BBC Documentary: Sun Ra, Brother From Another Planet

Speaking of Sun Ra, here is a really well done documentary on him from the BBC in 2005. Sun Ra was about many things but at the core but, to me, it was music, knowledge and change.

Sun Ra - Cry Of Jazz

Interesting mini film about Jazz. The beginning is filled with terrible acting and a canned situation but once you get past that it is a really interesting, informative piece on Jazz. The band featured here is the Sun Ra and his original Arkestra. It is the only known video footage of them as a group in existence.

Gil Scott-Heron - New York Is Killing Me (Chris Cunningham Remix) [Full ...

Erie, goose bump inducing art from Gil Scott Heron and Chris Cunningham.

Ravi Shankar at Monterey Pop (June 1967)

Ravi Shankar has left this world. He lived a long, amazing life and left behind a ton of music, inspiration and changed the face of world and pop music. We here at MadChange salute you sir. Enjoy this amazing 1967 performance at Monterey Pop. R.I.P. Ravi Shankar 1920-2012.
P.S. Can I marry one of your daughters?

Dave Brubeck Quartet - Live Jazz Gehört und Gesehen in Germany

Credit for the following words about Brubeck go to Paul Gallagher at the blog www.Dangerousminds.net :

Dave Brubeck claimed he had 2 ambitions when he first started out as a Jazz musician - “to play polytonally and polyrhythmically.”

He also said his inspiration for rhythm was the heart beat, for this was what we heard first, and last.

Brubeck was a giant of Jazz, whose passing at the age of 91, brings an end to one of the greatest eras of American Jazz.

He popularized Jazz like few other composers/musicians of his day, becoming a household name and the first million-selling Jazz musician, who also made the cover of Time magazine in 1954. The purists didn’t like him, and many classed his brand of Jazz as “easy listening”, but this is to do him and his music a great disservice.

Take a listen to the Dave Brubeck Quartet (Brubeck - Piano, Paul Desmond - Alto Saxophone, Joe Morello - Drums, Gene Wright - Bass), filmed in concert in Germany, November 6th, 1966.

Track LIsting:

01. “Take the ‘A’ Train” 

02. “Forty Days”
03. “I’m in a Dancing Mood”
04. “Koto Song”
05. “Take Five”

R.I.P. Dave Brubeck 1920-2012

Onra and Quetzal - Caramel Dream

The main reason I chose that last Smokey Robinson track that I posted is that killer guitar lick that sounds like the last bit of rain as the sun is coming back out. Onra & Quetzal sample it and Smokey beautifully right here. Shame so few people will ever hear this magic. Kick back and enjoy being one of the chosen few.

Baby Baby Don't Cry- Smokey Robinson And The Miracles- 1969

Smokey Robinson is one of the most prolific Soul artists of the 20th century and on many levels raised the bar for anyone who was in the Soul realm. Respect due for the MadChange delivered by this musical wizard.

Bill Withers - 1973 BBC Concert Complete

Bill Withers is the truth. Here is the Funk/Soul legend live for a half hour in London, 1973.

Dorothy Ashby - For Some We Loved

Wonderful Dorothy Ashby tune called For Some We Loved. She is a jazz harpist, whatchu know about that?

Tinariwen - Live at Womad

Enjoy an hour of Tinariwen, a 30 year old band who just won a Grammy last year for best World music album. Like some of the best musicians in history they have taken the blues (war, strife, struggle and homelessness) and turned it into groovy music for all to enjoy. MadChange. Tinariwen is a band ofTuareg-Berber musicians from the Sahara Desert region of northern Mali. The band was formed around 1979 in refugee camps in Libya but returned to Mali after a cease-fire in the 1990s. The group first started to gain a following outside the Sahara region in 2001, with the release of The Radio Tisdas Sessions.

Music With Changing Parts (1970) - Philip Glass

Die Sinfonie der Großstadt - 1927 German silent film directed by Walter Ruttmann

I have discovered that on top of this movie being a masterpiece it also goes with a ton of good soundtracks of your choosing. Apparently it is 12 seconds off from Phillip Glass's piece presented here. I found psychedelic music works with it best.

JACOB MILLER - Each One Teach One

Jacob Miller advocating Madchange. This is definitely one of my favorite classic Reggae tunes. The dub version by Augustus Pablo and King Tubby is oh so fresh and oh so clean: Each One Teach One Dub

Dance Of The Inhabitants Of The Invisible City Of Bladensburg ~ John Fahey

Sometimes nothing in the world is better to my ears than John Fahey's fingers on guitar strings.

