Mining the Audio Motherlode, Volume 196

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

The music-sharing scene took a beating in 2012, what with the demolition of Megaupload, the neutering of Rapidshare and Mediafire, and the immolation, self- and otherwise, of countless shrines to music adoration across the blogosphere. But through it all, the hits just kept coming and we here at Mining the Audio Motherlode were mighty chuffed to celebrate the best of the choicest postings in this space on a weekly basis.

Before we turn our earlobes to the torrent of brilliant recordings to come in 2013, let's take a look back at the Miner's favorite offerings in the past year of Motherlodes. In case you missed them the first time, the download links to these wonders are still working, so get your clicks on. Happy Old Ears!

Timmy Thomas ~ Live in Africa
(Blog: Electric Jive)

From Motherlode #170
"It is a good time to revive that anthem that made Timmy Thomas so special to millions of South Africans. Milner Park Stadium, Johannesburg in December 1978 was an edgy place for thousands of black South Africans to sing songs like “Why Can’t We Live Together” at a live concert. The song again became a big hit on the eve of South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994. For many, the song still holds relevance today, in South Africa and elsewhere in the world. (Description from Chris Albertyn, at Electric Jive)

Suni McGrath ~ Cornflower Suite
(Blog: Ghostcapital)

From Motherlode #183
This gorgeous album has been all over the blogs the past five years. The terrific Grown So Ugly first posted it in 2007. When that blog went belly-up, Zoltar's Revenge carried the torch in 2009 (earning a mention in Motherlode #144). When Grown So Ugly came back briefly in 2010, Ghostcapital devoted a post to the record, linking back to GSU's original offering. Now this year, with all previous links now moribund, Nicholab from Ghostcapital has upped a fresh vinyl rip for all to enjoy. Don't sleep on it!

Roswell Rudd ~ Maine
(Blog: Incontant Sol)

From Motherlode # 164
"This is a hyperkinetic date, top speed ahead from all four and to me, Dulfer is a revelation, even over-powering Rudd at times, particularly on the Rollins piece. Sometimes you need a bit of coolness to balance the hotness, and the soloists do compliment each other nicely. Recommended, and to be played reasonably loud to appreciate the full dynamics of this wonderful date! And it's a topnotch recording to boot." (Description by Kinabalu, at Inconstant Sol)

Suchat Thianthng ~ Waen Wiset
(Blog: Monrakplengthai)

From Motherlode #162
"I've got quite a classic to share this week. Continuing with the theme of racy album art, we've got some great late-era work from Mr. Suchat Thianthong! Suchat was born and raised in Ayutthaya Province, and spent time working as a market seller and freelance boxer before joining the legendary Chularat Band. Initially his specialty was slow, sweet love songs in the style of Thun Thongchai, but he lost his trademark high notes after a crippling case of tonsillitis. Not willing to leave the stage, he applied his gritty new voice to comedic effect and proved a bigger hit than ever before. This is a collection of his "post-op" hits, featuring songs about liquor and ganja, along with a good amount of raunchy wordplay, and even a tale about a pair of "magic glasses" (vividly illustrated on the cover). Enjoy!" (Description by Peter, at Monrakplengthai)

Sun Ra ~ Of Mythic Worlds
(Blog: . Adventure-Equation .)

From Motherlode #188
"It has often been the critical practice make short shrift of the Arkestra's work as being too far ranging and ahead of its time (whatever that means). However, one must admit that so many of the ideas that Sun Ra has pioneered have now become an acceptable part of contemporary music, film and dance. The use of electronic instruments such as synthesizers and the expanded percussion sections are common to much of today's popular music. The conceptual references to outer space along with the evoking of Egyptian symbolism and myth may be found in various forms in groups as diverse as the Funkadelics, Earth Wind and Fire and the Electric Light Orchestra. Even the multi-media effects and the music used by the Nikolai Dance Theatre bear the strong imprint of the Sun Ra Genius." (From the liner notes, by Spencer R. Weston)

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Comments

To anyone planning on making an upload site, why don't you just make it say it's only for rare music uploads and no Hollywood garbage or mainstream music. Then they wouldn't bother you.

Posted by: rmqkr | December 29, 2012 at 01:32 AM