Jonas Gwangwa and African Explosion : Switch No.1
taken from the album “Who (Ngubani)?” on Jamal (1969)

Assagai : Cocoa
taken from their selt-titled album on Contour (1971)

Assagai : Barazinbar
taken from the album “Afro-Rock” on Sounds Superb (1971)

Makhona Zonke Band : The Webb
taken from the album “The Webb” on Soul Jazz Pop (197?)

…look for signs of DuDu. DuDu Pukwana that is.

Alas, my lil’ brodie, the frequent contributor to this site known to the music fiending public as Murphy’s Law, the young man who harnesses the elemental power of chaos in constructing the most devastating DJ sets this side of the sun, left for South Africa late last night. He is perhaps too shy to say so himself, but he’s scored a role in a film (he’s been living in L.A. for a reason) that’s shooting in a tropical jungle outside of Jo-burg. Poor bastard. Well, for us at least, it means a bit of a slow down in posts to the crate. I’ll do my best to pick up the slack, but bare with me for the next couple months while the young buck is prancing about in military garb – I believe it’s a ‘Nam flick. As a proper send-off, I wanted to put up some of my favorite South African goodies. I’m guessing his absence will inspire at least another post of music from the area (Soweto Jive perhaps?) and if we cross our fingers, Murphy just might be able to check in at an internet cafe to post up his latest findings from the road (keep looking for that Dick Khoza LP dood!).

As for DuDu, check out his early work with Jonas Gwangwa (the first black South African to release an album!!!) and then the recordings he made later with his own group Assagai. They were definitely pushing the boundaries both stylistically (mixing genres) and socially (mixing races with an integrated band under apartheid law). There’s plenty more audible gems on these records (including open drum breaks on “Telephone Girl” and “Kinzambi” and even a Highlife cover version of “Hey Jude”), but I only have time to leave you with a taste.

The Makhona Zonke Band have nothing to do with DuDu, but it’s a great South African groove that I already had digitized. Sound familiar anyone? Clearly they were listening to Donny Hathaway records and could relate. “The Ghetto” = “The Webb”. This song is a re-post, so you can refer to the OG (see below) for more info.

Those of you who’ve been checking this blog for more than a minute will remember that I posted “Barazinbar” and “The Webb” a long time ago, but I’m pretty sure it’s new music to most of you. Speaking of which… this post makes it 2 YEARS OF CAPTAIN’S CRATE! Hell yeah! Happy b-day to me. 311 songs, almost a gig-and-a-half of music. Not bad.

Mario Cavagnaro Y Su Sonora Sensacion : Salchicha Con Heuvo
and Soul Sacrifice/Ha Llegado/La Distancia
taken from the album “Cocktail De Exitos Volumen 5” on Sono Radio (197?)

Enrique Lynch Y Su Conjunto : Pantaloncitos Calientes
and Bailando Con Dolores
taken from the album “Sexympacto!” on Sono Radio (197?)

Apparently, in the late 60’s and early 70’s Peru was a happening place to be. An inquisitive friend might wonder how I am able to write this with no real knowledge of the country’s history. Perhaps they would be so bold as to doubt my voracity with a comment on the contrary. Never having been to Peru, talked with a Peruvian (as far as I know at least), or read even a single passage about Peruvian culture or politics, it may seem preposterous for someone as ignorant as myself to make such an audacious statement. Well, these tunes pretty much say it all.

Is it possible to mix fuzz guitar, conga, cracking snare, cowbell and wah-wah without a heavy dose of psychedelic grooviness in the air? Methinks not. My only qualm with these records is that EVERY song is a medley. I’ve done a bit of re-editing here because the “medleys” themselves are often poorly chopped together and don’t necessarily even sound good back to back. What’s the deal with this mysterious recording style? Maybe it was more aluring to the Peruvian record buying public to see 24 song titles rather than 12? So I’ve plucked out a few of the nuggets, and even made my own 3-song “medley” out of some of Mario’s tunes.

The fact that Enrique and Mario collaborated on at least one instance, leads me to belive that this was no coincidental similarity of sounds- there was clearly a scene going on. Next step, I think I should probably start doing a bit of reading. This music is a portal, but if I want to find out who these cats hung out with, where they developed their sound from (aside from listening to Santana [“Soul Sacrifice”] and Jimmy Sabater [“Salcicha Con Huevo”]), and what the parties were like when they played, it’s going to take a bit more work than merely dropping a needle on a record.

