Give the Drummer Some's
Favorite Downloads from the MP3 Blogosphere
Huge and heartfelt appreciation to all who pledged during WFMU's recently concluded 2011 fund-raising marathon. The station came achingly close to making its goal—and in the process brought in more donations than ever before. Special thanks go out to all Motherloders who contributed, especially Andy Waer who stepped up and adopted your faithful Miner (at left) for the next year of weekly free-music offerings here at Beware of the Blog.
This week's haul features early Congotronica, a black-rock operetta, bari sax bravura, Korean pop dementia, and Venetian psychedelica.
Various ~ "Musique Urbaines a Kinshasa"
(Blog: Lucky Psychic Hut)
Konono Yes Yes
If your introduction to the likembe-driven skronk of Congolese bands like Konono N° 1 dates to Crammed Discs' '05 release of Congotronics, check out this powerhouse Ocora cassette recorded nearly three decades earlier. Reservatory, a contributor to Lucky Psychic Hut had originally posted Ocora's CD version of the release here, but Bolingo69, proprietor of the excellent Anthems for the Nation of Luobaniya commented that the disc's tracks were severely truncated—and provided a link to this cassette featuring insanely great half-hour versions of all the tracks. The essential World Service subsequently posted the cassette at a slightly higher bitrate here.
L.T.G. Exchange ~ "Susie Heartbreaker (Ghetto Child)"
(Blog: Hippy DJKit)
Ghetto Fabulous
"This album from L.T.G. Exchange is a blend of Latin, funk and soul wrapped up in a comic-stripped cover that pushes the album as sort of a "black rock operetta." The feel here is different than the group's earlier work but also with touches of mid 70s Philly soul and typical blaxploitation style. Jerry Ross produced, John Davis arranged, and the set was recorded at Sigma Sound and titles include "Cop and Blow World," "Trickin," "Sky High," "Satisfied With Your Love" and "Dinero."" (DJ Fanis, at Hippy DJKit )
[View excellent front and back cover art reproductions courtesy of Lady, That's My Skull]
Hamiet Bluiett ~ "Endangered Species"
(Blog: Free the Music)
Love/Joy
"Here is the first Bluiett's record as a leader. A great record with three of the most powerful players from 70's: Bluiett, (Olu) Dara and (Philip) Wilson . The compositions are creative, the improvisations are energetic, organic and adventurous. Beautifully uploaded by an anonymous user which I thank again."
(Hjulien, at Free the Music)
E-Pak-Sa ~ "Encylopedia of Pon-Chak Party 1 & 2"
(Blog: Exp Etc)
Most tracks seem to get cut off after about 90 seconds. This is probably for the best
"E Pak Sa brought a new twist to the art of Pansori, as he contemporized the ancient tradition by incorporating modern, often Western, pop hooks into his passionate vocalizations. His reputation started to build based on his unique way of entertaining. While singing, he would imitate the sound of all of the instruments used in the prelude and interlude, and even the sound of the whistle used to gather the tourists." (Amy V., Iron Mike, & Soohang Lee, at Fancy)
My WFMU colleague Jason Elbogen wrote about Epaksa rather movingly in these pages last year. Read his post—and witness must-see video—here.
Le Orme ~ "Ad Gloriam"
(Blog: My Generation)
Venice Meets Venice Beach
"Italian psychedelic music is to be found here, and for me, this is a good find. Le Orme's debut is not rambunctious or pretentious. It consists of feathery rock songs with bright melodies in major keys. Nothing fancy, but this is a solid first effort and there are quite a few imaginative moments." (Chris, at Peace and Love)
Listen to my radio show Give the Drummer Some—Tuesdays 6-7pm, on WFMU and Fridays 9 to noon—on WFMU's web stream Give the Drummer Radio.
Send your email address to get on the mailing list for a weekly newsletter about the show, the stream and Mining the Audio Motherlode.
Check out every installment of Mining the Audio Motherlode
Comments