Wake Up Your Mind

This week the French label Hot Casa Records released an official re-issue of Joni Haastrup's classic Afro-funk album Wake Up Your Mind. This was the Nigerian-born and now Oakland, Ca. based solo album, however not his only music contribution to the world. Before releasing his solo record back in 1978 off of the Afrodisia label, Haastrup was featured on many notable African-based records including Orlando Julius' 1966 album Super Afro Soul, as well as playing guitar and keys in Ginger Baker's African inspired group Ginger Baker's Air Force. During the mid seventies Haastrup led the Afro-funk/ Afrobeat band MonoMono, who released a couple of amazing records which have just been re-released by Tummy Touch and Soundway Records. Overall, the man once known as Nigeria's "Soul Brother Number One" has contributed quite a bit musically to the world, and his late seventies masterpiece Wake Up Your Mind is an absolute gem that helps capture the brilliance of this legendary artist. Please go do yourself a favor and purchase all of these recent released re-issues!!!

Joni Haastrup - Greetings

Viva Panama!

Over the last 6 years, the London based label Soundway has continued to release an impressive collection of compilations and reissues focused on rare Afro, Latin, and funky international grooves. Their label has turned into a stamp of quality when it comes to these hard-to-find sounds. Looking back now at their extensive collection of releases, the Latin and Cumbia focused compilation series Panama! is definitely one of the labels crowned achievements. This three part series highlighted extremely rare sixties and seventies Latin, Calypso, and Cumbia selections out of North and South America. I've highlighted some of the newer additions in this series on this site (see Panama! 3), however today I thought I would pay tribute to the entire series by sharing one of my favorite tracks off the first Panama! release in the very fitting selection "Viva Panama" by Papi Brandao Y Sus Ejecutivos. A superb funky tropical gem that really gives good insight into the overall sound of the entire compilation series. As more years continue to go by, I think record collectors and music critics will come to the agreement that Panama! was one of the best crafted Latin focused compilation series ever crafted.

Papi Brandao Y Sus Ejecutivos - Viva Panama

Caribbean Cruise Music

Here is the funky tropical gem "Voodoo" by Cyril Diaz & His Orchestra. This late fifties track, is just one the four amazing instrumental calypso songs found on this retrospective 10" record that was recently released by Soundway Records. This limited edition release features some of the best tracks from the Trinidad based band's two full-length records Calypso Carnival 1958 Vol. 1 and Caribbean Cruise With The Cyril Diaz Orchestra. I imagine this 10" release won't last long in record shops, therefore I highly recommend snatching up a copy soon. Enjoy!

Cyril Diaz & His Orchestra - Voodoo

Cartagena!

Just as the days begin to be longer and the weather starts to warm up, Soundway has released the perfect compilation to compliment the beginnings of spring with the release of Cartagena! which pays tribute to Curro Fuentes and "The Big Band Cumbia and Descarga Sound of Colombia" during the sixties and early seventies. Very remeniscent of other great Latin Soundway compilations like Panama!, "Palengue Palengue!", and " Tumbele!", Cartagena! is solid from start to finish featuring a collection of extremely rare Latin gems that could easily cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars if you tried to collect the originals separately. The compilation is easily one of the best releases so far this year, therefore I highly recommend snatching up a copy. Is summer here yet?!?!

Lucho Bermudez y su Orquesta - Fiesta De Negritos



You purchase a copy of Soundway's Cartagena! compilation by Clicking Here.

More Funky Sounds From Ghana

I'm away from my computer for most of this beautiful Friday, so I'm going to keep it short and sweet with a Afro funk gem, titled "Atwer Abroba" by Ebo Taylor. This funky track was originally featured on Taylor's 1977full-length album Twer Nyame. The track can also more easily be found on Soundway Records excellent Ghana Soundz Vol.02 compilation, which I highly recommend purchasing. Overall, a great Afro funk track to end the week with. Enjoy your weekend!

Ebo Taylor - Atwer Abroba

Hedzoleh Soundz!

It might be safe to say, at this point, that the people at Soundway Records are releasing some of the best and most hard-to-find African gems right now. The string of great releases continues with a couple of rare full-length reissues including the long forgotten album by Hedzoleh Soundz simply titled Hedzoleh. This record was the collection of music the group recorded months before the band met and decided to become the backing band for African jazz legend Hugh Masekela. The group and Masekela went on to record the highly acclaimed album Masekela - Introducing Hedzoleh, which even though brilliant in it's own self, unfortunately helped overshadowed the original group's previous work. Before teaming up with Masekela, the group were a staple, playing their brand of unique Afro-funk and highlife at the notorious Napoleon nightclub in Ghana. The essence of that material and those performances can be found on this solid new reissued release which includes funky African gems like "Rekpete", "Mee Bee (When)", "Yei Baa Gbe Wo" and "Hedzoleh!" among others. Overall, the record is one of the better reissues that have been released over the last couple of years, giving life to the forgotten and lost sounds from one of Africa's most notable groups. Enjoy!

