrito continues to prove once again that they are kings of the tropical discotheque. Enjoy!
I was diggin' through some records I hadn't listen to for awhile last night and I came across the superb 2000 album Liberation Afro Beat Vol. 1 by the "new skool" Afrobeat group Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra (Sometimes simply known as Antibalas) and thought I would feature it today. Even though I generally enjoy all of Antibalas' releases, Liberation Afro Beat Vol. 1 is easily my favorite of the bunch. The album truly captures the fiery energy that Afrobeat originator Fela Kuti so easily generated with his brilliant music. The record features numerous gems including "Si, Se Puede", "Dirt and Blood", "Battle Of The Species", and "El Machete" among others. I don't see many copies of this record popping up in used bins these days, however if you do happen to come up apron a copy, I highly recommend snatching the up the LP. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Enjoy!
Let's end the week with the track "Wozani Mahipi" (which I'm told means "Hippies Come to Soweto") by the group Mahlathini & Mahotella Queens off of the amazing South African Funk Experience compiled by Joan Armstrong. This compilation, which focuses on a eclectic mix of funky sounds that have spawn out of the South African region, was released by the UK label Nascente who consistently put out great releases focused on funky African, Latin, and tropical rarities. The South African Funk Experience comp, which I think is one of the label's best releases, features a number of priceless gems including the disco cut "Oh Yeh Soweto" by Teaspoon & The Waves, the soulful "Jabula's Happiness" by Jabula featuring Vicky Mhlongo , the big band jazz groover "Andromeda" by Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath, as well as funky Afro tracks from Dick Khoza, Dudu Pukwana & Spear, Malombo and many others. Really the only complaint that I have with this release is that it was only released on CD, therefore us vinyl lover's are left scrambling to hunt down all the original releases (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). Hopefully somewhere down the line, the Nascente label will consider releasing some of this material on wax. Until then, I recommend checking out the CD and/or digital version. Enjoy!
It's a little gloomy here in the Bay Area today so I think I need a little "pick-me-up". What better remedy than Wganda Kenya's funky tropical gem "Bayesa" . This track was originally featured on the group's 1976 self-titled album, which was released by the now legendary Discos Fuentes label. This was just one of the many great tracks this group, which resided off the Caribbean coast of Colombia, released during the late seventies. If your into this sound, I highly recommend checking out other songs by this group. Enjoy!
One of the songs that I dropped into my set this past Grow Up I dropped the boogie gem "You're Too Late" by Fantasy. This funky dancefloor friendly track is featured on the group's 1980 self-titled album, which I've owned for a few years now, however had for the longest time never really fully digested. After going through some of my records that I hadn't heard in a while I gave this LP another spin and discovered how much I enjoy the "You're Too Late" track along with a few other solid cuts like "Read Between The Lines" and "You Can't Lose What You Never Had". This album was produced by notable disco producer Tony Valor who has worked on other projects like Soccer and Tony Valor Sounds Orchestra. Overall, it was a nice find within my own collection. Enjoy!
Tonight at Amnesia (853 Valencia St bet. 19th/20th) is one of my favorite San Francisco monthly events in SFJAZZ Hotplate. For those that might not be familiar, Hotplate is a monthly event where some of the best local bay area jazz musicians pay tribute to legendary jazz greats. I find that the night always brings out a good crowd with great energy and the live music is generally solid from start to finish. Tonight will be even more of special treat with the very talented saxophonist Marcus Stephens paying tribute to one of my all-time favorite musicians in Joe Henderson. Joe Henderson had a very prolific career releasing timeless classic on first Blue Note Records, then shortly after on Milestone, and then in his later years on Verve. He also played as a sideman on numerous recordings with other legendary artists like Alice Coltrane, Pharaoh Sanders, McCoy Tyner, Lee Morgan, Bobby Hutcherson, Freddie Hubbard, Horace Silver, and many many others. With Stephens and crew having an incredible ellaborative and very diverse collection of music to choose from, this should be one of the best hotplate events so far. Don't miss out!
Feelin' pretty tired from last night's Grow Up party. Thanks to Sean Boogie for coming out and playing an amazing set! Those that didn't make it out, really missed out. Anyways, I need a little "pick-me-up" to get me through the rest of the day, therefore here is the uptempo soulful fusion gem "Free" by James Mason. This funky track was originally included on Mason's very rare 1977 album Rhythm of Life. Whenever I come across the original, I find that it generally goes for a few hundred dollars. The album nicely blends together funky jazz fusion instrumentation alongside soulful female vocals. A great record for those that enjoy soulful spiritual jazz. Enjoy!
Let's start the week off with a spacey cosmic jazz gem titled "Tibetan Serenity" by keyboardist and violinist Travis Biggs. This funky track, which features a number of great breaks, was included on Biggs' 1976 album Challenge. The album was originally released on a small Detroit label called T & C and was more recently re-issued by the Soul Jazz Records sub-label Universal Sound. Other standout tracks on the album include "I Wish" and a rendition of Steve Miller's classic "Fly Like An Eagle". If you enjoy spacey funk fusion, I highly recommend checking this record out!
Just a reminder that TONIGHT is the monthly disco/ boogie party Grow Up. The night, which is hosted at Amnesia (853 Valencia St bet. 19th/20th), will feature a special guest deejay set from Sean Boogie of San Francisco's boogie crew Sweaterfunk. The East Bay native has a deep vinyl collection of the rarest finds, therefore his set should feature some extremely hard-to-find gems that are seldom exposed. The night will also feature residents Hotthobo, Fenstar, and myself (Pat Les Stache). It should be an amazing night full of disco grooves and boogie gems….what more do you need on a Tuesday?!?!
Let's end the week with a funky gem by the group Afro Funk (Yes, there is a group named "Afro Funk"), titled "Obanya Special". This heavy-hitting Afro cut was originally featured on the group's hard-to-find album Body Music, which was released back in 1973. As you can imagine, the record sounds as advertised with a heavy dose of Afro-funk and Afrobeat grooves. Overall, a solid record from start to finish. Enjoy the long weekend!
Here is a great soul jazz gem titled "Brotherhood" from Kamal Abdul Alim. This funky track was featured on the trumpeter's 1983 self-titled album, which features some jazz heavy weights including James Spaulding (Alto & Flute), Bobby Watson (Alto & Soprano), Ron Burton (Piano), and Idris Muhammad (Drums). The remainder of the line-up is rounded out by some lesser known, yet solid musicians that include Sabu Adeyola (Bass), Abdul Wali (Guitar ), and Abdus Saboor (Percussion). The entire album is solid from start to finish, staying with an overall soulful jazz groove that blends nicely with some of the records more spiritual moments. Overall, this is an amazing jazz album that I highly recommend keeping an eye out for. Enjoy!
