Mulatu Astatqe : Mulatu
taken from the album “Mulatu of Ethiopia” on Worthy (1972)

Mulatu Astatqe ft. Fekade Amde Maskal : Ene Alantchi Alnorem
taken from the album “Ethio Jazz” on AMHA (1974)

I recently got a pre-release copy of “Gilles Peterson in Africa”, where you can find the song Mulatu. It’s a ‘wikkid’ compilation, as to be expected from the ‘Best DJ in the World’. Not too many surprises, but strictly solid picks that cover a lot of ground. One disc of 60s and 70’s gems, and another of modern club tracks that are keeping the groove alive. If you’re a semi-obsessive collector like myself, you’ll probably have a lot of the tunes already. If you don’t recognize the song titles, then pick it up. Anyway, Gilles came onto my show back in the Fall right after “Gilles Peterson in Brazil” came out. It was a real treat for me, and we ended up getting on the topic of Quantic- one of my favorite producers. It turns out that he’s currently working on a project with my favorite Ethiopian musical mastermind. I flipped out. I’m still drooling in anticipation of the undoubtedly sick results. You heard it here first (maybe).

Mulatu Astatqe is every rare-groove-record-collector’s-dream-come-true. These tracks, and every other song I’ve ever heard him produce, embody the perfect marriage of moody jazz and a groove that won’t quit. Even his ballads (like Ene, the title translated means “I Can’t Live Without You”) force you to bop your head. I first found out about him by taking out a CD from the NY Public Library- no joke. I couldn’t stop listening to it. Distant wailing horns, interesting time signatures (not featured here), murky funk, and a style of swing that comes directly from the traditional music of Ethiopia. Praises to the most high for the folks at Buda Musique who worked for years to re-issue so much of this music, on vinyl too! You wont hear me say this very often, but any self-respecting music appreciator NEEDS this album.

In part because of an incredibly strong national pride, Ethiopian musicians were generally closed off to influences from international music. The “Golden Age” of ethiopian pop music (1969 – 1975) was taking place during the end of the rule of the steel-spined Emperor Haile Sallassie I. So while much of West Africa was soaking up sounds from Latin music and Afro-American music, Ethiopia remained highly Ethio-centric; despite the lone attempts by our protaganist Mulatu. In addition to studying music and engineering in the UK, he lived and played here in NYC for a while back in the sixties, jamming with plenty of Latin cats at a time when the Nuyorican sound was reaching perfection. It’s actually a crew of Latin New Yorkers who make up the personnel on “Mulatu of Ethiopia”. Mulatu was literally the first Ethiopian musician to study abroad. In ’66 he released two ‘Afro-latin soul’ albums with his Ethiopian Quintet. This was still years before Manu Dibango or Fela Kuti (who was concurrently out in L.A. with Koola Lobitos) would really define their Afro-fusion sound. One wet funk number, and a wind wisped ballad that almost brings me to tears every time; this is just a teaspoon- keep diggin’.

Lafayette Afro Rock Band : Azeta
taken from the album “Voodounon” on Editions Makossa (1974)

R.D. Burman ft. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar : Lekar Ham Diwana Dil
taken from the soundtrack album “Yaadon Ki Baaraat” on Odeon (1973)

R.D. Burman ft. Kishore Kumar : Bachna Ae Haseeno
taken from the soundtrack album “Hum Kisise Kum Naheen” on Odeon (1977)

Every year, for the past 4 or 5 years, I’ve had an incredible streak of record digger’s luck right around the time of my birthday- which is today, woohoo! I don’t quite know how to explain this phenomenon, I like to think of it as a sign that the records are actually looking for me, but it has happened now with enough regularity that I’m unable to avoid recognizing it. Last year I found a copy of the Black Blood album containing A.I.E. (A Mwana), and the year before that I picked the classic Buari record out of a dollar bin. But this year’s lucky b-day digging streak far surpasses all that. Friends of mine know that I’m occasionally prone to slight exaggerations of the truth, but not this time. I found all three of these precious gems in ONE week!

