Let’s Have an African Party

And the first guests to invite would be the fine folks at Putumayo. They have assembled together many great artists stretching from the Ivory Coast to South Africa. The album also celebrates the 15th anniversary of Putumayo and the work of its founder Dan Storper was strolling through Golden Gate Park when he was transfixed by the uplifting sounds of the African group Kotoja. This experience inspired Dan to launch Putumayo World Music as a platform to introduce people to the joyous international sounds that moved him on that day. This album takes me to Mr. Storper’s Golden Gate Park moment and transcends it into my living room…allowing full comfort in surroundings and sounds….and allows me to get away while staying home. There is no way to stop yourself from feeling alive when the African Party is on!! African Party features the inspirational band Kotoja & Oliver Mtukudzi, who released several popular albums on the Putumayo label. And a personal favorite of mine is the final cut: Mulemba Xangola by Bonga from Angola….seeing him once in a live setting helps me to remember that there is magic in this world.

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Cover Art:Nicola Heindl/Putumayo 2008

R.I.P. Sean Costello

One of Atlanta’s most popular blues guitarists and singers, Sean Costello was found dead on Tuesday. Instead of gathering for a birthday celebration (Sean would have turned 29 today)his friends and fans will be at Northside Tavern Wednesday night for a musical tribute. This Howell Mill Rd. blues bar was Costello’s second home; he began playing there while still in his teens. I know I have several friends in Atlanta and the surrounding areas that are traveling with heavy hearts and I of course wish them happy thoughts during this sad time.

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RIP 1979-2008

MLB celebrates 5th “Jackie Robinson day”

Major League Baseball today announced that the national celebration of Jackie Robinson’s entry into the Major Leagues will take place at Shea Stadium on Tuesday, April 15th, the league’s official “Jackie Robinson Day. Rachel Robinson, Jackie’s wife,(who I had the honor of fetching water for at a JRF event) and Sharon Robinson, Jackie’s daughter, will join Bob DuPuy, President and Chief Operating Officer of Major League Baseball, in an on-field recognition of Jackie Robinson’s legacy prior to the start of the Washington Nationals-New York Mets game. Four Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars will accompany them on the field for a special recognition. One scholar also will have ceremonial first pitch honors. The Jackie Robinson Foundation provides four-year college scholarships to minority students with records of academic distinction and leadership capacity. It strives to cultivate future leaders who will be ambassadors of Jackie Robinson’s guiding life tenet, “A life is not important except in its impact on other lives.” Major League Baseball and its Clubs have a long history of supporting the Jackie Robinson Foundation. Since 1996, financial support for the Jackie Robinson Foundation from Baseball and its Clubs has been nearly $10 million. Clubs playing at home on Tuesday, April 15th will commemorate “Jackie Robinson Day” with special pregame ceremonies in their ballparks, all of which will feature Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars and will showcase activities that reflect Robinson’s legacy. Clubs that are not playing on April 15th will hold “Jackie Robinson Day” celebrations at a later date. Clubs will also be using ceremonial home plates, base jewels and lineup cards that will include the “Jackie Robinson Day” logo. On April 15, 1997, the 50th anniversary of Robinson’s entry into Major League Baseball, Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced that Robinson’s Number 42 would be retired throughout baseball and would never again be issued to on-field personnel. He temporarily suspended the retirement for the 60th anniversary and will do so again for this year’s 61st anniversary. The way to treat a true hero and his legacy.

Check out my past conversation with Della Britton-Baeza, the President/CEO of the Jackie Robinson Foundation here.

Today I had the Blues

It still hasn’t gotten warm here….yesterday the sky was once again gray and there was plenty of chilly flurries waving thru the Madison air. I decided that Today, I had the blues….(mostly)

