I just got my hand on some great tunes, reggae wise and other, so I'm in the mood for sharing.
Also, today is a special day for me as it is the 60 anniversary of the man who is half responsible to bringing me into this world : Joyeux anniversaire papa!
So I will rejoice by sending some vibes to the world.
Let's start with some british reggae.
The tune featured here is quite a rare one, and I've been hunting for it for some time now, so I'm very happy to be able to bring it to you tonight!
It's on the Dune label on which I have not many info...
Here is what a Discog contributor have to say about it : Rare Birmingham record label releasing 7' vinyl of West Midlands Reggae & Punk bands during the late 70's early 80's.
Record label using a camel image with DUNE lettering overhead as its trade mark ,
Recorded & mixed by Bob Lamb who l believe was UB40 producer so maybe the band or management where behind the label in some one ????
The label states that this was produced in 1982, when many great roots stuff came out of GB.
The A side is the killer one (b-side is nice too though) with massive rolling bass and cool stepper drumming (some cool percussion too I believe). The vocalists are not the best you will find but you cannot doubt their sincerity!
The two videos I found on youtube cut after a while, very annoying, so here is the tune in his entire glory, enjoy by clicking on the blue link below labels!
Now let's head up to Haiti, via Canada...with The/Les Boogaloo's
This is a rarity, private Canadian press, the only copy referenced on Popsike went out in 2008 for big money.
This came out in the 70's according to some website referencing haitian music.
According to the liner notes (I recommend the reading for those of you who understand French, I love this text, such a great introduction) this was recorded live at the Club Chez Tonton in Montreal, which explains the rough sound...
Still the vibe is pure madness, especially on the tune featured tonight, titled "Toto tete cale".
For me this a stormer of caribbean music, from the likes of the best tunes from Soundway infamous Tumbele compilation (see the Vikings post on this blog).
The design on the sleeve is also great.
It was a "blind" purchase for me (no way to hear an extract of the record) but a very good surprise indeed!
As promised in the beginning of the post, it's time for a little extra : the second "dubplate" I got my hand on!
It's a great dubwise version of a great song from one of the really best in reggae history : Winston Rodney AKA Burning Spear.
The tune featured here is titled Red, Gold and Green and is a classic in Spear's repertoire.
But, hey...here the tune get the dubplate treatment and comes with that ethereal treatment that suits the song so well.
So enjoy both sides and get musically high, mystical tune indeed!
No picture here as it is a totally "blank" 10'
I refill my glass of that delicious 16 years old, single cask Rum from Bellevue distilery in Guadeloupe, and let's continue....
Next stop, Cabo Verde, which is one of my favourite musical destinations these times.
Actually, since I got my hand on that crazy mix from Dutch DJ titled Febri di Funana :
https://soundcloud.com/music-with-soul/febri-di-funan-cabo-verde
I love that jumping, super rapid basslines, those vintage keyboards, lovely horns and singing.
When I knew that national drink is Gin+tonic in pint glasses, I felt in love with Cabo Verde without even being there.
The tune is from one of the biggest names from the island, don Abel Lima.
The man first got famous in his own country with his band the Les Sofa. The discography at Discogs and elsewhere is partial as I have seen at leat three records from his Les Sofa period sold recently (for mad prices) and only one is listed.
Here is a link to what seems to be is first (and very nice recording) :
http://freedomspear.blogspot.fr/2012/11/abel-lima-e-les-sofas-cantam-nos-bida.html
After that he went solo in France and the tune featured here comes from this period.
Funky bass, cavaquinho or some kind of little island guitar, nice singing : total tropical winner!
More reggae to come, this is a rare and strange little 7' from the great Winston McAnuff, the "electric dread".
The record is mid 80's production, not his best period in my opinion but the song as a kind of late night recording feeling that I like. Funny thing is that it seems Winston didn't knew untill recently that the song was actually pressed!
I particularly like the heavy dub mix on the version side, with plenty syndrum and vocoder!
Back to Mama Africa with something smooth, some palmwine music from back in the days and from Sierra Leone.
Taken from the brilliant Mississippi records/Domino sound collaboration compilation here is an extract from The sounds of S.E. Rogie titled "She caught me red hot".
This may sound vintage but it's so good, perfect for chilling in the sun with a gentle girl...
And if you like it as much as I do, go and get your copy here :
http://honestjons.com/shop/artist/S.E._Rogie/release/The_Sounds_Of_S.E._Rogie_Volume_1
Ok, time to go to bed, one last tune and that's it.
Reggae, of course, roots, for sure, classic and laidback, here is the 12' version of Delroy Washington's "Give all the praises to Jah", on Virgin label, way before it also became an airway company!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fu1xz51hjqdtzb4/Delroy%20Washington%20-%20Give%20all%20the%20praise%20to%20Jah.mp3?dl=0
Feel the vibe!
Peace to the world,
Ben
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