DAN BOADI-MONEY IS THE ROOT OF EVIL-LP- Ghanaian Afro Beat HEAT

DAN BOADI & THE AFRICAN INTERNATIONALS- MONEY IS THE ROOT OF EVIL- LP- NAAP PRODUCTIONS
One of the many benefits of kicking it with an international group of friends is getting access to music you otherwise wouldn't get the chance to hear or sometimes even hear about. When my guy M.anifest made a trip back to his native Ghana a few years ago, I made sure to let him know to grab any Ghanaian music he could come across, especially any Afro-beat/highlife, and especially on vinyl. He brought back a good number of LPs and singles, but this was hands down the find of the bunch. I had actually encountered Dan Boadi's music briefly through a re-issue 12" single of "Money Is the Root of Evil" on Turntable Lab's website back in the day, and the tune hit me so much that when I threw this LP on the turntable and heard the exact same bassline drop I almost lost bowel control in excitement. I never thought that I would be able to get my hands on an OG copy of such a dope, obscure Afro-beat LP. Turns out this record was recorded by Boadi and the African Internationals in Chicago, which makes me hopeful I might be able to find another copy at some point in time in my digging life, but in the mean time I'll enjoy what I got. Check out the title track and "Play That Funky Music" (not the Wild Cherry version) below.

MONEY IS THE ROOT OF EVIL


PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC

GOSPEL BOOGIE: SAM DAVIS AND THE GOSPEL ENSEMBLE

SAM DAVIS AND THE GOSPEL ENSEMBLE- KEEP ON PRAISING HIM- LP- CADA RECORDS- 1981
Another genre of music I used to not check for was gospel. I was brought up Catholic, albeit very liberally, but it was a semi-traumatic experience nonetheless, so the idea that people could make good, or even funky music in a religious environment was entirely foreign to me. That is until I worked up the strength to check out a few gospel records that I was told were dope. It takes a little time getting used to hearing people sing about Jesus over some funky music, but I figured that I've been listening to obscenity laced hip-hop music for my entire life, so I can handle a little church talk in my music as well. The title track to this LP is dope enough to convert, no pun intended, even the most stubborn listener with a super funky bassline, some crispy claps, and nice piano chords. Check it out a slightly shortened version of "Keep On Praising Him" below. And by the way, I got a copy of this LP up on ebay this week (a little shameless self promotion).

BLUE EYED SOUL: ANDREW LEWIS BAND-THE BLUE ALBUM

ANDREW LEWIS BAND-THE BLUE ALBUM- LP- RICHMOND RECORDS- 1977
I found this record in the jazz section in a local record spot and threw it on the turntable expecting late-70's fusiony jazz/funk/rock. But I was surprised to hear more straight up soul/funk type tunes, certainly with a jazz/rock influence (hey it's an all white band with one brother on vocals) but definitely not the crazy fusion sound I was expecting. I wanted to post the whole LP up here, but upon further listening there were a couple of skips on my copy, so I picked my two favorite joints on here to share instead. "Midnite Man" is a very dope horn-heavy with some potential sample moments, while "A New Day" is a slice of some real nice mellow soul. And if anybody has a cleaner copy they'd like to share with me, please let me know (oduckworth@gmail.com).

"MIDNITE MAN"

"A NEW DAY"

BOOGIE 7"-NEW GUYS ON THE BLOCK- THE GROOVE

NEW GUYS ON THE BLOCK- THE GROOVE- 7" Single- SUGARHILL RECORDS- 1984
Don't get it twisted the name of this group is New GUYS on the Block, not New Kids, very important difference; I doubt the "Kids" could ever make a track of this quality. "The Groove" is the B-side of this single with the A-Side being a semi-unimpressive, slow modern soul tune entitled "What I Wouldn't Give". "The Groove" is pretty much an instrumental cut with only minimal vocals, but the track evolves nicely with a couple of changes to keep it interesting. Make sure you listen past the 1:35 mark and peep the nasty rhythm created between the guitar, bass, drums, and somebody playing a funky ass triangle... yes the funky triangle.

WALTER HEATH-YOU KNOW YOU'RE WRONG DON'T YOU BROTHER 7"

WALTER HEATH- "YOU KNOW YOU'RE WRONG DON'T YOU BROTHER"- 7" SINGLE- BUDDAH RECORDS- 1975
I honestly know very little about Walter Heath as a musician, and as is the case with 45's, there's not too much you can learn about an artist without liner notes (though an internet search can yield you some very informative results). What I do know is that this is a high quality track right here with a very positive, yet critical, social message. In Obama's America (Obamerica anyone?) social/political consciousness is on the rise, which is a good thing, as is personal responsibility, which as always a good thing as well. It's interesting how Walter Heath's message to drug dealers about "dealing death for a dollar" still rings true today 30 plus years after it was recorded. But let me stop sounding like a preacher. Now check the method...

Brazilian Jazz: Manfredo Fest-Brazilian Dorian Dream

MANFREDO FEST- BRAZILIAN DORIAN DREAM- LP- T&M PRODUCTIONS- 1976
Manfredo Fest was an internationally known Brazilian piano and keyboard player who made a name for when he first came to Minneapolis in 1967. He most famously played in Sergio Mendes Bossa Rio group and his sound reflects the influence that his Brazilian upbringing and American immigration had on him. This LP was recorded at the reknown Sound 80 studio in Minneapolis and features a local and internation group of musicians/singers: St. Paul, MN native Roberta Davis on vocals, New Zealander Thomas Kini on bass, Costa Rican Alejo Poveda on drums and percussion, and of course our boy Manfredo on the keys. The musicians combine to create a very dope mix of Latin/Brazilian percussion, jazz, funk, and rock, all with a very soulful vibe. Very much recomended.

Get it here

M.anifest and O-D (me) at Fifth Element Coppin' the new K'Naan LP!

M.anifest briefly talks with K'Naan after his MPLS show, followed by our trip to Fifth Element to cop his new album.



M.anifest Chats w/ K'naan & Cops Troubadour later from M.anifest on Vimeo.