― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 03:33 (1 year ago) Permalink
I love how these particular forms (cumbia, porro, etc) teeter on the border of being folk music, dance music, pop music, big band, all of these things all at the same time in one super strong stew. Mondongo!
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 03:36 (1 year ago) Permalink
ghana soundz also has the best cover
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 03:38 (1 year ago) Permalink
I do not have Sound of Siam, but listened to some of it on the podcast and it sounds really groovy.
this is a petty complaint (sorry), they have overused the word 'special'
― mookieproof, Tuesday, 13 September 2011 03:43 (1 year ago) Permalink
Kings of Benin is super awesome too
Complaint registered.
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 03:45 (1 year ago) Permalink
haw
― mookieproof, Tuesday, 13 September 2011 03:46 (1 year ago) Permalink
Michi Sarmiento talks about his history playing music, talkin 78s, lamenting the techno/reggaeton music of the jovenes
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 03:51 (1 year ago) Permalink
I would also like to know if any London ILXors went to their dance party this past weekend. Was it fun?Please describe it -- were people dancing with verve or sheepishly?
I wish such an event existed here, but I don't think it does. There are soul nights, but that's not what I'm looking for.
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 03:57 (1 year ago) Permalink
I love how these particular forms (cumbia, porro, etc) teeter on the border of being folk music, dance music, pop music, big band, all of these things all at the same time in one super strong stew.
In the case of cumbia at least that's mostly because it's been around for so long.
― Cal Jeddah (_Rudipherous_), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 04:05 (1 year ago) Permalink
Yeah, I know -- it's basically a folk rhythm with elements of pop -- and since they know people dance, there are dance music flourishes too.
Glad to see you pop up Rudi (i have taken the liberty to call you this) -- you know more about the newer stuff than I do.
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 04:07 (1 year ago) Permalink
So are any of these comps NOT great?!
didn't realize til just now that Victor Awaifo "Guitar Boy Superstar" is a Soundway release, so put another in the "great" column
― A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 04:19 (1 year ago) Permalink
p sure I posted Michi Sarmiento's photo to the 'people who have figured out how to live' thread, or something similar
his compilation is friggin great too
the Remi Kabaka 'Black Goddess' OST is less populist for entry level rubes like me, in that it's this weird scrawly afro-jazz thing that I don't have a huge amt of reference points for, but I totally like it
― the wrong terry to fuckwit (DJ Mencap), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 08:59 (1 year ago) Permalink
Oooh I don't have that one, but weird scrawly afro jazz thing sounds DELIGHTFUL and totally like something I would like. I am also still an idiot who has an emusic account, and a lot of these are on emusic.
Cartagena, Colombia, Sounds of Siam and 1970s Afro Rock and Psychedelia in Nigeria are on spotify too (even in the US!)
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 11:54 (1 year ago) Permalink
I cannot tell you how much that Colombia comp cannot be beat. IT IS AWESOME. If you have never really figured out what you like about Latin music because you never really got all that into Fania, this could be what you were actually looking for. (Note: I love Fania salsa, but cumbia/porro/salsa colombiana it is not)
not a single dud.
― stirmonster, Tuesday, 13 September 2011 12:13 (1 year ago) Permalink
That's my impression so far. Also, I believe as was discussed on another thread, Soundways I think is considered very ethical in its handling of royalties.
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 13 September 2011 14:28 (1 year ago) Permalink
i am admittedly a world music dilettante, so these comps are perfect for me -- everyone's gotta start somewhere. love the colombia comp, the ghana soundz stuff, sir victor, nigeria 70...need to get more!
― tylerw, Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:02 (1 year ago) Permalink
Not everyone can travel around the world and collect records; I figure that since I can't be one of those people I can at least enjoy what they find.
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:05 (1 year ago) Permalink
otmalso think that the soundways comps i've heard are wonderfully sequenced, regardless of what the focus is. the compilers are marvelous mixtape makers.
― tylerw, Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:13 (1 year ago) Permalink
that kings of benin comp is fucking great
― the 500 gats of bartholomew thuggins (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:17 (1 year ago) Permalink
it totally is! you can play that album at almost any upbeat social gathering, and people are going to dig it.
they really are awesome sequencers -- i guess i am officially at the point where i trust soundway records to show me a good time.
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:19 (1 year ago) Permalink
CartagenaMichi Sarmiento y sus Bravos
I have these two and play them constantly. I always hear something new in them. They are just amazing.