Bill Withers - Railroad Man (Ashley Beedle's Soul Train Edit)

Take a long, funky ride on a railroad trail with Bill WIthers, one of the best ever voices in soul music.

Cumbia Moderna de Soledad - Shacalao

One of the best Cumbia tracks ever if you ask me. One of the most compelling songs on Black Man's Cry is the cover of Fela's 1972 "Shakara," recorded by Colombia's Cumbia Moderna de Soledad and re-titled "Shacalao." With its sparse but powerful percussive push and chanting chorus, "Shacalao" strips Fela's more groove-laden "Shakara" down to rhythmic studs, pushing it forward with the two-step beat that lies at the heart of cumbia (Colombia's most popular Latin music export). Yet, while Cumbia Moderna remakes Fela, it also gestures to the deep tradition that bonds eastern Colombia with western Africa.

Sigur Ros - Ekki mukk

This is pretty. Beautiful. It is.

Minimatic - ABC (Jacksons5 under the volcano)

Wow. Just a huge underground wow.

Lianne La Havas - Forget (Best Fit Session)

I'm not sure that anyone in music has a better voice than Lianne La Havas. I have a feeling she is a force people will be taking notice of even though she is being slept on at the moment. Brilliant performance.

Socavon - Quitate de mi Escalera

This is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. It comes from Columbia. It comes from long ago, it manifests itself now and echos the future. I can hear so much of humanity/the world's different cultures in it. What comes to mind metaphorically is the fact that there was once a super continent that scientists call "Columbia", which seems fitting. Here is wikipedia's entry, it's your job to hear/see where I coming from or to dismiss my thoughts as that of a crazy man washing his cat with a sponge whilst listening to world music:

"Columbia is estimated to have been about 12,900 kilometres from North to South, and about 4,800 km across at its broadest part. The east coast of India was attached to western North America, with southern Australia against western Canada. Most of South America spun so that the western edge of modern-day Brazil lined up with easternNorth America, forming a continental margin that extended into the southern edge of Scandinavia."

'Gualajo' tocando currulao en las eliminatorias del Festival de la Marimba

Fantastic marimba playing from Groupo Gualajo de Columbia. Columbia has such a rich musical history, it's a shame the rest of the world hardly takes notice.

Ustad Vilayat Khan & Hidayat Hussain Rageshree - Sitar masters

Really lovely sitar duo between father and son. I highly recommend Ustad Vilayat Khan's album: The Supreme Genius... It is great for meditating or just simply relaxing. You can download it in great audio quality over at the wonderful blog Ghost Capital.

Ane Brun - Do You Remember (Official Video HD)

This Ane Brun song is pretty unique and full of talent but when heard along with this great video for a visual it is really entertaining/a bit psychedelic.

Tune-Yards - Real Live Flesh (official video)

I have posted some Tune-Yards tracks before but this is one of my favorite videos of hers and a damn good song so I had to throw it up here. PS See her live if you have the chance, you won't regret it.

The Vulcans - Star Trek

One of my favorite Dub/Instrumental Reggae tunes. Dig that futuristic synth.

The Slits - I Heard It Through The Grapevine (bassline)

Fantastic version of Heard It Through The Grapevine by a fantastic punk band called The Slits. That bassline! That breakdown!

Oidupaa Vladimir Oiun - There Are Many Tears Here Gained

Really crazy good throat singer/accordion player from Mongolia. Tuvan throat singing is a really amazing style of music that is relatively unknown. The masters of this form of music are able to sing up to four notes at a time, in effect allowing them to harmonize with themselves. If you would like to hear more/know more about Tuvan throat singing look up my good friend Db Pedersen, he is one of the best in the midwest. Also, there is a great documentary called Genghis blues which is an enjoyable watch and centers around Tuvan throat singing. Whole film here: Genghis Blues

Sun Ra - Nuclear War

Another one of my favorite Sun Ra tracks. Definitely the soundtrack I hear in my head when dumb ass politicians and macho military men threaten the use of nuclear warheads.

