Black Man's Cry - The Inspiration Of Fela Kuti (Now Again - 2009)

Black Man's Cry - The Inspiration Of Fela Kuti

The best record label around, Now Again + a compilation realised by Egon about Fela's influence over other musicians all around the globe + scorching funky afrobeat obscurities from Colombia to Trinidad, from Germany to Ghana = a must have.

Impressed 2 With Gilles Peterson - Rare, Classic & Unique Modern Jazz From Britain 1963 - 1974 (Universal - 2004)

Impressed 2 With Gilles Peterson - Rare, Classic & Unique Modern Jazz From Britain 1963-1974

I won't present Gilles Peterson. The guy is not a producer, probably not the best DJ around but he has acquired a near legendary status thanks to his fantastic ears, the record labels he created (Acid Jazz, Talkin' Loud, Brownswood), his club nights, his BBC Radio show and his compilations. Impressed 2 explores a scene staid relatively unknown and unexplored, the British jazz scene of the 60's and 70's. At the time, Great Britain was busy reinventing rock&roll and his jazz artists staid in the shadows of fame. Of course, all the gems gathered on this compilation are just excellent and it would have been a real shame to keep Michael Garrick Septet, The Stan Tracey Quartet, The New Jazz Orchestra or Tubby Hayes & The Paul Gonsalves All Stars only in rare groove diggers vinyl collection.

Lula Côrtes E Zé Ramalho - Paebirù (Solar - 1975)

Lula Côrtes E Zé Ramalho - Paêbirù

If you didn't like my Robert Wyatt post, you'll hate this one too. "We travelled to the state of Paraiba where we could personnaly get to know this mystical, archeological site. We became fascinated with the power of the place and engrossed in the stories and legends, in the interpretation of dreams" explains Lula Côrtes in the inner notes about the Mr Bongo reedition. "It was the perfect subject to focus our musical quest upon, and thus the idea of the record was born. Legends, Indians, maybe even the presence of aliens...pure mystery". You have undestood that whatever those guys were on when they recorded Parbirù, it was some strong shit.