Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Hot like Sriracha - Oakland Afro Sounds


Joni Haastrup is responsible for this Afro Boogie jam that calls out to free the people around the world. Recorded in London 1978 on the wonderful Afrodesia label, Joni Haastrup's first solo album, Wake Up Your Mind takes AfroSoul to the next level. I hear great influences in this album from the likes of sounds of the times like RAMP, Gary Bartz and even P Funk. But there is an undeniable African rhythm that carries this soul train across borders. Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaata would be able to play the entire song "Greetings" without lifting a needle or juggling records, because after the one minute spacey intro, it's like a five minute non stop break. I wonder if they were hip to this record back then?


Earlier in the seventies Joni's group MonoMono {The group, not the NYC Korean BBQ chicken joint} was deep on an Afro Funk Spiritual trip.

Makes sense that Joni Haastrup has settled in the Bay Area. Hope we get to see him in action in the bay sometime. Learn more about this legendary Afro funk artist here.

Tummy Touch Records/ Soundway Records has recently re-issued 3 albums from Joni Haastrup and his group MonoMono.

Wake Up Your Mind

Tune: Make Them Realise by MonoMono from the album Dawn of Awareness

& here's some Afro space psych soul jazz from MonoMono from the Give The Beggar a Chance LP


You can always get down to funky afro sounds at the Afrolicious party in SF

For another serious African dance party check out DJ Elembe.
He is one of the house DJs at Baobab and can be found at parties across the Bay spinning everything funky from Africa plus bhangra and reggae, a true party soldier that knows how to get the people moving.
I was happy to find Elembe's soundsystem set up next to the African food tent while waiting in line for plantains and black eyed peas at the Life is Living fest in Oakland earlier this month where I also stumbled upon a live performance by Los Rakas.

A Lil Weezy slow jam gets Rakafied - available for free download via Las Rakas Band Camp

Nice day for Los Rakas - Raka Dun's new joint Sueño Americano from his upcoming AfroLatino EP was featured on NPR's Alt Latino

SF, check Los Rakas out with Black Star at Mezzanine

Fresh Oakland Beats by Excentrik

Check the Excentrik collaboration with Strong Hold Sound

Buy/Stream Tune: Quick Minute from the Audio Refuge Compilation

This track hot, don't need no sriracha

not the first cats to burn trees in the walk in


Tune: over der where I live by Ñ Y D {slightly encrypted title to avert the machine}

reading material


Columbus and Other Cannibals by Jack D. Forbes

Thursday, October 13, 2011

nativo dub - some sounds come and go, some sounds are here to stay, when the past meets the future we are heard today



The sweet potato tortellini and succotash in smoked corn broth was a big hit at the last Soul Cocina feast. It may make an appearance on the menu at the next Soul Cocina Chicago feast. Stay tuned for details.

too much new music out there to keep up with.
Check the new J Boogie Dubtronic Science Album

new pointy boot 3ball mty ish via Mexican Dubwiser

Trouble In My Soul (3ball MTY Sheeqo Beat Remix) - Mexican Dubwiser by Sheeqo Beat




Tune: La Verdolaga by Dj Javier Estrada from his glorious Ritmos del Mundo project {don't sleep on his soundcloud page}

Tune: La Verdolaga by P18


TICKLAH FT. ROB SYMEONN - ROB I LAND DUB by liondub international

Damian "JR GONG" Marley - Set Up Shop by Damian Marley


Chief Boima continues to go deep. Learn the story behind this mix, or better yet the story behind the entire Boima journey.
Lone Stars Mix by chiefboima

Don't miss Chief Boima and the Dutty Artz Family in NYC tomorrow night for Sweat Lodge - seriously, Geko Jones conquered SF dance floors last week.

The J Rocc mix of Quantic tunes has been circulating around for a minute. This Jeremy Sole Quantic mix is fresh too:
Lo Mejor y Sabor de Quantic (by Jeremy Sole) by Tru Thoughts

Learn more about Quantic on the Sidebar over at Soul-Sides

Tomorrow night in SF!
The brother from another mother DJ Roger Mas is starting a new night in my old hood Mezclao at Amigo Bar

Waiting on the new Santero album to drop. Until then Selectah Santero suggests we keep an ear on the sounds of Boogat.

Tune: Kalima Shop Titi (Douster Remix) by Poirier feat. Boogat

Boogat - Pura Vida EP (Masalacism004) by Boogat

Tune: No No No (Esa Mujer) by Boogat

Also waiting for those new Kool Kyle productions to hit the streets. Kool Kyle is a Djs DJ and a producer's producer. basically a head's head! He rarely releases his joints oficially and prefers to share his jams with fellow DJs and friends. The new music he has made with Deuce Eclipse will drop a lot of jaws once it leaves his studio.

Here are some tunes from a recent CD shopping spree Kyle and I made on Mission St in SF last week.

Tune: Pan Americano by Las Chicas

Tune: Pan Americano by Los Pelapapas

Tunes: Tucu Pum Papa and Culumpeate both by Los Karkis

Tune: La Cumbia de Mario Bros by Los Sonoreños

I love the accordeon intro on this next jam, especially the first two wicked bars
Tune: La Falda Coqueta by accordeon maestro and cumbia/vallenato giant Aniceto Molina

y para mis twitteros....
Tune: Twitteando by Hechiceros

y de Oaxaca....
Tune: Hay Tamales by Banda la Costado

Tamale Oaxaqueño m Mestiza Cafe near the new Soul Cocina hood in Chicago

Tune: La Willa Deh by Ferdinin ft. Calito Mix, K4g & Bk

Santero added some Willa Demphra to the Soul Cocina library. Here is one joint.

And if you need a soundtrack for cruising in your low rider check Firme Rolas by Vinnie Esparza


Saturday, October 08, 2011