These past few posts have generated a heavier than normal volume of e-mail from Benn loxo readers. Thanks- I always appreciate hearing from you. One note this morning from Johnathan really stuck-out. He runs a site devoted to his 78 collection (that’s right, 78s, not 45s) that includes some real gems, a lot of them African. Check it out over at excavated shellac.

Benn loxo behind the scenes contributor, Andrew, also wrote to point out that that Amazon UK have a lot of the Nonesuch Explorer series on offer at the moment for only £5.00 or £6.00. Worth checking out.

Saw a great Andy Palacio show last night. Two encores really got the place moving and Paul Nabor was amazing.. how old is that guy anyway? He rocked the mic like no other 90-something that I’ve seen live.

Fête de la musique is tonight. I’ve never actually been in town for this French tradition before, but I have to say I’d rather be at any one of its offshoots happening tonight in Cameroon, Congo, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Senegal.. and loads more. Even Djibouti and the Comoros are joining the fray. Shows you how much important the French cultural centers in sub-Saharan African are in terms of promoting local music, dance and art.

Finally, I’m heading to Buenos Aires and La Paz this weekend. Any tips?

I guess we need some music, too.

Marie Louise Congo told me how Rwandans tend to be a quiet, polite bunch with prix fixes in the markets. So if you’re living in Rwanda, Uganda is the place you go when you miss hard bargaining and need some West African-style colour. Their music is definitely full of colour, and though I own very little Ugandan albums the few tracks I’ve heard have got me dancing.

Keeping with the Original Music theme I’ll post a couple tracks off John Storm Robert’s Ugandan mix, Kampala Sound: 1960s Ugandan Dance Music. A great compilation of pre-Amin gems.

Charles & Frida Sonko with Orchestra Melo Success – Nawuliranga
Kawaliwa & Mary with the AGS Boys – Fumbria Abaana