07/22/10

Putumayo Presents:
Tribute To A Reggae Legend

I’ll give you one guess as to which artist this Putumayo album is a tribute to...if you guessed Ini Kamoze you’re waaaaaay off. It’s a tribute to Bob Marley if you can believe it! On the anniversary year of Marley’s 65th birthday, Putumayo has decided to release a tribute album (the first of for this label) and it is a spectacular lineup of some of the top musicians from around the world.
Obviously there have been many recordings of Bob Marley covers and some of the best are featured on this album along with 5 exclusive never-before-heard tracks: Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars – No Woman, No Cry; Freshlyground – Africa Unite; Caracol – Could You Be Loved; Rebelution – Natural Mystic; and Rocky Dawuni – Sun Is Shining. Other notable artists include Brazilian songstress Ceu covering Concrete Jungle, Three Plus doing Is This Love, and out-of-nowhere group Playing For Change with their rendition of One Love. The rest of the artists on this album are not familiar to me but do an excellent job of paying homage to Bob. Unlike many tribute albums, these artists take the original song and interpret it into their own style, mostly straying away from the original but all the while keeping it recognizable.
Putumayo has been releasing some fun albums lately, one more I will mention but get to at a later time is Putumayo Presents: South Africa. That is all.

07/9/10

Hello all you readers of this “blog”! Not much action on the International side of things lately so here are some recent and upcoming releases:

July 6th, 2010
Various Artists -- African Pearls: Mali 70 – Electric Mali
Various Artists -- Yes We Can: Songs About Leaving Africa
Various Artists -- Bollywood Cinema
Various Artists -- Les Filles Du Crepuscule
Leni Stern -- La Belle Belle Ba

July 13th, 2010
Quantic/Flowering Inferno: -- Dog With A Rope
Various Artists -- South Africa: Eye Of The Hunter
Francois Molty -- Waiting 4 The Sun
Salim Halall -- Sidi H’Bibi
Zamalek Musicians -- From Cairo With Love

Hopefully there will be some exciting stuff coming up for me to write about. Until next time.

06/18/10

“Everybody say yeah yeah!”   PT. 6

Who would’ve thought that the simple purchase of Fela Kuti’s “The Best of the Black President” double CD compilation would end up being a Broadway smash hit titled FELA!. The producer, Stephen Hendel, purchased the album and was so moved by the music that he became obsessed by the idea of turning the life and music of the legendary Afrobeat king into a musical theatre piece.

Finally in 2008, after many months of preparations FELA! began performances Off Broadway and the public’s response, along with the likes of Jay-Z, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, and many more, was unanimous...it was a hit. To quote Roots drummer Questlove: “The only acceptable excuse for not going to see this show is if you’re DEAD!!!”

In 2009, FELA! officially opened on Broadway and also had two new Executive Producers onboard, non other than Jay-Z, which I can see, and Will/Jada Pinkett-Smith, which I don’t really see/understand...but non-the-less, it was on. FELA! has been nominated for 11 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Of course none of this could have ever been pulled of if it wasn’t for the musical consultation of world famous Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, or Antibalas for short. Members of Antibalas are part of the band onstage and, as always, do justice to the King’s music.

I would normally end this with a quick review of the, I wish, Broadway show itself but I just don’t have the clams to go to NYC to see it, but you can be sure that if “they” do decide to travel, I’ll be going to the closest performance. So I thought that I would review the recording of the musical instead. Tonight I sat down, opened the freshly sealed official Broadway recording of FELA! and can you believe it...it’s a blank DVD according to my IMac. Upon further inspection, it does not appear to have anything burned onto it. Oh well, at least you know about it. When I do finally hear it, I’ll let you know.

“Music is a weapon” Fela Kuti

05/28/10

INTERNATIONAL

Balkan Beat Box is group put together by Israel-born New Yorkers Ori Kaplan and Tamir Muskat. BBB plays Mediterranean-influenced music that also incorporates styles from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and New York electronica. Both men have connections to the gypsy punk band Gogal Bordello (Kaplan played sax and Muskat did some production work).

In 2005, BBB released their debut self-titled album on Jdub Records, which focuses on promoting Jewish music of all sorts. In 2007, they released their follow-up album titled “Nu-Med” on the Jdub label as well. In April 2009, BBB released a remix album titled “New-Made Remixes”.

