[engl] Nigeria has been one of these African countries with a rich western oriented music scene spawning some highly praised garage rock acts like OFEGE and some hot blooded steaming funk acts. One of these groups taking a turn on music that was happening a few thousand miles west in the USA about five or six years prior was AKWASSA and here we gotta listen to their second album “In the groove” and the title actually says it all. They play some funky music that would make James Brown (God rest his soul) or Betty Davis (Miles Davis' beautiful and highly gifted wife) go crazy for and they do it with a routine you would rather expect with American superstars. AKWASSA impress with a tight as a teenie's ass rhythm section grooving some hypnotizing beats that consist of wild percussions and an airy drumming tied together by some captivating bass lines. Upon this rhythmical basement you find a grinding organ scrubbing your senses and a clean wah wah driven guitar that erupts into fuzzed out solos from time to time. The mid ranged voice comes with a rich tone and nobody would question me if I'd tell him this was a US act. Well, okay, there is a little accent but at least his English is grammatically perfect. In the end it does not matter much for the voice is one instrument that adds a patch of color to the whole picture. How great to know this Afro Funk classic from the 70s can now be enjoyed by a young audience with an open mind. Old school funksters, take your chance, this is sheer bliss.

[engl] Now we enter territories of smooth disco grooves and spicy samba rhythms as solid background for whipping melodies of the most charming kind. This is a lush late 70s disco production with an affinity for jazz that showcases a band lead by a truly gifted violin player. Elements of electronic dance and pop music and Latin sounds embrace each other and get tied together by sexy funky bass guitar lines. Samba, Salsa and whatever South America has to offer join forces with the Western club music of the day and in between all those fluffy but rich arrangements some freaked out piano eruptions and twisted song structures prove Alfredo De La Fe's fondness for the jazz scene aside from the mainstream. His violin turns into a screeching demon raging upon an ever flowing pulse of percussions, bass and drums. And the beat will definitely not leave you alone for the whole playing time. Alfredo's violin is the secret star of this record and he as the multicultural band leader, born in Cuba, living in the USA after 16 years in Columbia, knows to enchant and fascinate his listeners with songs that have the charm of pop and the edges great jazz offers, fused into one vivid world of sound. The deep and wide structures invite you to take a trip through a pulsating city with music, dances and happy spirits everywhere. My favorite here is the truly modernized but utterly hypnotizing “My favorite things” I only used to know from John Coltrane before. Folks, Alfredo De La Fe might play a really smooth, happy and lightweight music but this man really pulls it off. No wonder that original pressings of this album go for 180,00 Dollars. Now we can change that with a beautiful fresh reissue and if you are a lover of Latin music, disco and funk, be welcome to lend your ears to Alfredo De La Fe.

[engl] Detroit has become a symbol for the decline of American economy in recent years but once was a kind of musical capital reaching a peak in the late 1960s when two main directions of sound with a typical “Detroit” flair had their origin in the motor city. One was a rough edged and earthy heavy rock style whose protagonists MC 5, THE STOOGES and FRIJID PINK came to some fame and fortune, not to mention the original ALICE COOPER BAND. The other was the world famous Motown soul sound with countless more or less successful bands and solo artists. Somewhere in between the sweet but hot blooded soul and rumbling proto heavy metal and proto punk of both musical worlds you will stumble over an all black outfit named BLACK MERDA, the first black rock band from the USA as legends tell you. But even though the band name and the African American origin of the band members which almost scream to put the “black music” label onto this band there is more color to be found in their songs than you would expect. We have elements of soul, funk, blues and fierce hard rock crossed with some more peaceful and relaxed West coast rock aspects resulting in a rich melody writing in this mix performed by a bunch of professionals who really know which skill to use at which point. But they play with passion reigning over techniques and calculation so BLACK MERDA will capture your heart quickly after this beautiful record started spinning on your turntable and they will demand their share of love from you. Highly recommended to fans of JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE and BAND OF GYPSIES, ARTHUR LEE'S LOVE, BETTY DAVIS, MARCUS MALONE.

[engl] Man, this is a blast. Soulful disco and pop music with a rather naked production and heart melting songs is what Ms. Cleveland has to offer on her hyper rare 1977 album “Looking up”, a sacred gem of late 1970s black music with electronic tinges. Her masterpiece must be the hypnotizing soul pop anthem “Love will set you free” that lives from a primitive electronic drum beat, some rattles and tambourine sounds and the interplay of organ and synthesizer. Actually even the organ sounds like a synthesizer. Her rich and soulful voice will captivate you within a moment. There are some slower tunes in here that have a spaced out feel due to the synthesizer lines despite their stylistical link to early ska and rock steady or lush classy pop. Carrie's vocals have a unique charm and come as intriguing as they can. This cat knows to sing like an angel, clean and innocent but with the spirit of a diva. This is indeed a strange album and if you can imagine KRAFTWERK working with Donna Summer on disco music, this is close to what you will discover here. Original copies of this jewel go for 450,00 and more Dollars and I agree that this record is so unique in its whole approach it may bring a true aficionado and collector to the point where money plays a minor role. A strange little rarity of angelic beauty. Great to find it reissued now so we can all enjoy the slick weirdness offered by Carrie Cleveland.

