Hot Tips

[Jamie Renton]

Leggo Di Riddim is an EP featuring various people singing over a souped up version of an old rocksteady rhythm. All good, the best being this sweet nostalgia-drenched tune from Daville: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLe0R1pJIRA
Available to download or on vinyl on the gloriously named Pull Up My Selecta label

There's also a fine new album on the way from London's Soothsayers: reggae and dub with a bit of jazz and Afrobeat around the edges. It's called Human Nature and includes their version of Streets of London as featured on the London's Calling compilation mentioned earlier in this thread. Here's a taste of my favourite track We're not Leaving: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOn056SX14Y

While tracking down the Soothsayer's clip I came across this from I-Octane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45cB8QQc ... ure=fvwrel
Not strictly a Hot Tip as it looks as though it's been out a few months, but what a voice and what an earworm (Is the "Ooh-ay-ooh-ay-ay" etc chorus taken from somewhere else? it sounds like it might be, but I don't know what)

[Jamie Renton]

A beautiful new acoustic album from singer and guitarist Sow (Formerly of Baaba Maal's band) and kora player Sissoko. Out later this month on Muziekpublique Records (via Discovery)

In truth, this is a hot tip from Ian A, so if you want to know more, best to read up on it in a forthcoming fRoots

Here's a live clip to whet your whistle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-EpQKYC_g8

[Janet M]

Jamie, that's lovely thanks

[Jamie Renton]

Jamie, that's lovely thanks

Glad you enjoyed it Janet. The album's sounding more and more like a classic with each play.

[Jamie Renton]

Albanian brass band Fanfare Tirana meet Transglobal Underground No Guns to the Wedding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJLVHQqK_X0
Fun to be had from both song and video

[Janet M]

Ooh love this too - well done Jamie

[Jamie Renton]

Thanks Janet

[Jamie Renton]

I'm a sucker for Peruvian chicha such as this 1978 twangfest from Juaneco Y Su Combo. One side of the forthcoming debut single from Tiger's Milk, a new label set up by DJ (and guest on Charlie's Saturday night programme) turned restaurateur Martin Morales: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OkX8_6pj8k

[Jamie Renton]

Fofoulah are a London based group made up of Senegalese and UK musicians, including Dave Smith, drummer with JuJu and Robert Plant.

I think they make a joyful noise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHVPt3h_tpc

They should have an EP out next spring and (hopefully) a Chilli Fried gig even earlier next year.

[Chris P]

Sidi Toure's Koima came out earlier this year, I'm just catching up with its musical pleasures. Like Ali Farka Toure if he'd had a sweeter singing voice & a less astringent (but equally wonderful) guitar style. Boubacar Traore fans should also check out. Plenty of variety in tempos & backing vocals, riti etc. Memorable songs even in Songhai (? or whatever) language. His 3 albums to date are all up on Spotify, the 2 most recent ones are much easier on the ear, but they're all just dandy.

[Jamie Renton]

World Music Network are re-issuing Maloko's Soul on Fire the 1988 album that features soul classics done in a soukous style and includes a wonderful version of In the Midnight Hour. The rest isn't nearly as good to be honest (although their take on Cold Sweat cooks a bit). Here's what the blurb says:
"Maloko: Soul On Fire (Digital Only)
Maloko
Introducing, INTRO128DD, 8 April 2013
Barcode: 605633512830
Hear the works of Wilson Pickett, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and James Brown as they have never sounded before! This vintage release sees Cameroonian guitarist Vincent Nguini arranging eight classic tracks in soukous style. The retro sound is complete with heavy, brassy horns. Players include Congolese guitarist Syran Mbenza and saxophonist Fredo Ndoumbe-Ngando.
Also available as a bonus disc on the forthcoming album The Rough Guide To African Disco"

French label Le Chant Du Monde have got a new double CD compilation of Big Mama Thornton's recording from 1950 -61. Something of a revelation for those of us who didn't know much more of her stuff than Hound Dog and I Smell a Rat well packaged with good sound quality too. Distributed via Harmonia Mundi. Blurb and sound clips here: http://discplus.ch/index.asp?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Egoogle%2Eco%2Euk%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3DBig%2BMama%2BThornton%2BHarmonia%2BMundi%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D3%26ved%3D0CDkQFjAC%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fdiscplus%2Ech%252Fsearch%2Easp%253Fsmod%5Fskat1%253D4%2526fulltext%253Dchor%2526type%253Dnews%26ei%3DVJcTUdKyJ8a3hQfJs4HoCA%26usg%3DAFQjCNE3MShupMr4pFUWZSrzveEGToS9Yg&main=%2Fsearch%2Easp%3Fsmod%5Fskat1%3D4%26fulltext%3Dchor%26type%3Dnews&framemreloaded=10

[will vine]

soul classics done in a soukous style and includes a wonderful version of In the Midnight Hour.

Best dance record ever............just edging out Willie Mitchell's "The Champion." (IMHO)

[Jamie Renton]

soul classics done in a soukous style and includes a wonderful version of In the Midnight Hour.

Best dance record ever............just edging out Willie Mitchell's "The Champion." (IMHO)

Agreed! The one tune I always make sure I've got with me whenever I DJ.

[Jamie Renton]

Fongo the long awaited and eagerly anticipated (by me anyway) debut album from Los Chinches is released next month by Movimientos Records. Here they are twangin out the title track live. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiVTG1DAjrg

I'm also very much taken with this trancy gnawa flavoured thing from Electric Jalaba http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2DxqT-en50
They've got an album out and I should be putting on a gig with them soonish.

[Jamie Renton]

I wasn't as taken with the debut album by Tuareg blues-rocker Bombino as some. But his new one Nomad really hits the spot. Recorded in Nashville and produced by Dan Aurbach of the Black Keys (whom I'm led to believe are a modern beat combo popular amongst the more "with it" of today's young people), it's out on Nonesuch next month.