um, totes gonna preorderhttp://www.soundwayrecords.com/catalogue/the-original-sound-of-cumbia.html
The Original Sound of CumbiaThe History of Colombian Cumbia & Porro As Told By The Phonograph 1948 - 79Soundway set sail for Colombia once again, delving deeper into the South American country’s rich musical past. Boasting 55 tracks spread over two CDs and two triple LPs, ‘The Original Sound of Cumbia’ is Soundway’s definitive guide to the origins of Colombian cumbia and porro and the result of five years pain staking re-search by Will ‘Quantic’ Holland.Disc 1 tells the story of some the earliest Colombian cumbia recorded, a genre that captured a nation, spreading from its birthplace on the Caribbean coast in land to central Colombia and the capital Bogata. Disc 2 sees the evolution of cumbia. Greats of Colombian music like Alberto Pacheco, Toño Fernandez & Anibal Velasquez brought the genre forward, bringing new influences and instruments to the genre. What had once been considered the music of the underclasses had risen up as the new sound of a nation.After five years of becoming slowly submerged in Colombian musical culture, learning the accordion, setting up a band and a studio, and scouring the country in search it’s recorded legacy, Will ‘Quantic’ Holland (Quantic Soul Orchestra & Quantic y su Combo Barbaro) has compiled the fruits of his labour into this unique compilation that tells the story of cumbia in the years of the phonograph record’s supremacy. Along with good friend and head of Soundway Records, Miles Cletet, Will Holland has condensed hundreds of 78s, 45s and LPs into just over two and a half hours of the finest Colombian cumbia.
Soundway set sail for Colombia once again, delving deeper into the South American country’s rich musical past. Boasting 55 tracks spread over two CDs and two triple LPs, ‘The Original Sound of Cumbia’ is Soundway’s definitive guide to the origins of Colombian cumbia and porro and the result of five years pain staking re-search by Will ‘Quantic’ Holland.
Disc 1 tells the story of some the earliest Colombian cumbia recorded, a genre that captured a nation, spreading from its birthplace on the Caribbean coast in land to central Colombia and the capital Bogata. Disc 2 sees the evolution of cumbia. Greats of Colombian music like Alberto Pacheco, Toño Fernandez & Anibal Velasquez brought the genre forward, bringing new influences and instruments to the genre. What had once been considered the music of the underclasses had risen up as the new sound of a nation.
After five years of becoming slowly submerged in Colombian musical culture, learning the accordion, setting up a band and a studio, and scouring the country in search it’s recorded legacy, Will ‘Quantic’ Holland (Quantic Soul Orchestra & Quantic y su Combo Barbaro) has compiled the fruits of his labour into this unique compilation that tells the story of cumbia in the years of the phonograph record’s supremacy. Along with good friend and head of Soundway Records, Miles Cletet, Will Holland has condensed hundreds of 78s, 45s and LPs into just over two and a half hours of the finest Colombian cumbia.
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Thursday, 20 October 2011 14:25 (twelve years ago) link
That sounds awesome. Even if some of the choices overlap with other compilations I have, decent liner notes covering the history of the genre would be a big improvement.
A bit OT, but, La Lechera, have you ever heard Quayacan Orquesta's album from a few years back, Xtremo? It's mostly (but not entirely) salsa, but very Colombian. I am listening to it now, and I always forget how much I like it. It's a bit cheesy and goofy, but then the songs always end up arriving in this sublime groove space.
― Cal Jeddah (_Rudipherous_), Thursday, 20 October 2011 15:41 (twelve years ago) link
I haven't, but I will totally check it out. Some of the more recent stuff takes a while to grow on me for that reason, but usually I end up liking it after giving it a chance because it's still essentially groovy.
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Thursday, 20 October 2011 15:46 (twelve years ago) link
Jesus Christ I am defenseless against news like this
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 20 October 2011 15:49 (twelve years ago) link
I am STILL listening to my Soundway cumbia comps, probably three, four times a week, still finding new favorites
Today it's this, just outrageously bad-ass -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZDL0FQfTdU
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 20 October 2011 15:52 (twelve years ago) link
Tracer the song I CANNOT stop listening to from the Colombia 45 release is El Sabrocito. I love the sound of the vocals so much, and the "mira, ven aca" part was stuck in my head for days until I could figure out which song I wanted to hear. The vocals don't kick in until almost a minute has passed and only last two lines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbY7-OT71Fk
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Thursday, 20 October 2011 15:53 (twelve years ago) link
and the capital Bogata.do not appreciate the spelling error of Bogotá though :(i understand losing the Santa Fé de or even the accented a but misspelling is misspelling
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Thursday, 20 October 2011 16:18 (twelve years ago) link
not so much into the columbian stuff, but the african compilations on Soundway are golden...
The Ghana Special 5LP boxset is particularly awesome
― Night Nurse with Wound (Jack Battery-Pack), Thursday, 20 October 2011 16:52 (twelve years ago) link
lol La Lechera, "El Sabrocito" is the last song on my own little "comp of the comps" I made for myself. I don't know how to describe that guy's voice on that song. It's a late night/early morning voice. Crunk, I guess? He's crunk.