[engl] One more classic of the so called Afro Beat scene is this sole album by Nigerians MIXED GRILL from 1979. Heart warming reggae anthems and steaming hot funk eruptions with an ever flowing rhythmical pulse that puts you in a state of trance embrace each other on this album whose original copies nowadays fetch prices of 250,00 and more Dollars. MIXED GRILL are skilled musicians through and through capable to create and perform songs with a steady flow that come as tight as a band might play and still with a maximum of vividness. Great brass arrangements add much to the gentle atmosphere of inner peace generated by band and album. MIXED GRILL are in fact as good as any of the mainstream funk bands from the early to mid 70s and truth is that they even scored a deal with UK based cult label Decca for a wider release of their album. Well, sometimes people should listen with open ears and hearts. When you hear these cats play you could no longer stay in your armchair or wherever you sit down. Your physical body will constantly move and groove while your spirit will dive into an ocean of colors. Every fan of high class black music between reggae, soul and funk will fall in love with this band and definitely be pleased to hear that there is a killer reissue of “Cry for peace and love” out now.

[engl] Ooouh yeah, this is an easy one. The group comes from Brazil, the album has been originally released in 1978 at a preliminary height of the disco movement, there is a beautiful black woman surrounded by a shiny atmosphere and with a fluffy white afro wig on her head smiling at you from the cover. You can imagine that this is hot blooded, steamy disco funk with slick production, striking, yet gentle lead vocal lines, whipping brass arrangements and a mood of nothing but pure joy. The whole experience is rather polished and aims at a typical disco audience but all participating musicians are top players and they interact so tightly that the result is an irresistible permanent groove that will capture your soul and leaves you breathless on the dancefloor when the record is over. The arrangements are complex and thick with layers shifted upon layers of all kinds of instruments like electric piano, synthesizers, brass instruments, sexy wah wah guitars. The funk influence from the early years is still present when this music was performed and even lived in dirty backstreet clubs in some suspicious parts of the big US cities. This album heats you up with an extra dose of physical energy and a sexualizing swing that originates from the band’s Brazilian pedigree. Even the more moderate ballads will tickle your senses with a highly captivating feeling for simmering grooves and soft arrangements that are like a musical canopy bed with a beautiful nude lady waiting for you. Well, you see, I get utterly sexualized by this sweet soul music and all the hot funk eruptions here despite or maybe even because the lush and slick sound. If you love this aspect of black music from the 70s with an extra Latin touch, this is yours and will stay forever. For fans of Donna Summer, AIR, WAR and THE TEMPTATIONS.

[engl] After many hours I spent among high society buggers at clean mansion parties lately it is time to go back to the streets and crawl through some nasty gin palaces for the real stuff, the dirty, the hot blooded and unrestrained grooves and striking melodies. And so we end up in some hell hole of a backstreet barroom where half dressed beauties dance around the rods and a mean looking bunch of black guys in shiny outfits lounge around the stage and play some steamy and ever pulsating soul and funk with enough dirt beneath the fingernails to prove their ghetto origins. And when I open my eyes again I am here in my comfort zone, the living room of my apartment and I listen to some vinyl turning on my turntable but still shiver from the experience I made in my dream. What is this all about? Oliver Sain (1932 – 2003) was a bandleader extraordinaire and brought his crew to play at highest levels while still retaining an honest feeling. Most songs on this first album of his group come as instrumentals with the occasional commanding shout by the master himself and you will for sure recognize a few fairly popular melodies and indeed, there are adaptions of classics like “Georgia” and the “Harlem nocturne” played with an enormous dedication which of course goes for all the performances here. Oliver Sain and his band do not just play down their tunes, they live out each note with the fire burning within their hearts. Especially the expressive saxophone playing will leave you as a listener floored. Eruptive lines that could come straight from the vaults of the great late John Coltrane meet a rather relaxed and laid back funk sound, can you dig it? There is steam heat and sheer love pouring from these well executed compositions and adaptions. Prices for originals of this rare vinyl go up to 180 Euros, so we can shiver with anticipation to get our hand on the beautiful Funky Planet reissue quite soon. Black music aficionados with a special fondness for 60s and 70s stuff will feel like a child in a sweets shop. It’s all good and groovy here.

