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Schotje's Audio Archives

About the blog

After collecting rock albums, books and rock magazines for over forty years it's about time to open up the archives and put some of my favorite music on the big net. The music here is intended for review purposes only and is not a substitute for the original record company product. Please contact us directly regarding the removal of any potentially infringing material. READERS: Please use us as a buyer's guide and support the artists.

Hurt in your heart… In Remembrance Of John Martyn (1948-2009)

Music Posted on 30 April 2011 23:17

Text is from a recommended music blog “Birds with broken wings”

One of Martyn’s more experimental recordings was ‘One World.’ Released in 1977, the story behind the record is as interesting as the date itself. Created in the courtyard of an island home situated in the middle of a small English lake, equipment was set up on either end of the body of water to incorporate the calming sound of waves lapping at the shores, and to additionally include the flock of geese that called the body of water home. The lake also served to reflect back the amplified music, creating a ‘strangled’ quality to the guitar solos, resulting in a most unusual sounding LP. There is also a companion piece, ‘Another World’ that contains instrumentals and material not included on the official release which informs us that the all of the sessions were recorded exclusively between the hours of 3am to 6am. Unfortunately, you’d need to possess the U.K. mix of ‘One World,’ as the version released here in the States was entirely remixed having been deemed to contain ‘no commercial content.’ Not surprisingly, Martyn moved towards decidedly more mainstream recordings after this, perhaps at the urging of his label, or maybe to finally earn a bit of money, and perhaps to gain some well deserved recognition from the buying public.

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African Original Man: Fela Kuti

Music Posted on 30 April 2011 00:32

This review is from: Gentleman / Confusion by Anthony C. Rubbo (Amazon review)

Anyone who thinks they know something about funk, groove music or world beat and doesn’t own a handful of Kuti’s LP’S is both a poseur and charlatan. It’s that simple,
as harsh as it sounds. Afrobeat was his invention, he put it on the map and had
no equal during the 60’s or 70’s and would be a household name like James Brown
if his political leanings didn’t keep him persecuted, incarcerated and tortured
by his government during the 80’s.

These two LP’s are among his finest and come
highly recommended, along with ‘London Scene/Shakara’, ‘Open And Close/
Afrodisiac’, ‘Inside Out’ and ‘Rofororo Fight’, among others. Non-stop
percolating rhythms, punctuating horns, call and response vocals, fiery horn
solos and Fela’s social and political diatribes keep things constantly sizzling,
searing and smoking. No joke, on a funk level, some of his recordings make James
Brown and George Clinton sound like the Captain and Tennille – if you’re not
familiar, I invite you to indulge, imbibe and intoxicate yourself immediately.

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By – Fela Ransome Kuti
Saxophone [Alto, Tenor], Electric Piano, Vocals – Fela Ransome KutiSaxophone [Tenor] – Igo Chico
Trumpet [Solo] – Tunde Williams