April 27th marks the release of their most recent studio release since 2007 titled “Blue Eyed Black Boy”. This album was recorded in Belgrade, Vienna and Tel Aviv and is being released on the National Geographic music label. Blue Eyed Black Boy takes BBB to the roots of their unique, "New Mediterranean" sound, going to the source and scouring the Balkans and beyond for unique collaborations and new inspirations for their globalized urban mashups.  

To quote my fellow Polish (he’s 100%, I’m not) co-worker: ”This is the best one yet”. He’s right; this IS the best album that BBB has released so far. They have gone back to their old world roots. It is much more beat oriented than their previous albums.  The styles aren’t limited to just Balkan sounds, but BBB has ventured into electronica, cumbia, and my favorite...afrobeat (everybody say “yeah yeah”). I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, go get this album and check it out. It is definitely worth it, even if you’re not a fan of world music.

05/14/10

“Everybody say yeah yeah!”   PT. 5

So do you remember those Fela Kuti reissues I told you about last week? Well, they were all released just as planned and all are in the original gatefold CD sized LP sleeves just like the rest of the previous releases.

I am still very impressed at the quality of just the sleeves alone. Sure they are that nasty type that will scratch the disc on the first attempt of taking it out, but they ultra-secure it (the disc) by putting each CD in an inner sleeve along with the new liner notes for each song description.

So far there has been 12 Fela reissues and there plenty more to come in the very near future so keep your ears open for the next batch, or just keep reading this “blog” and you’ll know all about them. I still stand my ground and say “Expensive Shit” is the best of the best for Fela. Anyone that would like to challenge my opinion is welcome, but be prepared.

“Because why-o”---“Because the shit dey smell”

05/7/10

“Everybody say yeah yeah!”   PT. 4

Ok, so this is going to be quick so pay close attention. May 11th marks the second run of Fela Kuti reissues on the Knitting Factory label. There are going to be 7 albums released this time and once again they will all be reproductions of the original vinyl album sleeve with new liner notes to go along with the songs. Here they are in no order whatsoever:

•           Alagbon Close/Why Black Man Dey Suffer
•           Noise for Vendor Mouth/Everything Scatter
•           Yellow Fever/Na Poi
•           Kalakuta Show/Ikoyi Blindness
•           Unnecessary Begging/Johnny Just Drop
•           Excuse O/Monkey Banana
•           Expensive Shit/He Miss Road

If I had to pick one over the others it would be a no-brainer, Expensive Shit/He Miss Road hands down. I would go into why I prefer this album but it would take up way too much room and I’m not here to tell you what is the best. Take a listen to ALL of them and judge for yourself. If anything, you’ll at least get a chance to hear some of the best music to come out of Africa and even possibly...the world.

“I say water no get enemy!”

04/30/2010

INTERNATIONAL

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooootaaaaaaaaaan!!!

The Gotan Project released their 3rd studio album on April 20th titled “Tango 3.0” on Ya Basta/XL Recordings. This album has all of the qualities and sounds of Gotan Project that we all know and love, but it is much different from their previous albums. “Tango 3.0” is waaaaay more chill than it’s predecessors. This is not a bad thing though; it is actually a very good thing. Not that Gotan wasn’t chill enough in the first place, this is just a very satisfying addition to their already stellar library.

Gotan Project has really stepped it up a notch with this album, adding elements not heard on previous recordings. They have incorporated a horn line consisting of a trumpet, trombone and saxophones, a harmonica, handclaps, a serrucho (musical saw) and a children’s choir. This album also features Dr. John on the Hammond B3 Organ and the legendary Argentinean futbol (soccer) announcer Victor Hugo Morales, who names off all the members of Gotan Project, in super-fast announcer style, before shouting “Goooooooooooooooootaaan” instead of “Gooooooaaaaaal”.

To try and compare “Tango 3.0” to Gotan’s earlier albums is pretty much impossible. Sure, they all have the same Tango elements, but this album is completely different in it’s approach to the different styles used, from downtempo house to dub reggae to a little bit of reggaeton. I could see some people being disappointed in this album, but for the true Gotan Project fans out there, it is a must. To not at least give it a listen would be a sin. The only complaint that I have is that it is very short, clocking in at roughly 43 minutes. But still, I like it and you should probably check it out.