I also have this one:
http://www.soundwayrecords.com/catalogue/colombia-45.html
Which is darker, crazier, weirder. And this one:
http://www.soundwayrecords.com/catalogue/panama-3-limited-edition-7.html
which is stark handclapping funk/soul on both sides. I am trying hard not to spend all of my money on everything else.
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:21 (1 year ago) Permalink
another one i like is the Ghana High Life Special
this seems like one of those labels you could p much just buy anything they put out and it would be great
― the 500 gats of bartholomew thuggins (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:27 (1 year ago) Permalink
oh dang i have always wanted colombia 45 but the only store that carries soundway (as far as i have seen) doesn't usually get the little stuff, only the big releases. shipping to the US has been...spotty, so i have just used emusic. but they don't HAVE THAT. so congratulations, you have made me pay soundway for a download :)
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:30 (1 year ago) Permalink
So I want to know if anyone in London has ever gone to their events? They just had a huge dance party/screening/DJ thing. Sounds like A++++ good time.
No, I totally should!! Except... it will kill me not to be able to dance properly to this music. I swear to god this label has got me seriously thinking about taking classes.
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:35 (1 year ago) Permalink
I gave the Michi Sarmiento CD to my father-in-law who loves salsa and he said most of it isn't suitable for salsa dancing because it has the wrong beat
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:36 (1 year ago) Permalink
That's because it's not all salsa -- there are other rhythms, and other dances for those rhythms
This woman is explaining it sooooo slowly but I guess that's what some people need?
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:49 (1 year ago) Permalink
*sheepishly raises hand*
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:55 (1 year ago) Permalink
I understand the compulsion to dance "properly" but wonder if people just go to town at these events and dance however they want? I mean dancing is just moving -- who cares if you're dancing correctly as long as you are enjoying yourself and not hurting anyone?
That said, it is fun to dance both properly and improperly. Just practice at home!
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:57 (1 year ago) Permalink
for some reason this tune absolutely kills me --
http://open.spotify.com/track/6dgB8hJLSydO5E1i4wyHjz
'blacky joe', by 'p.r.o.' ('people rock outfit', apparently) from 'the world ends: afro-rock and psychedelia in 1970s nigeria' -- which compilation itself is just kind of amazing
― thomp, Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:58 (1 year ago) Permalink
one wonders sometimes what it feels like to be one of, like, the four people in europe who actually know enough about 1970s nigerian psychedelia to hold an in-depth conversation about it
― thomp, Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:59 (1 year ago) Permalink
TH - Does the video help? If so, she has others. Not sure if she is *foremost expert* or whatever, but it was the first one I found.
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 16:00 (1 year ago) Permalink
i see them as having dogs, and internet dating profiles, and resembling -- though not, admittedly, to a great extent -- patrick magee in the first production of krapp's last tape
er, xpost
― thomp, Tuesday, 13 September 2011 16:01 (1 year ago) Permalink
Yeah and what she does is probably not far from what I'd just come up with naturally, but it is just so.... impressive watching people who really know how to dance together to this sort of music. Really what I'm saying is that I want to learn how to use my hips.
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 16:02 (1 year ago) Permalink
x-post re European experts on Nigerian psych
Have you asked any of the African immigrants near Paris? Most of them are Congolese refugees but surely there must be some from Nigeria?
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 13 September 2011 16:03 (1 year ago) Permalink
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Trying to find the time to practice, practice practice to be able to dance well has always been my issue. Maybe some people can pick it up quickly but not me.
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 13 September 2011 16:09 (1 year ago) Permalink
The latin stuff is easy enough to dance to, I'm kind of wondering about the African psych stuff. Does one dare dance to that in public? I mean, I would, but I've got like 2 shameful bones in my body and they both like to dance.
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 16:31 (1 year ago) Permalink
Cumbia is fairly easy to pick up. I still am not sure I know it 100% properly but last time I was being all apologetic with a partner about not knowing it, she was like: you do know how to dance to this.
― Cal Jeddah (_Rudipherous_), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 16:32 (1 year ago) Permalink
'blacky joe', by 'p.r.o.'
I stopped myself from gushing over this track here, cause I'm pretty sure I already have on a couple other threads. awesome to see someone else doing it for me!
