Ronnie & The Ramblers : Echoes Of My Mind
taken from the album “An Evening With Ronnie At Ronie’s Rebel Room” on R&RR (196?)

Andre Tanker : Swahili and Lena
taken from the album “Afro Blossom West” on Atman (196?)

Trying to bring myself back to life today with a little imaginary sun soaked escape. My nose is dripping incessantly and I swear there’s a golf ball sized mucus lump lodged in my temple. Sounds pleasant, don’t it? In the effort to provide us all with a much needed vacation, I’ve pulled out these near-lost Caribbean gems. Sadly, I know very little about either of the artists except that they are both close to un-googleable. What little info exists on the interweb is less than satisfying. I’ve been searching (to no avail) for more music and information about these guys, so if any reader out there has something to contribute, please share. I should say first that I’m not all that interested in the more traditional Carnival/Soca music that Tanker produced in his later years- that stuff just doesn’t really do it for me.

Apparently “the Grandfather of Bahamian Music”, Ronnie Butler formed his Ramblers band in ’62 and played regularly in Nassau hotels. The only other record I’ve seen from him was recorded at a different hotel a year earlier. I guess the tourist-based economy meant that hotel sponsorship provided one of the few recording opportunities. His cover version of Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talking” (from the Midnight Cowboy soundtrack) absolutely slays me- just listen to that guitar solo! Nice chorus vocals too. Kinda ironic that this Bahamian superstar is singing about finding escape in a sunny place, the escape that Jon Voight finally found in Florida just as his beloved cohort Dustin Hoffman tragically died on his shoulder!

I was first introduced to the Trinidaian Vibist/Drummer Andre Tanker via Brooklyn’s greatest pirate radio station. It was a fierce afrobeat sounding track with an open drum break in the intro. Been searching for more Tanker ever since. I got my hands on a couple of beautiful fusion tracks that he recorded in the 70’s from this excellent Crippled Dick compilation. And then, just recently I picked up this pearl of a record. Afro Blossom West also features a fiery cover of “Wachi Wara” and a nice boogaloo called “Party In The City”. But for me, it was the powerful building progression of “Lena” and the dancefloor friendly “Swahili” that stuck out most prominently. Both are Tanker originals. If you’re not convinced by “Swahili’s” rumbling beginning, then hold out for the backbeat to come clamouring in at 2:20! Clearly, the man was doing his own thing and experimenting liberally. If and when something turns up, rest assured you’ll hear about it.

Building Bloc : Playback
taken from the album “Sound Foundation” on VIA Media (2006)
and yes, you can download the whole thing for free HERE

As some of you may know, I’ve been writing rhymes and making music for a while now. Well, these doods have been my partners in crime since we were all 18 and lived in the same college dorm together. Kinda crazy that it took us this long to put all the pieces together, but finally (most of these songs were recorded more than a year ago) the album has taken shape, been mastered, and is DONE. Also, it’s FREE and available for you to download. All we ask is that you let us know if you like it. We get by on just a little bit of love…

Send feedback to: bloc.building@gmail.com
check the website (which isn’t much) at: www.buildingbloc.com
and be our buddy at myspace/buildingbloc

And in case you couldn’t figure it out or were perhaps a bit confused, I also go by Chewbaka sometimes.

Freddie McKay : Love Is A Treasure and
Linval Thompson & The Revolutionaries : Rock Me Dub
taken from the compilation “Creation Rockers 4” on Trojan (1979)

Nicky Thomas : Have A Little Faith and
Sang Hugh : No Portion A Gal
taken from the compilation “Feelin’ High” on Columbia House (1975)

Phyllis Dillon & Hopeton : Right Track
taken from the compilation “Hottest Hits Vol.1” on Treasure Isle (197?)

Being that the temperature outside is steadily dropping each day and there’s no sign that global warming is going to obliterate this winter (soon, just not quite yet)– I figured it would be appropriate to post some warm, sunny, roots music. Plus, I realize it’s been way too long since any reggae has appeared on this page. Expect more from the Caribbean in the coming (cold) months… not just Jamaica, I’m thinking Trinidad, Haiti, and The Antilles too.

