Revisiting my previous post about the amazing Panama Calypso album from the Isthmus of Panama, I was reminded to put it back on the Ipod when I saw the album cover in the display at the Record Mart in Times Square. Earlier I didn't post any of the tracks but this one is just too good I had to share it, called Let Me Do My Thing by Los Dinamicos Exciters.
I've been slowly going through the mixes over at Voodoofunk, there are so many great tracks,
sad to see that Frank is leaving his record collecting tour in West Africa. Because of space in New
York City I simply don't collect records anymore and the piles of old funk, latin soul, salsa, hair metal, 80s etc records I have are sitting in storage. So much about record collecting is the sociology surrounding the experience of digging through crates in odd places on the planet, and once in a while finding that gem you won't find anywhere else. And more importantly the people you meet and experiences you have along the way. On a deeper level it often feels like you are connecting with the past in a pure way, not packaged, computerized or chopped down. It's something people who don't collect records don't understand.
The afro funk is amazing because of how untouched it is, the hiss from the albums, the loose playing and spontaniety. It'd be great to unchain myself from rent here for a while and go to central america and the west carribean and start up the collection again. I love the funk influenced afro beat/island feel type tracks, it combines elements in such a unique way with horns, bluesy bass, great vocals etc. Anyway, without further ado, here is my favorite track from his African Movement compilation, called Cherie De Mon Coeur by Agbandou Babiao. It's 4mb so be patient!
Frank over at Voodoo Funk posted another masterful mix of Funk from
Ghana. He has great stories of record collecting in West Africa.
Check out his blog and download the latest mix here and throw it on the Ipod
(77mb - patience, it's worth the wait!) This picture is somehow beyond funk, and if this doesn't make you want to check it out I don't what will.
I heard Ray Frazier's Whose Gonna Get Your Love on one of the stellar Funky Sole compilations yesterday. Nice track. If you want to delve deeper into this roots funk there are some great playlists by djs from all over here.
Ray Munnings is the former singer from the band the Beginning of the End most famous for their song Funky Nassau. I liked that Bahamian roots funk enough to investigate if there were any other good tracks. The best one I found is called Opportunity Knockin' by Ray Munnings. Check it out!
Pulled from the dusty record vaults is this very nice 7" track by the Diplomettes called Plenty Nasty.
Which is just a great name for a song.
I've posted Orgone's I Get Lifted of the George McCrae classic and now we have a cover version of Beginning of the End's Funky Nassau. I'm not sure which Orgone version I like better the Killion Floor original mix or the remix by Danny Krivit. I think overall I like the voice on the original by Beginning of the End but the recording/ production is much better on Orgone's especially the bass and drums. Orgone's version definitely makes the cut, and I will spin it over the original at some point.
Here's a sample of a nice track from The Poets of Rhythm called More Mess on My Thing.
As promised I've posted a sample of the song Funky Nassau by the band Beginning of the End from the Bahamas. They had a unique funky style incorporating island rhythms with bluesy funk riffs. If anyone out there has more like this please write me, they are hard to find.
I love song Funky Nassau by the Beginning of the End which I'll post tomorrow and wanted to dive more into this sort of Carribean Funk music. The album Cult Cargo: Grand Bahama Goombay has two standout tracks, Dry Bread - Words To My Song and Jay Mitchell's Mustang Sally. I've never been a big fan of the newer barroom version of Mustang Sally but this is a 13 minute roots funk jam.
I can't remember where I came across this one. Ben Westbeech is a singer/ songwriter in the UK who also produces and remixes music. Here he has a track mashed up with the infamous roots funk band The Dap Kings. Listen to a sample here!
Last night was excellent, we went very late until about 4 am. Alexandra was from Venezuela and Joel was from London so it was an amazing opportunity to play all kinds of music from Manu Chao to Wilfredo Vargas to Ray Barretto to Willie Colon, it helped that they had great taste in music. Below our a few photos of Alex and Joel dancing on the bar at the after party while we were spinning. Will post some more photos tomorrow.
Depois Do Carnaval - Azymuth
Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser - Azymuth
Hot N' Cold Basement Jaxx
Watch Out Now - Beatnuts
I Know You Got Soul - Bobby Byrd
Viejo Socarron - Eddie Palmieri
Águas De Março - Elis Regina E Tom Jobim
Congo Man - Ernest Ranglin
Quitate Tu - Fania All-Stars
Usted Abuso - Fania All-Stars
Nappy Root Funkadelic
You Can't Miss What You Measure - Funkadelic
Barato Total - Gal Costa
I Get Lifted - George McRae
Happy Friends The Greyboy Allstars
Jungle Strut - The Greyboy Allstars
Lowdown Popcorn - James Brown
It's A New Day - James Brown
It's Dancing Time - Mr Scruff & Quantic
Suena Tu Bongo - Ocho
La Cosa Se Pone Fuerte - Ocho
Spottieottiedopaliscious - OutKast
The Heart's a Lonely Hunter - Thievery Corporation
Ran Kan Kan Tito Puente
Timbalero Tito Puente
Che Che Cole - Willie Colon