Terry Callier: Look At Me Now
Taken from the 7″ on Chess (1962);
900 Miles and Be My Woman
Taken from the album “The New Folk Sound of Terry Callier” on Prestige (1964);
Turn You To Love
Taken from the album “Turn You To Love” on Elektra (1979);

Massive Attack feat. Terry Callier: Live With Me
Taken from the album “Massive Attack: Collected” on Virgin (2006)

At every decent record store in the country–probably the world, for that matter–there lives (and he does live there) a stalk-thin vulture of a man with tangled gray hair and a case of degenerative myopia that puts him just a shade shy of legal blindness. He’ll look unassuming enough in his plaid button up or Kinks concert T. He’ll be soft spoken and may walk with a subtle club-foot. He’ll look, quite frankly, a bit like a bum. But hear me now: Do not underestimate this man or any of his like-conditioned brethren worldwide; he knows everything–to the most obscure minutiae–about music. All music. From baroque folk opera to Burmudan steel-band salsa to Kenyan hardcore. And if you hang around him long enough, you may learn a thing or two.

All of this is just to say that when I first heard “The New Folk Sound of Terry Callier” falling like mist from the speakers at Aaron’s Records, I knew who was responsible for putting it on.

For those of you who have never heard of Terry Callier, be prepared for a bit of aural confounding; the first listen is bound to be disorienting. Maybe his voice it a bit too smooth for you, the arrangements to slick. But stick with him. For here is an artist unafraid to bridge folk and funk, disco and downtempo. And always with soul soul soul.

A contemporary and rival Doo-Wopper of Curtis Mayfield, Callier grew up in the same Chicago project as his better-known peer. And even if TC’s career proved to be significantly more marginal in terms of commercial success, what he achieved as far as an extensive catalogue of unique and remarkably diverse music, holds up against the heaviest-hitters of his generation.

And four decades later, he’s still at it.

What I’ve included for you here is a little Terry Callier sampler. From his earliest release–a Northern-Soul flavored 7″–to some of his most recent work with Massive Attack, who do well to underscore the vocals with the kind of dark cinematics that complement Callier so well. You get a sense from the selections the breadth of his range. Sure, not every track is a masterpiece, but collectively, they add up to a very–how would the sentient record clerk call it–dynamic, musical legacy.

Now, unfortunately, I don’t have all of this man’s recordings, which means that certain gems are amiss. Notably lacking are “Occasional Rain (’72) and “What Color Is Love (’73)”, which are both essential for the T.C. connaisseur. If anyone wants to hook it up, I’d be much obliged.

And that’s that.

Jose Roberto : Crioula Multicolorida
taken from the compilation “Brazilian Beats Brooklyn” on Mr. Bongo (2006)

Free Som Orchestra : The Kings Bounce
taken from the compilation “Ultimate Brazilian Breaks & Beats” on Murge Discos (2006)

Bappi Lahiri, Amit Kumar & Sulahshana Pandit : Kya Jaan Yeh Duniya Kya Jane
taken from the compilation “The Bombay Connection” on Normal (2006)

OP Nayyar : Kismat Title Music
taken from the compilation “Bomshell Baby of Bombay” on Normal (2006)

I’ve felt a bit intimidated about posting any Brazilian music lately due to the influx of heavyhitters on the scene. I mean, these guys pretty much have it covered. Full albums of samba-funk, tropicalia-psyche, and bossa-jazziness on the daily. My library of Brazilian music is a bit overwhelming right now. My fear is that I’ll never be able to properly listen to it all. That’s part of the reason why compilations like these are so important- they pick through the overwhelming mass of music and pull out the most important nuggets for us. They’re especially helpful when you’re dealing with a genre like Brazilian funk (where the likelyhood of turning up one of these originals in a local record store is about as rare as stumbling upon a Velvet Underground acetate for a $.75 – okay, maybe not quite that rare). Thankfully, a couple of my favorite Brooklyn DJ’s (Greg Caz & Sean Marquand of the weekly Brazil Beat Brooklyn party) have put together this goldmine of Brazilian booty. In addition to being music connoisseurs (check out Academy records where Greg can help you find good records in many genres), these guys are hard working DJ’s, which means that each track on the album has been tested for danceability. Listening to this collection, it’s easy to see why their Sunday night samba party has been going strong for 5 years now. Buy this comp now because you need it in your life.

Another recent gleaning effort, Ultimate Brazilian Breaks & Beats, draws a greater focus on one important aspect of the music- the drums. To any producers out there, I’m sure this will not disappoint, as each track comes equipped with a massive breakbeat ripe for picking- ready to be chopped and served up freshhhhh. Knowing that this comp is associated with some cats from the Raw Fusion label (much respect), something tells me that this one isn’t as legit as the Mr. Bongo
release (is it just me, or do I hear some vinyl crackle on “The Kings Bounce”?). Do your sampler a favor and pick this one up!

Bollywood proves to be a difficult hunting ground as well- within the vast quantities of Indian film recordings, only a small number delve into “fusion”-style tracks that incorporate rock, funk or disco. Not that I can’t appreciate the more traditional style soundtracks as well, but it’s the moog infested, wah-wah tickled, breakbeat battered goodness that I seek the most. Similarly minded Dutchmen Sacha Dieu & Edo Bouman have spent years putting together the most thorough and complete collections I’ve ever seen. On top of superb song selection, the albums come with beautiful detailed liner notes with artist bios and even mini film synopses! Check out their website where you can find out about the Bombay Connection band and a Remix project that’s currently in the works: www.Bombay-Connection.com. Apparently, there’s more collections in the works as well. I want to be down!

