Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
Vol 1. - The Vodoun Effect:
Funk & Sato From Benin's Obscure Labels 1972-75
Analog Africa
14 song CD
MP3 SAMPLE - DIS MOI LA VERITE

The traditional African "Vodun" (voodoo) rhythms of Sato and Sakpata clash with the Western sounds of funk, soul, and rock in this brilliant collection of music from Benin's Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou. This first volume of tracks covers the years 1972-1975, when the OPRdC was recorded on a simple Nagra reel-to-reel in Benin by a sound engineer with two mics.

The music is an indescribable mix of African and Western soul music, featuring funky basslines merging with hypnotizing beats in a sonic polyglot that defy categorization, at times reminding me of jazz and Latin music in spirit. The irony here is that African music helped define music in the Americas, specifically jazz, blues, and Latin music. Here we see it come full circle, where influences of the West returned to influence the sounds of its ancestry. And somewhat sadly, this 30+ years old music is being heard here for the first time, as most of it had limited printing/distribution and it was never officially released outside Benin.

So to most of us, this is all brand new and exciting to hear as if it is happening in the here and now. Another testament to the timeless nature of music and its power to thrive and grow.

MISH MASH Mandate: Timeless Funk
Analog Africa Website

Stan Getz
The Bossa Nova Albums
Verve
5 CD Box Set

Bossa nova was all the rage in the US for a brief time in the early 60s, thanks in large part to Stan Getz, who imported this beautiful music from Brazil, introduced us all to Antonio Carlos Jobim, and breathed new life into the world of jazz. This collection from Verve brings together five of Getz's must-have Verve albums from this period, including Jazz Samba, Jazz Samba Encore!, Big Band Bossa Nova, Getz/Gilberto, and Stan Getz With Guest Artist Laurindo Almeida. The albums have been remastered and are presented here in their original album formats with original liner notes.

I will skip the traditional album reviews (most of these albums should at least be somewhat familiar to most jazz fans) and get down to a few of my nit-picky complaints. While I must say that this is a brilliant collection, and a great introduction to the catalog of Getz, it does have its faults. The first glaring omissions are two other Getz albums which could be included, namely Getz Au Go Go (a live album with Astrud Gilberto) and Getz/Gilberto #2 (another live album, this time with João Gilberto). I especially wish Getz Au Go Go was included, because it is a wonderful album on par with the best of this box set. Also, there are no bonus/previously unreleased tracks at all, only the albums in their original form. Blame it on the fact that I'm a completist, but this makes the exclusion of the other albums even more questionable, as these five albums are not long at all and could have fit easily on two or three discs total. Another issue I have is the lack of an insert booklet, which would give the listener a better historical perspective on these recordings. Instead we are left with nothing other than the original liner notes, which only give us part of the story. Verve has unfortunately missed an opportunity to make this excellent box set an absolutely essential box set.

With that having been said, it is still good to see that Verve recognizes the importance of Getz and his contribution to jazz. As these five albums are surely staples for any serious jazz connoisseur, it's a great way to round out your collection, as far as Getz is concerned.

MISH MASH Mandate: Blame It On The Bossa Nova
Verve Music Group Website

The Sprague Brothers
4 New Smashing Songs!
Wichita Falls Records
4 song CD

The Sprague Brothers (Frank and Chris) are back, this time with a cookin' little original four song EP that accentuates their retroactive rock-n-roll skills. The boys lead it off with two surf cuts, Batmobile and Dragula, putting a cheeky stamp on all that is kitschy and cool about the 60s. Golden Sahara is laid back and quiet with a focus on shimmering vocals, a Brian Wilson/Pet Sounds inspired song that is simply mesmerizing. The EP is rounded off with the twangy guitars of Return Of The Munsters, where the Spragues lay it all out. The only way this could be better is if it were available on vinyl, because that is what this music was made for.

MISH MASH Mandate: 60s Smash!
Sprague Brothers Website

Hank Williams
The Unreleased Recordings
Time Life
3 CD Box Set
54 songs

This is the holy grail for Hank Williams fans, an official release of recordings from the Mother's Best Flour Company radio show in 1951. Apparently, this CD collection is the first installment in a series over the next three years, with 54 of the total 143 songs presented here.

