Steneboofs - Simigwado

I've been getting my African records from a number different sources these days. So much good stuff has been coming my way. It is indeed a shame I haven't had the time to keep up with my own 'new arrivals' section and post them here.  But, here I am... trying to do my best to share, because some of this stuff is so damn good it's hard to deny sharing. The organizing and filing at my house has gone from bad to worse. Now being involved with the record shop I'm getting stuff I don't even need or want to put 'IN' the shop and I'm always taking home a treat or two from things I learn about or listen to AT the shop.
The one source I'm constantly still returning to and constantly in debt to is my friend Juan. I know I've done some nice things for him and been there his time of need for at least of few times, but now the shoe is on the other foot. I owe him both credit and proper respect and good ole cold hard cash. One of the records he slipped me at the last record show was this one by The Steneboofs. It's basically Gyedu Blay Ambolley recording this song under the group 'Steneboofs' for this particular release.
I don't know why and think it's quite strange that this song 'Simigwado' didn't make it on the Simigwa album.
Oh yeah, and THIS looks exceptionally interesting...
http://vimeo.com/18737848

But, homie Juan has done some interesting stuff with his research and record digging in Africa. One thing in particular is his interview with Gyedu-Blay Ambolley.

check it out HERE> http://digging4gold.tumblr.com/post/3216534913/first-rapper-ever

I'm also thankful for the awesome Taran aka Fat Headphones for all the African goodness he's brought my way. He's brought some incredible items to the shop and laced me with some dope albums that will be on the pages of Sound Boutique very soon. Things like Joe Mensah, Goddy and one of my faves from Rick Asikpo.

You can check a nice write up about him HERE>
http://www.forearsake.com/2011/10/vinyl-lovers-is-monthly-post-that.html#more


Steneboofs - Simigwado

Lijadu Sisters - Life's Gone Down Low

Thanks to Taran and the folks behind Fat Headphones we had this treat and many other rare African records in the shop at Vamp. I quickly took this one home for myself. In my eyes not the very best Lijadu Sisters album to have, that would be the 'Horizons Unlimited' LP in my opinion, but this is still a great one indeed. Probably most desirable now after getting exposure on the well known 'Soul Boulders' mix CD. That's what brought my attention to this gem of a track.

 A lot of amazing records Taran brought into our shop and surprisingly they just sat on the walls. I suppose there's just not enough big ballers out there these days to scoop these up. These LP's were priced to move though, and a few have moved quickly out the door. There's still some really good ones in our shop, and if you dig Afro-soul-funk-rock-highlife albums you should really stop by. Joe Mensah, Christian Essien, Veno, and Apostles having been on our walls recently just to name a few. So, again, a shameless plug for the Vamp record store and a big thank you going to Taran Escobar-Ausman who is one of our newest sellers. We're super proud to have him.

Lijadu Sisters - Life's Gone Down Low

Baba Yaga - Too Cool To Be True

Killer funk jam by this 70's era all women's band. Sounds a bit Afro influenced with these heavy horns piercing through the mix. This one was fit for the club both now, and then according to the lyrics. Swarming to the disco with those uniform denim blues. Look out. These ladies are fired up. Lead by a heavy break in the front, it's charged up with the same shit that's still going on these days..growling stomachs, high gas prices, and people looking for work. This release was distributed by local woman's label Olivia and you can get comprehensive deets and pics here. Probably the tastiest women's funk club tune I can think of and reminds me of the 'all-girl' live performances I saw today.

Yes, I'm still sick from last week and feeling like shit, but I had to make the trek outside in the constant rain to see my daughter perform at the G.R.A.S.P. (Girls Rock After School Program) in downtown Oakland. Sick as I was, I was busy sleeping all day and if she hadn't called to remind me, I may have slept right through it. Daddies, stay on ya toes! It was great (and a great program) to see my daughter rock the drums in her own style and I'm glad I took her to see the Girl's Rock Movie 2 to 3 years ago. I saw a total of 15 groups play one song each, ages ranging from 6 to 16 years young. I was looking at the attendance and over all high head count and thinking there is definite potential for my evolving all ages Oak-a-go-go TV show idea, developed from Chicago's own cable access show Chic-a-go-go. Check out what they do.