First off, The Lafayette Afro Rock Band. You can’t see it from your tiny .jpg image, but I left the price tag on this one- that’s because I got it for a buck 99! I know it’s super nerdy to brag about stuff like that, but gimme a break this time. It’s in perfect condition too. As for the actual music contained in the grooves of this beauty, it doesn’t get a whole lot better in the world of sick mid 70’s Afro-Funk-Psych-Rock. This same album was also pressed on a different label, with the addition of three other songs, under the title “Soul Makossa”. The real reason you want to pick up this album though, is to get your hands on the song “Hihache”. I could have given it to you, but it’s already out there on about a hundred afro-funk compilations (deservingly too, the track is ridiculous). So instead I bequeath to you “Azeta”, famously sampled by Kruder & Dorfmeister on the track “Deep Shit Pt. 1 & Pt. 2”. This group is made up of cats originally from the States, but after relocating to France, they started to absorb African influences from the strong immigrant community there. You might also know of their work under the name Ice. Still interested? Keep reading about them here.

Next up, TWO insanely wacky and groovy Bollywood soundtracks- both arranged and produced by my main man R.D. Burman. Each one set me back less than a five spot- no joke. I’ve got to admit, I haven’t seen either of these films, they’re currently ranked high on my “to do” list, but I had heard about them. Hum Kisise starts off with a funky Shaft sounding theme topped by a dubbed out wailing trumpet that I already had from this compilation. And actually, now that I’m doing my backchecking, both of the songs I’ve given you appear on this collection. Damn, and I thought I was hooking you up with exclusives, oh well. Like the movies themselves, these tunes unfold in a long series of abrupt twists and turns. Even the tempo will completely drop and pick up to near double time. It was really hard to pick which songs I put on the site, pretty much every groove on both of these records has a wealth of interesting sounds. “Lekar” has those sinister stabs and grimey shouts that are so common in the action sequences. If you’ve never experienced one of these films in its entirety, I implore you to remedy the situation asap. In generral, the fight sequences more closely resemble what you’ll find on WWF than anything from a Kung-Fu flick. Over the top is standard. I went with “Bachna” because of the heavy soloing at the start, and the little percussion breaks in the middle. I take it that this movie is about a diamond smuggling debacle between Africa and India, but some part of this film MUST take place in a disco.

If you’re somebody who loves the intensely bright indian imagery as much as myself, check this for a little inspiration. Also stay tuned, VIA extended family member Pandemonium Jones is soon to be a regular contributor to the Crate.

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Ciara vs. Yaz : One, Two, Step (Captain Planet Remix)

Mark Morrison vs. Rich Harrison : Get Crazy Right (Captain Planet Remix)

Yeah, our party was fun. So BOOO-hooo to all who missed out.

Of course, things never go quite as planned. So most of the music I had arranged for my set just didn’t get played. That includes this mash-up of Morrison (the man who brought us “Return of the Mack” back in 1996) and Harrison (the man who produced the funky delectables “One Thing” & “Crazy In Love”). Something about a soulful mid-90’s crooner alongside an anonymous raggamuffin is a whole lot more appealing than the post-millenial, digitally corrected, high-pitched choking sound of J-Lo. And supposedly, she stole the bridge from Usher.

I did get a chance to drop the Ciara. So if you dug, now you can repeat the duggation. And enough already about Ciara being a hermaphrodite, I just had to give my entire class an unexpected lesson plan on chromosomes and genitalia– diagrams included.

The Nite-Liters : Theme from “Buck & The Preacher” ft. The New Birth
taken from the album “Different Strokes” on RCA (1972)

The New Birth : Got to Get a Knutt (excerpt)
taken from the album “Birth Day” on RCA (1972)

In the wake of O-Dub’s excellent homage to Fuqua, the lesser known North-American funk philosopher, I felt obliged to put my two cents in. Soul-Sides is one of the main reasons I got into this medium, and I want to pay my respects from the get go. The first Nite-Liters record I aquired came from Mexico City oddly enough. It’s a Mexican pressing of “Instrumental Directions” that fell into my hands via an ex-record-shop-owning German duf-duf who was living in Guatemala. On my copy, “Afro-Strut” is “Contoneo-Africano”, and track one reads: “Tema de Shaft”.