What’s he Building- Tom Waits
No Such Thing- Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers
Tappin’ that Thing- Jas Mathus & Knockdown South
I am the Cool- Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Handcuffed to a Fence in Mississippi- Jim White
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Rough Justice- the Rolling Stones
Rock Candy- the Fabulous T-Birds
Love you Like a Woman- Koko Taylor
I Love a Lover Like you- Koko Taylor
Boot Knockin’ Boogie- James Cotton
Gonna Change my way of Thinking-Bob Dylan/Mavis Staples
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Voodoo Chile-Angelique Kidjo/Buddy Guy/Vernon Reid
Calypso- Robert Randolph band
Gonna Move- the Derek Trucks Band (live)
My World is Round- Alvin Youngblood Hart
Nobody’s Fault but Mine- Alvin Youngblood Hart
the Game Band Strut- Henry Butler
I got a Woman- John Hammond
Blow Wind Blow- Jimmy Rogers Allstars/Jeff Healy
Boom Baby Boom- Elliott Sharp’s Terraplane
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I go Ka- Ali Farka Toure
Awa L’Akoya- Akoya Afrobeat
Get Up- Keleta & ZoZo Afrobeat
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Nightime is the Right Time- Albert Castiglia
if it ain’t slow- Thaddeus Hogarth (live)
Dear Prudence- Phish (live)
Shadow of Death Hotel- Barry Adamson
Sifu- Victor Wooten
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Going to California- Jake Shimabukuro

Victah Victah Victah

Last Night at the Barrymore, Victor Wooten and his band kept the smiles wide with a soulful-funked up-jazzified-bass-thumpin’ “school is in session” romp into our musical imaginations. There are times when I listen to Victor play when I feel like I am listening to a familiar tale, like a children’s rhyme I recall from years gone by and other moments…well, its like the earth is quakin’-n-thumpin’ in directions never sensed before. That certainly was true last night. When you come to town with a guitarist like ” the Teacher” Regi Wooten, the streets of style matched with sound creation have yet to be paved, but man does he start trailblazing right before your eyes. There are moments of fantastic drumming effects that have to be seen and not told. “The Voice” Saundra Williams brought that sexy and soulful element to a show where sounds kept tempting and taunting……what lurks around the next corner…….bass solo!! This was another one of those shows that I had high hopes for..and I am elated that once again those expectations have been exceeded.

Don’t forget about Victor’s Bass/Nature camps.

My conversation with Victor.

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Joe Pitts: Just a Matter of Time

Slide over, no really SLIDE on over and listen to this. Joe Pitts can create a powerful storm of sound with a ghostly shadow of style reminding myself and many of the dear Duane Allman. Not afraid to rock a love song or tell that fantastic story, the album Just a Matter of Time, (Kijan Records 2007) takes a ride on the southern side of rock and keeps plenty of room for some of that sweet soulfulness of the blues. He has pulled influences from yesterday into today and has been compared to guitarists like Warren Haynes, Larry McCray and Walter Trout. Although his influences range from Duane Allman and Jeff Beck(ice cream cakes) to Roy Buchanan(Nickle and a Nail), he is becoming known worldwide for his slide guitar work. He uses his slide work to create tone-filled licks that both glide and soar over the music. And I am starting to wonder who is calling him their influence. He is also heavily inside the groove with really funky rhythmic improvisations, which as a listener you can get that true feeling on the final track, Funked Up…but be patient–coming out of the shadows of that track is the ghost of song greatness…..(lone me a dime) the great Fenton Robinson tune with the easily treasured slide work of Duane worked over with precision and pride…Thanks Joe.

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Back to the Cat: Barry Adamson

Barry Adamson was bass player in post punk band, Magazine between 1978-1982. He then went on to become a founder member of Nick Cave’s illustrious Bad Seeds in 1984. Since 1989, with the release of debut album ‘Moss Side Story‘, Adamson has forged his own highly acclaimed solo career with a series of distinctive and thematically linked soundscape albums, he has also worked on film soundtracks for David Lynch. In 2002, Adamson left his long-term label, Mute Records, and started his own “production home“, Central Control International. In 2006, he released Stranger on the Sofa, to critical acclaim. And this year, the release of the soulful funky sounds of Back to the Cat take listeners down a funky road of soul-slides and real wording. Soaked in a gravy of mood & sophistication, this album will catch on easily with the soul of your listening, and the enjoyment of your mischievous side…ENJOY!!!!

