Goran Bregovic in concert New York 2009. Image courtesy Flickr: veni markovski
Beat Box
Updated for September 2010. This month's top five CDs from the archives are selected by our Music Editor, MC Leadbetter. Every month we recommend 5 music CDs that are worth digging up from the basement of history and recovering from oblivion.
September’s selection includes a classic Stones’ bootleg from their concert at Leeds University in 1971, Balkan music maestro Goran Bregovic’s “Underground”, Harlem band The Last Poets mix of music, poetry and civil rights politics, Frank Zappa’s unpredictable protégé Larry “Wild Man” Fischer and a live album recorded at legendary San Francisco nightclub, the Savoy, featuring the likes of Snakefinger, The Mutants and Tuxedomoon. See you next month.
Try these for size:
Larry “Wild Man” Fischer - An Evening With Wild Man Fischer
Bizarre, 1968
Described by Allmusic as a “certified paranoid schizophrenic and acid casualty”, Fischer’s highly unusual style has developed a cult following. Discovered and nurtured by Frank Zappa, who was responsible for this, Wild Man’s only album, Fischer managed to ruin their relationship by throwing a jar at Zappa’s daughter Moon Unit. The ensuing estrangement from the Zappa family has meant that the 36 tracks of “something not exactly musical” have not been released on CD by Zappa’s widow Gail. Original vinyl copies have been sold for high amounts on the Internet.
YouTube link to Wild Man Fischer performing Merry-Go-Round
Goran Bregović - Underground
Mercury Records, 1995
Original score to the 1995 Golden Palm (Cannes Film Festival) award-winning film by Emir Kusturica - a surreal take on 20th century Yugoslavia. One of the mast popular and well-known exponents of the Balkan Sound, Bregović has composed for such varied artists as Iggy Pop and Cesária Évora. He has also composed music for dozens of films including Kusturica’s Time of the Gypsies and Arizona Dream as well as for La Reine Margot, Train de Vie and Borat. “Mesecina” and “Kalasnjikov”, from Underground became instant classic tavern and brass-band hits.
YouTube link to Kalashnjikov live
The Last Poets - The Last Poets
Varese Sarabande, 1970
Formed in 1968 in East Harlem, The Last Poets were heavily involved in the civil rights movement and black nationalism. Their music has been cited as a forerunner of hip-hop. Responsible for the soundtrack of “Right On”(1971) a music documentary in which two of the founding members Felipe Luciano and Gylan Kain star as themselves, the original members of The Last Poets can also be heard in the film Performance (1970) with the track “Wake Up Nigger”. However the band’s make-up was in continual flux, with Jalal Mansur Nuriddin, Umar Bin Hassan, Abiodun Oyewole, and percussionist Nilaja Obabi, generally considered the primary and core members. They are the musicians on this, The Poets’ debut album.
YouTube link to The Last Poets: When The Revolution Comes
The Rolling Stones - Live at Leeds University
Bootleg, 1971
Various Artists - Savoy Sound Wave Goodbye Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes - Hearts of Stone Valerie Carter - Just a Stone’s Throw Away Love and Money - Dogs in the Traffic Jackson Browne - The Pretender The Afro Celt Sound System - Further in Time Selim Sesler - Anatolian Wedding Prince Buster - FABulous Greatest Hits Electric Gyspyland Dr John - Dr John’s Gumbo Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Dahomey - The Vodoun Effect Alfio Antico - Supra Mari Panama: Latin, Calypso and Funk on the Isthmus 1965-75 The Pink Fairies - Live at the Round House Prince Nico Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz. Gong - Expresso II Dizzy Gillespie and Machito - Afro-Cuban Jazz Moods. Mike Henderson and the Bluebloods - First Blood. Gil Scott-Heron - Spirits. Quyen Van Minh – Birth 99 (NGẪU HỨNG ’99) Grace Nono - Tao Music Mercy Dee Walton - Troublesome Mind. Farid Al Atrache - The King of Oud. Joe Harriott - Indo Jazz Suite. Miles Davis - Jack Johnson. Le Trio Joubran - Randana. Laco Tayfa - Bergama Gaydasi. Sex Mob - Sex Mob does Bond. Ray Barretto - Hard Hands. Kocani Orkestar Meets Paolo Fresu & Antonella Salis - Live. African Scream Contest.