While in downtown Oakland, I caught a facebook mention of a record sale. Of course I had to check that out. Sick or not, I was already out there in the rain. I'm in full support of Oakland record shows, and even better when they are in the afternoon or at night. Great little swap at the Spice Monkey Loft organized by Geraldine of feelmygrooves.com and the new east bay multi-genre soul night called 'The Clearing' at the Kingsman's Ivy Room. It's held every third Friday, but April's date is scheduled for the 22nd. Heads up. Been meaning to re-stomp the Ivy Room and see the major re-vamping they've done since our crew was there so many years ago. Props to all those folks at the swap for toughing it out in the rain. Looks as though the Spice Monkey has some tasty food as well. Great idea..the wifey can grab a bite to eat, and I can chip away at our life savings on my compulsion with records.
So, all in all, a nice little day. Even though I felt like absolute crap. I hope I didn't infect anyone along my way. If so, my sincere apologies! Now I'm nestled back in our crib, nice and warm, hopefully nursing this very flu like cold on it's way out the motha-fuckin' door!


Baba Yaga - Too Cool To Be True

The Eddy Grant Special

EXCLUSIVE WORLD PREMIER TRIBUTE TO  

EDDY GRANT AND THE EQUALS

Time to make way for one of the absolute and undeniable kings of music in my eyes. Often a guy who is lesser known and perhaps never really received his 'due'. I'd put him up there with some of my all time favorite top cats, Arthur Lee or George Clinton, who, in my eyes, really made tracks in their own distinct directions. Eddy wasn't a complete lyrical genius like Arthur Lee, but he could craft a catchy pop tune out of a wet paper bag. He wasn't the founding father of psychedelic funk like George Clinton, but everything he did had a 'funky' edge, even his rock and roll is tuff, soulful and rythmatical. He had some kind of undeniable energy that made everything irresistibly charming and jump right out of the speakers into your lap. Many of his songs, whether they are bubble gum pop, skin head soul, reggae, garage punk, or plain ole rock and roll, they always have another edge to them, and are seriously chock full of potent energy. If there ever was undertones to music or something you could read between the lines it was with Eddy Grant. To me, his freedom to bounce in and out of so many genres made him an endlessly invaluable innovator. I think his only downfall was staying too much in one pocket, mostly being reggae, but somehow he made that work and made tons of money from it.


We all know what it sounds like to take a walk down 'Electric Avenue' but, his rich history is seemingly unknown. I had heard faint whispers online that somewhere someone was going to release a complete Eddy Grant compilation. I forget who it was...Soul Strut? Soul Jazz? Perhaps I will beat them to it here. But, it definitely needs to be accomplished. The man deserves to be known for what is really the bigger Eddy Grant picture
He proves my 'energy' theory with an extended rap sheet of other projects. Not only has he released a ton of other records recording under different names, he's produced so much and been in so many other groups, many of us, myself included are still trying to piece it all together. I will attempt to break the ice on this fascinating untold story. No pun (he was on Ice Records for a while) in tented there.
This may take 2, 3 or even 4 parts to tell his story and post the according tracks. But, in order to do it proper it will take time. The sheer magnitude of what he's done would probably be a 15 CD box set if you catch my drift. And, I'd like to avoid the attention of any copyright infringement issues with our insignificant offerings.

First up, right down to business, from the funky era we have The Equals 'Mystic Sister' from the LP of the same name. Its frightfully experimental with it's jarring, nails on a chalkboard, type of keyboard riff that sounds as though it's partially submerged under water. Yet, the feeling is resurrected with Eddy's powerful almost shouting chants and a few funky 'well, well, wells' thrown in for good measure. Head cracking drums and some early use of synthesisers round it out. One thing about the equals I should start out with is just how amazing they look throughout time. If you have an affinity for mixed race bands that  are draped in 60's through 70's rags, then they're your band. With all the UK, European and Japanese singles that were released, you've got a treasure trove of killer looking covers to collect.


The Equals - Mystic Syster

Next up is 'Diversion' from The Equals. Early fuzzy punk goodness from 1973. Pure mix of glam and punk that easily earns these guys a 'founding fathers of punk' award from me. The guitar rips like a chainsaw and the song crashes along, with mass of maracas and symbols crashing in your ears. Eddy's referencing his 'diversion' as a tale of being thrown in jail for a bit, but he's back. And, back with a vengeance in this killer 60's inspired punk stomp. I love his 'yelps', 'ahs', and 'yeows' and the general raspiness in his voice. His screaming and carrying on make young R&B punk lords The Pretty Things sound docile in comparison.