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Tracklisting:
1 The Beaten Side Of Town (4:49)
2 Straight ‘Til Sunrise (4:59)
3 Spend A Little Time (4:29)
4 Shadow Of Death Hotel (4:21)
5 I Could Love You (3:33)
6 Walk On Fire (4:32)
7 Flight (4:54)
8 Civilization (4:18)
9 People (3:23)
10 Psycho_Sexual (5:53)

For Anthony Michael

Zazu- Moodafaruka
Izniknami Badem Drvo-Mike Watt/Masina
Oye Como Va (extended Mix)- Kinky
Duke of Hazzard- Blockhead
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World Without Fear- Antibalas
the Johnson- Four Finger Five
Webspan- the Nucleus
Wosoubour-Vieux Farka Toure/Chris Annibell
Kwenda- Zap Mama
Shake Everything you got- Maceo Parker (live)
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Come to me- Robin Trower/Jack Bruce
Wing- Patti Smith (WCRW studios)
Little Red Robin Hood Hit the Road- Robert Wyatt
Dinah- Preservation Hall Hot 4
Chocolate on my Tongue- the Wood Brothers
Atlas- the Wood Brothers
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What a Man- Soul Summit (live)
Burning Down the House- Marcus Miller (live)
Earth Jam- Bela Fleck & the Flecktones
*Conversation with Victor Wooten*
Left, Right & Center- Victor Wooten
Ease Up- Wooten/Howe/Chambers
What is Hip- Marcus Miler
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Rock el Casbah- Rachid Taha
Bullet the Blue Sky- Vieux Farka Toure
Candela- Novalima
You Know I’m no Good- Amy Winehouse
Funplex- the B52’s
I don’t Know Why- Lovewhip
Ramblin’ WOman- Cat Power
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Already Fried- Widespread Panic
Ol’ Orleans- Baghdad Scuba Review
Love Henry- Bob Dylan
Broke Down Engine- Bob Dylan
I’m Sticking with you- the Velvet Underground
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I Feel Good/I’ve got the Feeling-Soul Summit (live)

Wayne “Frosty Freeze” Frost

Wayne “Frosty Freeze” Frost, a hip-hop pioneer whose acrobatic performance with the legendary Rock Steady Crew in the 1983 movie “Flashdance” helped set off a worldwide breakdancing craze, has died. He was 44. Breakdancing emerged from the Bronx and Harlem in the early 1970s, part of the hip-hop culture that also included graffiti, MCing or rapping, and disc jockeys scratching and mixing vinyl records on turntables. Frost was known for many things including his energetic style, intricate choreography and fearless moves including back flips & head spins. One was even dubbed the “Suicide.” Frost got his start back in 1978 with the Bronx-based Rock City Crew. In 1981, he became part of the Rock Steady Crew, joining such acclaimed breakdancers as Ken Swift and Lil Crazy Legs. Frost toured the world with the Rock Steady Crew and other hip-hop artists, including Fab 5 Freddy, Futura 2000 and Kool Lady Blue. Graffiti artist and close friend Zulu King Slone, who knew Frost for 15 years, said he was “like a walking hip-hop culture encyclopedia.”

Victor Wooten takes a moment

The day after his newest solo album, Palmystery was released on Heads Up and his book, The Music Lesson was released by Berkley Publishing Group/ A Division of The Penguin Group USA — I had the chance to discuss the new album/book and the tour which makes its way to Madison at the Barrymore on April 11 with Victor Wooten. We know VICTAH as an innovator and a Flecktone but this album is an eye opener and keeps it so real that you might just have to check with yourself after listening. During our conversation, we discuss the report that Marcus Miller gave us earlier that he, Victor and Stanley Clarke are working on somethings together and I think you’ll be surprised by the response.

Check out my time w/Victah here.
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One Love, One Woman-Sister Carol

The presence of someone who is all about good is easily recognizable by the radiant glow, and Sister Carol certainly brought that presence to the Majestic last night. Known as the “Black Cinderella” and “Mother Culture,” Sister Carol has led the way for women in reggae. Her music is rich with cultural heritage & infused with a vital social consciousness that permeates every aspect of life in the new illennium. Who knew that the thriving dancehall scene in New York City in the 70’s would lead Sister Carol to a path that would include movies, albums, television appearances and a Grammy nomination for her highly regarded 1996 release, Lyrically Potent. Having won talent contests in both Jamaica and New York, Sister Carol was offered an opening slot for one of Jamaica’s finest vocal trios, The Meditations, who had provided harmony vocals for Bob Marley. Bringing her greater recognition and a wider audience, as well as firmly establishing her as a cornerstone of the dancehall/dj movement, this opportunity opened the door for her to record her first two records, Liberation for Africa & Black Cinderalla. The energy from the evening is still strong within my spirit and the blessing of one love, one people has been brought to life by Sister Carol’s being, see her when you can.

