Give the Drummer Some's
Favorite Downloads from the MP3 Blogosphere
Don't sleep on the stellar selections in this all-African edition of Mining the Audio Motherlode. I was all set to lead off with another brilliant effort from Guinea's 22 Band (see below for links to three LPs from this magnificent outfit), but then the bottomless oasis that is Oro bubbled up a stunning bit of Cameroonian funk and soul that's as thrilling a listen as I have all year.
Hamad Kalkaba ~ Nord Cameroun Rythms
(Blog: Oro )
[To download, click on the tiny "oro"]
Cameroon
"For a long time this extremely rare and fabulous record has been asked. For good reason I repost it. I think the singer is Hamad Kalkaba, known to have recorded, on the same label Sonafric, with "Le Grand Orchestre de la Garde Républicaine du Cameroun." (Description by Oro)
22 Band-Kankan ~ Dans le Vent
(Blog: Global Groove)
[pw = globalgroove]
Guinea
This is the third album by 22 Band to be presented here in the Motherlode. Can you tell I like them? It is all phenomenal stuff, but this is the best of the lot. The other two records are here and here. Links for both are still active!
L'Hajja L'Hamdawya ~ 'Nuff Said!
(Blog: Moroccan Tape Stash)
Morocco
"I was thrilled to see the return of the fantastic diva L'Hajja L'Hamdawya to prominence in Morocco over the last decade. Through the '90s and early 2000s (when I spent a lot of time in Morocco), she seemed like nothing but a sepiatone memory. A well-loved celebrity from the '50s &'60s who, it was said, had fallen on hard times, been too generous (or foolhardy) with her money, and was now living in obscurity somewhere in Casablanca. Over the last 10 years, she's proved to be not only alive and well, but in fantastic voice, now into her 80s." (Description by Tim Abdellah, at Moroccan Tape Stash)
Alex Konadu ~ Asaase Asa
(Blog: Likembe)
Ghana
"The 1976 album Asaase Asa (Brobisco KBL 016) was a breakthrough hit for Alex Konadu, establishing him as Ghana's foremost exponent of "roots highlife." The title song is based on a true story about Mr. Asaase Asa, who lost both his wife and sister when they were killed by a falling tree. It is dedicated to all who have lost their loved ones." (Description by John B., at Likembe)
Various ~ Jazz and Hot Dance in South Africa
(Blog: Rhythm Connection)
South Africa
"Jazz and Hot Dance in South Africa is a compilation of early jazz recordings from that country. The bopping begins with the Manhattan Brothers, and it does not slow down through 16 songs lasting 43.5 minutes. These are African mutations of American jazz from earlier decades, treasures from the shabeens that grew into distinctive township jazz. There are too many bands to name, but the highlight for me is the early Dorothy Masuka hit, "Ba Zali Bami." The hip song from the Shanty City Seven is sweet, and the closing track spotlights well-known penny-whistle jive master, Spokes Mashiyane." (Description by Rhythm Connection)
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Tanks Doug> more splendids, !
Posted by: Harry Badaud | May 09, 2012 at 10:31 PM