The Boys Are Back in Town

After a short stint abroad, Sauti Sol flew into town triumphant and bearing a near sacred follow up album. Here's my two-cents on the hullaballoo.

A good friend of mine gave me this album recently. Of course Sauti Sol's forst album 'Mwanzo' was one of my favourite last year so I was eager to have a listen which in my book means playing the same song over and over again. I made a very technical appearance at their album launch a couple of weeks ago (very loud, very crowded, lots of pretty people) and I noticed the even was touted as the launch of their sophomore album which for we non-american folk simply means it's their second album. They sound pretty good live, and are furiously energetic.

So the question is have the Fab Four matured since 2008's Mwanzo? The short answer is yes, the themes have gotten somewhat more serious take for example 'Mbinguni' the album's first track. Of coures there are the mellow love ballads like 'Coming Home' that echo their previous work and the insanely catchy 'Soma Kijana'. My personal favourite and is 'Awinja' an instrument sparse but vocally stunning piece that allows we, the listener to busk in their subliminal arrangement and depth. The song is melancholic and heartbreaking beautiful. The album's title however may tad over the top, but aren't all boy bands?

So, Sauti Sol offers little gems of life, love and loss - a veritable soundtrack to life.

VERDICT: GET IT NOW!!

Good God Y'All!

After consistent tardiness from church I decided to spend Sunday afternoon doing a few minor chores and trawling through my iTunes library. Under gospel I came across this little gem - 2009s "What Have You Done My Brother?" by Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens. This lovely mix of old school blues/ gospel had me nearly in tears with it's mournful lyrics of struggle and sorrow - like any good blues album it spoke of wisdom that came only through immense suffering while all the while letting us know (in the most reassuring maternal way) that there is a bright light ahead -  the authentic Negro Spiritual!

Favourite songs are 'I'll Take the Long Road', 'By Your Side' and a melancholic rendition of 'A Change is Gonna Come' a spiritual made famous by Sam Cooke and Otis Redding.

Me and Mrs. Jones

The sensational new album from Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. Their commitment to 1960s and 70s funk/ soul makes it hard to believe that this album came out in 2010 and one could be forgiven for hearing faint traces of Amy Winehouse for the Dap Kings worked extensively on her critically acclaimed album, Back to Black.

My two favourite tracks are 'Mama Don't Like My Man' and 'She Aint a Child No More'. Definitely something you want to play during a dinner party, it will have your guests tapping their feet while you can bask under their adoring gaze.

Best Bands of 2010

My music collection continued to grow by leaps and bounds through 2010... OK not really but here are some of my favourite albums thus far:

1.) BLK JKS

The South African band with a big sound reminiscent of Hendrix. Their performances are equally electrical live and their brassy Jozi style has garnered them many followers.

2.) 340ml

The Mozambican quartet that has now become a staple on the Southern African circuit. Their jazzy elcleticism makes for easy listening with some danceable numbers thrown in for good measure - like the early UB40. And no I am not obsessed with Mozambique!

3.) The Black Keys

And from the US we have the blues duo The Black Keys. This is a nice albums for sunday afternoon chilling,

Favourite Things: Buena Vista Social Club

Undoubtedly one of the greatest albums ever made, and one of those Cuban gems that are so nostalgic and sentimental you can't help not liking it. The handful of songs in achingly poetic spanish and the afro-spanish guitar riffs that speak of a melodeous fusion of culture and history. I say buy it now, it's brilliant!

Favourite Things: Sauti Sol

Other than the unfortunate album cover, the group brought back the Kenyan Ballad, and on top of that made it cool again to serenade women with cool vibes and fancy guitar work. Their universal appeal is further heightened by the number of Tusker Project Fame wannabes that did their songs (and failed) and the fact that it is the only CD that my whole family can listen to on road trips and all. My mum even did a little whoop when they performed on TPF last Sunday.

Respect Yourself: The Easy Guide to the Staple Singers

Nothing says Gospel/ Funky Soul like the Staple Sisters. Respect Yourself was a feet thumping hit in the pre disco days. Their father, Roebuck 'Pops' Staples (the kast S was dropped due to the particular difficulty in pronouncing Staples Singers.) Pops benevolence could be heard throughout many of their songs like 'Respect Yourself', every note they sang rang true as they were ebbed on by their father and his guitar.