Unquestionably the greatest bootleg of all time. The Stones playing at Leeds in 1971 with Mick Taylor also has the best - and longest - version ever of Midnight Rambler. It is worth it just for that. Enough said.
YouTube link to Midnight Rambler
Go ! Records, 1981
Live recordings from the San Franciscan nightclub The Savoy in 1981, capturing the best of the avant-garde SF music scene at that time. The album features among others Snakefinger, Tuxedomoon, Sleepers, Ultrasheen and The Mutants.
Epic, 1978
In 1977, a friend of mine persuaded me to go and see Graham Parker. Not for the man himself, but for the support band. “They are mates of Springsteen, and do a lot of his songs,” was his line. “I’m there!” was my response to this cheap but effective seduction. And I have been there ever since. (Apart, that is, from a lengthy spell in the 80’s when they, like most American bands, embraced perms and the sin-drum (sic.) ) They eventually returned to their R&B roots, though, and continue to gig today with the absolute essence of what I want from a live band, at times in absolute mayhem, at others in sublime perfection.
There have been over 100 members of the Jukes in the 30-odd years that they have been around. One of their founder members was Steve van Zandt (of the E Street Band and the Sopranos), who produced this album. The album itself was once voted by Rolling Stone in its top 100 of that decade. “Talk To Me” remains one of the highlights of the Jukes’ gigs; no pretentious lyrics, no interminable noodling, just…. well, just………
YouTube Link to Southside Johnny Live at Shepherd’s Bush 2009
CBS, 1977
Valerie Carter emerged from the so-called Californian scene in the mid-70’s. Having been a session singer for many of the better-known acts of the day, she recorded her first album in 1977. Many of those she had worked for in the past turned up on this album. Such names as the Eagles, Little Feat , Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne and John Sebastian all lent their talents. The sum total was an album of stunning power and emotion. The title track remains, to this day, one of my favourite vocal performances by a woman.
However, that’s not the way the record-buying public saw it. After another couple of commercially unsuccessful albums, Valerie Carter slipped away from public sight. She returned to her session work, which she still continues to this day; she was last seen by me in James Taylor’s band.
Unfortunately, there is only one song from this album that has made it as far as the YouTube generation. The album itself may be hard to find, but it will repay the effort….
YouTube Link to Valerie Carter singing “Ooh Child”
Fontana, 1991
Love and Money first came to the public’s attention in the mid-80’s, as part of the (curiously, mainly Scottish-based) white-boy soul movement that produced such as Wet, Wet, Wet and Hue and Cry. They had minor pop success, and wider critical recognition, when they teamed up with Gary Katz (Steely Dan’s producer of the time) for the album “Strange Kind of Love”.
The album itself sold poorly, and it would be another three years before the follow-up. “Dogs in the Traffic” is reckoned by many to be their finest work, as the band ditched the glossy production of the past in favour of a style that showed off the masterful songwriting of James Grant.
The band itself broke up in 1994, but James Grant continues writing and recording. He has been called the best Scottish songwriter of all time; his songs are, by turn, dark, joyful, humourous and self-deprecating. The songs of Love and Money, and from “Dogs in the Traffic”, still feature in his act. They stand up, without effort, to the test of time.
YouTube Link to Love and Money - Lips Like Ether
Asylum, 1976
Jackson Browne was introduced to me at a time when I was just beginning to understand just how deep and complex the human condition is. Like many an emotionally-confused youth, I felt that he was talking to me. However, that was a feeling that was to continue throughout my life; no matter my current life-state, it always seemed to me that Jackson had a line, a verse, a song to cover it. Love, hate, parenthood, separation….. there was nothing the bastard didn’t know about me!
Jackson was part of the West Coast boom of the early 70’s, along with such as The Eagles, for whom he co- wrote their first big hit, Take It Easy. In the 80’s, he became increasingly politically active, being involved in the No Nukes movement and also extremely critical of U.S. foreign policy under President Reagan.