Sun Ra - Angels and Demons at Play

Sun Ra is one of my all time favorite jazz artists and this is one of my favorite tracks from him. Someone in the comments section says it well: "If you keep listening to Sun Ra, over time, many of his tracks seem to grow and change in mysterious ways."

Palov & Mishkin - Et De Clarinete

Not quite cumbia, not quite jazz but quite a groovy tune by Pavlov & Mishkin.

Cu Oonuh (Schlachthofbronx edit)

Some Dancehall from Reggie Stepper - Cu Oonuh (Schlachthofbronx edit) to brighten your day.

SCOTTY - SESAME STREET

Unheard and underrated Reggae chooon right here by Scotty and the Crystalites. Smooth banger. That chorus tho.

Bob Marley - Caution hq ( Good Reggae music)

Man, Bob and the Wailers are tight on this track!

BLIND GARY DAVIS - DEATH DON'T HAVE NO MERCY

As the top youtube comment states, "Thats REAL blues right there. If you can't feel this song stirring your soul, you are already dead."

Townes Van Zandt in Heartworn Highway

Heavy, harsh realities/memories resonating through Van Zandt's music.

J Dilla - Oh,oh featuring Beyonce - Single Ladies

This is a surprising (not surprising) juxtaposition that works. Dilla vs Single Ladies. I appreciate the video more now that I see it over a Dilla beat. It seems not as rushed.

Captain Cumbia & Beastie Boys

Beastie Boys mixed into Cumbia by Captain Cumbia. I wonder if he has any relation to Captain Crunch...

Beastie Boys ft. Nas - Too Many Rappers (urban noise remix)

R.I.P. MCA, you are a legend.

Gramatik - Hit That Jive

Love the old time jazz sound coupled with heavy hitting bass/snare and electronic production/influences. Gramatik's production is amazing on all his tracks, I was instantly a fan. Make sure you check out all his tracks because they range widely in sound.

Les Twins - Dancing to: edIT - Ants

Les Twins make it back on this blog once again. It's been too long since i posted some fresh dancing but I make it a point to sprinkle in the best and freshest I can find.

Kid Koala - Basin Street Blues

Kid Koala is simply great at what he does and what he does isn't quite like anything anyone else does. Here is his New Orleans Jazz inspired track called Basin St. Blues set to genius animation. Kid Koala has always been full of change and it's long past due that he get a post on my blog. *tips hat to a Koala

Dub Echoes (full documentary)

The documentary Dub Echoes explores Jamaican dub and its influence on electronic music and hip hop via interviews with some of the music’s leading practitioners. If nothing else, this documentary will help you to get to know/understand your taste's roots.

Directed by Bruno Natal and featuring reggae legends and dub pioneers King Jammy, Sly and Robbie, U-Roy and Lee “Scratch” Perry, as well as beat experimentalists like Bill Laswell, DJ Spooky, Mad Professor and Basement Jaxx, Dub Echoes gets deep into the groove and takes you inside the echo chamber. Top notch stuff here.

WANDA JACKSON - Hard Headed Woman

Since I posted the underrated Joe Maphis I have to post some Wanda Jackson. Girl finally made the rock and roll hall of fame in 2009 but people still don't much recognize her name. She is definitely one the most under appreciated American singers of all time. She had a huge influence on early rock and even dated/toured with Elvis but it is said that he couldn't keep up with her wildness. Female that rocked the stage far better and sooner than most men and and almost all other women rockers = mad change. Keepon Wanda!

Joe Maphis - Pickin' And Singin'

Dude could shred on anything with strings. He is rather unknown outside of musicians but his style of play influenced many great string players in American history. Joe Maphis influenced mad change so I tip my hat to this innovator while your favorite guitarist humbly accepts defeat.

Giorgio Moroder ♫ Chase (theme from Midnight Express)

The Italian music maestro Giorgio Moroder turns 72 today. He was way ahead of his time, set a standard of excellence and was full of mad change. He was one of the first people using such quality production and electronics to make post-disco electronic dance music (though I think he was approaching it as pushing disco forward). All this piss poor electro that is coming out today must make him want to cry.

In a career that spans well over forty years, Moroder has a strong claim to being one of the most influential producers ever. His ground-breaking work with Donna Summer brought electronic music to the masses with the smash “I Feel Love” in 1977, while the duo’s earlier collaboration on “Love To Love You Baby” set in stone the template for the extended, orgasmic disco mix.