Unfortunately for them, disco hit towards the end of the 70s and Stax, they're label, folded leaving them without a niche to hold on to. The legacy of the Staples Family leaves on through their music - easy to listen to, egalitarian, all encompassing and comforting. ''I'll take you there' was an undeniable hit but there are more mellow tracks like "I See", "It's a Long Walk to DC", "Slow Train" and "Got to be Some Changes". Some are mellow, melancholic and wreaked with unspeakable sorrow, others are uplifting, a funky island in the turbulence of the American 60s and 70s. For me what I like most about the Staples was the way they mixed good old fashion church gospel with subtle yet hard-hitting political confrontation. They remain as relevant today as they always did - angels whispering it's going to be OK.

Also worth a listen is Mavis Staples' -the groups husky-voiced lead singer's- brand new studio album "We'll Never Turn Back".

Sounds

• Zombie – Fela Kuti
• Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
• Viva Nigeria – Fela Ransome Kuti
• I’ve Seen it All – Kesivan and The Lights
• Lonely Woman/ India – Kesivan and The Lights
• The Hurricane Of Silence Was The Author Of My Tears - Carlo Mombelli And The Prisoners Of Strange
• Monday Morning in Lagos – Fela Kuti
• Requiem - Carlo Mombelli And The Prisoners Of Strange
• Shake Daddy Shake – Eula Cooper
• Potter’s Field – Alice Swoboda
• Do What You Gotta Do – Nina Simone
• Almost Persuaded – Etta James
• Maria Elena – Los Indios Trabajos
• Rien Ne Va Plus – Funk Factory
• Mandela – Abdullah Ibrahim

Obviously Fela ‘Formerly Ransome’ Anikulapo Kuti needs no introduction to anyone born before 1990. His music was as controversial as his politics and his innumerable wives. His music –christened afrobeat- was like the man, gutsy, loud and definitely had a giant set of balls. Viva Nigeria is from the 69’ LA Session – perhaps a testament to his more conservative, left of centre political inklings before Nigeria melted into a series of turbulent coups and before he changed his name. Later, as grief and disillusion gripped him the songs took on an angrier more threatening tone but one idea remained pure and unadulterated - Viva Nigeria, Viva Africa!

Potter’s Field is a fairly recent obsession. It was recorded in the early 70s by Alice Swoboda. It was neither successful nor critically acclaimed, and Swoboda quickly fell into the musical underground. For one thing it was difficult to class the sound, it was part folk song, part country western and some soul thrown in for good measure. The song is morbid, depressing and a tad self-deprecating but every note echoes with truth and a sincerity that can not be feigned nor denied. Her voice rings clear and deep above the whimsical and nostalgic guitar riff that mask homelessness, despair and damnation to a paupers grave. Nothing else matters “Coz the city is going to bury me in Potter’s Field”.

I coupled this with Eric Clapton’s equally haunting and melancholic Tears in Heaven written after the death of his infant son. It tells of a father’s loss and the fact that he never got to really know his son which causes him to ask rather tragically and with immeasurable grief of a parent “Would you know my name, if I saw you in heaven?”

On a lighter note. Recently I’ve become quite the jazz aficionado. Again is Kesivan and The Lights, the experimental but cool Carlo Mombelli And The Prisoners Of Strange and the legendary Abdullah Ibrahim all of whom are from my backyard, The Cape.

Mannenberg Is Where It's Happening

Mannenberg is perhaps one of the most politically charged songs in the history of the South African Struggle. The song came to Abdullah Ibrahim then known as Dollar Brand almost serendipitously one day after Cape Town's District Six had been razed to the ground. What I like about this song is that it first and foremost defined the Cape Jazz sound and secondly it was political and subversive in a way very few songs at the time were. It's melody is pleasant and nostalgic - almost easy listening but it's the title that got South African's of all shades really riled up. From the townships of Meadow lands and Mannenberg to the Umkhoto we Sizwe training camps in Tanzania and Zimbabwe Mannenberg's tune rang clear and true reminding them of what they had lost, asserting a future that was pendant on their actions - a future that was now in their hands, Mannenberg was where it all begun.

Sounds

These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding

Dust My Broom – Fleetwood Mac

(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding

Me And Bobby McGee – Janis Joplin

Skeleton – BLK JKS

What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye

Say A Little Prayer – Aretha Franklin

Dedication (Daddy Trane, Brother Shorter) – Kesivan And The Lights

Eclipse – Babbu

It’s A Family Affair – Sly & The Family Stone

Otis Redding was the go to guy when slow melancholic soul ballads were what one was looking for. He died unceremoniously in a plane crash in 1967 before his magnum opus (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay was released and therefore like many artists (including Janis Jolpin) he gained unprecedented posthumous fame. Both the songs in the playlist are easy listening numbers and like many of the songs I listen to are nostalgic, tinged with sadness and much like Mr. Redding, a tad fleeting as if on a journey to the heavens.

