Jan 15/08
Mysteries & Requests
Today I’ll address a series of outstanding requests from Benn loxo listeners:
First of all, does anyone have a copy of Orchestre Los Angel’s track, Sekele Emonani? It appears on the Afrique Danse 2 compilation, track 10. Unfortunately track 9 is repeated twice on my copy.
Secondly, Keith wrote me the following request last week: “I am trying to find out the name of the artist/s of a very popular AfroRock hit played at house parties in the early to late seventies in Cape Town.
If my memory serves me correctly, it was called Soul AmaKhosa (AmaXhosa). I was in my late teens and frequented house parties (“scenes”) in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. It was strangely – the only AfroRock hit, beside the phenomenal OSIBISA of the early seventies. I am sure it was local (South African) but I could be wrong.”
If you have any idea please leave a comment on this post.
Benn loxo listener, Zinzi, has been looking for music by Vundumuna and/or Sammy Kasule. If you have any or know where to get it then let him know in the comments.
Musa is looking for anything by Verckys, particularly tracks like Mama Ndona. Any ideas?
Charlie down in California wrote me the following request: “A few years back, probably six years, actually, NPR ran a Morning Edition story on a Kenyan guitarist and vocalist who performs in a modern jazz/pop style with a large band. He had at the time just released a double-CD set and the article featured some live performances that struck me deeply. I’ve long ago lost my hastily-scribbled notes, taken while driving, and would like to try to find this music.”
That might be a long shot, but if you have any guesses please let us know!
Lastly, Olav would like some help identifying the following two tracks. (The audio cassette warping brings back fond memories of overplayed tapes on road trips across Canada as a kid.) Please leave a comment or send me an e-mail if you know anything about them:
I know it’s a boringly obvious suggestion, but Keith might like to take a listen to Manu Dibango’s Soul Makossa, which became an international hit in 1973 and has filled dancefloors around the world every since. What I hadn’t realised, until I just checked the release date in the Guinness Encyclopaedia of Popular Music, is that the tune was originally released as a B-side in 1971. The A-side was a patriotic tune commissioned by Cameroon’s President Abidjo to cheer the national side along in an Africa Cup soccer match. Two years later a New York radio DJ picked up on Soul Makossa and the rest is history.
Hi Matt
The first song is called Reviens Alima by Pepe Kalle and Nyboma.
Thanks, Ronald!
tip for musa:
Captain’s Crate – 11 November 2007 – still active:
Verckys et l’orchestre Veve : Nakobala Yo Denise (Part 1) & (Part 2)
and Lina Omesana Boye (Part 1) & (Part 2)
taken from the album “Verckys a Paris” on African (1971)
and matt,
please tell musa to get one of those free software programmes with which you can rip the sound from youtube videos;
(like: “FLV Audio Extractor”, it allows you to do exactly that by ripping audio tracks in Mp3 format from any FLV file)
and there is plenty “Verckys et l’orchestre Veve” on youtube;
What a coincidence. I was actually planning to do a post devoted to Sammy Kasule on my blog:
http://likembe.blogspot.com/
I was in no particular rush, but since someone wants to hear this music, I’ll put it up in a week or two.
And Matt: Bear with me, I’ll get “Innovation Vol. 1″ & the other Bopol LP to you as soon as I find time to rip them.
The Kenyan guitarist and vocalist who performs in a modern jazz/pop style with a large band is most likely ‘So Kalmery’. He was based in france for a few years and he had a double cd with a big ensemble in 2000. I had a world music store at the time, that’s how I remembered
if you want to reach Sammy Kasule contact me at fidefide@yahoo.com
Hello!
This is Sammy Kasule. I live in Stockholm Sweden. You can contact me at kasule7@hotmail.com
I just happen to have posted a bunch of Orchestra Veve tracks over the last couple of days. You can find them at this link.
- Steve
A follow up on this: I just did a post with a couple of Sammy Kasule tracks.
- Steve
hi brothre it has been long time and i had no ur contact . i thank the lord that i havee got them . and hope to hear from you .
your brother kirumira richard from uganda .
contacts tel: +256753672469
email: kirumirarich@yahoo.