Then there are his seminal pop productions for the likes of Blondie, David Bowie, Sparks and the Human League’s Phil Oakey, plus his revolutionary synthesiser scores for Scarface, American Gigolo and Midnight Express (which bagged Moroder an Oscar for Best Score in 1978.)

Often written out of “serious” musical history because of his poppy tendencies, Moroder’s incredible legacy speaks for itself and has defiantly stood the test of time.

Here’s one of my favourite Moroder tracks, The Chase.

Moondog - Be a Hobo

Mooondog's music was hardly appreciated in his time and is very rarely appreciated these days. He was ahead of his time and produced many simple and complex masterpieces in jazz and experimental genres. The man deserves far more recognition and influence that he has ever gotten. He is a man of Mad Change long after he has left the planet and I personally continue to draw influence from his work. His wikipedia page: Moondog

MOONDOG - MARIMBA MONDO No. 2

Moondog will one day rise from the dead and kick all the unrighteous people in the heart. Music like this will play while they writhe on the ground in pain. I have foreseen it.

Invocation - Moondog

Moondog's music took its inspiration from street sounds, such as the subway or a foghorn. It tended to be relatively simple but characterized by what he called "snaketime" and described as "a slithery rhythm, in times that are not ordinary.

Distrito Federal - Soy Sonidero

Here’s a quick montage from filmmaker Sam Fleischner. Sam, director of Wah Do Dem, was recently in Mexico City. DJ Rupture was there and ended up gaving him some tips, and he ended up using “Soy Sonidero” from Mudd Up! to cut his footage to. It’s a kind of a meditation on state power vs the power of the people’s daily rhythms.

Nonstop II Rudimental ft. John Newman - Feel The Love

Gil Scott-Heron "Home Is Where The Hatred Is" (1971)

The Animals - Paint it Black (HQ) by Nahiem

Epic!

Nina Simone - You'd be so nice to come home to

Best!

BOATS - Fogburns

BOATS - Fogburns from Dollops Music on Vimeo.

This is ill beat for the ill mind. Video is wicked fresh too!

The Timbe - Super Guachin - A Pirate I (The Remix Timbe)

Pepe Deluxé - A Night and a Day

Been a minute since I posted some modern rock. That is simply because most of it does not rock. Pepe Deluxe on the other hand does. Sick ass bass line and a break beak fuse with the vocals, moog and breakdowns to create some effective rock. Pepe Deluxe also has a great track called Pussy Cat Rock you should be sure to check out if you like this sound.

Alton Ellis - Soul Groover (HQ)

Good mood reggae soul scorcher from Alton Ellis. It's great, really great.

Konono N°1 by Crammed Discs

Konono N°1 by Crammed Discs
Amazing cutting edge, DIY, improvisational modern African music.  There are great youtube videos of them live as well. oh and there stuff sounds so much better analog so grab a record for YOself.

The Eyo Beats Compilation from Domino Sound

If I could only have one album on a desert island, it would be this one. I'm sure what is being said in the songs but I can assure you it is good, very good. It is a really nice compilation to chill out to and feel fine to.  I love the greatness of the tracks vs recording quality and lack there of juxtaposition (antique sound) which is present throughout the entire album. You can't really duplicate this sound. Some recordings are crackly. That is time itself recorded right there son.

The upload work/rip, download and the following info courtesy of a great man over at Ghostcapital Blog:

Another finely compiled cassette of crackly African gold brought to you by the good folks at Domino Sound.

Mediafire Download Link: V/A- The Eyo Beats: 60 Africa 70 (Domino Sound 31 *Cassette)

A-side

Wanajiita Sisi Wahuni- Jim Lasco (Nairobi)
Janja Yako- NUTA Jazz Band (Tanzania)
Bqna Conga Baleli Liwa ya Sinatra- Jean Bokelo (Zaire)
Eyo Beats- Tunde Nightingale (Nigeria)
Kosowa Loda- Victor Oleiya (Nigeria)
Ikoro Special- Dan Satch- (Nigeria)
Seeri Koko- Orchestra Baobab (Senegal)
Pakora Ibo- Andre Pierre & L’Ivoiro Star (Ivory Coast)
Jolly Papa- Cardinal Rex Lawson (Nigeria)
Hamadi- Eli Wamala (Uganda)
Batumanbe- Orchestra Regional de Segou (Mali)