― A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Tuesday, 13 September 2011 20:46 (1 year ago) Permalink
This Colombia 45 ep (or whatever it is) is SO GOOD. Sounds really unlike what I imagine most people think of when they think "Latin music" or w/e. Not unusual if you're familiar with the range of Colombian music, but very different if you are imagining 60s/70s Fania or 50s Cuban music. I like the percussion a lot, tons of oompa.
― some lady (La Lechera), Thursday, 22 September 2011 17:12 (1 year ago) Permalink
In particular the tracks from Banda 20 de Julio de Repelón are just O_O and totally hypnotic.
― some lady (La Lechera), Thursday, 22 September 2011 17:25 (1 year ago) Permalink
<3 this label. Haven't seen anyone mention the excellent Tumbele comp of stuff from Guadeloupe and Martinique yet. It hits a sweet spot somewhere in the venn diagram of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Africa, and a bit of France.
― rob, Thursday, 22 September 2011 19:31 (1 year ago) Permalink
Interview with Joni Hastrup http://www.theworld.org/2011/09/joni-haastrup-father-of-afro-funk/
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 27 September 2011 14:24 (1 year ago) Permalink
interesting discussion of postcolonial nigerian national psychology too
― some lady (La Lechera), Tuesday, 27 September 2011 14:26 (1 year ago) Permalink
I like the percussion a lot, tons of oompa.
Yeah, there's something almost Balkan going on there. It's insane!
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 27 September 2011 14:45 (1 year ago) Permalink
I'm thinking specifically of Banda 20 de Julio de Repelón. There's something ancient and Slavic and mournful about those horns
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 27 September 2011 14:54 (1 year ago) Permalink
Have I mentioned how great the Palenque Palenque comp is?! If you like the African-influenced songs (the Wganda Kenya songs, por ejemplo) on the first Colombia comp the best, you will love this. http://www.soundwayrecords.com/catalogue/palenque-palenque.html
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Tuesday, 4 October 2011 15:35 (1 year ago) Permalink
whoa accordion attack!
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 8 January 2012 22:17 (1 year ago) Permalink
i decided to plunk down for the vinyl and i can't say that i regret it in the slightest
my prediction: vallenato is next
― La Lechera, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 14:47 (1 year ago) Permalink
this is what they've got up next - anyone know the dealie with this?
Soundway are proud to release the debut album of Portuguese/Angolan DJ Mpula aka Pedro Coquenão. A distinctly modern and vibrant project with it’s feet firmly rooted in the past, Batida combine samples from old 1970s Angolan tracks with modern electronic dance music. Simply put, Batida is the sound of the wildest Angolan street party
Being the first of a string of brand new projects, this eponymous first album sees Soundway taking a slightly different direction in 2012 and beyond. Championed mostly for their work in un-earthing and re-releasing classic, rare and vintage tropical recordings, Soundway have started signing new acts that have drawn on and been inspired by the kind of music found on the label's groundbreaking compilations and re-issues.
― tumblr white's secret kool-aid drinker (DJ Mencap), Thursday, 12 January 2012 09:45 (1 year ago) Permalink
free download from Batida -- http://soundcloud.com/soundway-records/batida-tirei-o-chap-u
Batida, the brainchild of Angolan / Portuguese DJ Mpula aka Pedro Coquenão. A distinctly modern and vibrant project with its feet firmly rooted in the past, Batida combine samples from old 1970s Angolan tracks with modern electronic dance music. Music is the starting point but through dance, graphics, photography, radio and video, Batida expands, taking in politics and social commentary but always bringing it back to the party.
haven't listened to it yet, but my guess is that it is HUGE hope so at least
― Laura Lucy Lynn (La Lechera), Wednesday, 29 February 2012 16:54 (1 year ago) Permalink
Just ordered the Edzayawa LP as it looks awesome..
...and the second Rob LP in a few weeks... (and with it being on Soundway, we get the re-issue in the original sleeve, unlike the Analog Africa remade sleeves)...
― Talcum Mucker, Wednesday, 29 February 2012 17:16 (1 year ago) Permalink
x-posta more cultural Buraka Som Sistema? Haven't heard it yet
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 29 February 2012 17:20 (1 year ago) Permalink
Just listening to the Edzayawa album. End of Side 1. So far, so great. Nice gatefold.
― stirmonster, Wednesday, 29 February 2012 17:52 (1 year ago) Permalink
really looking forward to that... Lijadu Sisters double LP on Soul Jazz landed today which will keep me going....
