TIM MAIA DOES THE THREE IN ONE

One of all time favorite Brazilian artists. Tim is Brazilian Soul.
Last track on side one of 1983 album O Descobridor dos Setes Mares is a groovy instrumental.

Don't sleep on his 80s jams!

SONIC DIASPORA w. DJ ZHAO

Berlin-based DJ Zhao guests at this months edition of SONIC DIASPORA. He's got a new mix dropping.... check the spiel. Should be available at party! #YeahYeah!

Juju-Juke demonstrates the epic reconnection between African tradition and Afro-Diaspora: between Juju/Fuji and Juke/Footwork, between Iberian trad-modern street sounds and R'n'B/Pop, between Congolese Mbira workouts and Ghetto Tech, between Ghanaian and Senegalese percussion and Urban Bass Pressure.

LEE 'SCRATCH' PERRY BOBBLEHEAD

Everybody needs a LEE 'SCRATCH' PERRY bobblehead doll, right?! The doll was created by Chicago's very own Archer Prewitt in a limited edition of 1000. The Japanese import is available from Aggronautix, which is taking pre-orders now!

The doll has adjustable arms and head and is accompanied by a cloth hat, gold bracelet, and gold necklace. He holds a lighter and microphone.

Hopefully, there is no fluid in the lighter...

NEW CURUMIN ON WAX!

The new Curumin album (his third) entitled 'Arrocha' will be released by Vinyl Land on April 18th. A limited run of 500 copies are available for pre-order now: BUY IT NOW! In the meantime, check out a cut from the record.... LISTEN

MORE AFRICAN RECORDS YOU NEED....

The African re-issues just keep coming which is good news for your wallet, unless you are a purist AND have unlimited dough to drop on obscure gems....

Soundway release the second LP from Ghanian singer Rob. 'Make It Fast, Make It Slow' is a Afro/Psych/Funk diggers dream. The title track appeared on the Ghana Soundz compilation. Afrobeats, tripped out production, oddball percussion, yup!

Segun Okeji's 'I Like Woman' follows closely in Fela's footsteps. One long track on each side. Originally released in 1978. I have an earlier re-issue that is on Soul Patrol as well. This is supposed to be limited to 500 copies. Afro heat, indeed! "Everybody say feelings!"

Academy Records and Voodoo Frank are back with another insanely rare 45. Some folks out there may be familiar with The Apostles 'Black Is Beautiful' LP. Same funky feel, though the lyrics are sung in their native language, instead of English. Dopeness!

ROB

SEGUN OKEJI

THE APOSTLES

ALL AVAILABLE AT DUSTYGROOVE

CONTEMPORARY GROOVES ON SOUNDWAY: BATIDA!

The first-ever contemporary recording on Soundway – but a set that's still got firm roots in the 70s African scene that's usually represented by the label! Batida is the brainchild of Portuguese DJ Mpula – who brings together samples from older Angolan recordings with contemporary beats and rhythms – often in a blend that's got the quick-stepping sort of pace you'd hear in favela grooves from the Brazilian scene – yet which comes across completely differently, thanks to the rich array of acoustic elements in the original recordings! There's loads of sweet guitar lines that rifle through the music – and the set also features guest contributions from contemporary MCs and producers.

Cop it on LP at Dusty Groove!

TONY ALLEN: ROCKET JUICE AND THE MOON

The legendary Tony Allen returns with a new group and album with Damon Albarn, Flea and a host of guests including Chicago's own Hypnotic Brass Ensemble.


Check the cut below with Erykah Badu. Hottness!!!!


And some sage words from Mr Allen, recorded live in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2004. "Don't Take My Kindness For Weakness", indeed!

FELA! The Musical In Chicago: KICK-OFF PARTY! CHICAGO AFROBEAT PROJECT + MORE

FELA! The Musical finally makes its Chicago premier Mar 27-April 8 at The Oriental Theater. Of course we are thrilled to be a part of the party, so we are throwing another!

Come to The Shrine Wednesday March 28th and meet cast members of the play! Chicago Afrobeat Project with special guest Ugochi perform along with Get Up With The Get Downs. The Sonic Diaspora DJs (Itch 13, Itzi Nallah & Afroqbano) will also be on hand to warm things up. the evening will also feature an art exhibit by Rahmaan Statik. Doors 9pm.

OF COURSE, YOU NEED TO SEE THE MUSICAL! THE SHRINE IS ALSO SPONSORING DISCOUNTED TICKETS: BUY HERE! ENTER 'SHRINE' (NO QUOTES) FOR A DISCOUNT!

REMEMBERING MALCOLM X: (2.21.12)

Remembering Malcolm on the day he was taken from us.
May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965

Great track from Miriam and Mbongi Makeba compiled on the amazing 'Black and Proud' compilation on Trikont Records.

BIXIGA 70! MODERN AFROBEAT FROM BRAZIL

It's no secret that Afrobeat has enjoyed a resurgence over the last ten years, with bands from all over the world taking cues from the sound Fela Kuti created in Nigeria forty+ years ago. Bixiga 70 hail from Sao Paulo, Brazil. The band, while clearly influenced bu Kuti in both sound and name, also mixes elements of jazz, funk, soul, latin and dub into its heady musical stew.





LISTEN/DOWNLOAD TO THEIR ENTIRE ALBUM: CLICK HERE

INSPIRATION INFORMATION: SKATING DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA

Super inspiring video of young kid from the streets of Durban, South Africa, who's life was changed by skateboarding. Love what he says about skating to make him deal with his problems. Makes you want to stop complaining and dig deeper!



lifted from: BANGERS AND NASH

RON TENT & RICH MEDINA: Ilé Feb 3 CHOP N' QUENCH!

Ilé jumps off yet again on Friday, February 3. This time around Ron Trent is joined on the decks by Philly, PA's very own Rich Medina! Medina is well known for his Afro Beat-heavy sets at his signature party Jump n' Funk in NYC.

 It has been five or six years since these two have rocked a party together, so you don't want to miss it! A musical journey for the mind and body!

GET TICKETS NOW: CLICK HERE