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 20 October 2011 17:02 (twelve years ago) link
he is totally crunk -- the whole song is a woozy head scrambler
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Thursday, 20 October 2011 17:04 (twelve years ago) link
Ok, so I went to preorder this, but I'm a little confused.
CD is £12.99 -- fine, i get thatthen there are two LPs to order, parts 1 and 2 and each one is £17.99
Does that mean that in order to get the whole thing, I have to pay £17.99 x 2?!Are they two different versions of the same release?
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Friday, 21 October 2011 18:22 (twelve years ago) link
thanks to this thread I picked up Nigeria Disco Funk Special, enjoying it very much but I wanna hear that cumbia collection even more!
― sleeve, Friday, 21 October 2011 18:30 (twelve years ago) link
Somos todos cumbia cabezas ahora.
(Apologies if that Spanish is a bit fucked.)
― Cal Jeddah (_Rudipherous_), Friday, 21 October 2011 18:34 (twelve years ago) link
looks like there are two separate 3-LP sets that (together) provide the entire collection one could also purchase for £12.99 on CD (blech) and still get the free downloads.
i want the vinyl, i do WANT IT, but do i want to pay ~$50 for it?!?! dios mio
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Friday, 21 October 2011 18:35 (twelve years ago) link
i like everything soundway releases, but i much prefer the africa reissues than the cumbia series (and it all seems like summer -- not fall/winter -- music to me).
― Daniel, Esq., Saturday, 22 October 2011 00:11 (twelve years ago) link
La Lechera: I was lucky enough to do a bit of warm up DJing at the Soundway Party and it reminded me of going to Bar Rhumba on a Monday night in the early 90s, just with no drum and bass.
The Sound of Siam DJs were ace and even though it was sparsely attended people lost their shit to it. Had a weirdly Northern Soul vibe to it.
Basically mainly people who were there to dance.
― Conan The Asshander (Doran), Saturday, 22 October 2011 05:58 (twelve years ago) link
i want the vinyl, i do WANT IT, but do i want to pay ~$50 for it?!?!dios mio
Soundway did the same thing with "The World Ends" afro-psych compilations..
I really wanted then on vinyl, but they spread the 2CDs over 6 LP's - meaning about 10-12 mins music a side... They could easily fit the whole thing on 4 LP's and still be under 20minutes a side..
I passed on that one for the same reasons as you....
― Night Nurse with Wound (Jack Battery-Pack), Saturday, 22 October 2011 06:52 (twelve years ago) link
Doran -- that sounds like maximum funtimes. It's just the right kind of stuff to lose your shit to :)
As for the LPs -- is there some DJ reason they would spread the songs over so many sides?
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Saturday, 22 October 2011 20:04 (twelve years ago) link
the 10 - 12 minutes a side makes it a little annoying for home listening but it's more than compensated for by the increased fidelity and volume. psyched for these two cumbia comps as i don't know any of the tracks on them.
― stirmonster, Saturday, 22 October 2011 20:15 (twelve years ago) link
the other one i keep coming back to these days is "El Alegron" - it keeps playing out in my mind as the opening credits to some fusion of Louis and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Monday, 24 October 2011 10:52 (twelve years ago) link
Sampler from aforementioned cumbia comp http://soundcloud.com/soundway-records/the-original-sound-of-cumbia
(I am just reposting this stuff from their fb updates btw)
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Tuesday, 25 October 2011 14:26 (twelve years ago) link
bad news: it sounds gooooooooooooooood
― Art Arfons (La Lechera), Tuesday, 25 October 2011 14:37 (twelve years ago) link
Ha ha
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 25 October 2011 14:47 (twelve years ago) link
whoa accordion attack!
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 8 January 2012 22:17 (twelve years ago) link
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 (twelve years ago) link
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 (twelve years ago) link
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 (twelve years ago) link
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 (twelve years ago) link
x-posta more cultural Buraka Som Sistema? Haven't heard it yet
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 29 February 2012 17:20 (twelve years ago) link
Just listening to the Edzayawa album. End of Side 1. So far, so great. Nice gatefold.
― stirmonster, Wednesday, 29 February 2012 17:52 (twelve years ago) link
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 (twelve years ago) link
I just have my old Lijadu Sisters release. That sounds intriguing
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 29 February 2012 19:18 (twelve years ago) link
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 (twelve years ago) link
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 (twelve years ago) link
fuuuck i wish i could go
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 19 April 2012 19:24 (twelve years ago) link
tell me about it!
― two overweight dachshunds with three eyes (La Lechera), Thursday, 19 April 2012 19:29 (twelve years ago) link
That Batida record is so great!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJiypfOcRTs
^ video takes a while to get going but that song is something else
― Friends of Mr Caeiro (NickB), Monday, 23 April 2012 09:27 (twelve years ago) link
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 (twelve years ago) link
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 (twelve years ago) link
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 (twelve years ago) link
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 (twelve years ago) link
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 (twelve years ago) link
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:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lncEyS21wnw
Single 2:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4Cfx5vatGU
― She Got the Shakes, Sunday, 17 June 2012 17:44 (eleven years ago) link
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 (eleven years ago) link
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 (eleven years ago) link
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 (eleven years ago) link
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 (eleven years ago) link
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 (eleven years ago) link
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 (eleven years ago) link
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 (eleven years ago) link