Hedzoleh Soundz - Hedzoleh!

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?

Panama! 3 Release Party Tonight

Over the last few years, Soundway Records has been releasing some the best compilations focusing on all different kinds of funky rare world grooves from Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. This is why I'm excited that tonight, San Francisco's Elbo Room will be hosting Soundway's DJ Beto alongside Groove Merchant's Vinnie Esparza, and DJ Guillermo for a Panama! 3 release party. The Panama! 3 compilation, which has been mentioned before of this site, was one of my personal favorites of the year comprised of rare and impossible-to-find Calypso Panameno, Guajira Jazz, and Cumbia Tipica grooves. According to the Soundway website, part 3 will make up the last of this increadible series. Therefore, I highly recommend everyone in the bay to head down to the Elbo Room for this very exciting one-time event.

Here are a few tracks off the compilation to get you excited about tonight.
Papi Brandao Y Sus Ejecutivos - Bilongo


Ralph Weeks with The Telecasters - Gua Jazz


Soundway Records and Groove Merchant present
Panama! 3: Record Release Party
@ Elbo Room, 647 Valencia Street, SF

Rare Grooves from the French Caribbean

One of the more surprising favorites of 2009 was my personal choice for compilation of the year in Soundway Records' Tumbele! Biguine Afro & Latin Sounds From The French Caribbean 1963-74. This compilation is far from being considered "disco", however the record is one of the funkiest compilations I've ever heard. From start to finish, this album is very solid. Most of the songs and artists, before this compilation was released, I've never heard before, and this record really highlights the lost rare grooves from the French Caribbean. Some of my favorite cuts, even though I enjoy the entire record, include Barel Coppet Et Mister Lof's "Jeunesse Vauclin", Robert Mavounsy Quartet's "Henri Te Vle Maye", and Raphael Zachille's "Manze Mona" among many others. Overall, this might be one of those compilations that you find yourself sitting on the fence when it comes to purchasing, which makes sense due to the comp's very unknown and rare material, however if you enjoy funky rare world beats and Latin/ Afro grooves, this amazing record is an absolute masterpiece. Enjoy!

Barel Coppet Et Mister Lof - Jeunesse Vauclin



Robert Mavounsy Quartet - Henri Te Vle Maye

There's a Fire Down Below

Back from a nice break off. Thanks for all the Happy Birthday wishes. I ended up having a nice relaxing day consisting of record store shopping, Mexican food, and plenty of tasty drinks. Anyways, I always find this time of the year becomes quite hectic with the upcoming holidays and New Year. It's probably about time I start paying tribute to some of my favorite releases of 2009. After looking back on this year I found that I got really into funky world music thanks to labels like Soundway, Strut, and Honest Jon's among others. I found myself trying to constantly crossover rare African, Latin, or Caribbean music with funky disco gems. This whole process has been quite challenging, yet very refreshing and exciting, not to mention still a work in progress. Regardless, one of the new of the many compilations I found myself enjoying this year was Soundway's Panama! 3 release. This compilation focused on Calypso Panameño, Guajira Jazz and Cumbia Típica on the Isthmus from 1960–75. Now many of those music genres sounded very foreign to me, therefore the way I would break it down is describing it as rare tropical Latin jazz-funk (if that helps simplify it at all?). I found myself constantly putting this record on and trying to dissect each and every track. I'm not going to go into each and every song that moved me, as there were many, however I will just say that I recommend everyone giving it a listen and a chance. It might not be disco, however it's definitely funky and if you can somehow successfully work a song or two from a compilation like this in a disco set I think it could be powerful. Anyways, Enjoy!

Lord Panama & The Stickers - Fire Down Below

The Sound Of The Lagos Dancefloor

Over the past couple of years, there have been some great compilations released that have focused around African and Nigerian music during the seventies. My personal favorite of the many compilations has to be Soundway records' release of Nigeria Disco Funk Special: The Sound Of The Underground Lagos Dancefloor 1974-79. From the moment I listened to the record I was hooked. Including standout cuts like T-Fire's "Will Of The People", S-Job Movement's "Love Affair", The Sahara All Stars's "Take Your Soul", Jay-U Experience's "Some More" and many more, the double vinyl album consists of some of the rarest and funkiest Nigerian music I have heard to date. If your into some of these tracks, I also highly recommend checking out the other Nigeria Special compilations from Soundway. It's always nice to see how disco made it's way into other countries, coultures, and vice versa. Enjoy!

S-Job Movement - Love Affair