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Bulletin - September 2010
Ethnic & World Music
Laurel Aitken -> Various Artists

 

NEW COMPACT DISCS


JAMAICA LAUREL AITKEN Pressure Drop 10 Voodoo Woman $15.98
25 tracks, 72 mins, highly recommended
The follow-up to Pressure Drop's 2009 collection "Anthology: Godfather of Ska" (Pressure Drop 7 - two CD set - $18.98), this compilation brings together tracks that the Mods (as in "Mods and Rockers", ie teenagers) liked to dance to at the clubs. Aiken was huge among the Mods in the early and mid-60's and many of these tracks were recorded in 1966, a very prolific year for him singles-wise. With these tracks, we can hear the heavy influence of U.S. R&B and gospel either directly (Bewildered and Blue) or indirectly (Looking For My Baby) on the Jamaican root music that was lapped up by the hipsters of the time. Since the focus of this CD is dancing, it makes a fine companion to the earlier collection and a must have for the serious Ska collector. (GMC)

 
AFRICA-MISCELLANEOUS VARIOUS ARTISTS Discograph 1846060 Africa- 50 Years Of Music, 1960-2010 $129.98
Amazing 18 CD box set celebrating 50 years of African independence with 50 years worth of music. Three CDs each each from West, Southern, East, Central, North and Lusophone (Portugese speaking) Africa - almost 17 hours of music drawn from 38 different African nations. 185 performances by 183 different artists from all part of this massive continent including such legendary names as Miriam Makeba, Alpha Blondy, Fela Kuti, Mory Kante, Youssou N'Dour, Toure Kunda, Franco, Abdullah Ibrahim, Cheb Khaled, Thomas Mapfumo, Cesaria Evora, Aster Aweke, Mulatu Astatke, Salif Keita, Manu Dibango, Oum Kalsoum and many others. The tracks, licensed from some of the world's most respected record companies, are all original studio recordings or, in a few cases, famous concert performances. Most of them were made in the 50 years from 1960 to 2010 - the main era of African independence - but two landmark Egyptian classics date from the 1940s. Many of these songs are known and loved worldwide: Pata Pata/ Soul Makossa/ Yeke Yeke/ Sweet Mother/ Mario/ Shakara/ Jive Soweto while many others will be revelations to even the most dedicated record collectors. Packaged in a 5 1/2" X 11" long box with a 76-page book of photographs, record cover reproductions, specially-commissioned artwork and essays by experts on each of Africa's popular styles. A perfect place to start a collection of African music.

 
HAWAII VARIOUS ARTISTS Golden Stars 5418 Hawaiian Treasures $18.98
Three CD set with 48 tracks. An entertaining and wide ranging collection of Hawaiian music including slack key, steel guitar and more popular type stylings. No notes or recording information but it sounds like the material ranges from the 20s through the 60s and includes a number of tracks not available elsewhere. Includes sides by Sol Ho'opi Trio, Gabby Pahinui, King Nawahi's Hawaiians, Kalama's Quartet, Haleloke, Tau Moe & His Original Hawaiians, Kanui & Lula, Andy Iona & His Islanders, Sol K. Bright & His Hollywaiians, Joe Keawe & The Lei, Andy Cummings & His Hawaiian Serenaders, Henry Kaalekaahi and others. Sound is fine.
JOHN K. ALMEIDA & JOE KEAWE'S HARMONY HAWAIIANS: Heeia/ JOHN K. ALMEIDA & JULIA NUI'S KAMA'AINAS: On The Beach At Waikiki/ PUA ALMEIDA & RANDY ONESS' SELECT HAWAIIAN S: Ku'u Ipo Pua Rose/ ALFRED APAKA: Aloha Oe/ Twilight In Hawaii/ Two Shadows On the Sand/ Makalupa/ SOL K. BRIGHT & HIS HOLLYWAIIANS: Papio/ SOL K. BRIGHT'S HOLLYWAIIANS: Hawaiian Cowboy/ La Rosita/ ANDY CUMMINGS & HIS HAWAIIAN SERENADERS: Kaimana Hila/ Maui Girl/ HOOT GIBSON: Mai Givee (Don't Give It Away)/ HALELOKE: Alekoki/ SOL HO'OPII & HIS HAWAIIAN QUARTETTE: Hula Girl/ SOL HO'OPII & HIS NOVELTY FOUR: Iniki Malie/ SOL HO'OPII TRIO: Palolo/ HONOLULU POLICE GLEE CLUB: Ulili E/ ANDY IONA & HIS ISLANDERS: Minnehaha (Hawaiian Stomp)/ Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wa-I/ HENRY KAALEKAAHI: Ho'okipa Paka-Maunawili Medley/ KALAMA'S QUARTET: He Manao He Aloha/ Lei E/ Sassy/ Tu-Tu-E, Tu-Tu-Hoi/ ALVIN KALEOLANI ISAACS & HIS ROYAL HAWAIIANS: Aloha Ku'u Pua/ DOROTHY KALIMA & THE K SISTERS: Ali'ipoe/ KANUI & LULA: Tomi, Tomi/ GENOA KEAWE & HER HULA MAIDS: Nani Wai'ale'ale/ GENOA KEAWE & JOHN K. ALMEIDA'S HAWAIIANS: Maile Swing/ JOE KEAWE & THE LEI: Papalina Lahilahi/ MABEL KEKINO & THE K SISTERS: Puamana/ JACOB K. MAKA & JOHN K. ALMEIDA'S HAWAIIANS: Ka Wai O Namolokama/ TAU MOE & HIS ORIGINAL HAWAIIANS: Hula Blues/ Little Brown Girl/ TAU MOE & LANI MOE: Hilo Hattie/ GEORGE NAOPE & GENOA KEAWE: Hupe Kole/ KING NAWAHI'S HAWAIIAN BEACH COMBERS: Hawaiian Me/ KING NAWAHI'S HAWAIIANS: I Went To Hilo/ May Day is Lei Day In Hawaii/ Ticklin' the Strings/ KING NAWAII'S HAWAIIANS: Mauna Kea/ JOHNNY NOBLE & HIS HAWAIIAN MUSIC: Hilo E/ Lei Ohu/ GABBY PAHINUI: Hula Medley/ Ki Ho'alu/ Wai O Ke Aniani/ PALAKIKO & PAALUHI: Maui

