Sep 7/06
Tell your Thursday not to worry
I don’t know about you, but that Beninois Polyrythmo yesterday got me in the mood for some more 1970s electric bass and organ. Paris is grey-grey today, too, so we need some spice.
The Boy’s Doin’ It was originally released in 1976 following Hugh Masekela’s foray into the funk-laden world of Fela Kuti’s West Africa. Bands in Lagos and Accra were cranking out loads of amazing highlife, soul and afrobeat at the time and Masekela wanted in.
After a somewhat unsuccessful venture with Ghanaian highlife band, Hedzolleh, he was looking for something to match the success of his 1968 hit, Grazing in the Grass. In 1975 Masekela formed a new band and signed with Casablanca records.. and the resulting sounds were awesome.
Verve re-released The Boy’s Doin’ It in 1998, incorporating a few tracks from Masekela’s other Casablanca albums.
Many of you probably already have this album but if you don’t you should. Great for parties. Carl Craig remixed the title track last year sparking a bunch of kids who might never otherwise listen to classic African soul and funk to rush out and hit the crates. I guess that’s part of what this site is all about too. Does anyone have the Metro Area remix of Mama?
Hugh Masekela – You Told Your Mama Not to Worry
Hugh Masekela – Ashiko
Hugh Masekela – In the Jungle
Thanks for the post. Love the funky Hugh era. I have this record on vinyl, but it’s stuffed away in the attic and I haven’t heard it for years. Not to quibble, but I’m pretty sure the Boy’s Doin’ It album was also made with the musicians from Hedzoleh Soundz, not a new band. The Hedzolleh guys ended up relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area after they came over here on tour — they were part of a major worldbeat movement that hit California in the ’80s — and I got to meet them and heard them quite a few times. “Ashiko,” which was written by one of the bandmembers, was a regular part of their repertoire.
That looks like one damn cool party depicted on the album cover…. I love these African record sleeves from the 70s. You should have a poll/competition for the funkiest African record cover and post a gallery of the top ones
Cheers, Ben
I like the collaboration with hedzollah quite a bit actually, especially the track “Languta” I remember reading in John Collins book “highlife times” that hedzolleh wasn’t so happy that after hugh came in to guest on the LP, that they were kinda dismissed as little mor than his backing band in the following westarn and european media.
That’s a great idea, Ben. I’ll do it this weekend.
Bob,
I know that Masekela had falling out with Hedzolleh in 1975 and dumped them partiallly in 1976.. though liner notes and Internet reports differ and what was actually recorded with or without them and when exactly they stopped playing together. I don’t have the original records, only this re-release to confirm who did what on which record.
After some digging, though, you’re right – Boy’s Doin’ It was in fact recorded with the group. Thanks for the info!
Been enjoying these posts regularly for the past year here in Los Angeles, pure gold. I would be happy to send you an mp3 of the requested Metro Area remix (feaatured on Verve Remixed 2?) See http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/product.aspx?pid=10832. Just email me…
Best,
Mike