Now ask any South African who is the country’s premier drama and you’re more likely than not to hear “Kesivan Naidoo!” He is undoubtedly the country’s undisputed King of Jazz Percussion. I have followed his career informally whilst a friend of mine – a Turk follows him excessively so I have pretty good idea of his career. In person he is a rather unassuming albeit large Indian guy with a cheeky glint in his eyes. In front of a drama kit he is a monster. Mad Genius is what I call him but yet there is a method to his madness. Friends of mine who are play the drums find his particular tempo and technique otherworldly. He plays with the style and grace of a Superman, at some point during the many gigs I saw him in you couldn’t even see his arms move, it was all a blur! Above are two lovely songs from two of his innumerable bands Babbu and Kesivan And The Lights. His other band the experimental Restless Natives are not bad either. They all play jazz of course. Not bad for a twenty something year old* Cape Town native.

*Real age unknown, though most would agree that he’s barely touched 30.

Sounds

A roundup of some of my favourite songs of the week.

Bibanke – Asa

Fire on The Mountain –Asa

Eye Adaba – Asa

360 – Asa

Gonna Take a Miracle - Laura Nyro & Labelle

You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me – Laura Nyro & Labelle

Monke Time, Dancing In The Streets - Laura Nyro & Labelle

The Bells - Laura Nyro & Labelle

People Get Ready – The Blind Boys of Alabama

Green Onions – Booker T. & The MGs

Woncha Come Home – Joan Armatrading

Albion – Babyshambles

Moonshadow – Labelle

Asa makes a disproportionate appearance on the list and there’s a reason for that. She’s simply a genius. Her voice is warm and husky (The voice of a Continent?), the orchestration lush and her guitar work inventive. Her self-titled debut album is bold and political yet melancholic, reflective and even sensitive (with an Afro-American thump for good measure). And yes she has dreadlocked hair, Africanists of the contemporary variety lover her for it. I’m indifferent but one listen to Fire on the Mountain and your hooked to that catchy rhythm, that unshakable chorus, the undeniable truths. She is the epitome of New Africa, ballsy and in your face. She takes no prisoners – and all of us are guilty of something…

Who’s responsible for what we teach our children?

Is it the internet or the stars on television?

Why O why? Why O why O!

Let the emancipation from mental slavery begin – this time by a woman.

Laura Nyro also shares a special place on the playlist for the simple reason she reinvented soul way back when. And she’s Japanese. Her seminal collaboration with the Goddess(es) of Soul Labelle (Moonshadow is perhaps their most clever song – and it was a cover!) gave spiritual birth to a sound, not new but groundbreaking, and what an album it is, and what voices? Powerful vocals, sublime orchestration, the stuff of Sunday afternoon drives with the sun in your eyes and a lover by your side…

And finally there’s People Get Ready. Few songs invoke the Negro Spiritual quite like this one. Curtis Mayfield penned it down decades ago for The Impressions but the message rings true and clear. The Blind Boys did a super sonorous cover with hints of Ben Harper on the fret board (subsequently it became my anthem of the week); Alicia Keys and Lyfe Jennings (channelling Al Green) also did a wistful rendition at the end of the film Glory Road. The song’s message was simple; things will get better for the blacks that is – and they did. It’s a song about hope but more than that it is a song of tangible aspiration and optimism. Between Asa and Mayfield lies a place I call the New Africa. We’re not there yet, but we’ll get there. It won’t be easy but it’s within our reaches, within our grasp. And here’s the best part, our own dark hands will build it. We don’t owe anyone anything. The time is now so

People get Ready

There’s a train a-coming

You don’t need no baggage

Just get onboard

All you need is faith

To hear the diesels humming

You don’t need no ticket

You just thank the Lord!

Blaxploitation and The Negro Groove.

When it comes to soul music the name Isaac Hayes shows up on everyone’s radar (everyone in the know that is). Younger readers may remember him as the voice of Chef on TVs South Park. Hayes and his seminal work he did on the soundtrack for the cult blaxploitation film Shaft (1971) earned him an Academy Award and defined the voice of an era. He set the tone of subsequent films of the era; faint hints of Hayes can be heard in Solomon Burkes work in Cool Breeze and others of course.