His songs and his sound define a particular era in American music. A large part of this is down to his long-time friend and colleague David Lindley, a multi-instrumentalist whose session credits are legendary in themselves.
In June of this year, a pal and I went to see him at Glastonbury; we sang, smiled, cried and hugged our way through his set. At one point, the guy behind us put his hands on our shoulders and said “I am guessing there is a lot of history here…”. He was right, of course, but there is also the present and the future. Jackson will be there. This clip is for the happy idiot.
YouTube Link to Jackson Browne: The Pretender Live 2010
Real World, 2001
I first encountered the Afro Celt Sound System (whose name, incidentally, tells you exactly what they do; an amalgam of three diverse forms of music) on a Radio Scotland programme called Celtic Connections; that programme celebrated the considerable influence of Celtic music and culture on the rest of the world. I then made a special trip to see them play in Stornoway. At one point, one of the band (chock full of English, Irish and Africans; not a Scot in sight) pulled out a bodhran, that most Celtic of instruments in the most Celtic of towns. I winced and thought “Oh dear, mate, do you know where you are? I hope you know how to play that thing.” As Ziggy might have said, boy could he play bodhran….
YouTube Link to Afro Celt Sound System : The Silken Whip
Doublemoon, 2007
A collection of “turkus” (Turkish folk songs) traditionally played in the run up to a wedding, this 13-track album by virtuoso clarinet player Selim Sesler makes a musical tour of his homeland with songs from the northwestern city Edirne, southeastern Urfa, northeastern Trabzon, and western Izmir. Born in 1957, Sesler was already playing clarinet regularly at local fairs and weddings at the age of 14, prior to moving to Istanbul in the 80s with a band of Roma musician friends. There he built on his experience playing in restaurants with fasil groups as well as continuing to play at Roma and non-Roma weddings. He features in Fatih Akin’s films “Against the Wall” and “Crossing the Bridge”.
YouTube Link to Selim Sesler in Crossing the Bridge
Sequel, 2002
Recognized as one of the most important figures in the history of ska music, Cecil Bustamente Campbell, aka Prince Buster was born in Kingston Jamaica in 1938. His 1967 hit single “Al Capone” was the first Jamaican recorded song to make it into the UK Top 20. During the 60s he wrote, recorded and produced hundreds of records for the Blue Beat label. However he didn’t limit himself just to the creative side of the music business, opening a record shop in Kingston in the 60s (which is still owned and operated by his family) and setting up a jukebox company, as well as founding his own label, Prince Buster Records. This album contains classics like Judge Dread, Madness, The Ten Commandments and Take it Easy as well as his signature tune Al Capone. Irresistible.
YouTube link to Prince Buster & The Delroy Williams Junction Band live in Cardiff 2008
Crammed Discs, 2003
Electronic music producers from the UK, Brazil, France, Turkey, the US, Yugoslavia, Chile, Germany and Belgium have remixed tracks by leading Balkan Gypsy bands from the Crammed Discs stable: Taraf De Haïdouks, Koçani Orkestar and newcomers Mahala Rai Banda. The result is simply electrifying.
YouTube link to Shantel vs Mahala Rai Banda track ‘Iest Sexy’
Atco Records, 1972
A tribute to the music of his home town, this album from the gravelly-voiced pianist features covers of New Orleans classics like “Iko Iko”, “Little Liza Jane”, “Let the Good Times Roll” and “Blow Wind Blow”. Here Dr. John’s distinctive brand of “voodoo” blues is backed by other New Orleans names including Shirley Goodman vocals, Ronnie Barron on organ and Harold Battiste on clarinet and sax. In 2003 Gumbo was ranked among the top 500 albums of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.
