The Soulful Strings : Within You, Without You
taken from the album “Groovin With The Soulful Strings” on Cadet (1967)

The Soulful Strings : Soul Message
taken from the album “Another Exposure” on Cadet (1968)

The Soulful Strings : Listen Here
taken from the album “In Concert” on Cadet (1969)

My high school art teacher (an accordian-playing, thick-rimmed -glasses-wearing, Reno-born, black-haired-stringbean-of-a-woman) is one of the few characters that I find myself increasingly influenced by, and appreciative of, the further I grow into my own quirkiness. For a substantial part of my Junior and Senior years, I would stay at work in the art studio, bumping music from a box that I rarely allowed out of my control, until 6 or 7, when sports practices were finishing up. My driver’s license was tragically taken away from me by an unruly state of bureaucratic affairs, and so I often relied on getting rides home from post-sports-practice folks. During these delicious hours of acrylic paint and charcoal smudges, my art teacher became my closest “older” friend. Kooky indeed, she spent almost an entire year working on a dark, pre-renaissance, life sized self-portrait with a crow’s face in place of her own. Visiting the apartment where she lived with her equally amazing and creative boyfriend (last I heard, he was painting backdrops for Spongebob Squarepants), always entailed a thorough schooling from their inspirational vinyl collection. The eating of pot brownies would not be out of the question and I was certain to walk away with a new mixtape that would continue to enlighten and awe at least until the next installment.

The point is, my art teacher and her boyfriend, who had lived in Chicago together previously, were the ones to teach me about Cadet records and the brilliant work of Richard Evans. To this day I’m diggin after items that I have on tape from their collection- like both of the Dorthy Ashby albums that make any proper beatfreak flip. Before those albums were reissued, I wasn’t sure if they even existed outside of my art teacher’s abode. Anyway, here are some other fine things that Evans was behind. Highly cutting edge in their day, these albums represent some of the earlier experiments merging string orchestrations with pop and soul. It’s interesting when you think about how common that became in disco later on, and how common it remains today (G Unit’s got strings for days). There’s a bunch of other choice selections on this plastic, including the more well known “Burning Spear” (which later became a disco hit), a siiiick cover of “MacArthur Park”, and the sample friendly “Who Who Song”.

Also, check out a nice blog by Kansas City rocker DJ Ozgood – A Damn Shame

And DJ Carlito comes correct as well (he’s got radio mixes available) – Carlito’s Blog

Gal Costa : O Vento
taken from the album “Gal Canta Caymmi” on Philips (1976)

Gal Costa : Minha Estrela E Do Oriente
taken from the album “Caras & Bocas” on Philips (1977)

First off, some basic news:
The Crate now has another official vinyl-freak bloggerista! Let’s all give a warm welcome to L.A.’s illest up ‘n comer DJ/beat meistro- Murphy’s Law (ever though of Murphy Slaw as an alternate?). He’s the man responsible for the 80’s soul gems from last week, and he also happens to be my little bro. For all you cats who rely on your weekly fix, we’re upping the dosage, so be forewarned. That means twice the Gumbo Funk, laid down thick and saucy from both coasts. Slurp it up.

Been busy here, working a bit of sound design for a cool indy theater production that’s a worthy ticket for anyone in search of a good laugh. Props to the Posse. Got busy with big bad Busquelo at Bembe on Thursday night and that’s looking like it’ll start to be a regular throwdown. Getting juiced for Quantic meets Nickodemus here in BK this upcoming week. Then again @ Turntables on the Hudson, I told you already that the album is hot! I’m also spinning at the Kontrast show this Wednesday at The Slipper Room. Swing by and check out some seriously talented hip hop headz. And there’s about 200 other dope parties popping off that I’m probably gonna miss- there can be no doubting that the city keeps you on yer toes.

You want to hear about Gal Costa yet? In the scheme of her career, these two albums are not the most outstanding and rebellious. But I think it’s a crime to overlook the moments of greatness that pop up herein. O Vento’s simple “tic toc” groove has more than enough bump to keep me satisfied, and her jumpy vocal tweaking towards the close of the track is healthy food for a vocalist. Estrela is more of what I like in the first cut. Smooth and choppy at the same time, it’s jazzy funk with a really catchy hook. This is one of those tunes that will pop into my head randomly while waiting for a train at 2 AM after not listening to the record for months. There’s at least 2 other tracks on the disc that will likely have a similar effect on you. You can pick up a copy of “Caras & Bocas” for $8 and see for yourself.

Keziah Jones : Kpafuca
taken from the album “Black Orpheus” on EMI (2003)

Ikwunga with Dele Sosimi : Di Bombs
taken from the album “Calabash” on Rebisi Hut Records (2004)

A while back now (I guess it’s been 6 months already), I had the opportunity to bring the currently reigning Rugged-Afro-Diva-Empress (shown above in the ill VIA logo shirt), known to the world as Wunmi, on my radio show. We started the conversation talking about her involvement with a really good independent Afrobeat compilation called A.S.A.P., which donates proceeds towards the relief effort in Darfur. One of her songs is featured on the comp, along with a different selection from Keziah and the Ikwunga track I’m posting this week.

Thinking about New Orleans, I was reminded of our interview, and the similarly despicable show of inhumanity that continues to express itself in East Africa today. It also happens to be that she’s performing tomorrow as part of the Afro-Punk extravaganza. I’m hoping she does a live version of the extremely firey single she recently cut with West African groove guru Franck Biyong. The scene will be extra heated tomorrow for sure, because just like Kanye, there’s nuff folks who are sizzling and stewing and boiling over. And that’s where music comes from- don’t ya know?