About this time Hollywood begun to realise the existence of an emerging Black middle class in cities. They didn’t watch white movies (Gone With the Wind Anyone?) but they sure had money to spend. The black hero was born. A man that embodied all the hopes and dreams and aspirations of a people with no roots and no heroes. Their Man of Ebonite Steal! Similar things were done in Apartheid South Africa. Think a triumphant Black man returning to his roots (Bantustan) to the rejoicing of his people. He sheds the clothing of the oppressor and the film ends like an Yvonne Chakachaka video from the 80s. With booze.

Anyway the point is I love the Shaft Soundtrack. Tracks like Soulsville offer the first real urban narrative on the ghetto subculture (and the Black experience) that we now attribute to the more politically charged hip-hoppers like Nas and The Roots. The song is atypical of the era, brassy, a hypnotic guitar riff, the wailing of the backup singers and the husky baritone of Mr. Hayes as he dolefully proclaims You can never touch the sky coz your in Soulsville! Soulsville like Main Street in Anyplace America is where dreams were lost except in a differently. The Blacks had Soul and that was enough, the ghetto that idealised place of gangsters and liquor stores was the grave bed of aspirations, the cradle of drug culture, the crackpot of boiling debauchery and dysfunction and all that is wrong with Negro in America.

Every Sunday morning I can here the old sisters sing; Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, trust and praise the Lord!

The most poignant song penned down by Hayes who in the same album calls Shaft a Black sex machine. But maybe he didn’t strive to be political, or maybe he did so subversively, no matter the case Soulsville carries in it the dying hopes and dreams of a people in a way that Shaft never could, perhaps it boils down to authenticity and the years of experience that Hayes had when he penned down the lyrics. So here is a paradox, the stereotypical savagely powerful and sexually endowed Black Man fighting The Man and a Black Philosopher allegorically lampooning The Man on Main Street. A song for the masses without the Black Panther (esque) polemics of say James Brown.

Hayes voice drifts down as if from heaven and into the mind working his magic as the music slowly lures us into an unbearable and profoundly sad truth. The feelings of a generation; one man’s stereophonic Groove against The Man.

Black man, born free

At least that’s the way

It’s supposed to be.

Sounds

While having an argument with my best friend, he pointed out that he should have figured I was a gay a long time ago since ceratin things I did were self-evident. He inevitably pointed out to the fact that my music is gay. So here is my big fat gay playlist of the day:

• Temptation is Too Hard To Fight – George McGregor & The Bronzettes
• Powerful Love – Chuck and Mac
• Going To Make a Time Machine – The Majestic Arrows
• If I Had a Little Love (Rehearsal) - The Majestic Arrows
• I’ll Never Cry For Another Boy (Rehearsal) - The Majestic Arrows
• I Love You Baby – Movers
• Pain In My Heart – Helene Smith
• Willing and Able - Helene Smith
• Crooked Woman – Edd Henry
• It’s Meant To Be – Krystal Generation
• I'm Gonna Gitcha - Chip Willis & Double Exposure
• You and Me – Penny & The Quarters (an idyllic sunday afternoon track)
• You're The Only Thing I've Got Going For Me – Bill Wright
• Kinshasa Mboka Ya Makambo - Franco

Most of these come from a fantastic collection called Eccentric Soul from the Numero Group. A group of guys got together and unearthed old singles (mostly from the 60s and early 70s) that have since been forgotten (that explains why nobody has a clue what who these people are). Nonetheless all these songs are written and performed by a brilliant people who deserve to be celebrated alongside Stax and Mowtown Records mainstays and not banished into oblivion. Theses people invented a brand new sound and defined a culture.

I stumbled on the compilation while frantically searching for Temptation is Too Hard To Fight by George McGregor & The Bronzettes which I heard on an episode of Mad Men –the sexiest show on television-, I’ve been hooked on the show and the albums ever since. Artists in those days had a charming way with names. Pity we don't see that anymore. This is music that is self-conscious and thoughtful, music about makeups and breakups and the funny thing is, there are no swear words, none! I'm particularly fond of Eccentric Soul Vol. 6: Twinight's Lunar Rotation. Twinight collapsed in 1972 but it left a lasting legacy. At Least for me.

They didn't have music videos then, but have a listen anyway.

Franco however needs little introduction unless of course you’re under the age of 40. His song comes from the album The Rough Guide To Franco: Africa’s Legendary Guitar Maestro. And he is, this track comes from his much later work (1982), I have no idea what he says but it's a beautiful song, mature and subdued yet sensual. He inspired generations of Lingala musicians and other musicians as well.

From the Producer came the sound!