04/16/2010

INTERNATIONAL

“Everybody say yeah yeah!”   PT. 3

For those of you who don’t know much or anything about a man by the name of Tony Oladipo Allen, then please, read on. Tony Allen, who is now 70 years old, was the drummer/music director for the legendary Fela Kuti in his band Africa 70. If it weren’t for Allen, Afrobeat would not at all be what it was then and is today. Fela has even been quoted saying that “without Tony Allen, there’d be no afrobeat”, and that he sounds like “four drummers at once”.

On April 13th, Tony Allen released his most recent studio album titled Secret Agent on the World Circuit label. All music and lyrics are written and composed by Allen and the album was recorded at Studioworks in Lagos.

An obvious choice for someone such as myself, this album is incredible. Not only does it boost his reputation for being one of the world’s greatest drummers, and I will back that, but also for his ability to compose as well. All of the songs on this album keep up with the tradition of Fela’s afrobeat in that they are definitely political and mainly “Afrocentric”, some urging resistance to oppression and others based on traditional folk proverbs. Allen even lends his vocals to the opening and closing tracks. This album features 5 different guest vocalists and main musician/producer Fixi and Cameroonian guitarist Claude Dibongue. This is a great album, go pick it up, buy it, then listen to it and enjoy.

04/09/2010

INTERNATIONAL

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have released their second studio album titled “Rise & Shine” on the Cumbancha label. A very quick overview of Cumbancha is that the founder, Jacob Edgar, is the head of music research and product development at non-other than the Putumayo World Music label. His job is to travel around the world and seek out all the artists that appear on the very abundant Putumayo Presents compilations.

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars are a group of survivors from the Sierra Leone civil war. The band was formed after all the members landed in a West African refugee camp. Their first album “Living Like A Refugee” was highly acclaimed with a mixture of Sierra Leonean Palm Wine music, triple-rhythmed gbute vang, Nigerian Afro-Beat, and Congolese soukous.

Their second album “Rise & Shine” has elements of West African, Reggae, soukous, and dancehall. The majority of the album is heavy on the side of reggae, mostly in the feel of Bob Marley and Burning Spear. This album was recorded both in their homeland of Sierra Leone and in New Orleans.

“Rise & Shine” is an awesome album. It is different from their debut but still has elements of it, mostly with the more traditional African styles. Not only is it a great African album but an excellent reggae album. Any fan of these types of music would be a fool to not check this out. I give it a whole-hearted “yeah yeah!”

03/26/2010

INTERNATIONAL

This week we will delve into the world that is Madlib. On March 23rd, Madlib released the third monthly installment of 2010 of his medicine show series titled “Madlib Medicine Show No. 3: Beat Konducta in Africa”.  This 3rd album follows “Medicine Show No. 2: Flight to Brazil” and “Medicine Show No. 1: Guilty by Verdict”.

Beat Konducta in Africa is a mixed hip-hop album with some vocals but is mostly instrumental. It is both mixed and produced by Madlib himself and also features J. Rocc on some additional mixing.

This album has the same intro sample to a Fela Kuti mixed album that was put out in 2004 titled Underground Spiritual Game that was compiled and mixed by Chief Xcel of Blackalicious fame. Beat Konducta in Africa has rare gems from all over Africa and is mixed by separating the different styles from different parts of the continent and showcasing each style individually while still maintaining the perfect mixing skills that Madlib has to offer. The different styles include afrobeat, funk, psych-rock, garage-rock and soul from different countries such as Zambia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Botswana and the Ivory Coast.

This is a great album that shows off not only Madlib’s skills as mixer/producer but also his ability to uncover some of the most rare recordings ever to exist from such a magnificent continent. The 4th installment of his Medicine Show series is titled: 420 Chalice All Stars and is scheduled to be released on April 20th.

03/12/2010

INTERNATIONAL

Latin Irish Music...hmmmm.

I have never really been a fan of Irish/Celtic music. I’m not really sure why, I just have never liked the pipes, flute, fiddle, harp, etc. Then along comes this crazy album by The Chieftains called San Patricio featuring non other than the legendary Ry Cooder.  I have, on the other hand, pretty much always been a fan of Mr. Cooder, especially his last four albums, so I was immediately intrigued as to what this pairing had to offer.

