Mining the Audio Motherlode, Volume 70 (MP3s)

Give the Drummer Some's
Favorite Downloads from the MP3 Blogosphere

Just zipped back to NYC after buying an abode in Pittsburgh, where the family and I will be relocating this summer. Mining the Audio Motherlode will continue from home base in Squirrel Hill (one blessed block from Jerry's Records) as will the my show Give the Drummer Some, which I will webcast live (9-noon on Fridays, as usual) on WFMU's brand-new stream, tentatively called STREAMING THE AUDIO MOTHERLODE. More news about further developments in this space as they unfold...

Nico Gomez  ~  "Ritual"
(Blog: Hippy Djkit)

What's Flemish for Funky?
Amsterdam-born Joseph Van Het Groenewoud relocated to Belgium in his early twenties (reportedly to escape service in the Dutch army), where he played viola in a formal orchestra. In the late '50s, Groenewoud (father of Flemish pop star/actor Raymond Van Het Groenewoud), formed an exotica band Les Chakachas. In 1971, a year before Chakachas had a breakout hit with their orgasmatronic "Jungle Fever," Groenewoud—who'd taken the stage name Nico Ooms, then changed it to Nico Gomez—record tracks for all-time killer dancefloor-filler Ritual, with his new outfit, Afro Percussion Inc.

John Lee Hooker  ~  "I Feel Good"
(Blog: Mississippi Moan)
From the album: Stand By (mp3)
[Password = mississippimoan]

Give John Lee Hooker Some
Musically unrelated to James Brown's high-octane anthem "I Feel Good," from 1965, John Lee Hooker recorded a shuffling blues of the same name four years later. Curiously, during another track from that session, "Stand By," Hooker intones Brown's signature phrase, "Give the Drummer Some!," in urging on the date's traps master, S.P. Leary. Sadly, this tune (which I just happen to use as the closing theme to my radio show) is missing from the download file, so I've provided it above.

Rock-A-Mambo  ~  "African Retro, Vol. 5"
(Blog: Lucky Psychic Hut)
From the album: Les Voyous (mp3)

Conga Congo
Featuring a rotating cast of top musicians—like guitar maestro Docteur Nico and vocalist extraordinaire Le Grand Kalle—in 1960s Brazzaville, Rock-A-Mambo brought together the cream of the Congolese pop crop. The fine blog Sea Never Dry shared some luscious tracks last September; Dr Rhythm's Muzikifan site has posted a helpful discography.

Nelson Ferraz  ~  "Lamento Negro"
(Blog: Flash Strap)

Robeson-esque
If the eminent blogger Zecalouro, at Loronix, doesn't know much about Nelson Ferraz, you can't expect much from the Motherlode's team of Googlers. A commenter at the site LP Cover Lover indicates the title song is analagous to a Brazilian "Strange Fruit," portraying the brutal exploitation of black laborers. Sadly, no new items have sprouted in Loronix's loamy fields for over eight months. Cheers to Flash Strap for echoing this curiosity originally posted there.

Dick Gaughan  ~  "No More Forever"
(Blog: F.O.F.)
From the album: The Fair Flower of Northumberland (mp3)

Gawkin' at Gaughan
Beloved Celtic trad revivalist Dick Gaughan recorded this charm-drenched solo debut for Trailer in 1971. On his website, Gaughan lists his influences as: "Karl Marx, Groucho Marx, Flann O'Brien, Bert Jansch, Betty Frieden, John Lennon, Vladimir Illych Lenin, Hugh MacDiarmid, Tim Berners-Lee, Davy Graham, Doc Watson, Hank Williams, Jeannie Robertson, Ewan MacColl, Somerled, Bertolt Brecht, his mother (Gaughan's mother, not Brecht's), his father (likewise), his grandparents, Calgacus, Dolina MacLennan, Crazy Horse, Sandy Denny, Martin Carthy, Clarence White, Sean O'Riada, Jack Mitchell, John MacLean, Big Bill Broonzy, Hamish Henderson, Robert Burns and everybody else he ever met, read, saw, heard or spoke with."

Los Destellos  ~  "En la Cumbre"
(Blog: El Stinkeyes)

Funky But Chicha
Well represented on Barbès Records' glorious compilation Roots of Chicha, Los Destellos were one of the earliest Peruvian bands to meld Colombian cumbia with local folklorica—and a heavy dose of electric guitars. Formed in Lima more than 45 years ago, Los Destellos are still active today.

Listen for music from these and other incredible finds on
Give the Drummer Some, Fridays on WFMU, 9 to Noon (ET).

Check out every installment of Mining the Audio Motherlode

Comments

[icastico]

Here's my humble additons:

Cool krautrock
http://knowyourconjurer.blogspot.com/2010/05/agitation-free-2nd-1973.html

Cool Afro-vibraphone
http://ghostcapital.blogspot.com/2010/05/lennie-hibbert-creation-studio-one-1969.html

[Sister Hairy Hymen]

The Hooker CD is no longer there.

[Doug Schulkind]

The Hooker album is there. The blogger at Mississippi Moan uploaded a new version with the missing track on a new page. I have revised the link to reflect the change. Thanks to SSH for pointing out the discrepancy.