Qrquesta Henry Castro, Antonio Gonzalez y D'Argil - Chicharron de Chivo

It's a little difficult getting back into the swing of this blog posting business after such a long, accidental break. I have managed to pick up some wonderful vinyl during that time off so I hope to be quite busy here over coming weeks.

First up we have this lovely, crackly old record from a time when rock 'n' roll landed in Colombia. This is a weird and intriguing blend of American and Colombian styles which features a number of tracks designed for dancing the Twist. But with Cumbia and Porros stuff going on too. If that sounds like your bag then come grab a copy before they make it illegal.

Tracklist:

01 Munequita de Cristal
02 La Estraordinaria
03 Chicharron de Chivo
04 Gusano Peludo
05 Don Ramiro
06 San Andres
07 Carmen Cecilia
08 Las Palmitas
09 Luna de Miel
10 Rosa
11 Margarita
12 Que Linda

Get it HERE.

While we're all here and paying attention, I'd just like to draw your attention to a new blog which has been started by Tim Abdellah, who has regularly provided translations for some of the Moroccan and Arabic music I've posted here. Tim has decided to start to share some of the music he has collected whilst visiting Morocco, along with some of his knowledge about this music. Tim seems pretty versed in the Gnawa tradition0 (whilst I'm just a happy amateur), and his comments here have been consistently interesting and enlightening, so I for one am looking forward to more Moroccan music coming our way soon. The blog is called Moroccan Tape Stash and you can find it here:

http://moroccantapestash.blogspot.com/

Nights on the Place of Dead Roads

"The most important single element of Morocco's folk culture is its music...the entire history and mythology of the people is clothed in song"

Paul Bowles Their Heads Are Green and Their Hands are Blue

In March this year I spent five perfect days in Marrakech. I had flown into the city full of grand plans - I was to go record hunting in Casablanca, I would catch a bus up the Ourika Valley and spend two days walking in the mountains. Of course I did neither of these things - the chaos and excitement of life in the medina sucked me in and wouldn't let go. I spent my days wandering the narrow streets making a mental map of the labyrinth at the heart of the ancient city. Each night as darkness fell I would wander from my hotel to the Djemaa El Fna - the Assembly of the Dead - to lose myself in the crowds at this unique, permanent festival.

Over the four nights I spent wandering from halqah to halqah I was treated to some incredible music and performances, and what really struck me on this visit was how communal and participatory the performances are. The crowds which gather around the musicians show their appreciation for a good rendition by singing along. The resulting sounds can be electrifying.

Follow the link below and you'll find 50 something minutes of recordings from the square made between March 3rd and March 7th this year. In posting these recordings, my thoughts go out to all those affected by the bomb that went off in the Cafe Argana on Aprl 28th, and to the thousands of Moroccans who attended the pro peace and pro democracy marches over the following weekends.

Nights on the Place of Dead Roads

Sulamiyya: Mohammed Chaabane - Ya Qasid al Hajj/Ana Qalbi Mushtaq (Sufi Music from Tunisia)

I'm afraid I can't tell you much about this cd which was picked up a couple of months ago in a local charity shop. I think the music is from Tunisia - I think it may be songs from a Sufi sect's Hadra cermony, but I could be wildly wrong.
The music is extremely unsettling to me, disconcerting and alien sounding. The call and response singing and insistent rhythm of the bendir and the weird, out of tune bass all conspire to remove solid ground from under the feet.

Any help with translations would be much appreciated.


Mr Abdellah has very kindly translated the tracklist:

1 Ya Qasid al Hajj
2 Ana Qalbi Mushtaq
3 Ana Mani fi Ash
4 Ya Ahl Ishmail Shiluni
5 Ya Ghawth il Mukhtar
6 Ya Rabb Ghairek La Yurtajashi
7 Labbaika Allahuma Labbaik
8 Tala'a al-Badru 'Alayna
9 Sala Allahu 'ala Muhammad
10 Ya 'Adim aj-Jud
11 As-Salat wa s-Salaam...

Get it HERE.

Homzy Trio Group - Green Eagles Special (1981)

Picked this oddity up in a flea market a couple of weeks ago, and it suits the incredibly good weather we're having here at the minute. This is some wonky highlife and native blues that was made in support of the Green Eagles, Nigeria's national football team who in 1981 were playing matches to qualify for the 1982 World Cup.

This is Rossanah Nwhere Obi Nwayo:


Tracklist:

01 Green Eagles Special
02 Jelly Leave Me
03 Onye Dara Ada
04 Rossanah Nwhere Obi Nwayo

Get it HERE.

Haj Omar Wahrouche (REPOST)

Apologies to anyone who downloaded this from the earlier post, I had forgotten to boost the volume on the files and so the whole thing sounded very quiet. This should be a massive improvement.

Haj Omar Wahrouche was one of a wave of more traditional Berber songwriters popular before the likes of Nass El Ghiwane and Izenzaren started to blend the music with western instruments and more politicised lyrics. The chap I bought this tape from told me his father was a fan of this man and his music. This is some beautiful stuff I'm sure you'll agree.
Here is some footage of the rabab playing man in shades:


Raiss Omar wahrouch ahrouch by ouchrif

Tracklist:

Side One
Side Two

Get it HERE.

Tony Tuff (1980)

I picked up this lovely slab of roots reggae a few days ago in a local charity shop and thought that this warm April evening would be as good a time as any to share it with you. The Gladiators back Tony Tuff on all these supertight tunes, and production is shared by Yabby You, King Sounds, Mafiatone and Tony Tuff.
Come hear the monolithic, dubby whump of Sweet Maureen, you might like it:


Tracklist:

01 Don't Follow Bad Company
02 Jah Almighty
03 Rumors Of War
04 Lovers Rocking & Skanking
05 We Want No War
06 I'm So Glad
07 Gimme Wha' Me Want
08 Sweet Maureen
09 Now I Know

Get it HERE.

Nicu Pourvu & his Roumanian Orchestra (1971)

"FROM PAN PIPES TO THE NAI:
Legend has it that the God Pan made the first Pan Pipes from reeds, to play to his loved one, the nymph Syrinx.
The instrument originally had 5 to 7 reeds but many variations were made in stone, porcelain, bronze, etc. It was a folk instrument played mostly by farmers, shepherds and gypsies, and has remained an instrument of the country people, especially in Roumania.
In the 18th Century, the Roumanians developed it with the introduction of bamboo pipes, and extended it to as many as 23 pipes. At this time, with the increase in size, its form changed from flat to curved for ease of playing and to extend the playing technique, and it became known as Nai..."

This album came from a boot sale a few months ago. Now, please forgive my ignorance, but I had always associated the pan pipe with the music of the Andes, so this came as a bit of a revalation. I thought the record might provide some momentary amusement, but actually it is a highly energetic gypsy romp - the music is spectacularly good. There are some beautiful moments in which Nicu plays his pipes to emulate bird calls, and his playing is brilliant throughout, however the real star of this album is, for me, the fantastic Cimbaal player - Ion Miu, who's playing on the zither like Cimbalom is just gorgeous.

Tracklist:

01 Ciocirlia (The Lark)
02 Coboara Neica Calare
03 Doina De La Titu
04 Sirba de Concert
05 Busoic de la Plenita
06 Ca Pe Giu
07 Sirba Din Muntenia
08 Hora Staccato
09 Munte, Munte, Brad Frumos
10 Hora Lunga
11 Jocul Oilor Din Maramures
12 Miorita
13 Coragheasca

Get it HERE.