YouTube link to Dr John playing Iko Iko
Analog Africa, 2008
In the 70s, Orchestre Poly-Rythmo was a household name in Benin. The group recorded dozens of songs and toured all over Africa. Now thanks to the efforts of producer Samy Ben Redjeb, who sifted through 500 records from the band’s prolific output, the work of this astonishing group of musicians has been salvaged from the dust of ages, scorpions and the ignorance of the West. Benin is the birthplace of Vodoun (or voodoo) whose rituals are always backed by complex poly-rhythmic music. Two Vodoun rhythms dominate the sound of the Orchestre: Sato - music used in rituals in memory of the dead and Sakpata, dedicated to a divinity which protects against smallpox! This album offers a seemless mix of funk, salsa and Vodoun recorded between 1972-75.
YouTube link to Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou “Se Tche We Djo Mon”
Alfamusic, 2003
Alfio Antico is a virtuoso Tamburo player (an ancient tambourine-like instrument ) Until the age of 18 he was a shepherd in his native Sicily but when he started to play on stage he became an iconic folk figure and a hero of the counter-culture in Italy. His mesmerising live performances are a mixture of music, poetry, story-telling and theatre that the studio cannot quite capture but it is really worth listening to all the same.
YouTube link to Alfio Antico live
Sound Way, 2006
A fantastic anthology of Panamanian classics from the late 60s and early 70s. Of special note is the band “The Exciters”. These were previously obscure recordings from the golden age of Panamanian music. This is a great compilation of Latin music that was so popular that it has developed into Parts 2 and Parts 3. This is the first CD with the best quality tracks. You can’t live without it!
YouTube link to Panama: Latin, Calypso and Funk on the Isthmus 1965-75
Virgin Records, 1982
The Pink Fairies were an English rock band active in the London (Ladbroke Grove) underground and psychedelic scene of the early 1970s. They promoted free music, drug taking and anarchy and often performed impromptu gigs and other agitprop stunts, such as playing for free outside the gates at the Bath and Isle of Wight pop festivals in 1970, as well as appearing at Phun City, the second Glastonbury and many other free festivals including Windsor and Trentishoe.
Live at the Roundhouse 1975 is a 1982 album of a 1975 concert by the UK underground group Pink Fairies.
A one-off reunion concert featuring all five previous members of the group was organised by Ted Carroll, head of Chiswick Records. At the time of this gig, Rudolph was also playing bass for Hawkwind whilst Wallis was playing guitar for Motörhead. The tapes were licensed from Douglas Smith for release in 1982, although only part of the concert was issued, the rest being deemed unsuitable for public consumption.
YouTube link to The Pink Fairies Live at the Roundhouse
RAS, 1981
Prince Nico Mbarga (1 January 1950 – 24 June 1997) was a highlife musician, born to a Nigerian mother and a Cameroonian father in Abakaliki, Nigeria. He is renowned for his hit song “Sweet Mother”, recorded with his band Rocafil Jazz.
His music was inspired by the five years he spent in Cameroon during the Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960s. He played the xylophone, conga, drums, and electric guitar in school bands and he made his professional debut as a member of a hotel band, the Melody Orchestra, in 1970. Although he only recorded one significant hit, “Sweet Mother,” in 1976, which sold more than 13 million copies (and which is recognised as one of Africa’s greatest songs), Mbarga played an important role in the evolution of African popular music. He temporarily relocating to England in 1982 and became known for his flamboyant, 1970s glam rock-inspired performances. While he continued to appear with Rocafil Jazz, Mbarga also performed with London-based highlife band the Ivory Coasters and Cameroonian vocalist Louisiana Tilda. Prince Nico Mbarga was killed in a motorcycle accident on June 24, 1997, leaving behind “Sweet Mother” as the most popular song amongst Nigerians.
YouTube link to Prince Nico’s famous hit single “Sweet Mother”
Virgin Records, 1978
This is the second album from Pierre Moerlen’s Gong which is an offshoot of Daevid Allen’s original Gong. This album is predominantly jazz-fusion featuring Mick Taylor of Rolling Stones fame, Allan Holdsworth and Darryl Way. Pierre Moerlen’s version of Gong is nothing like the psychedelic space rock of Daevid Allen’s original, even though the bands share a common history.