Draft Day

Sail Away- Chris DeMarco/Billy Joel
Funked Up- Joe Pitts
Lone me a Dime- Joe Pitts
Still this Goes on- Lefty Williams Band
Told me a Lie- Sean Costello
Lives of Clay- Robin Trower/Jack Bruce
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Don’t That Bring you Back-Diane Durrett (live)
I Will- Al & the Transamericans
Sandunga- the Motet (live)
Basement Bhangra Anthem-DJ Rekha and Sunil Sehgal
Soothi-Midival Punditz w/Ustad Sultan Khan
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I’m Not a Fool-Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars
Everyone Deserves Music- Michael Franti (live)
Hollow Display- Taj Weeks & Adowa
Johnny Cool Man- Toots & the Maytals
Sambala- Salome de Bahia
Rivers of Dub- Asian Dub Foundation
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A Poet’s Journey- N Side
Red Clay- Andrew Black & the Naturals
Walter’s Flat-Susie Arioli Band feat Jordan Officer
ain’t misbehavin-Jarrett/Peacock/DeJohnette (live)
Mystic Brew- Ronnie Foster
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the Lesson- Victor Wooten
Us 2- Victor Wooten/Keb Mo
Higher Ground- Marcus Miller
She Said- George Porter Jr.

Bonerama at the Overture

At first glance, you’d be surprised enough to look away and then back again….Yep, it really is four trombones front-lining a NOLA Brass Jazz Funk Rock outfit. It indeed that is a Tuba back there blowing baselines, and eventually will have a solo…yeah, a Tuba solo…Well, really a sousaphone solo. With their funky “git-tar” riffs and a mighty drumming, Bonerama was in town last night in the beautiful Capitol Theater at the Overture Center of the Arts and really blew the roof off the joint playing many of their own tunes, a medley of Meter tunes (tasty) and even a version of Crosstown Traffic that ranks up there with one of the best live performances of a song in my book. There was an unbelievable energy on the stage as we got to see one of the co-founders of the band, Mr. Mark Mullins play his trombone through some interestingly odd and rock-n-roll cool effects, I am telling you there is more to this band that just the brass facts. The crowd at the Overture obviously appreciated the energy, enthusiasm and I would imagine that there would be an invitation to bring back the NOLA sounds and then some to Madison in the future. So if you can, Bonerama..please do Bonerama.

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Check out my conversation with the other co-founder of the group, Mr. Craig Klein here.

SETLIST:
1. intro/music
2. Epistrophy
3. Gekko Love
4. Lost My House (But I Got My Rugulator)
5. Crosstown Traffic
6. Mr. Go
7. Meters Medley
8. Equale
9. Hard Times
10. The Ocean
11. Big Fine Woman
Encore:
12. Folly >
13. The Mouse

Blockhead:Uncle Tony’s Coloring Book

Being a key name on the independent hip hop scene, the downtown Manhattan beat maker known as Blockhead has had a big role in assisting some other MCs into “name-dom“, Aesop Rock, Cage, Slug, and Murs. He approached Ninja Tune with a heavy demo which turned into his debut album, “Music by Cavelight” which was followed up by “Downtown Science“, a second album on Ninja Tune. He is deep in the production scene and most notably the Aesop Rock album None Shall Pass on the Def Jux label. And to keep it all rolling, Blockhead has this fantastic soundwave force of a new album, Uncle Tony’s Coloring Book, a self-released project and oh my, there’s a tour. The album is an ocean carrying this soundwave into fun instrumentals with tough beats, like the waters crashing onto the rocky shore. There are catchy grooves that you don’t want to shake off of yourself…so don’t!

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Mambo Pioneer “Cachao” Lopez

