It’s a damn shame that most people have no idea how awesome Grace Jones was, beyond being known as the crazy chick from that Conan movie.
This is a song that could help change that.
Archive for the 'International' Category
The more you dig into Africa’s rich musical history, the more gold you eventually will find. This appears to be especially true when it comes to Nigeria which was home to more talent than most hemispheres. While Fela might get all the recognition, there are a lot of other guys out there that are no less deserving like Sir Victor Uwaifo. This collection, which chronicles his career in the seventies goes a long way to getting across that genius with some hand picked gems from the man.
Victor was truly a superstar and famous not only for his music, an offshoot of Highlife called Joromi, but also for his accomplishments in writing, sculpting, instrument invention and his former career as a wrestler. Not only that but he was also a Nigerian ambassador and was once the Commissioner of Culture! Born in Benin in 1941, Victor built his first guitar at the age of 12 and was awarded Africa’s first gold record for his hit song “Joromi” at the age of 18.
This masterful collection, from the always on point Soundway Records, covers Uwaifo’s Ekassa period in the early to mid seventies. He has just returned from his stint in the capital of Lagos and came hjome to start the new decade with a mixture of ancient Benini Obas music, highlife jazz and a little rock and soul to create something just as special as afro-beat, but on an entirely different tip. These were pretty rare recordings and most were unreleased until Soundway got their grubby little mitts on them, polished them up and reissued them here. Consider it a gift that they did because this music could make a suicide seem upbeat.
All this is well worth it for a guitar player who is also well known for being able to play with his feet and his tongue! Look out ladies!
On Itunes HERE.
On Amazon HERE…$8.99!
This is so genius that I am smacking the side of my head right now for not thinking of it sooner.
Gummy Soul artist Amerigo Gazawa took a slew of Fela Kuti samples and mashed them up with a handpicked selection of De La Soul accapellas to create “Fela Soul.” 8 tracks and 33 minutes of musical awesome sauce. Here’s what the man had to say:
“I came up with the concept for this project in fall of 2010. I wanted to follow through with it not only because it was a good idea, but because of the powerful impact both these artists have had on me and my music. Afrobeat, jazz, funk, and hip-hop are already so interconnected, and I always thought it would be exciting to work on a project that combined all of these elements together.”
“I hope this project will help to bridge the gap between hip-hop and afrobeat, and serve an introduction for hip-hop fans and music fans alike who are unfamiliar with Fela Kuti or De La Soul’s music.”
-Amerigo Gazaway
So if you are having a shit week, and you were quietly asking yourself what could possibly make things better AND you also had a deep love of both Afro-Beat and De La Soul…well then, dear listeners, this one goes out to you!
And do you know what puts the cherry on top of this musical sundae? It’s fucking free!
That’s right, thank you internets…free music for all! Download it HERE. You will need to sign up your email for the Gummy Soul mailing list, but the worst thing that could happen is that they send you music news and maybe more mixtapes.
The thing I’m enjoying most about the internet these days is that there is so much more out there. A few years ago, when I started AESO, it was a real bitch finding videos to go with my posts because no one had posted any. I’d look for something for “Rod Stewart – Every Picture Tells a Story” and come up with zilch. Then I would have to post a track on a file sharing service and link that instead…and it sucked.
Now, it seems like everything has a video now ….except for Paul Desmond. 
And I was surprised the other day to spot my girl Emahoy Guèbrou up an Youtube now as well.
Now I usually don’t play a lot of classical music but Emahoy’s music really doesn’t seem to fit that category either. The best word I can use to describe it is “haunting.”
Born in Ethiopia in 1923, Emahoy was sent to Switzerland with her sister where she studied violin and piano. In 1937, she and her family were captured by the Italians and sent to a POW camp off the coast of Italy. After the war, she continued her studies in Cairo before returning to Ethiopia and eventually becoming the Imperial Bodyguard’s Band music director…at the request of Emperor Haile Selassie. At age 19 she left her home to enter a monastery where she continued to compose music for violin, piano and organ…often for more than 9 hours a day.
She released her first album in 1967, with the Emperors help, with all proceeds going to help orphans of the Italio-Ethiopian War. But in 1984 she was forced to flee her home country because of the repressive view of the new Socialist Government. She moved to Jerusalem where she continued her work, making awesome music that no one had ever heard before.
Her music is unique in that it draws upon 3000 years of Ethiopian history and music and mixes it with contemporary styles to arrive at something between classical and jazz. She is in her late eighties now and is still knocking out new tunes. This album is just one of those amazing works, full of melancholy and longing that kind of stays with you long after listening. This is the only album I could find of hers, a compilation released as part of the amazing Ethiopiques series of CDs . The whole series is awesome and if you are interested in more music from that region, I highly recommend them, as each volume highlights another incredible artist.
The CD is a little pricey, but the mp3 download is only $9. Go get it!
New feature! Each week I’ll spotlight some slice of awesome in the realm of singles. First up? Prisencolinensinainciusol by Adriano Celentano. I have no idea what the overly long title means, but I believe it’s dirty. Adriano is a huge pop star in Italy as well as a comedian, actor, director and TV host…and he really likes Elvis. This track has been a favorite in my arsenal for years. People always charge the booth to find out what it is…and now you know.