― Talcum Mucker, Wednesday, 29 February 2012 19:15 (1 year ago) Permalink
I just have my old Lijadu Sisters release. That sounds intriguing
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 29 February 2012 19:18 (1 year ago) Permalink
it's a double vinyl compilation of the afro-beat stuff of their Afrodisia 4 LP's - missing out the more reggae/disco tracks..
― Talcum Mucker, Wednesday, 29 February 2012 19:59 (1 year ago) Permalink
London crew, Im doing video stuff at their 10th birthday warehouse party in Hackney tomorrow night. Shaping up to be a good do
http://www.soundwayrecords.com/events/dancing-time-with-soundway-10-year-anniversary-party-2.html
― straightola, Thursday, 19 April 2012 16:41 (1 year ago) Permalink
fuuuck i wish i could go
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 19 April 2012 19:24 (1 year ago) Permalink
tell me about it!
― two overweight dachshunds with three eyes (La Lechera), Thursday, 19 April 2012 19:29 (1 year ago) Permalink
That Batida record is so great!
^ video takes a while to get going but that song is something else
― Friends of Mr Caeiro (NickB), Monday, 23 April 2012 09:27 (1 year ago) Permalink
Was a great party, all the soundway folk thoroughly nice guys. Wasnt sure what to expect crowd wise but everyone was dancing like crazy all night, no room for beard rubbing at all. The girl who does the video stuff for batida was totally smoking, yabbered at her for quite a while before realising that noone has ever, ever got laid off the back of technical video chat
― straightola, Monday, 23 April 2012 12:19 (1 year ago) Permalink
the party on friday was great (and even though i can't now remember much about them i recall thinking that the visuals were really impressive, so good work straightola!), to the extent that i somehow managed to wear a hole in my shoe from dancing...
― michael nyman cat (Merdeyeux), Monday, 23 April 2012 12:19 (1 year ago) Permalink
xp! if i knew technical video terms i'd offer some innuendo opportunities, but alas.
― michael nyman cat (Merdeyeux), Monday, 23 April 2012 12:21 (1 year ago) Permalink
competence is one of the best weapons in a wooing arsenal -- don't sell yourself short!wish i could have been there. my dancing shoes need more holes in them! i like the batida song i've heard -- maybe i'll get the album when i recover from RSD.
― two overweight dachshunds with three eyes (La Lechera), Monday, 23 April 2012 12:54 (1 year ago) Permalink
Jeffery at Wall of Sound recommended the Edzayawa - Project One to me today. So glad he did. This is a killer album.
― brotherlovesdub, Saturday, 19 May 2012 23:16 (1 year ago) Permalink
I am totally obsessed with two singles I have from this label (and they're the only things I have from Soundway; as far as I can tell they're not entirely indicative of the label's usual sound?). Majorly funky Guyanan calypso and '60s African twist that brings a total swing to a standard oldies template. Unique phrasings, sudden slightly atonal recorder solos, etc.
Anyway - what else sounds like this? I need MORE of this kind of stuff!!!
Thanks for any recommendations...
Single 1:
Single 2:
― She Got the Shakes, Sunday, 17 June 2012 17:44 (11 months ago) Permalink
Ok, I am 90% sold on Ondatrópica after hearing I Ron Man.
Weird concept, but well done!Hope they don't go in a more "punk" route because the world doesn't need another punk/ethnic music band but i'm in as long as they keep the vibe super trad
― game of crones (La Lechera), Wednesday, 20 June 2012 16:40 (11 months ago) Permalink
I just bought the Panama Soul 12", which is pretty nice. Jungle Rat USA is such a good band name, incidentally.
― She Got the Shakes, Sunday, 24 June 2012 13:34 (11 months ago) Permalink
10 year anniversary party at Rough Trade this Thursday.
― If you live in Thanet and fancy doing some creative knitting (Fizzles), Sunday, 15 July 2012 09:24 (10 months ago) Permalink
ondatropica is getting a lot of press, no? comes out tomorrow. i didn't preorder but only because i am tired of their super slow intl shipping.
― nicest bitch of poster (La Lechera), Sunday, 15 July 2012 14:18 (10 months ago) Permalink
i went to the store and got this over the weekend, listening to 3xLP set for the first time and all i have to say is that it sounds awesome, but it sounds like 100 more awesome if you are even a little familiar with the type of tropical Colombian music Soundway has been reviving since their first Colombia! comp a few years ago (or knew about la musica tropical de Colombia before.)
I know they're going to get lumped into the Buena Vista Latin Music club, but they're way more than that.