Upon first listen, I was completely blown away by San Patricio. Just the line-up alone made me realize that this album is for real, the artists featured are but not limited to: Ry Cooder, Lila Downs, Linda Ronstadt, Los Tigres Del Norte, Carlos Nunez, Los Folkloristas, Moya Brennan, and a few others that I’m not familiar with. Leave it to Ry Cooder to come up with the idea that, yeah, Latin music backed by one of the most legendary Irish/Celtic bands could very well work together in complete harmony. And it does. This has seriously made me rethink my views on this particular genre of music. The Chieftains’ musicianship is outstanding, making it completely obvious to a newbie like me that they know what they are doing and that Irish/Celtic music is for sure a style not to be reckoned with.

Since I know very little about on this subject matter, I will cut this short and leave you with this: If you’re a fan of the Irish/Celtic/Ry Cooder music, GO BUY THIS ALBUM! It is awesome and I will definitely be playing this in the store and will expect many people to question just what it is. There is also a deluxe version of the album that contains a DVD with the making of San Patricio and a few videos’ of some of the songs.

03/05/2010

“Everybody say yeah yeah!” PT. 2

The February 23rd release of “Black Man’s Cry: The Influence of Fela Kuti” on Now Again records is a compilation of bands that have been influenced by the man himself Fela. Some of the bands include: Daktaris, 6th Infantry Brigade Of The Nigerian Army, Dan Satch and His Atomic 8 Dance Band, Lever Brothers Gay Flamingoes, amongst many other artists. This is a great collection showing the mark that Fela has made on modern music. These are all great bands that exist today and are very active in the music scene.

Also available as of March 2nd is: “Nigeria Afrobeat Special: The New Explosive Sound in 1970’S Nigeria” on the Sound Way record label. This is an excellent collection of Afrobeat artists headed off with non other than Mr. Fela Ransome Kuti & The Africa 70 with the track Who’re You?.  The many other artists include:  Eric Snowboy Akaeze, Orlando Julius & His Afro-Sounders & The Black Santiagos.

This is also a great collection of different Afrobeat artists that you would probably never hear about. The Sound Way label has never failed to impress me with the releases that they come out with. This label is known for coming up some of the more obscure African and Caribbean music. There hasn’t been a release on this label that I haven’t been disappointed with yet.

I say do yourself a favor and get these CDs. Not only are they worth the listen but also will make your collection that much better. Until next time...roforoforofo!!

02/26/2010

INTERNATIONAL

“Everybody say yeah yeah!”   PT. 1

On February 15th, 2010, Knitting Factory Records began the re-release of the legendary Afrobeat king Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s music library. Since the man recorded as many as a staggering 48 albums, they chose to release 8 for the first round (many are 2 on 1). Those albums are: Koola Lobitos/The ’69 L.A. Sessions, Open & Close/Afrodisiac, Roforofo Fight (my personal fav), Gentleman/Confusion, and last but not least...Fela with Ginger Baker Live!

These are some pretty sweet releases, all are packaged in CD size replicas of the original vinyl gatefold jackets, complete with new liner notes and a brief description of what each song is about. For those of you not familiar with Fela, he sings in Pidgin English, a mixture of English and several different African dialects, so that the many people of Africa would be able to understand what he was singing about, usually politics or government policies or the way of African life.

To commemorate these releases, the super-awesome music magazine WaxPoetics decided to devote their most recent issue as the “Africa Issue”, with none-other than the legend himself Fela on the front cover and on the back is his also legendary drummer Tony Allen. Inside are interviews with Tony Allen, Pax Nicholas (Fela’s percussionist who had his own album released recently on the popular Daptone label), and Ghariokwu Lemi (the artist who designed 27 of Fela’s record covers). Each tells what it was like working with Fela. Also included in this issue are 2 chapters of Carlos Moore’s 1982 biography, Fela: This Bitch of a Life. This biography is written from Fela’s own words and is an insightful look at the man who is King.

Pick up the re-issues and also the WaxPoetics. They go hand-in-hand and also expect more re-issues down the road. Until next time...Roforoforofo!!

02/12/2010

INTERNATIONAL  And The Grammy Goes To...