 
AFRICA-SOUTH AFRICA VARIOUS ARTISTS Sony (South Africa) 68786-2 Celebrate The Best Of South African Jazz $10.98
14 tracks, 76 min., recommended
Those looking for a little education with their South African jazz will have to keep looking, as the booklet offers nothing more than song titles, artists names, and song writing credits. But if Sony cheaped out on the notes, they at least sprang for some quality tunes, including Phatha Phatha by the Elite Singers, the aptly titled Smooth Survivor by Four Forty, the uplifting Maru A Pula by the always impressive Letta Mbulu, and many more. Sometimes the jazz is glass smooth, sometimes it gets a bit feisty, but it's always completely accessible. Superstar Sibongile Khumalo is represented by a live performance of her Township Medley, which is anything but quiet. Perhaps the best known artist here is Hugh Masekela, But the finest moment belongs to Jonas Gwangwa for his sparkling Kgomo, with the instrumental Township Dance by Oupa Makhubela a close second. A nice starting point for S.A. jazz exploration, a solid various artists compilation. (JC)

 
AFRICA-SOUTH AFRICA VARIOUS ARTISTS Sony (South Africa) 68849-2 Celebrate The Best Of South African Choral & Gospel $10.98
14 tracks, 56 min., highly recommended
No information given with this one, and the artists are pretty obscure (at least outside of gospel circles in South Africa). Despite a booklet full of nothing, and singing that is almost never in English, the music is irresistible. Sure, I can only guess at what they may be saying, but whatever it is, it sounds life affirming and joyous. So, Masibuyele Ku Jehova may very well be singing about Dick Cheney's political legacy on Abantu Balibele, I chose to believe it is a song of religious affirmation and life eternal. Other artists include Pongola Gospel Wagon, Avante, Vuyo Mokoena, Rebone Kgotso, Jabu Hlongwane, Derrick Ndzimande, among others. A little mysterious in origin, but a bit of a find. (JC)

 
AFRICA-GUINEE VARIOUS ARTISTS Syllart 6129872 African Pearls: Vol. 2 - Guinee - Cultural Revolution $22.98
Two CDs, 25 tracks, very highly recommended
"Guinean music was in the vanguard of African music -- it was the musical beacon of Africa." These words by Maestro Mitoura Traor‚ beautifully reflect the importance and influence of the renowned Guinean bands of the 1960s and 70s. Traor‚ was a trailblazer as the leader of Horoya Band National, one of the first Guinean bands formed after independence in 1958. Horoya Band National, as well as other bands such as Balla et ses Balladins, K‚l‚tigui et ses Tambourinis, and Super Boiro Band (all featured here) were forerunners of the "cultural revolution," whose official objective was to modernize traditional Guinean music and to restore national pride and dignity. This cultural revolution, like many other radical events in Africa during the 1950s and '60s, found its roots in the fight for independence. A very diverse collection is featured here, covering the period from just before independence through 1986. In addition to the aforementioned groups the material ranges from a flute instrumental by Ensemble Instrumental du Mali to some small group acoustic string groups like African Virtuoses and Virtuoses Diabate to the wonderful electric group Bemebeya Jazz National featuring the amazing and legendary guitarist Sekou Diabate aka "Diamond Fingers." There are also tracks by South African female singer-in-exile Miriam Makeba, legendary Guinean saxophonist Momo Wandel and much more. Includes a 24-page booklet with full-color photos and notes in English and French. Wonderful music. (FS)

 
AFRICA-SENEGAL VARIOUS ARTISTS Syllart 6131572 African Pearls, Vol. 4: Senegal - The Teranga Spirit $22.98
Two CDs, 30 tracks, highly recommended
Another superb collection of African music from the 60s and 70s - this time from Senegal and the adjacent nation of The Gambia. Most of disc one features traditional stylings focussing on powerful declamatory vocal stylings with accompaniments by percussion and various stringed instruments including kora, xalam, ngoni and guitar. It includes a track by legendary griot Ndiaga Mbaye - a brilliant singer, philospher and poet who was so influential on the Senegalese music scne that Youssou Ndour dedicated his 2005 Grammy to him. In the 60s Senegal, like other West African nations, became entranced by Cuban music and many bands performed rumba and salsa influenced music represented here by the great Orchestra Baobob, Star Number One (featuring the gruff voiced vocalist Papa Seck) and others. In the mid 70s, Senegalese musicians started to integrate traditional rhythmic structures and instruments into the music and adding elements of American soul and funk resulting in a musical style called mbalax featured here by such great musicians as Ouza Diallo, Ifang BOndi, The Star Band and others. A wonderfully exciting and varied collection.

 

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