― nicest bitch of poster (La Lechera), Monday, 23 July 2012 14:05 (10 months ago) Permalink
there's even a goofy romantic boogaloo number if that's your bag
i think it was streaming somewhere and the NYC show is on the 27thsample here at the very least http://snd.sc/JFLQcb
― nicest bitch of poster (La Lechera), Monday, 23 July 2012 14:51 (10 months ago) Permalink
whoa i did not realize MICHI SARMIENTO IS STILL ALIVE??
i gotta get this ondatropica record
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 2 August 2012 20:54 (9 months ago) Permalink
not only alive, but making music!
it's a shame you missed the london show(s) -- i think there was more than one?
only two shows in usa -- ny and la :(
― nicest bitch of poster (La Lechera), Thursday, 2 August 2012 20:58 (9 months ago) Permalink
i was in new york for the london show, and will be in london for the new york show *flings back of hand limply to forehead*
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 2 August 2012 21:12 (9 months ago) Permalink
oh nm that rough trade show was for soundway as a whole.. STILL THOUGH
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 2 August 2012 21:13 (9 months ago) Permalink
yes: http://www.okayafrica.com/2012/10/24/kiki-gyan-24-hours-in-a-disco/
― *buffs lens* (schlump), Wednesday, 24 October 2012 18:29 (7 months ago) Permalink
It's December and I still think Ondatrópica is really good -- they got slapped with a corny marketing scheme imo, but the music itself is v enjoyable. Any other Soundway recordings I shouldn't miss this year?
― passion it person (La Lechera), Thursday, 13 December 2012 19:58 (5 months ago) Permalink
To each her/his own, but I think if a group is doing an Afro-Colombian cover of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" like Ondatropica do, they may get a corny marketing campaign because such a cover is kind of corny.
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 13 December 2012 20:30 (5 months ago) Permalink
Yeah I guess so. The rest of the album is good though! Maybe I have a high tolerance for corny cumbia.
― passion it person (La Lechera), Thursday, 13 December 2012 21:43 (5 months ago) Permalink
I really like the Meridian Brothers - Desesperanza LP. Pretty unique take on that stuff.
― She Got the Shakes, Friday, 14 December 2012 00:54 (5 months ago) Permalink
This one is my favorite - cumbia with little sci-fi synths sprinkled throughout:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3_R-RSPmYY
― She Got the Shakes, Friday, 14 December 2012 00:55 (5 months ago) Permalink
Hmm - I don't know why it didn't embed
― She Got the Shakes, Friday, 14 December 2012 00:56 (5 months ago) Permalink
"https"->"http" I think
― a Christmas .gif for you from (seandalai), Friday, 14 December 2012 00:58 (5 months ago) Permalink
damn, great song.
bump it while looking @ this thread:
post animated gifs of dancing skeletons
― ❏❐❑❒ (gr8080), Friday, 14 December 2012 00:59 (5 months ago) Permalink
ooh that is good! thanks. i'm a little confused about what is considered cumbia these days -- that's way faster than what i think of when i think of cumbia.
― passion it person (La Lechera), Friday, 14 December 2012 01:13 (5 months ago) Permalink
I played this track a bunch, not sure where it fits in genrewise: https://soundcloud.com/bombaestereo/lo-que-tengo-que-decir
― a Christmas .gif for you from (seandalai), Friday, 14 December 2012 01:33 (5 months ago) Permalink
i like them but i don't think they're on soundway records? did NOT know they had a new record out -- i'll have to give it a listen.
― passion it person (La Lechera), Friday, 14 December 2012 01:35 (5 months ago) Permalink
Their last album was on Soundway in Europe at least.
― a Christmas .gif for you from (seandalai), Friday, 14 December 2012 01:38 (5 months ago) Permalink
oh weirdi don't think it was here? i dunno, i downloaded it from emusic i think. anyway i completely forgot about them, so thanks for reminding me.
― passion it person (La Lechera), Friday, 14 December 2012 01:41 (5 months ago) Permalink
fun fun fun fun
― scintilla (seandalai), Monday, 29 April 2013 19:01 (3 weeks ago) Permalink
not on soundway, but it feels more relavent to share them here than any other thread:
CHICANO BATMANCHICANO BATMANCHICANO BATMAN
― ְ֮֠֓֟֬֩ (gr8080), Monday, 29 April 2013 20:42 (3 weeks ago) Permalink