Compiled by our Pop-desk. In this episode, the best new early music of 2016, according to compiler Maurice Dumont. Re-releases of obscure and music supposedly lost, and some new songs, who happily take advantage of early music. We will be playing music non-stop this entire hour, but short details are placed per title below.
1. Dennis Coffey. Fuzz. (Dennis Coffey). 8:17.
Dennis Coffey was a much requested session guitarist in the 60’s and 70’s and he can be heard on many soul and funk hits from those day. His own minor hit “Scorpio” became world famous, for being sampled in countless hip hop songs. Together with Mike Theodore he produced the albums of Sixto “Sugarman” Rodriguez. Recently the LP “Hot Coffey In The D” appeared, which was thought lost, on which Coffey is accompanied by organ player Lyman Woodard and drummer Melvin Davis.
2. M.A.K.U. Soundsystem. Happy Hour. (Maku Soundsystem). 5:44.
M.A.K.U. Soundsystem is a band from New York of Colombian immigrants. Their album “Mezcla” is a blend of South American styles, sultry funk and urban hip hop. The result comes sometimes surprisingly close to Balkan music, inspired by the work of artists like Shantel and the Nederlandse Projekt Rakija or tge Algerian-French musical amalgam of Mano Negra.
3. Angel Rada. Panico a Las 5 A.M.. (Angel Rada) 5:34.
Angel Rada is a Venezuelan synthesizer pioneer. He was born in Cuba and grew up in Venezuela. In the 70’s he studied electronic music in Munich, Germany and came in contact with Klaus Schulze. In 1980 he returned to Venezuela and recorded the LP “Upadesa” there. From this album comes this special song, which also appeared on the Soul Jazz collector’s “Venezuela 70”.
4. SoulBrigada. Hustleman. (Alex D., Fabio V.) 5:17.
“Hustleman” is on the first release by the label Matasuna and is perfect for on the dance floor. It’s still unclear which song SoulBrigada took in hand.
5. Afrobot. Indian Reggae. (Roeland Otten) 5:26.
The same goes for “Indian Reggae”, for which Afrobot, aka Dutch producer Roeland Otten, snipped an obscure Bollywood track in 150 pieces and taped it back together, which resulted in this dance floor bomb.
6. Alma Negra. Fula Flute (Esa & Santori Live MIx). (Dario Rohrbach, Dersu Figueira, Mario Robles) 6:10.
Alma Negra is a Swiss trio that released divers African-flavoured tracks at Swedich label Basic Fingers. This remix by Fula Fute appeared on the first part of the series Digger’s Workout”.
7. John Heartsman & Circles. Mr. Magic (Fryers Edit). (John Heartsman) 5:01.
John Heartsman is just like Dennis Coffey a session musician, who can be heard on numerous hits, but remained fairly unknown himself. In the late 70’s he released his own LP with his work, which has become a sought-after collector’s item. Scottish label Athens Of The North released two songs of Heartsman on single.
8. Pat Thomas & Marijata. I Can Say. (Pat Thomas) 5:29.
On the triple Pat Thomas’ collection LP, that Strut released this year, leaves a lot to discover. But the showstopper is the work he recorded with funk band Marijata. Briljant, very dance-able tracks, on a crystal clear recording. “I Can Say” can unfortunately only be found on the CD edition.
9. Gabelo. Wokunyeya. (?) 3:40.
The West African coast proves to be a musical goldmine time and time again. The label Hot Casa brings us music from the Togo, in Western Nigeria, between Ghana and Benin. “Wokunyeya” by Gabelo is, with his velvety refrain, is without a doubt the greatest discovery on this collection: so catchy and poppy, it almost feels Latin American.
10. Ibo Combo. Souffrance. (Ibo Combo) 5:44.
On the new Ostinato Records label appeared this beautiful collection of Haitian music. The Ibo Combo was founded in New York by the Haitians going to school there. They recorded four LPs, after which the members each went their own way, many of which led them back to Haiti.
11. Rive Gauche. Walking… (Gilles Peterson Remix). (Alexandre Destrez) 4:13.
Alexandre Destrez aka Rive Gauche is a French pianist who performed, among others, with St. Germain. DJ Gilles Peterson created this awesome breakbeat remix, that takes us back to the 90’s. Only released on limited vinyl, which is quite a shame.
Sources:
01: Hot Coffey In The D. Resonance Records – HLP-9024.
02: Mezcla. Glitterbeat – GBLP 034.
03: Venezuela 70 – Cosmic Visions Of A Latin American Earth – Venezuelan Experimental Rock In The 1970’s. Soul Jazz Records – SJR LP335.
04: Matasuna Rec. Pres. Afreaka! Matasuna Rec. – msr001
05: Time To Set The Night On Fire. AM – 01AM.
06: Digger’s Workout Part 1. Basic Fingers – FINGERLP001.
07: Mr Magic. Athens Of The North – AOE 020.
08: Coming Home (Original Ghanaian Highlife & Afrobeat Classics 1967-1981). Strut – STRUT147LP.
09: Togo Soul 70. Hot Casa Records – 047 LP.
10. Tanbou Toujou Lou: Meringue, Kompa Kreyol, Vodou Jazz & Electric Folklore from Haiti 1960 – 1981. Ostinato Records Llc – OSTLP001.
11. Walking…. BBE Records.