Cuban bassist & composer Israel “Cachao” Lopez, who is credited with pioneering the mambo style of music, died Saturday. He was 89. Known simply as Cachao, the Grammy-winning musician left communist Cuba and came to the United States in the early 1960s. He continued to perform into his late 80s, including a performance after the death of trombonist Generoso Jimenez in September 2007. Cachao was born in Havana in 1918 to a family of musicians. A classically trained bassist, he began performing with the Havana symphony orchestra as a teenager, working under the baton of visiting guest conductors, such as Herbert von Karajan, Igor Stravinsky and Heitor Villa-Lobos, during his nearly 30-year career with the orchestra. He also wrote hundreds of songs in Cuba for bands & orchestras, many based on the classic Cuban music style known as son. He and his late brother, multi-instrumentalist Orestes Lopez, created the mambo in the late 1930s. The mambo emerged from their improvisational work with the danzon, an elegant musical style that lends itself to slow dancing. The mambo was embraced early on and Cuban composers & jazz musicians have tweaked it over the years. It also influenced the development of salsa music. In the 1950s, Cachao and his friends began popularizing the descarga (“discharge” in Spanish), a raucous jam session incorporating elements of jazz & Afro-Cuban musical approaches. Cachao left Cuba in 1962, relocating first to Spain and soon afterward to New York, where he was hired to perform at the Palladium nightclub with the leading Latin bands. In the United States, he collaborated with such Latin music stars as Tito Puente, Tito Rodrigues, Machito, Chico O’Farrill, Eddie Palmieri and Gloria Estefan. In 2006, Cachao was honored at two Jazz at Lincoln Center concerts with the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra paying tribute to the Latin bass tradition. Cachao also led a mambo all-star band at a JVC Jazz Festival program at Carnegie Hall that year.

East errr West…Right here!

Time after time- Jake Shimabukuro
Barkley’s Bug- David Grisman Quintet
Marley’s Ghost- Andrew York (live)
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Beans for Breakfast- BLKTOP Project
Miami Blues- Akashic Record
Big Whopper-Benevento/Russo Duo (live)
Into You- Eymarel
Corner Store- Robert Walter
Sunday off Broadway- Radam Schwartz
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Children’s Song- Chick Corea/Gary Burton
What Game Shall we Play Today-Gary Burton/Chick Corea
Flugufrelsarinn- Kronos Quartet
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Dog Trot- Moondog
Present for the Prez- Moondog
Sly- Herbie Hancock
The Machine- Garage a Trois
Anna- Remember SHAKTI (McLaughlin/Hussain..)
Serpent’s Tooth- Fusion for Miles feat Pat Martino
Bass on the Line- Bernie Worrell
Dunkin’ in the Deep- Stanton Moore
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Nothing Less than You- Stan Harrison
Bayou Betty- Bonerama (live)
*Conversation w/Bonerama’s Craig Klein*
Helter Skelter- Bonerama (live)
You’ve got a Friend in me- Bonerama
Spiral- John Coltrane
Nardis- Russell Gunn
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Tutu- Miles Davis (live)
Children of the Night- Wayne Shorter
Killing me Softly- Marcus Miller/Lalah Hathaway (live)
**Conversation with Marcus Miller**
Milky Way- Marcus Miller w/Keb Mo
‘Cause I want you- Marcus Miller w/Shihan the Poet
Tropical Storm- Victor Wooten/Steve Bailey
Kuru/Speak Like a Child- Jaco Pastorius
Inside Straight- Cannon ReLoaded
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Cut and Paste- Ron Carter
Isfahan- Rick McLaughlin Trio
Chalky’s Back with a Knife- Suite Crude

Bonerama’s Craig Klein

Just when you think it can’t get any funkier around here….Bonerama (pronounced Bone-a-Rama) will bring it home at the Overture Center for the Arts on Friday March 28th. I had the pleasure of talking with Co-founder of the group, Craig Klein about what to expect from a live show, the new album as well as a few other interesting pieces of Bonerama info. When they struts on-stage with their four-trombone frontline…it’s not quite like any rock ‘n’ roll band you’ve seen. When they tear into some vintage New Orleans funk, there’s no questioning from which city these guys hail. And when those ’bones start ripping into Hendrix and Led Zeppelin licks, all stylistic bets are off. Even in a city that doesn’t play by the rules, New Orleans’ Bonerama is something different. They’re not a traditional brass band, but they’ve got brass to spare-even with no trumpets or saxes in sight. They can evoke vintage funk, classic rock and free improvisation in the same set; maybe even the same song…just the reason I will be having myself a Bonerama of a Friday night.

Check out my conversation with Craig here.

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thanks to Amy & Abi & Craig for their time.

Cee Know the Doodlebug

Check out my on air conversation with Cee Know the Doodlebug of Digable Planets name and fame. We have been working on setting something up for a bit and now was the present, no time like it. We discuss a few upcoming and recent projects, things I have been spinning for sometime now as well as what’s in the works possibly with Digable. Also, check in on what Doodlebug thinks about Sun Ra.

Listen to MisterG and Doodlebug’s conversation here.

Hit up the Cosmic Funk All Stars here.

Check out Deviants of Reality here.

Check out DJ Alex here.

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