My favorite track from “Different Strokes” is this flute friendly theme from a movie that I’d like to see. The New Birth (= Nite-Liters + Love, Peace & Happiness) does a full vocal version of this tune as well, but I think this beat fills up quite enough space by itself. And yeah, mad props to Harvey for the arrangement here.

On “Knutt”, we get a taste of The New Birth without Fuqua-fication. I just gave you guys a little more than half of the full seven-minute song. It’s been sampled, but certainly not slayed. The DJ that manages to anoint this behemoth upon a crowd-in-motion is beyond bravery and courage, that DJ hath the deep-rooted power to freakify. Behold an orgy of sound.

Azimuth : Melo Da Cuica
taken from the soundtrack album “Pecado Capital” on Som Livre (1975)

Banda Black Rio : Melissa
taken from the album “Saci Perere” on RCA (1980)

Yeah, Brazilian funk is now popping up from in between your toes, climbing out of the shower drain, and even finding its way into your drawers as soon as you bring ’em home from the laundrymat. Pretty soon one of these songs will probably be used in a VW commercial. But that’s OK by me. We all loved City Of God and if you’ve never been to Black Betty on a Sunday night, then go already, ’cause you’ll love that too. Brazilian music deserves being heard, and spread. That’s why I’m happy to see Spinna putting out a comp on top of the growing number already out there. Even the new sound of Baile Funk is reaching beyond Brazilian borders. I know Diplo is diggin’ it, me too. Also, if you want to check one of my all time favorite films, the City Of God that came out when underage crime rings were still running things, then check this.

Basically, Azimuth (I’ve also seen it spelled Azymuth) ripped the Headhunters sound entirely, and added a cuica. I love it. It screams to be chopped up. Who’s gonna get there first… This song comes from the soundtrack to a 70’s Novela; I’d love to get my hands on some of the footage from that show.

Next up is another staple in the old-school Brazilian scene, Banda Black Rio. I first heard these guys on the Black Rio comp that came out in 2002. It’s a siiick collection. I put “Gafieira Universal” on my Jungle Funk Island mix. Banda also have a “best of” on Soul Jazz records. That “best of” contains the club bumper classic “Miss Cheryl”, which can also be found on Saci Perere. This same album has just been re-released by BMG. So cop it. I was lucky enough to dig this record from a bin for a five spot. Another good day for a vinyl junkie.

Willie Williams : See You When I Get There
taken from the album “Armagideon Time” on Studio One (1979)

Rico : This Day
taken from the album “Man From Wareika” on Blue Note (1977)

The food spot formerly known as “Jamaica Me Crazy”, located a block away from us on Nostrand Ave., has changed its name to “Belly Full”. Wow. These tunes don’t have much in common other than their national identification. Jamaica = Reggae, right? Anyway, peep it, and steer clear of the steamed cabbage unless you’re gonna be home alone tonight. Brussel Sprouts = Gas From Hell, right?

Willie Williams has a firm standing in the Reggae Hall of Fame for his tune “Armagideon Time”, which is also the name of this LP. You’ve probably heard the tune, it’s been on a bunch of reggae compilations, the riddim has been re-used and sampled aplenty, and Soul Jazz recently put out the disco version as a single. “A lotta people won’t get no supper tonight, a lotta people going to suffer tonight”. But I think I prefer this super soulful, distant sounding “See You When I Get There”, not to be confused with the crappy Gamble & Huff tune of the same name. The little rhodes noodling is perfect.

A reggae record on BLUE NOTE?! It might be the only one of it’s kind. Rico Rodriguez plays trombone on more records than you knew existed. His own albums are rare and few, but they’re out there. He’s still making new ones, too. Chris Blackwell, the head honcho behind Island Records, was the exec-producer of this one, so I don’t know how it ended up on Blue Note- I like picturing a massive ganja cloud and some 70’s jazz cats vibing with their dread-head-carribean counterparts. Ernest Ranglin is still doing jazz-reggae fusion projects that sound good too, but he never made it to that high tribunal of musical masterminds that is the Blue Note Brotherhood. So, mad props to Rico.