Best Traditional World Music Album
Douga Mansa by Mamadou Diabate

Best Contemporary World Music Album
Throw Down Your Heart: Tales From The Acoustic Planet, Vol. 3 - Africa Sessions by Béla Fleck

Best Reggae Album
Mind Control – Acoustic by Stephen Marley

Best Hawaiian Music Album
Masters Of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Volume 2 (Various Artists) by
Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku, Jr., Paul Konwiser & Wayne Wong, producers

Best Native American Music Album
Spirit Wind North by Bill Miller

Best Latin Pop Album
Sin Frenos by La Quinta Estación

Best Latin Rock, Alternative Or Urban Album

Los De Atras Vienen Conmigo by Calle 13

Best Tropical Latin Album
Cicios by Luis Enrique

Best Regional Mexican Album
Necesito De Ti by Vicente Fernandez

Best Norteno Album
Tu Noche Con...Los Tigres Del Norte by Los Tigres Del Norte

Best Banda Album
Tu Esclavo Y Amo by Lupillo Rivera

Other such notable nominees include: Amadou & Mariam; Femi Kuti; Oumou Sangare; Omar Sosa; Buju Banton; Gregory Isaacs; Julian Marley; Sean Paul; Omara Portuondo; Tiempo Libre; Bebe; Paulina Rubio and many, many more.

10/2/09

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“Slavic Soul Party!” is a five-member group of New York-based musicians who bring out their own style based on the folk music of Macedonia and the Balkans. They do not play from the traditional approach, but bring elements of jazz and funk to the traditional Balkan music.  Sometimes thought as a Klezmer band, the Balkan-oriented group has been influenced by Klezmer; and the quintet has fared well among fans of the Klezmer Jazz Movement, based in New York City.

Their newest album titled: “Taketron” is truly inspired by the giants of Balkan brass. On this album, “SSP” uses the idea and the feel of the Balkans, while mixing it with their own experiences. This Balkan band is not afraid to look outside its borders, picking up on other ideas along the way. During this album, bass predominates, while the accordion leads a couple of tracks. This album brings much variety, from the fast-paced “Sarba” to the elegant slower sounds of the closer track “Hymn”.

This album is “A magnificent, daring ride that broadens the group’s horizons, and consolidates their previous glory.”

Ch-ch-check it out!

08/28/09

INTERNATIONAL

I know that there is a vast number of countries in the world (upon investigation, I found that many sources say 195, not so vast I suppose), and I have been focusing on Africa mostly with these “blogs”, so without due, I will continue in this fashion and this week tell you a little about a man by the name of Orlando Julius Ekemode.

Orland Julius is one of a few crucial artists who helped develop and popularize Afro-pop music. Julius is known for his fusion of traditional African sounds and rhythms with those of American pop, soul, and R&B, starting in the 60’s. He has performed and recorded in his native Nigeria and has spent many years in the United States where he has collaborated with the likes of The Crusaders and Hugh Masekela. In 1966, he released his debut album titled Super Afro Soul, which made him a national celebrity in Nigeria as well as the United States, where it is said that Super Afro Soul’s melodic incorporation of soul, pop, and funk helped shape the funk movement in the US.

The album that I want to tell you about is called Orland Julius & his Afro Sounders: Orlando’s Afro Ideas 1969-72. The mid-sixties to the late-seventies were perhaps the most interesting period in Nigeria’s musical history. This album represents what Orlando Julius was doing during that time period. It is this music that is said to inspire a then aspiring Fela Anikulapo-Ransome Kuti with the missing link to his Afrobeat sound, soul. You can definitely hear it in the music; there are Afro rhythms, but such a sound of soul, especially in the guitar playing.

As I have said many times before, any fan of world music or African music in particular should definitely check this album out. It is awesome and as a fan of Afrobeat and funk, this is a must have for myself and for you as well.

08/21/09

INTERNATIONAL

On April 28th, 2009, Rough Guides released “The Rough Guide to Afrobeat Revival”. All the songs on this album are from bands that are high up on the ladder for helping keep Afrobeat music alive and kicking.

As always, Rough Guide has done a spectacular job in selecting the artists and tracks for this album. Some of the musicians include: Fela’s drummer Tony Allen, Fela’s youngest son Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, one of my fav’s Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, the ever popular Chicago Afrobeat Orchestra, Kokolo (this album also includes a bonus CD by Kokolo), Akoyo Afrobeat Ensemble, and many more.

