Postponement
April 28, 2011
From "Trip Photos Free"
No post tomorrow – hopefully will return early next week…
Across the Continent to Benin
April 27, 2011
After a couple of days of Nigerian classics we move to Benin in West Africa with some great groove based funk from T.p. Orchestre Poly-rythmo – a band that ruled the dance floor in Porto-Novo and beyond throughout the 70′s.
T.p. Orchestre rose to prominence during the oppressive Marxist-Leninist regime that ruled the country from ’71-’90 with an iron fist. While no one would consider T.p. Orchestre’s music overtly political - it was rebellious and their music went relatively unnoticed outside of Benin, in great part thanks to the government, until Soundway put out a compilation of their music several years ago. Needless to say the complete LP is well worth your time.
“You are the music while the music lasts”
April 25, 2011
We begin our week of African funk and psychedelia on a sad note – the recent unrest in Nigeria is beginning to “echo” Nigeria’s Civil War era and unfortunately the world is paying scant attention to the rising violence. A few months ago Soundway records released an amazing compilation of Nigerian psychedelia from the early 70′s as the country tried to come to terms with the devastating civil war. The music throughout the discs is equally haunting and beautiful with the compilation’s title track ‘The World Ends’ by the Black Mirrors particularly genius. Very sadly, given the current events in Nigeria ‘The World Ends’, beyond being brilliant, is unfortunately completely apropos.
From West to West
April 14, 2011
After the little ambient interlude we move back to jazz – in this case free jazz improv centered around heavy West African percussion. The Rempis Percussion Quartet’s ’1.2′ is a great example of the world music’s continued influence on postmodern jazz – Dave Rempis’ soaring saxophone might be the star of the show – but its the drum work of Tim Daisy and Frank Rosaly make sure everything stays in balance and keep the music from veering into complete chaos. Much like Tim Hecker work posted yesterday – this isn’t always the easiest listen but for those who are willing to give it a try – it is extremely rewarding.