Nigerian born Keziah Jones is “Captain Rugged”. This album is nothing short of mind-blowing. Dead on. From future afro-funk, to broken soul, to political poetics- this album is waaaay more than just a Fela photocopy (no disrespect). Some of you may have heard the Osunlade remix of this tune on the Yoruba Soul Sessions album, but don’t think for a minute that this track is the only gem on here. Solid and diverse throughout, Black Orpheus is one of my absolute favorite albums I’ve discovered all year. Help support this man, good music, and your own aural health by picking up a copy.

Ikwunga was unknown to me until the A.S.A.P. compilation, but since then “Di Bombs” has been in my heavy rotation. Sycopated, political, verse abstraction with a a classic groove from Dele Sosimi, who worked with Fela as a member of Egypt 80. Check out the entire Calabash album here.

Last tidbit: I got The Gumbo Funk E.P. into Ameoba music (both L.A. and S.F. locations). So If you’re on the Left Coast and are paranoid of ordering CDs online or are just too lazy to start a paypal account, you can now go and hunt down the goods at a couple of my all-time favorite music stores.

Seu Jorge : Chatterton
taken from the album “CRU” on Wrasse (2004)

Seu Jorge : Chega No Suingue
taken from the album “Carolina” on Mr. Bongo (2002)

Back from Cali, head woozy already. Pleased to be able, finally, to present you folks with raw illness from the Favela bred, smooth-crooner-poster-boy himself: Mr. Seu Jorge. This guy blew up big time with his starring role in the painfully good film City of God, then helped us to feel at home at Sea in The Life Aquatic. These two records stand out boldly and bemoan all haters of the next-world musical order. So listen here, but don’t sleep.

Now returning to NYC, these thoroughly gorgeous albums have been added to my Crate at last! Starting you off with a Serge Gainsbourg cover from Seu’s most recent project- a more mellow and stripped sound for him (the title “CRU” means “raw” afterall). Chega, from his earlier album on the ever-tasty Mr. Bongo label, is not nearly as danceable as most of the other tracks on the album, but it grooves hard nonetheless and also features a nice bit of work from a synthesizer that sounds quite similar to the one I just picked up at a flea market in L.A. I’m having lot’s of fun right now making retro, portamento-soaked funk licks in my spare time, as I’m sure you can imagine. Produced entirely by groove meistro Mario Caldato (of Beastie Boys fame), “Carolina” is an essential party album for all you Gumbo Funkers out there- samba/funk/hiphop/soul/reggae and all the other things we love around here. Big ups to the recently junglefied DJ Rapsody for the hook-up.

While chillin’ out here on the left coast, I finally managed to get a guest post from lil’ bro, a.k.a. Murphy’s Law- soon to be a regular Crate contributor!

Bobby Rush : Chicken Heads
taken from the 7″ on Galaxy (1971)

Dennis Landry : Miss Hard To Get
taken from the 7″ on Soul Unlimited (1972)

Midnight in the City of Angels.Throwing up a quick tag-team post before heading out to check local beat Maestro Garth Trinidad (the man behind Chocolate City on KCRW) on the 1’s and 2’s. The Hermanos Bethel are reunited under the auspices of a pair of gritty, early 70’s funk 45’s from the baby brother’s stash. No time for lengthy explanations at the moment; the tunes should speak for themselves. Bobby and Dennis droppin’ science!

Batata Y Su Rumba Palenquera : Ataole
taken from the compilation “Champeta Criolla Vol.2” on Palenque (2000?)

Bucovina Club vs Taraf de Haïdouks : Carolina
taken from the compilation “Electric Gypsyland” on Six Degrees (2004)

Swami : Pao Bhangra
taken from the compilation Bar Bhangra on Escondida (2005)

Tata Vasquez : Suite Guaracho Part II
taken from the compilaiton Jazz Bizniz 3 on Counterpoint (2003)

M.I.A. show in Central Park last Sunday was crucial. Barry McGee vs Swoon stimulated similarly (thanks to Aurock for the pics, and for keeping our News & Booze well stocked while Ant passes the 1 month mark in Costa Rica). I’m high and heading out of town myself. Westward bound. Making the L.A. to S.F. cruise with little bro. Expect fresh digs from the road- if possible. And now, on to this week’s music: giving props to a few comps I’ve been subway riding to lately.

Where was I when Champeta Criolla Vol.1 first dropped over here in 1998? I missed both of these gems until a couple of weeks ago. Purchase this album (subtitled: “Visionary Black Music From Underground Colombiafrica”) for the photos and artwork alone. Then flip out when you find out about an entire scene that you probably didn’t know existed. The idea of shouting/singing/rapping over old Prince Nico Mbarga records is highly appealing to me.

Whaddup to my Balkan Massive. With Gogol Bordello ripping things up, and Shantel’s repeated illness, in conjunction with several thourough listens to Nickodemus’ upcoming album, I’ve decided that the gypsy sound is right for me.

Although I haven’t yet gotten my hands on a copy of his book yet, I’ve heard Fabian Asultany spin several times and appreciated his science [*ammendment: it’s his Globesonic partner Derek Beres who has the book out, not Fabian, sorry*]. His first legit mix CD (Bhangra joints old and new) is a helpful addition to my arsenal.

Thank you Jake Behnan and Counterpoint for your service. Please continue putting out records as good as this one. This collection has a personality; the type you like talking to and dancing with at hoedowns, and never get bored of. Allow yourself to hear all the other dopeness that lies herein.

And definitely check out the Earl’s “Clash Up & Burn” mix over @ The Ten Thousand Things