This is a great collection and example of today’s Afrobeat performers. Basically, the point of this album is to let listeners know about the powerful form of music known as Afrobeat and who is taking charge on carrying on Fela’s legacy. I will now quote from the back of the album:

“Afrobeat is the funky African dance groove crafted by Nigeria’s Fela Kuti. New generations worldwide celebrate his enduring legacy to proclaim: Music is the weapon of the future.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

08/7/09

INTERNATIONAL

The June 30th release of “The World Is Shaking: Cubanismo From The Congo, 1954-55”, on the Honest Jon’s Records label, marks the fifth installment from the British EMI Hayes Archive. This album uncovers the beginnings of the golden age of African music, zinging with the social and political uproar of the independence movement and anti-colonialism after World War II.  “The World Is Shaking” contains the origins of the Congolese rumba, the entire continent’s most popular music in the sixties and seventies.

The variety of styles that twine together on these tracks from 1954-1955 is dizzying. Traditional rhythms and songs from the huge African interior meet the finger-picked guitars and re-imagined Cuban son, brought in by West African sailors. Songs are sung in a patchwork of languages, as if to reach out and engage any and all listeners passing by the musicians’ home, bar or street corner. Cheap acoustic guitars are plucked hard, with rhythmic finesse and a massive tone. Solo singers might echo the muted tone of a Cuban septeto singer, while choral voices make a sweet and poignant blend that is part church, part rural village.

This album is a spectacular look at the beginnings of African music and can still be heard in today’s modern music, from son and  high-life to afrobeat. One can tell that the recordings are from the mid-50’s, but that just adds to the greatness of this album. Honest Jon’s has a reputation for putting out music like this and I for one cannot wait for the next release. Do yourself a favor and pick up “The World Is Shaking: Cubanismo From The Congo, 1954-55”.

07/31/09

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I think that it is safe to say that Cuba has had a very large impact on much of the popular music of the past and today. To celebrate the music of Cuba, Rough Guide released “The Rough Guide to the music of Cuba, Vol. 2” on July 28th, 2009.

The newest in the Rough Guide series, Cuba explores the Afro-Cuban roots of salsa and features the best rumba, guaguanco, son, jazz and more. This second installment is a great collection, representing the many musical styles brought to us from such a small island. Some of the groups representing Cuba are: Sierra Maestra, Afro-Cuban All-Stars, Orlando Cachaito Lopez, Pancho Quinto, and many more.

Plus, this album comes with an extra BONUS CD by Sierra Maestra titled: “Son: Soul Of A Nation”. Sierra Maestra is on of Cuba’s leading son groups, and they are responsible for the style’s revival. Son music has shaped much of twentieth-century Latin music and is considered to be the bedrock of Cuban music. This album, which was recorded in Havana, is a tribute to the great writers of the past. What a great bonus for this album. And as always, plop it into your computer and you can access travel text from Rough Guides as well.

A great album. Rough Guides never fail in putting together such a great collection of artists. Any fan of world music will appreciate this album.

07/24/09

INTERNATIONAL

Ocote Soul Sounds has released their third studio album titled “Coconut Rock” on the Eighteenth Street Lounge Music record label. For those of you that are not familiar with Ocote Soul Sounds, they are a stylistically wide-ranging (from Jazz/Funk to Latin to Afro-beat and beyond) side project of Martín Perna, founder of world-famous Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra.

Perna made his debut as Ocote Soul Sounds in 2004 with his first full-length recording, along with Adrian Quesada of Grupo Fantasma, titled “El Niño y el Sol”, originally released on Airesol Records, then reissued on the Eighteenth Street Lounge Music (ESL) in 2005. Then in 2008, Perna and Quesada released “The Alchemist Manifesto”, again on ESL Music.

Which brings us to 2009, where Perna and Quesada once again unite under the Ocote Soul Sounds banner for their new full-length album, “Coconut Rock”, released on, once again, ESL Music.  After two stellar albums, this time around “Coconut Rock” finds the duo loosened up, slipping effortlessly into their trademark psychedelic afro-latin funk groove.  From the Latin breakbeat rhythms of album lead-off “The Revolt of the Cockroach People” to the cumbia bounce of “Tu Fin, Mi Comienzo” to the easy guitar soundscapes of “Vendendo Saude e Fe” featuring Brazilian songstress Tita Lima, “Coconut Rock” is the third chapter in Ocote Soul Sound’s unparalleled journey through sonic realms beyond.

Anyone that is a fan of either Antibalas or Ocote is for sure going to love this. And for those who have no idea who either of those two are, I’m quite sure that they like it as well, and if not, then they don’t know great music when they hear it. I dare you, listen to it and tell me that you don’t like it.