B-side

???????- Steven Amechi- (Nigeria)
Ewa- Dr. Victor Olaiya (Nigeria)
Western Shilo- David Kabaka & George Agade (Nairobi)
Adelina- Mamadou (Congo)
Fiuga Mama Muni- Mujos w/ Orch. OK Jazz (Zaire)
Ladji- Kante Manfila & Sorry Bamba (Ivory Coast)
Oyo Mobali Tape- Orchestre OK Jazz (Zaire)
Namuliranga- Charles & Frida Sonko (Uganda)
Osalobua Rekpama- Sir Victor Uwaifo (Nigeria)
Igede- Celestine Ukwu & His Philosophers National (Nigeria)
My Lovely Elizabeth- S.E. Rogie (Sierra Leone)
Na Ye Na Lisano- RIKKY (Congo)
Nora- National Jazz band (Tanzania)

Gergaz Netlabel - Beat Garden Compilation

This whole compilation is quite Dilla and future beats inspired. Loving that it inspires mellow neck nod leading to the point your neck cries for more and to stop cuz it hurts at the same time. Like good, longtime sex.

Coldcut - Man in a garage (King Jammy Dub)

Some nice melodica electronic dub from Ninja Tune's Coldcut. King Jammy on the Remix.

Honore Avolonto & Danialou Sagbohan - Tin Lin Non

Trippy afrobeat old school Benin music. Good jam.

2Pac - Do For Love

So this is one of those serendipitous situations where I was recently checking out the Reggae artist Otis Gayle's track "I'll Be Around" and saw he also did a track called "What You Won't Do For Love"(which is a cover of Bobby Cadwell's original 1978 What You Won't Do For Love). Pac had serious knowledge (of music) and continues to prove it to me even 15 years after he has been gone. I first heard his version in the mid 90s, went on to research and listen to a ton of Hip Hop and Reggae and it still took me 15 years to find Otis Gayle and then figure out this track was essentially a cover of Bobby Caldwell. Respect the roots.

Shigeto - "Huron River Drive"

Shigeto - "Huron River Drive" from Ghostly International on Vimeo.
Some Downtempo Jazz Futuristic Love for you.

Singing House demo

Awesomeness!

The Coasters - Down in Mexico

Jaw dropper of a song that was relatively unknown to most until the movie Death Proof came out. This one will get under into your soul and stay there. And that breakdown, good god! Possibly the greatest breakdown of 60s American music if you ask me. Everything about this song is perfection.

Lianne La Havas ft. Willy Mason - No Room For Doubt (Official Video)

I have a feeling we will be hearing a lot more from Lianne La Havas in the future. What a songwriter, what a beautiful talent.

Ben Caplan - Stranger

BEN CAPLAN - Stranger from Mitch Fillion (southernsouls.ca) on Vimeo.
This type of music isn't what you probably expect from this blog but I do throw you some curveballs every once in a while to keep your ears on their toes. Ears on toes. This guy has a Tom Waitsish sounding voice and intensity. It is a rare sound in this age of poor songwriting and electronic everything. #proudtosoundoldindefenseofgoodmusic

NOMO & Shawn Lee - "Upside Down"

Nice unique electric kalimba and steel drum beat produced by the great Shawn Lee. Is it just me or does NOMO seem greatly influenced by Sun Ra (this track is kind of an exception to their usual sound tho)? This collaboration came about almost by accident. NOMO's Elliot Bergman had spent the better part of the summer building and recording electric kalimbas in Brooklyn, when label-mate Shawn Lee asked him to send over a kalimba track for his new album. Lee, based in London, added some funky drums, bass and a smattering of steel drums, and sent it back to Bergman. When Bergman's sister, Natalie, heard the instrumental track destined for Shawn's album, she decided that she had to add some vocals.

ARTISTICNINJA - YYYY Mix

YYYY MIX by ARTISTICNINJA
 Damn good mix from my fellow Austinite ARTISTICNINJA. He is obviously a top notch selector and eclectic enough to keep you wondering what it is you're hearing. All vinyl, mostly chill and funky the way we like it.

Mos Def ft Lenny Kravits and Gulf Aid Allstars - Ain't My Fault

"Ain't My Fault" Gulf Aid Allstars (Nickodemus & PJT's REMIX) by NickodemusNYC
 This shit is SLAMMIN. I love the original and I love what they have done with the remix here. ps I still hate BP