[engl] Who might be Rick Mason that his inner dimension is so utterly interesting people pay about 800 US$ for the sole record he and his band RARE FEELINGS produced in 1977? Well, we will now find out. He turns all of his interior inside out and gets you folks into a state of trance listening and dancing to his raging funk’n’soul music. Organ, bass guitar, rhythm guitar, drums and percussions build a simmering fundament for the eruptive yet sophisticated performance of the brass section and when the jazzy flute sets in you will go crazy. And this is indeed a classic of electric jazz spiced up with the hypnotizing groove of the seventies funk from the darker corners of the city. While this album starts quite smoothly with a steady groove and straight melodies, the second song already shows the true inner dimension of Rick Mason, a constant changing in between twisted jazzy rhythms and wide open soul harmonies that float gently down your spine. The interplay of all instruments with Mason’s mumbling voice singing on top is just magical. We drift further along into soft passages and get irritated by strange, yet beautiful aspects of the compositions for a second. That must be the progressive aspect of everything he keeps within. Well, all these little twists and turns make this an ever growing and ever captivating album. What message might then hide behind a quirky title like “Funk ain’t being funky”? A stretched out trigger finger towards all who just pretend being? Rick Mason and his RARE FEELINGS show ‘em how. The particular tune is a prototypical funk groover with killer electric piano lines and an ear blowing brass section. Once more he mumbles in a quite unique way upon the solid basement the instruments build just for him. And while we listen we realize that even Sly Stone and his band would be proud of these brass lines. Rick Mason has certainly the guts to go for a gentle funk ballad to melt every woman’s heart and still retain the honest and earthy feeling a great funk band should play its music with. Now I can understand why collectors of outstanding underground funk gems spend a month’s salary on such an album and I cry out of joy that this kick ass groove beast got finally reissued. A number like “Metamorphosis funk” with swirling organs, flutes and rhythm guitars raging upon a wall of groove has been even scarce in the 70s when this music was all new and hot. And if you go further and experience the wild and totally unleashed lead guitar spitting out flashes of melodies you will certainly agree with me. And this is just one highlight among others. “The inner dimensions of Rick Mason” might have been a bit too far out for the average mainstream consumer but those enlightened spirits who know how to deal with dark and mysterious progressive funk and lighter tunes that caress your ears and soul will enjoy this album for a helluva life time.

[engl] This is a holy grail of an album not many people actually seem to know about. I heard about 1978 as initial release date but it could be some archive material as well because the music sounds more vintage. Strange drum patterns, cool jazzy melodies and a tenor sax going crazy make the first tune and you could imagine Miles Davis, Pharoah Sanders, John Coltrane and Herbie Hancock jamming. Suddenly this tune, “Royal walk” turns weird. A spoken word part sets in which feels like the guy (Ron Everett?) reading a poem or something. But before you know what happens the original freak jazz part returns to close this sweet tune. What comes next? A gentle 50s style Latin pop effort with a great female singer delivering some hot vocals. Somehow a 70s flair hangs above the songs you just cannot tell why it feels this way. The complex rhythm patterns here move straight into your blood and the sweet melodies pull up the sun at the beach. The whole composition generates an atmosphere of easy leisure and still there is this edgy, free playing from the brass section which reminds us this was a band rooted in the field of progressive jazz. Pop works well with Ron Everett and soon you understand what is going on. This raw yet vivid sound makes the atmosphere of a live performance. But the third number “Tipsy woman” is a typical relaxed funk song of the 70s with just a little free jazz spicing it up. Great electric piano performance here and the laid back and lascivious vocals are the icing on the cake. Utterly cool and sexy. All in all there is quite a bit Latin music thrown in the mix and this band performs it fairly well with passion and an extra share of fire in the heart. The groove infuses this record from the first to the last note. Polyrhythmical webs of beats and percussion sounds held together by a rather relaxed bass guitar spin a musical cocoon around your soul. The performances are all quite impressive and should even catch the attention of a sophisticated jazz fan. The raw and unpolished sound surely adds a lot to the mythical atmosphere of this album even though it might be a bit much for the average pop fan in this genre. Well, this Ron Everett album is a gift for the real lovers of strange but beautiful music.

[engl] This once privately released album finds its origins in the jazz music scene of Boston / Mass., USA from where people came together to lay down the two lengthy compositions “The beginning of a new birth” (25 minutes) and “The prayer” (15 minutes) by composer and director John Jamyll Jones. The mood is thoughtful and spiritual in some way with wordless chants, hypnotizing polyrhythmic grooves and haunting lead harmonies by saxophone and flute creating a colorful trippy stream of sound that is certainly domiciled in the field of free modal jazz in a rather relaxed fashion. It is the kind of spiritual jazz created on all acoustic instruments that recalls the greatest works of JOHN & ALICE COLTRANE or PHAROAH SANDERS during their heydays. You swim on top of this gently flowing river of notes and sometimes get swallowed by a few freak out sound maelstroms. You drift through a haze of colors and sounds until you reach a state of total enlightenment due to the repetitive nature of the rhythms and song structures. The solos of flute and saxophones are just awesome and the melodies set your soul ablaze despite the fact that the background by drums, standing bass and piano stays with one line like a stubborn mule as experienced in “The prayer”. Well, people who love this kind of jazz will be enchanted by the WORLD'S EXPERIENCE ORCHESTRA and their sole album from 1975.