dj nyc

Afrocubism – Para Los Pinares Va Montoro

dj nyc

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Great write up on Echos Hypnotiques, Vol. 2 Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Dahomey here and you can hear some additional tracks here.

dj nyc

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When I first started collecting records I didn’t really have any idea where to start, you walk into a record store and being passionate about music everything looks great.  Over time you cultivate your tastes and for me what became really helpful was keeping an eye on the record labels that were consistently amazing, Fania, Tuff Gong, Tico, Trojan, Island, etc.  This helped me find so many artists I wouldn’t have otherwise discovered back in the pre-digital days, Willie Bobo, Mongo Santamaria, Ray Barretto, Heptones, Toots & Maytals.  If they were on one of the labels I liked I’d be more willing to take a chance on them if I couldn’t preview the record before buying it. Now there are plenty of niche labels and a great starting point is dustygroove.com. Lately I’ve been revisiting some of the Trojan compilations (trying to speed up the end of the NYC winter) and can’t believe the Trojan Box Set Nyahbinghi passed me by all these years. 

It’s a departure from some of the more commercial roots reggae compilations Trojan has put out and has a much different feel.  Some of my favorite compilations are unique combinations of genres I love, like Panama Calypso and Calypsoul 70.  For this compilation, it’s essentially mellowed out roots reggae tracks and african drumming which was utilized in commercial Jamaican music from 1967-1975.  The term Nyahbinghi describes the type of music performed at gatherings of Rastafarians.  It holds core religious and spiritual importance to Rastafarians.  The foundation for Nyahbinghi music includes three specific types of drums, the Fundeh, the Bass, and the Keteh. This particular Trojan compilation diverts a bit from many of the other Trojan compilations in focusing on a less popular sub-facet of roots reggae.  With that said this is certainly not for everyone, but if you’re a fan of roots reggae and amazing, unique African percussion, this collection has many gems.  You can hear the full tracks over at Rhapsody and I recommend just letting the songs breathe all the way through, especially Run Come Really and Seventy Two Nations by Dadawah. Unlike other roots reggae collections this is more nighttime listening, so turn the lights down, light the candles, crack out the wine, etc and listen.

My top five favorites are:
Run Come Rally – Dadawah
Rivers Of Babylon – Prince Student (some will recognize this from more popular versions)
Keep Cool Babylon- Ras Michael & The Son Of Negus
Seventy Two Nations – Dadawah –
Starvation – Boston Jack/ Soulites - another great Starvation by the Pioneers here

Honorable Mention: Ossie, Count And His Band – Back to Africa, Pt. 1

dj nyc

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