YouTube link to Gong Expresso II
Original Jazz Classics, 1975
While Ry Cooder’s production of the Buena Vista Social Club album helped bring Cuban music to world attention in the 1990s, a hugely influential period of collaboration between American and Cuban musicians began in the 1940s. The musicians on this 1975 reunion album were among the leading founders of the Afro-Cuban music movement. Gillespie plays inspired trumpet over Machito’s orchestra to O’Farrill’s compositions and arrangements. While the album reflects some of their great work of the past, the fresh approach of the musicians and the arrangements, and the inclusion of instruments such as synthesisers and electric bass, also looks to the future, and the nu-jazz sound of the late 1990s. “Afro-Cuban Jazz Moods” is only 32 minutes long, but as well as the quality of the performances, its significance also lies in its place in jazz history.
YouTube link to Dizzy Gillespie and Machito
Dead Reckoning, 1996
Nashville musician Mike Henderson describes his style of guitar playing as “half Bill Monroe and half Muddy Waters.” This overlooked album features a stand-out backing band, and covers of superb songs. “First Blood” is gutsy, bar-room style, electric blues with more than a hint of a social conscience, with the inclusion of tracks such as “When The Welfare Turns Its Back On You”. “Pay Bo Diddley” questions why Bo Diddley never received his dues from the record industry for the huge number of hits he generated. Reece Wynans’ piano solo on Sonny Boy Williamson’s ‘So Sad To be Lonesome’ helps make this track one of the album’s highlights.
YouTube link to Mike Henderson and the Bluebloods
TVT Records, 1994
Songwriter, poet, singer and activist, Gil Scott-Heron has been called the “grandfather of rap”. His early 1970s recordings mixed poetry and politics, jazz and rhythm and blues, his lyrics a blend of anger at the conditions of black Americans in the inner-city ghettos and hope that these could be changed through political action. Important songs from this period included “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”, and “The Bottle”, which reached number 15 on the US R&B charts. But Scott-Heron’s life in part went on to reflect the stories told in his songs, with long periods battling drug addiction. Following more than fifteen years without making a recording, and time in jail for drug offences, he has recently released a highly acclaimed new album “I’m New Here”. The album Spirits, recorded in 1994 with a superb band, falls between the successes of the early years and this latest release. “Message to the Messengers” is a biting critique of the misogyny and violence of gangsta rap, and a message to his young brothers to use their influence more wisely. The title song sets Scott-Heron’s lyrics to a John Coltrane composition. “Work for Peace” is a rap based on Eisenhower’s idea of the military-industrial complex: he tells us that the “Military and the Monetary, get together whenever they think its necessary”. Spirits is a politically charged, but optimistic, album of powerful and exciting music.
YouTube link to Gil Scott-Heron
Music Publishing House, 1999
This gentle and engaging recording by saxophonist Quyen Van Minh was the first release of a Vietnamese jazz album. Quyen Van Minh taught himself jazz saxophone after encountering jazz on American radio and the BBC during the Vietnam War. “Birth” consists mainly of traditional Vietnamese folk songs, with their distinctive scales, recorded with jazz instruments and arrangements. Erroll Garner’s “Misty” is the only cover of a Western jazz standard. Quyen Van Minh runs, and performs at, the Quan Nhac Jazz club in Hanoi. This album is available by mail order but buying it on site after enjoying a night of Vietnamese jazz is highly recommended.
YouTube link to Quyen Van Minh
BMG Pilipinas, 1993
Grace Nono’s recordings are unlike much of the contemporary music emanating from the Philippines, which is often strongly influenced by American pop music. This 1993 neo-folk album draws on traditional Filipino rhythms and instrumentation but with modern production touches and arrangements. Nono wrote, composed and performs all songs “Tao Music”. As well as a musician, Nono is a champion of many Filipino cultural practices, including arts and crafts, theater, and healing and spiritual traditions. The Philippines is too often ignored by the world music industry, and Grace Nono’s work deserves a wider audience.
YouTube link to Grace Nono
Arhoolie, 1961
The Master of Texas piano. Born in 1915 and died early in 1962. Originally had a hit with “One Room Country Shack” in the 50s. Great humorous and sardonic lyrics. “Call the Asylum” and “Troublesome Mind” are both great classics. K.C. Douglas accompanies on guitar and Otis Cherry on drums.