The Equals - Diversion




Another one from the early days. Brought up from the deepest caverns of garage and punk rock history. 'My Life Ain't Easy' from their first LP. Hard ass drums and fuzz guitar that sounds as if it were recorded in a distant room. All the while with well put harmonizing backing vocals and Eddy screaming on top. There's some interesting things to look at when looking at the career of Eddy Grant and The Equals and the beginning releases. Released in the same year as Sly And The Family Stone's 'A Whole New Thing' one has to question just how ready the industry was to promote mixed race groups. In 1967 when it was released, the American version on Laurie had negative and positive exposures of their band picture, and the UK version on the President label had a strangely suspect and oddly 'colorized' looking picture of them. Makes me wonder what boundaries they encountered as a group in those early days. I'd love to interview Eddy at some point and get all of this info first hand.

The Equals - My Life Ain't Easy

UK version released on President

US version on Laurie

This next classic of his was reworked through several time periods. I've counted a total of 4 different versions of the same song. There may be more, but we'll highlight 2 of the best versions of 'Nobody's Got Time' for this special. This first version is from his very first self titled solo outing on Torpedo records. It's a different mix from the 7 inch version, which is killer as well, but this version is longer and just as lethal. I'll definitely rip the 7 inch soon, because it is jaw dropping heavy funk. It's a damn hard LP to find and really shows what potential he had. It's rock, it's funk, it's reggae, it's really all over the place. But, good and interesting throughout. This LP is a super big treat for y'all. I dug around quite a bit and couldn't find any of this ANYWHERE. So, I'm pretty sure it's a Soundboutique exclusive.

Eddy Grant - Nobody's Got Time (Torpedo LP version)





Then the later version released in 1980 on the 'Love In Exile' LP which became a classic in the loft classic, disco, and cosmic DJ crowds. The dub version of 'Nobody's' is still in great demand. Haunting vocals, sweeping atmosphere, strange keyboards, and the basis for an electro orgasm you can see why. I still prefer the vocal version, just because I am EG's biggest fan. You can't beat a harmonica solo right dab in the middle. You can also see how a dubbed version could cause your head to start to cave in. It's a lethal version later available by the Coach House Rhythm Section on a Ice Records 12 inch.

Eddy Grant - Nobody's Got Time (1980 version)

Last, but not least another tune that seems to pop up here and there. I think there are three versions of this as well. This is yet another heavy treat and from this mega rare first LP 'self titled' from Eddy Grant. A monster funk tune, just raw and gritty. It's a trip to hear many of his tunes as they progressed and changed and cleaned up and got organized. These version from this album as dirty, raw and fairly unpolished. Nice! We like it like that. But, you'll see in the next part of this special on Eddy Grant what a good shave, shit and a shower can do for his tunes. We'll post up a lot more in a part two and/or three...like Black Skinned Blue Eyed Boys, Baby Come Back, Funky Like A Train, I Get So Excited, I can't See But You Don't Know, and the many other versions of Stone Cold Cat and Nobody's Got Time.

Eddy Grant - Stone Cold Cat (Torpedo LP version)

Self Titled LP on Torpedo

World Premier, shhhht. I crack myself up sometimes.

Dizzy K - You

Speaking of Africa... I think I'm gravitating to Nigerian records from 81-83 like the tractor beam from the death star. Just so happens they are all sounding like complete replicas of Michael Jackson records. From Chris Mba, who I posted here before, to this cat Dizzy K. The squeals and yelps, to the rhythmic scats, it all ads up to MJ. Not to mention the bass heavy brilliant disco boogie production perfection they've all got. Dizzy had a number of albums, all seem to be excellent. Don't have them all yet, but working on it. So far so good. Meaning they've all been worthwhile listens. This particular LP is the best yet. And, judging from the prices his LP's command, this is probably the most desired. I remember buying this on ebay. I heard a few sound samples of the tracks and was completely FLOORED. I had never heard anything so funky and so hotly produced. It blew my mind how incredible the few tracks sounded, even though they were crappy ass little soundfiles. This was approximately 5 or more years ago. I was ready to drop some serious loot on it. I put figures into eBay I had never entered before. I was willing to bet the farm on this one, and didn't want to lose it to another bidder. Surprisingly it ended for 13 or 14 dollars, (totally surprised!) a far cry from the hundreds I was willing to spend. Since then Nigerian Boogie records have gone through the roof. I have no idea what this record would go for now, but the last few copies went for 500 to 1,000$.
To me, it might be worth it. All the tracks on here are bombs. Plus, like I said, I'd never heard anything produced so well. Every track sounds like you could make a new Daft Punk song just by looping it up. The back info on the record reads like a synth and drum machine holy grail want list..some of the hottest shit on earth. Trust me this record is made with some of the sickest sounds you've ever heard. Dizzy is still around, and heavy into gospel music. It's still a fantasy of mine to re-release ALL of his LP's, something I can estimate is only a matter of time.