Legend has it that these recordings were originally saved from a trash bin by a WSM radio station employee, only to remain officially unreleased because of ongoing legal issues for the past 50 years. Poor quality bootlegs have popped up over the years, but this is the first time that properly mastered tracks have been presented to the public. One of the criticisms I've seen about this set is that it edits down the original shows and features only the songs, not the chatter and commercials in between. My answer to that would be that presenting the entire shows would be quite an undertaking that would be priced out of the average music buyer's range. This condensed packaging is sure to bring this wonderful lost music to more people in the long run.

The sound quality is suprisingly good, on par with studio recordings from this era. Hank and his band play the hits, along with many songs that were never recorded for the label --- this fact makes this collection even more worthwhile. The live setting also makes the music more personable, removed from the confines of the a recording studio.

Fans of Hank Williams and classic country have been given a treasure that is timeless and priceless, and thankfully just in time for the holidays.

MISH MASH Mandate: Trash To Treasure
Hank Williams - Time Life Website

Hilde Marie Kjersem
A Killer For That Ache
Rune Grammofon
11 song CD

Perhaps the best way to describe this one is fascinatingly unpredictable. The flowing, rustic strums of the autoharp ring in the lead off track, Sleepyhead.. Her quiet and gentle vocals ease in gracefully yet poignantly on this song, reminiscent of classic American country & western --- although she is, in fact, Norwegian. Kjersem continues this theme in the traditional sounds of Mary Full Of Grace, where her voice stands starkly amidst the barest of instrumentation.

Yet, on the next song, Fantasy, we are taken in an altogether different direction, a psychedelic pop rock song that twists and turns with dynamic abandon. From there we move into the melodrama of Marie Antoinette, where marching drums mingle with a dramatic cry of "Off with her head!" The title track is acapella, featuring a choir of voices that drift underneath Kjersem's singing. Midwest Country has a more definitive and deliberate western feel, while London Bridge incorporates industrial sound effects as the rhythm section, and Working Girl revolves around a lonely and hollow banjo.

The closest comparison I could probably make here is with Daniel Lanois, as Kjersem takes a similar post-traditionalist approach with plenty of pop experimentation. There's a timeless quality about her songwriting, yet she has a modern edge that gives it a 21st Century feel. It's the perfect mix of past and present, with a nod to the future.

MISH MASH Mandate: Norwegian Wood
Hilde Marie Kjersem Website

Pre
Almighty Low
Self-Released
18 song CD

It's all about the atmosphere. Pre brings his instrumental beats with a subtle intensity, choosing to creep along with laid-back grooves instead of getting in your face with aggressive speed or volume. Simplicity is the key, with uncluttered rhythms and sounds intermingling without trying to do too much. The music is allowed to breathe, giving the listener time to digest and decipher each sound and rhythm at an easy pace. It's like acid jazz filtered through hip hop.

At the same time, none of the songs have time to wear out their welcome, as Pre keeps them fairly short and sweet. Before you know it, you've grooved your way through a dozen and a half tracks without even realizing it.

MISH MASH Mandate: Alrighty Almighty
Pre Website

Dutch Uncles
Face In
Tapete Records
10 song CD

If the Dutch Uncles sound like they're young and happy, it's because they are. This youthful quartet bounces along with a carefree spirit, led by singer Duncan Paton, whose gentle and rounded vocals sounds like a middle school boy who just happened to fall into the grips of a rocking garage band.

There's not much in the way of teen angst or aggression, yet the band brings in the edginess in a meddling of dissonance and herky-jerky rhythms. Big shimmering guitars and drums make just the right juxtaposition for the unassuming vocals, and it's a perfect fit. The band truly shines in the track Steadycam, where the blending of catchy pop, off kilter beats and Paton's distinctive crooning all comes together in a blissful and wistful state of grace.

MISH MASH Mandate: Ready, Steady, Go
Dutch Uncles at Tapete Records Website