Dec 2/04
Don’t you know it’s gonna last?
In yesterday’s post I promised that I’d post some more songs from Original Music’s Money No Be Sand compilation. Never one to bail on musical promises, here you go.
Two tracks again. The first I might listen to in my car moments before an ambitious rush-hour highway manoeuver. The Les Rross Orchestra (is that a real double-r?) jamming in Lagos in 1970. (Those close to me might know that if I was reincarnated I might ask to be a fantastically dressed afrobeat dancer in Nigeria between 1969 and 1971.)
The second, oh the second.. quite possibly my favourite song out of Africa at the moment, and one of the better Beatles covers I’ve heard in a long while. Charlotte Dada of 1971 Ghana, what else have you recorded? I imagine the answer might be, “not much.” Either way, metallic polyrhythmic drums backing up a soulful Beatles remake is just what the doctor ordered.
Les Rross Orchestra – The Bad Lit Road
Charlotte Dada – Don’t Let Me Down
December 2nd, 2004 at 18:24
those original music comps are the shiznit … somebody reissue those things! i’ve got about five or six, and finding another one for my collection is like hitting gold.
December 3rd, 2004 at 07:41
just wanted to tell you how much i enjoy you blog and work… and this morning i specialy want to thank you for this Charlotte dada’s song… man! for sure it’s the best beatle cover i heard !!!!
And yes the question is “Charlotte Dada of 1971 Ghana, what else have you recorded?” …. if you hear something about it, please, let me/us know !!
thanks again and congratulation for the great job !!
December 3rd, 2004 at 16:20
That Charlotte Dada song is great! Thanks so much for that. Wow.
December 3rd, 2004 at 16:59
I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana from 1969-1971. Your music has brought back those two wonderful years. Thanks so much!
December 11th, 2004 at 20:37
The bad lit road was abit too dim for me but I loved the Beatles cover. great stuff!
January 30th, 2005 at 05:50
I once asked John Storm Roberts (of Original Music) about Charlotte Dada, as I wanted to hear more of her work.
The answer: “She disappeared.” (Not to be taken literally; she simply dropped off the recording scene in Ghana.) He was never able to get more info. than that.
March 11th, 2005 at 23:30
I did the remastering on “Money No Be Sand,” and provided some of the original recordings. Charlotte Dada did not make any other solo recordings AFAIK, but she did make several recordings with Professional Uhuru and Stan Plange (leader of Prof. Uhuru). I have about four other recordings by her, plus the other side of “Don’t Let Me Down.” It’s one of my favorites on the CD too! Thanks for posting it!
August 12th, 2005 at 18:14
[...] If you want more Masuka you can check out the BBC review of a recently released album, The Definitive Collection. I’ve also included something by the Professional Uhuru Dance Band also off Michael’s compilation. Yet again, a great name for a group. Charlotte Dada, a personal favourite here at Benn loxo, sings on the track. [...]
February 19th, 2006 at 04:15
Michael K – drop me a line, I’m interested to buy or trade original black African vinyl (or shellac).
September 6th, 2006 at 10:37
[...] Let’s be honest here: at its core, Benn loxo is all about Charlotte Dada and the amazing variety of soul and funk music that came out of East and West Africa during the 1970s. Today we go back to these roots with some horn-infused, organ-induced, heavy-on-the-bass, yet still so African 1970s tunes from the Republic of Benin. [...]
September 8th, 2006 at 20:46
[...] Charlotte Dada asks, Don’t you know it’s gonna last? Benn loxo reader, Michael, did the remastering on that compilation. [...]
September 9th, 2006 at 17:37
[...] In other re-posting news, DJ Nnambi is craving some Nico Champeta, Joe wants a better lit road, and Caroline wants Paolo in Amsterdam. [...]
September 20th, 2006 at 08:48
There was a nigerian based band called jambos express who did a nice cover of here comes the sun by the beatles in the 80’s. i believe it was put out by polygram nigeria. do check it out.
January 17th, 2007 at 00:29
[...] While most people will complain that Roberta Flack’s recordings and performances aren’t included on the DVD, I think I speak for all of us at Benn loxo when I say that the album is amazing except for the notable exception of easily the most important performer: Charlotte Dada. Once again, the unofficial voice of Benn loxo and the inspiration for a cat remains elusive. (By the way, if any of you could get me that film about her that screened at the Toronto film festival a few years ago you’d get Benn loxo love for life.) [...]
January 29th, 2007 at 09:32
[...] not exactly sure how or when Charlotte Dada became the Benn loxo inside joke. It could have been when a particularly scratch-happy cat was [...]
January 22nd, 2008 at 05:05
I have been trying to get CDs or music by Jambos Express. Can anybody help ?
March 3rd, 2009 at 22:02
I am working on Ghanaian women musicians and would love to be able to include Charlotte Dada live and in person with some younger women in Ghana. Does anyone know where to find her? Also that old film she did with her brother in the 70s?
June 1st, 2009 at 00:10
[...] You know it’s the only track that I never remove from this blog? [...]