I'm only posting this one right now.. it's kinda too good to let it all out at once..but, I WILL post more from this same album. I may even do a Dizzy K special once I have ALL the Dizzy LP's.

I hope my buddy Juan finds this one while he's in Africa. He just hipped me to his newest project, his blog about his vinyl discoveries while he's adrift in Ghana and general South Africa. He's finding hot shit. We yucked it up a while ago, over a donut at a greasy spoon breakfast spot I like, about his future trip. We talked about all the previous record hounds that have scoured the land. How they never pay 'jack-shit' for records, sadly keeping those peoples VERY poor while making hundreds themselves. How few record hunters there have been 'other than white' in that biz, and how he might be able to connect further being a person of color himself. Finalizing our conversation we both mentioned we thought the most important things were.. the stories, the connections with these people along the way, the music, the art, the experience, the sharing, and NOT just gripping and flipping. I'm proud to say he's not just trying make a fat loot, but doing something deeper. Something he's always been dedicated to. This time he's working new angles and turning up some tasty goodies. Check them out here.
http://digging4gold.tumblr.com/
This is his second trip to Africa, and the second time I've mentioned him on this blog. Must be I love this dude. word.

Dizzy K - You

Erwin Bouterse & Roetoe - Groovy Weekend

From Sahuleka to Matata, I'm headed south in an africano mood. Directing myself straight to the motherland. I recently played this at 'HIT THE DECK'. Let me say, Troy Bayless and Joseph Roseberry throw a mean party. And, I'm glad disco, boogie, cosmic and everything else under the sun is alive and well in Oakland. Peeps at these parties dance, and they dance to whatever. Open minded folks wantin' to get down. That's what I love. Plus, I was glad to see the Oasis is still alive and well. That's one of Oakland's finest spots. It hasn't quite been right for the summer time vibe here, cold as shit really. Constant fog and frosty nights. But, I think we'll have a few more hot evenings between now and December. Least I hope so. I hope the HTD folks have me back soon. This Erwin tune needs a good re-edit. But, I'm into posting the originals. You can do what you must. Perhaps I'm just lazy. But, I believe there's a Daptone re-edit out there somewhere already. Enjoy!



Erwin Bouterse & Roetoe - Groovy Weekend

Matata - I Want You

Matata were obviously inspired tremendously by James Brown. One listen to "I Feel Funky" affirms they were huge fans of the heavy funk scene in the US. In fact their LP "Independence" directly channels the feel of Fred Wesley, Maceo, and the JB's first albums. Lead singer Anwar Richards pulls off a pretty mean scream and is generally pretty masterful at capturing the JB vibe. If ever there's a solid afro funk LP, this is probably the one. In addition to Anwar's amazing vocals the band is rumored to be comprised of top notch session players. A hit list from both Kenya and Ghana of amazing afro funk musicians thrown together for Matata. This incredible line up made every track they recorded solid funk bomb material.

This 7 inch has "I Want You" and "I Feel Funky". It's a great 7 inch to have. Both songs are incredible. They are probably the best two from the album. They're both from the 'Independence' LP on President Records. President is probably one of my all time favorite UK labels. Largely in part to being the label for most of the material by The Equals. I'm a huge fan of the Equals and I'm working on a tribute to the Equals in an upcoming post. Secondly, they were the label for Matata. Thirdly, they were responsible for bringing the T.K. and Miami sound to Britain. President records has a looooong and impressive catalog. Aside from having the other highly desired funk bomb "Talkin' Talking" on it, this entire LP is solid thru and thru. This incredible LP gets the highest recommendation I could possibly give. And, if deep funk is your thing you should track it down.

So, I'm giving up both sides of this incredible 7 inch and two tracks from the LP. I was tempted to only leave you with "I Want You" because its the best track by them...period. But, with four others, you should be able to make your own decision.

Enjoy....

Matata

Matata - I Want You
Matata - I Feel Funky
Matata - Talkin' Talkin'
Matata - Gimme Some Lovin'