All of these songs come off random compilations that I’ve picked up over the years. I’m thinking these are mostly one hit wonders, because aside from Linval Thompson & The Revolutionaries, I haven’t heard of any of these cats. The “Feelin’ High” collection (what a great cover!) is kind of a mystery to me. First of all, I didn’t even realize that Columbia House (still owe those doods some dollars) was around back then. But secondly, although the record inside the sleeve corroborates the album title and record lable, the tracklisting is completely different from the one printed on the cover. Maybe it was a multi-record series and some previous owner got ’em mixed up? Not really sure, but very happy to have the tunes regardless– and props to the uncredited compiler who pulled a great selection!

Anyone recognize the “Rock Me Dub” track? A few years back, Nick Holder’s “Moments In Dub” was a crate staple… dub-house, check it out.

Also, finally updated my BLOGROLL! Check the newbies: Loronix (BRAZIL!), Loaded, Darcy, Naps… keep you procrastinating for daaaaaays.

Andy Bey : Celestial Blues, You Should’ve Seen The Way I Made Love To You, and Tune Up
all taken from the album “Experience & Judgement” on Atlantic (1974)

For the past three years I’ve been practicing yoga. I have to give credit here to a certain lovable partner of mine (who happens to be a yoga teacher) for pushing me into it at first. But at this point, I don’t see myself ever stopping. Part of the reason why it was so easy to embrace “yogic” teachings and philosophy is because it falls right in line with what I had already basically come to understand about the world since about 5th grade. I’m not trying to sound like a kiddie guru here, it’s just that the fundamentals are really simple. For me, at least, it’s about not harming others, not harming yourself, and working hard to be your absolute best– liberated, content, and healthy. Just makes sense, don’t it?

It definitely made sense to Andy Bey. This album is nearly a soundtrack to the Yoga Sutras. But funkdafied, and not in sanskrit. Amidst the bass slaps, synth swells and sparse snare snaps, Bey’s voice undulates with spiritually driven individuality. Listening to his unearthly moans, I can see why the cover artist decided to put Saturn’s rings around his monkish dome. His lyrics speak about vegetarianism, meditation, difficult physical postures, and the resulting increased “concentration– waves and waves of positive vibration”. And yes, it is a good thing for lovemaking too. ; )

Freedom : Ayibobo and Voodoo Land
taken from the album “1804 Liberation” on Freedom Recordz (2004)

I’m running around like crazy right now getting ready for a trip to Puerto Rico, but I wanted to leave you all with a little something before I’m neck deep in latin records again. Soulful and stirring new music from a conscious Haitian visionary. The whole album hits with a nice mixture of Bone Thugs, Wyclef, and MC Solar. Read more about Christopher Laroche aka Freedom and get some free mixtape tracks on his official website. And Check out this website for some song translations.

Also, congratulations to the Vikter Duplaix CD winners: Amye Hommel, John-Paul Marin, and Guy Ship. It might take a little minute before you get them, so please be patient. A lot of other folks wrote in with the right answer (Axis Music Group), but these guys beat you to it. Thanks for all the kind feedback too, I always appreciate it!

Vikter Duplaix : Nothing Like Your Touch
taken from the album “Bold & Beautiful” on BBE (2006)

Owusu & Hannibal : Blue Jay
taken from the album “Living With…” on Ubiquity (2006)

New music from a soulful Philly man who’s been doing it for a minute. Clear, fluid production from cats like James Poyser helps me come to terms with the revival of the synth. This track sounds like it’s slowly bubbling. Steamy sex in a science lab. And of course, Mr. Duplaix’s vocals are sounding as smooth and effortless as ever. The kind folks over at Giant Step, who first hipped me to this track, have been gracious enough to offer several copies of Vikter’s new CD Bold & Beautiful to giveaway to you lovely readers. Be one of the first to answer this question (NOT in the COMMENTS section) and you’ll have a nice little musical package on it’s way:

What’s the name of the music production group that Vikter helped start?

send answers via e-mail to: charlie@bywayof.net

And, then there’s this new album from some Danish doods who were entirely off my radar until a couple days ago. The record is a truly unique amalgamation of elements: retro 80’s drum sounds, crunchy Detroit bass synths, swelling string and vocal harmonies, and super-swingin’ broken-ass beats. There’s a track called “Delirium” that sounds, at least instrumentally, like a tribute to the late great Dilla. Definitely some Spacek influence here as well. The end product, however, shows they’ve got their own thing going on– in the shifting arrangements and creative organic touches. I think it’s safe to say I’m gonna be listening to this one quite a bit.