Chairmen Of The Board: Men Are Getting Scarce
Taken from the album “Bittersweet” on Invictus (1972)

This track stands as a belated update to my earlier post–a sort of counterpoint to its somber predecessor. And while it certainly is not an earnest attempt at serious antiwar narrative, it is undeniably fonky; unapologetically bizarre (“the hour of permanent women’s liberation and domination is coming sooner than you think!” or perhaps, “give that girl the gun/ let her drop the bomb”); and surprisingly gripping for a track that borders on sci-fi.

It helps, of course, that the voice behind this psychaedelic call to arms is none other than General Johnson, who could turn an egg salad sandwich into a cause worth marching for. What a warble!

Anyhow, this should tide you over until… well, until the last man on earth succumbs to that seemingly inevitable fate: extinction. March on General…

Viva Gozadera Mix : the latest Latin/Brazilian throwdown by Capt. P
UPDATE! click here to download the mix separated into tracks for your listening convenience. 80 mins of music, 27 joints, 1 .Zip file…

“Passport” Best of 2006 : broadcast from 01/08/2007

I feel like I’m always struggling to keep up with all this music around me. But I suppose that’s a good thing. Viva Gozadera is the new mix I made for S.O.B.’s, so it’s heavy on the Spanish and Portugese joints. I spent way too many hours putting it together, but the mixing is tight and the selection features a lot of the tunes that I’ve been spinning out on my Thursday night gigs. It’s definitely a good soundtrack for a steamy party or pump-up music to keep you sweeping on house-cleaning day.

This latest edition of “Passport” is my extra special best of 2006. Yeah, I know, this should of been up a month ago… but check the selection. Afrobeat, Samba, Peruvian House, Funk, etc. Due to the global format of the show, there’s plenty of U.S.- based fav’s that don’t appear here, but that stuff is easier to find elsewhere. Here in the crate, we keep it Gumbo Funky.

Viva Gozadera Tracklisting:
1. Luiz Bonfa – “Bonfa Nova”
2. Marcelo D2 – “A Procura Da Batida Perfeita”
3. Curumin – “Guerreiro”
4. Stereo Marcana – “Onde E Que Tu Ta
5. Jorge Ben – “Sou Da Pesada (7 Samurai Rmx)
6. Emilio Santiago – “Bananeira”
7. Edson Frederico – “Bobeira”
8. Cut Chemist – “The Garden”
9. Osvaldinho Da Cuica E Grupo Vai-Vai – “Vendaval”
10. Antibalas – “Che Che Cole”
11. Red Astaire – “Tito”
12. Louie Ramirez – “The New Breed”
13. The Latin Brothers – “Son Del Caballo”
14. Hector Rivera – “Llora Como Yo”
15. Andy Harlow – “La Musica Brava”
16. Calle 13 – “Atrevete”
17. Fulanito – “Suave”
18. Blanquito Man, Control Machete & Carlos Peña Y Su Ronda Bogota – “Cumbia Sobre El Rio”
19. Quantic & Nickodemus – “Mi Swing Es Tropical”
20. Los Amigos Invisibles – “Esto Es Lo Que Hay (Reggaeton Rmx)
21. Rodolfo – “Anito Viejo”
22. The Lat-teens – “El Nuevo Swing”
23. Sidestepper – “Campo”
24. Beatfanatic – “Jogando Capoeira”
25. Troubleman – “Toda Hora (ft. Nina Miranda)”
26. Bebel Gilberto – “Aganju (Rmx)”
27. LTJ X-Perience ft. Joe Bataan – “Ordinary Guy (Latin Club Edit)”

“Passport” Best Of 2006 Tracklisting:
artist – track title – album – (label)
1. Nomo “Nu Tones” New Tones (Ubiquity)
2. Ali Farka Toure “Machengoidi” Savane (World Circuit)
3. Salah Ragab & The Cairo Jazz Band “Oriental Mood” Egyptian Jazz (Art Yard)
4. Victor Boa Y Su Musica “Soy Solo Para Ti” Panama! (Soundway)
5. Jose Roberto “Crioula Multicolorida” Brazilian Beats Brooklyn (Mr. Bongo)
6. Aloe Blacc “Patria Mia” Shine Through (Stones Throw)
7. Novalima “Machete” Afro (Quango)
8. Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars “Soda Soap” Living LIke A Refugee (Anti-)
9. Hallelujah Chicken Run Band “Mudzimu Ndiringe” Take One (Alula)
10. Ok-Oyot System “Osama Rach” Extra Golden (Thrill Jockey)
11. Jorge Ben “Lalari-Olala” Gilles Peterson Back In Brazil (Ether)
12. Mustafa Ozkent “Zeytinyagli” Genclik Ile Elele (Finders Keepers)