This week’s mix jumps around a little bit more than is strictly necessary, but I enjoyed hopping between different styles of music from a variety of places across the globe, and I suppose it’s pretty reflective of what I’ve been listening to during the past seven days.
It kicks off with a few older tracks, including Detroit-based singer Ursula Walker’s version of Herbie Hancock’s Maiden Voyage, which appeared on the Strata Records comp put together by DJ Amir. Then it’s back to 1964 and an absolute toe-tapper from Mary Lou Williams; Praise The Lord closes her spiritual album Black Christ of the Andes, and it’s a bit of an outlier on that record, but I love its energy. I’m a sucker for handclaps. The other oldie here is Waldmadchen, a German big band swing number by the Gustav Brom Orchestra. It’s from 1967 but in this case it’s taken from another compilation – Talkin Jazz III, for which we have Gilles Peterson and Rainer Trüby to thank.
A couple of newer tracks now, including People (Not Statues) by the supremely talented multi-instrumentalist Rowan Oliver, from his album Quickbeam. Great record, and I love the way this moves into a low-end, dubby space. And then a selection from a recent 12″ of dubbed-out Fela Kuti covers by another German artist, Captain Yossarian. This take on Everything Scatter is fantastic, but in all honesty I could have picked any of the four tracks from the vinyl. Well worth picking up if you can get hold of a copy.
Flying Bird ‘Anoma’ is from the Ghanaian/Caribbean band Osibisa’s 1976 album Ojah Awake. It’s a track that I heard the DJ Kamar play last month on his Tealeaves show, which celebrates music from across the world that has been made by migrants, and I bought Ojah Awake that same day as a result. Just a beautiful, blissed out number, and it sets the tone for the second half of this mix. Things are a bit more relaxed from here on in, and eventually a bit more experimental, but stick with it.
Cymande’s Changes is off their third album Promised Heights. I guess Brothers on the Slide is the big one off that record, but I was listening to it last week with an ear out for an underrated, less-well-known album track, and this one caught my attention. It really is great. Stop what you’re doing, shut your eyes and listen to that flute, the percussion, the bass…
Talking of bass, I’m a big fan of Rosa Brunello’s playing, and her three albums to date. Furgonauta is off her debut, which I’ve only just managed to get hold of. Gave it a spin last weekend and this closing track really stood out. I really want to see her and her band live next time they are playing nearby.
The Margate/London-based band Pigeon’s debut album came out earlier this year, and Caramel is the last track. I was a big fan of the two EPs they put out on Soundway; this full LP is on Memphis Industries, and I need to give it a bit more of a listen, but Caramel is full of atmosphere. It’s also a great showcase for the talents of vocalist/lyricist Falle Nioke.
Another album track that had slipped under my radar until a recent spin is Смак жыцця / Smak žyćcia by СОЮЗ (SOYUZ), who formed in Minsk but are now based in Warsaw. It’s on their last LP KROK, released last year, and yet another album closer. I’m definitely drawn to the more Latin/Brazilian style songs on there, but this is lovely, featuring vocals by Manami Kakudo).
The last 15 minutes or so of the mix features The Merkaba Brotherhood, a duo featuring Roman Norfleet of The Cosmic Tones Research Trio and Andre Raiah, two multi-instrumentalists, and then a few downtempo synth/keyboard numbers from Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien, Will Miller’s Resavoir and returning Scottish brothers Boards of Canada. I bought the new album Inferno the week it was released but have held back from playing it until now, partly to let all the fuss around it die down. I was definitely drawn more towards the third and fourth sides/second half of the album, which sounded right up there with their best material. Judgement reserved on that first half for the time being, but it sounded OK, if less immediate. So good to have them back, though, and with that air of mystery retained after all these years.
There you go. If you have bothered to listen, or to read, then thanks very much!
Tracklist:
Ursula Walker – Maiden Voyage
Mary Lou Williams – Praise The Lord
Gustav Brom Orchestra – Waldmadchen
Rowan Oliver – People (Not Statues)
Captain Yossarian – Everything Scatter In Dub
Osibisa – Flying Bird ‘Anoma’
Cymande – Changes
Rosa Brunello – Furgonauta
Pigeon – Caramel
Soyuz – Смак жыцця / Smak žyćcia
The Merkaba Brotherhood – Angelic Beings
Ed O’Brien – Solfeggio
Resavoir – Memories Of Dreams
Boards of Canada – You Retreat In Time and Space
Lonesome Tonight 