YouTube link to Mercy Dee Walton
Voice of Lebanon, 1989
Originally from Syria, the King of Oud wasa virtuoso Oud player and a popular movie actor. He emigrated to Egypt as a child. This CD has two very long tracks: Takassim Oud and Kelmet Itab. True virtuoso.
YouTube link to Farid Al Atrache
Koch Jazz, 1999
Originally released in 1966 on Atlantic. The Indo Jazz Suite had five jazz musicians joined with four Indian musicans, with a concert flautist too. The project was under the direction of John Mayer, the violin player and Indian composer who moved to Britain from Calcutta in 1952. Traditional Indian music mixed with the contemporary jazz sounds of Joe Harriott. Totally unique.
Sony, 1971
Miles Davis takes the plunge into jazz rock for the soundtrack of the film about the black heavyweight boxer, Jack Johnson - Directed by William Clayton. There are just two tracks: “Right Off” and “Yesternow”. Herbie Hancock on the organ, John McLaughlin on guitar and Billy Cobham on drums. Difficult to find.
YouTube link to Miles Davis - Jack Johnson
Fairplay, 2005
The trio of oud players from Palestine: Samir, Wissam and Adnan. Samir Joubran started out on his own with a CDs Taqassim 1996 and Sou Fahm in 2001. In 2002 he joined up with his younger brother Wissam who was a lute maker like their father. the youngest brother, Adnan joined them in 2004 and the result is this CD. The title “randana” comes from a fusion of two arabic words, “resonance” (ranna) and “Humming” (dandana).
YouTube link to Le Trio Joubran - Randana
Doublemoon, 2000
Turkish folk music with gypsy strains meets contemporary jazz. The band is led by the clarinet player Husnu Senlendirici. Laco Tayfa, gained instant notoriety with the album “In The BuzzBag”, recorded with Brooklyn Funk Essentials, but they turned to their own type of funk. Some of the tracks on their debut album, Bergama Gaydasi, such as, “Malatya,” “Izmir’in Kavaklari,” “Fidayda” and “Çiftetelli,” have already become anthems of the music markets on Istiklal Cad.
YouTube link to Laco Tayfa
Ropeadope Records, 2001
Unusual New York City jazz band led by Steven Bernstein on slide trumpet. This is a selection of Bond music covers in the band’s inimitable style. Recommended tracks include: Bond with Bongos, Oddjob’s Pressing Engagement and Teasing the Korean. Bernstein and his band take the familiar Bond themes and songs from Goldfinger, From Russia With Love and You Only Live Twice, pulls them apart and puts them back together again with his own brand of humour, jazz and improvisation.
YouTube link to Sex Mob does Bond
Fania Records, 1968
The world’s greatest conguero originally made a name for himself in the 1960s with his album ACID. This CD has Adalberto Santiago and Rene Lopez on lead vocals. It is New York mixed with Afro-Cuban. Barretto has worked with the Rolling Stones and Charlie Parker. Turn it up!
YouTube link to Ray Barretto - Hard Hands
Il Manifesto, 2004
A Romani brass band from Kočani, Republic of Macedonia. Kočani Orkestar are among the funkiest exponents of the Balkan brass band style which is found across ex-Yugoslavia. Their music is part Balkans, a touch of Turkish and a bit of Latin. Here they meet up with two Italian jazz men, Paolo Fresu (trumpet) and Antonello Salis (piano). A magical mix and irresistible music.
YouTube link to Kocani Orkestar Meets Paolo Fresu & Antonella Salis - Live
Analog Africa, 2008
A collection of raw and psychedelic Afro sounds from Benin and Togo in the 1970s. Some truly great music including tracks from the more famous Orchestre Poly-Rythmo and Le Super Borgou de Parakou who have a classic track called Congolaise Benin Ye. If you like African music this is a must. The best comes last with the final track by Les Volcans de la Capital playing Oya Ka Jojo - Cuba meets Africa.
YouTube link to African Scream Contest
