[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frt7QMGM0Dk&w=420&h=315]

Have this in heavy rotation lately. Very funky groove. What is it about Mali? Those brothas and sistas throw down!

The Jende Ri Palenge CD DVD set offers a nice package of  traditional music, modern remixes and a DVD that documents the daily lives of the Palenque, the descendants of African slaves who, hundreds of years ago escaped to the coast of Colombia from its interior and preserved the roots and traditions of their African heritage and created an Afro-Latin hybrid culture that spawned a musical tradition that rivals  any other in the African Diaspora in depth and soulful vibrations:

Palenque, the location of the first free slave (or Maroon) community in the Americas, is also a central location for Afro-Colombian culture. With its own unique style of music and language, heavily influenced by its African heritage, it holds a unique position in the world and is today proclaimed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

(souljazzrecords.co.uk)

The package is divided into 3 components: a CD featuring traditional songs that do not disappoint in their organic texture but also are rhythmically potent enough to drop in a dj playlist  that will keep a modern dancefloor moving without missing a beat. A few of the tracks I enjoyed on the traditional CD include Nena which hits nicely as an earthy melodic and harmonious chant with a hypnotizing  acoustic backbeat. Malaganero Soy puts you in the mood to dance around a campfire and celebrate and La Mato Donde La Encuentre is another nice upbeat organic party groove. Mi Neno Gabo Riele also caught my ear for placement on the playlist.

The second component is a remix CD that features a variety of DJ’s/Producers putting their spin on the traditional songs. These remixes deliver nicely as well and were much cleaner than I cynically expected, preserving the original nature of the songs nicely while infusing just enough of a backbeat for an extra punch without overwhelming the composition and losing the original soul. Some highlights on this CD include: (again) Nena, a driving tribal rhythm by To Ane E Lo Memo Sexteto which gently lays down mesmerizing background chants invoking the spirit of the Palenque and Santiago Moreno (Aurelian Riviere Remix) a more smoothed out modern production that is nice to chill with on a Saturday afternoon with a frozen drink and a breeze blowing through the balcony. Palenque Un Rincón De África (Kalabrese Remix) by Manuela Torrs is another good look for the dancefloor while  El Mango (Santiago Posada Remix) is another that stays more rooted with a touch enough of the modern injections and a very nice flute component that floats seamlessly over the track.

Finally, the DVD is a nice visual tour of the village in which the Palenque live and gives a distinctive snapshot of their culture. The inspiration for the documentary was the first recording studio being established in the village of the Palenque, a settlement of 3500 people… descendants of the Afro-Colombian slaves. The film chronicles the daily lives of 3 villagers: a street advertiser, an herbalist and a village electrician (who also  plays a role in creating the first Palenque village studio) who are also singers and songwriters with hundreds of songs penned to their credit. The villagers waste no time getting after it recording the tracks on the traditional cd and the essence of the village culture which incorporates singing and rhythm almost as much as breathing and eating gets  represented in a thoroughly authentic, and diverse manner. “There’s meat at Teresa’s” cries the blind Panama  as he walks through the village advertising for the local butcher in one of the early scenes that well captures the natural dynamic of this music in their daily experience.

Overall, I would say that I  definitely recommend this for any amateur (or professional) musicologist or for any afro/latin/world beat dj’s. The music is solid and rich and the dvd  is interesting, fairly engaging and entertaining, especially when considering the fact that it was done on a shoestring budget with limited planning.

Welcome to the first Global Warming radio Session . This set is Afro-Funk heavy with some textured grooves and hip hop flava mixed in. I have highlighted some of my favorites from the set below. Pictured to the left is the album cover for the African Analog West African Shock Waves edition featuring rare seventies gems from Ghana and Togo. We start the session off with a very nice upbeat funk ballad from De Frank Professionals. Also, check for some American disco funk from Bob Wilson and James Brown and a gem from the Madlib medicine show album which is super tight.
Peace, Love and Blessing from the Lord.

http://soundcloud.com/aquamanchill/afrobonics-2mix

Tonight at Cherrywood Cafe: Global Warming. Droppin some soulful afro – latin grooves for the people. $3 suggested donation at the door to benefit the Metro East Scholarship fund. Coolin out happy hour style.

Afrodizz is an afrobeat ensemble out of Montreal that definitely needs to be checked for. Driving high tempo rhythms and a super tight horn section are fundamental elements that keep this crew true to the afrobeat sound. Guaranteed to get your party hopping:
http://afrodizz.com/

Ghostface, and the GZA

Wu Tang wrecked it …The sound was terrible though. Austin Music Hall needs another upgrade though. The highlight of the show for me had to be Erykah Badu’s cameo appearance with Wu for a rendition of “Cherchez la Ghost”. Fishbone came through solid as well. As a matter of fact, they even managed to come through with quality sound in an otherwise terrible Austin Music Hall space. They showed that after 30 years of rockin they still have the same frenetic energy their audiences have come to love them for. I’ve got to give props to Yellawolf as well..a grimy emcee from alabama that was spittin mad fire rapidly.

Peep the new showtimes

Peep some wefunk love-li-ness:
http://www.wefunkradio.com/show/2005-09-16

Djinji Brown

Afrobonics radio session 1: featuring afro-brasillian loveliness blended with salsa grooves and afrobeat and some hip hop remixes dashed in. pictured above is Djinji Brown who comes in on the set with “Mojuba” a nice groove with a strong spiritual vibe.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/11502055″ params=”show_comments=true&auto_play=false&color=ffbe00″ width=”100%” height=”81″ ]

Song/ Artist
Candomble/ Mariana Aydar
O Telefone Tocou Novamente/ O Povo Canta
La Cosa Nostra/ Erlon Chaves
Amor/ Secos e Mohaldos
Oio Gebe/ Watusi (Black Rio 2 Compilation)
No Caminho do Bem/ Tim Maia
Coluna De Meio/ Zeco Do Trombone & Roberto Sax (Black Rio 2 Compilation)
Tres caras del son/ Muso y su Gran Sonora w/Candido Fabre (Tobaco Y ron-Tuni Cuba vol. 1)
El Guayabero/ Ocho
Kimbo Kimbisa/ Gracuela
Mojuba/ Djinji Brown
When I needed someone/ Black Sugar
Born with Music/ Buari
Obanla’e/ Antibalas
African Message/ Tony Allen
Ye Ye no Smell/ Fela
Afrobonics crush remix/North Star Groovement
Maracatueira/ Sabrina Malheiros

South by Southwest  jumping off at Momo’s on March 15th!

Featuring:

Yours truly ..aquamanchill,

Bamako Airlines: facebook.com/bamakoairlines

Gina Chavez: ginachavez.com

Black Mahal: blackmahal.com

New Berlin: djnewberlin.com

and Professor Groove: wefunkradio.com

Global grooves bumpin the joint all night! Please believe this!