"Superfan2009 is our inspiration. Superfan2ten is at it again finding one gr8 song a day." Matthew King Kaufman, Fun Fun Fun Recordings
Meirelles e Os Copa 5 – “Sudeste”
Jazz, baby. Soul soothing samba jazz. J. T. Meirelles composed, recorded and performed music in this sweet, sexy genre from the early 1960’s til his passing in 2008. Through the inevitable myriad ups and downs of the fickle music industry, the combo he founded in ‘63 left a gr8 legacy, which you can discover on this brilliant new collection out on the Dubas Musica label. Timeless, joyous, sophisticated music. Enjoy!
Ernie Ranglin – “My Boy Lollipop feat Alana Davis”
Here’s a gr8 swingin’ track from the king of Jamaican jazz guitar, the one and only Ernest Ranglin, ladies and gentlemen. Kick back and enjoy the ultra cool reggae jazz of this master player with his top flight band, and their lovely rendition of “My Boy Lollipop.” When Millie Small’s version of this song was released in 1964, it became the first worldwide ska hit record, throwing open the doors to overseas markets for all the great Jamaican music that would follow. It is no surprise then that the song is often covered by Jamaican artists, and ska bands everywhere, and many fine versions have been recorded. This one, featuring the shimmering vocals of the lovely and talented young Alana Davis, has quickly become one of my favorites.
Ernie Ranglin
“My Boy Lollipop (feat. Alana Davis)” (mp3)
from “Order of Distinction”
(Milk River Music)
Kaleta, Zozo Afrobeat – “Get Up”
This interpretation of the Wailers’ anthem “Get Up, Stand Up,” is a tight, clean recording of a contemporary afrobeat ensemble in full swing. When Fela Kuti and his veritable army of Nigerian musicians blended James Brown style funk and African rhythms to create their instantly identifiable sound, I wonder if they had any notion of how many musicians they would eventually inspire. Today there are afrobeat bands popping up all around the globe, each bringing its own twist to this triumphant and joyously defiant music. This track is gr8, the instrumental work is top notch, even as the raw intent behind both the composition and style are preserved.
Kaleta, Zozo Afrobeat
“Get Up” (mp3)
from “The Rough Guide to Afrobeat Revolution”
(Rough Guides/World Music Network)
Ah, the unmistakable strains of jazz guitar genius, Django Reinhardt. The story of this legendary player’s life is as remarkable as his output – the wiki entry is a good read – but to really understand the man, you have to listen to his music. The group he ran with violinist Stéphane Grappelli, Quintette du Hot Club de France, had a seismic influence on the evolution of jazz. That one of the key innovators of the quintessentially American musical form would happen to be a Gypsy from Belgium, just speaks to the nature of music as universal language. Listen to this cut, and if it moves you, do yourself a favor and pick up the rest of the record. The positivity and playful curiosity of these recordings cuts right through the decades, and it’s hard to imagine post war music in any popular genre, absent this GR8 body of work.
Django Reinhardt et le Hot club de France
“Intro” (mp3)
from “Echos de France”
(Barajazz)
