Something struck me today during my visit to Ameoba records Hollywood: compilations of highly obscure niche music from foreign countries is on the brink of becoming mainstream. When did it become normal for American music shoppers to battle between spending their hard-earned $18 on 70’s Iranian psych-funk or “Electro New Wave Dance Music From South Africa”? I used to think I was a weirdo for seeking this type of thing, but based on the plethora of compilations spilling off the shelves offering these very genres, it would appear that I’m far from alone today. Look, I’m definitely not complaining, and god bless the label folks for giving some much deserved shine to artists such as Charanjit Singh who apparently single-handedly invented “Indian Acid House” back in 1982 (for a very enthusiastic and hilariously geeky review peep this), but I also am left to wonder- is there anything left to dig for? Call it digger’s envy I suppose, but like I said, I’m not hating, just flabbergasted. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if life on another planet was finally revealed, not in a news report about some powerful satellite telescope, but in the press release for a new Andy Votel compilation of “Martian Moog Proto-Disco”. Liner notes excerpt: “apparently a copy of Manu Dibango’s Soul Makossa found it’s way to Mars via a failed Nigerian rocket launch and the Martian party scene just exploded”. Well, because I am still that weirdo who loves this stuff, here’s a selection of recently compiled mind-melting music from around the world.

Zia :       Helelyos
Parva :       Mosem-e Gol
both taken from Pomegranates

Kamal Ahmed ft. Noor Jehan :       I Am Very Sorry
from The Sound Of Wonder!

Zinja Hlungwani :       N'wagezani My Love (check out the video for this song here)
Tiyiselani Vomaseve :       Vanghoma
taken from Shangaan (and read here for more info about the scene)

Omar Souleyman :       Hafer Gabrak Bidi (I Will Dig Your Grave With My Hands)
&       Dazeitlak Dezzelli (I Signal
from Jazeera Nights

Charanjit Singh :       Raga Madhuvanti &       Raga Megh Malhar
taken from Ten Ragas To A Disco Beat

Here’s a toast to people who make my life easier. To the like minded enablers who allow my fiendish appetite for new music to rage out of control. To the people who dig for gold around the world and don’t hesitate in sharing the love. To the people behind Strut & Soundway (two of my favorite labels), here’s a big fat CHEERS! These labels have been putting out solid releases for years and show no signs of slowing down. Today’s playlist comes from just a few of their most recent releases: classic nuyorican Latin sabor, Afrobeat gems, Disco dancefloor fuel, Colombian roots music and Panamanian soul. Go cop the full albums and support the people who keep feeding us funk.

Mongo Santamaria :       O Mi Shango
Ralfi Pagan :       Brother
both taken from Salsa Explosion

Ebo Taylor :       Victory &       Mizin
from Love & Death

Sandy Mercer :       You Are My Love (Walter Gibbons 12
from Jungle Music

Mad Man Jaga :       Hankuri
Bongos Ikwue & The Groovies :       Otachikpopo
both from Nigeria Afrobeat Special

Wganda Kenya :       Pim Pom
Son Palenque :       Palenque Palenque
both from Palenque Palenque

Little Francisco Greaves :        Moving-Grooving
Los Silvertones :       Carmen
both from Panama! 3

Funny how my paths have continued to cross with this man’s. Before the many mutual friends we now share, I had randomly gotten a CD of his old band and sampled it to make the beat for one of the earliest Beatards songs. Later in LA, he was in the crowd at the Roxy when I performed that song. The small world always gets smaller. We then worked together on a yet-unfinished track for soulstress Brit Manor (the girl with dreads singing in the pic above) and now his band is KILLING the game down here in “Hell A” (yes, it was 113 degrees downtown this week and I don’t have AC or a fan yet). Anyway, look out for these guys, you will be hearing more funky stuff from them soon…

Yellow Alex & The Feelings :
      I'm Gonna Make It On My Own &       Black and Blue

(if the Emotionals EP was available online I’d link to it, but sadly it’s un-google-able)

Feels like damn near eternity since I’ve had a DJ gig. Left Brooklyn with a slew of parties ending in mid August, and I’ve been fiending since. This Sunday night I’m finally getting back into the mix out here in LA. If you’re in the area, Murphy’s Law and I will be doing what we do at Mandrake in Culver City. I’m leaving you with a handful of funky synth goodness that has been helping me survive the drought by inspiring imaginary crowds to throb on the bollywood-style illuminated dancefloor in my mind.

Alan Wilkis :       Pink And Purple &       Snuggle Up To Nail Down

Junior Boys :       Hazel

Aldo Vanucci :       Knew You Were Coming

Knightlife :       Crusader

K’bonus :       Kletsmariet

I finally made it to LA and am starting to get settled. On night number two of being here my boy played me this 50 Cent remix of Cee-Lo’s new single. After I picked my jaw off the floor I realized that the coming together of two such polar opposites in the music world had particular resonance with me right now- Brooklyn to Hollywood steez. It’s funny how much 50 loves being a villain, and he’s damn good at it. Cee-Lo’s song just got a little better. BUT, it’s still not as good as “Georgia”, the other single from his forthcoming album produced by Dap-Kings clan members Menahan Street Band (Brooklyn!!!). In case you couldn’t tell, I’m a little homesick already.

Cee-Lo :       Fuck You (Remix ft. 50 Cent) &       Georgia

While plenty of people I know are getting freaky at Burning Man this week, I’m playing soccer dad to my two little Ethiopian sisters (ages 11 & 7). Tomorrow we’re celebrating Ethiopian new year in the East Bay with what will undoubtedly end up being a bellyache’s worth of tongue-singeing Berbere. We’ve been doing a fair amount of pre-gaming this week, which has primarily consisted of them playing ethio youtube hits on repeat. This track from Sayat Demissie (who I believe was also Ms. Ethiopia) comes from that playlist of theirs. Thing is, I wouldn’t have had a good quality mp3 to share if it weren’t for the help of fellow NYC DJ/producer/promoter/nice guy Sirak. He’s the man behind Africology Media, and is also now hosting a weekly radio show in Addis Ababa. He also sent “Aroge Arada” which sounds like it would mix perfectly into any song on the Coolie Dance Riddim. I felt inclined to throw in a few oldies too, ’cause they still sound so damn good.

Sayat Demissie :       Tew Man Neh

Baye Speedy :       Aroge Arada

Alèmayèhu Eshèté :       Tèy Gedyèlèshem ,       Haméta &       Tèmèlès

Agustus Pablo :       Straight To Ethiopia