SonusCast is the journey through the shotgun scattered sonic-mental network of a selected guest in each release, in the form of a simple mix. Influences, anthems, beat-gems and anything that fits.
Our previous and inaugural SonusCast courtesy of Valentino of Germany was something special. It’s been quite a while since my last mix I’ve put together for Waves, the last one’s really being mixtapes here and here.
For a while now I’ve been busting to put something together along the lines of what we’ve been calling Ethnographic Confusion; a strong love and fascination with traditional ethnic groups and cultures (music, art, language), but possibly not having the best idea’s on its origins. Not trying to reduce a culture to a few 2D ideas, but really wanting to understand it and not really knowing where to start. Audio Afrophile.
SONUSCAST ♒002 ¦ TRACK-BY-TRACK SYNOPSIS
The Afro-Funk excursions of Plunky Branch & The Oneness of Juju served up some killer breaks from this album in ’75 (African Rhythms) and well into the ’80s.
Ahvuomo – Hugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela is probably one of the most important African (more specifically, South African) musicians outside of Fela Kuti. Power Afro-Beat!
Funu (Hi-Life mix) – Dennis Ferrer
The work of NY DJ Dennis Ferrer and released in 2001, this one still holds strong.
Masimba Bele (12″ Version) – The Unknown Cases
The German Helmut Zerlett, Stefan Krachten in collaboration with Ghanaian percussionist Reebop Kwaku Baah. This is a monster; heavy riffs, chugging bass, and an explosive vocal effort by Reebop, who unfortunately died before its release in 1983. A must have.
Khoi Khoi – Secret Circuit
The ‘newest’ track on the mix (really an edit, but I’m lost in finding an ID on the original). If you havent already, wrap your ears around what, for me, was one of the best releases of 2010. Curated by Lovefingers on his then fledgling label ESP Institute featuring dudes such as Basso, Lee Douglas, Lexx and here Secret Circuit.
Don’t Go Lose It Baby – Hugh Masekela
I couldnt resist another Masekela cut. ‘Don’t Go Lose It Baby’ has got to be his most euphoric, disco-friendly release.
Ashewo Ara – Kabbala – Ashewo Ara
Kabbala was fronted by two Ghanian brothers, based in London, and weighing alot more heavily on the Afro side of the Post-Punk-Funk surge (A Certain Ratio, Maximum Joy etc).
Dance Khomela – Penny Penny
Possibly my all time favourite ‘outsider’ disco artist, Penny Penny comes from that hazy somewhere between naivety and pure dedication and love. Pretty sure Awesome Tapes From Africa get all the credit for busting this release of pure 90′s Shangaan heaven.
Peuple Eyo – Ray Lema
Bubbling and bouncy number from the Congolese (DRC) Raymond Lema A’nsi Nzinga, coming from his 1985 album ‘Medicine’.
Epuguzu - Pierre Akendengue
Dig that bassline at the start. Gabon-born Akendengue released this back in ’83 in the UK on CBS Records.
A.I.E (A’Mwana) – Black Blood
Before UK band Bananarama covered this as their first 12″ released in 1981, an African group recording in Belgium, Black Blood, released their own with predominantly Swahili lyrics. This version has got it down.
Really beautiful and inspiring mix!
I totally can’t figure out which version of Pierre Akendengues Epuguzu that is.
Can anyone point me in the right direction
Is it some kind of remix, club version??
Thanks man
The version of Epuguzu I picked up off the ‘The Best Of World Music – Africa’ comp, and its just titled as so. No remix credit or anything
Thanks!!!
also found it on itunes part of “Planete Afrique: Le meilleur de la musique Africaine”-
Awesome version! The steeldrums, oh my god…
Keep doing mixes!