A wonderful collection of songs on Earthworks is this
1989 compilation of Cuban hits. We’ve played it so
much I can dream them. Not to miss, get & spread..

tracks;

01 – Grupo Sierra Maestra – A los rumberos de belen
02 – Celina González – Camina y ven
03 – Orquestra Chepin – El son de nicaragua
04 – Irakere – Rucu Rucu A santa clara
05 – Conjunto Casino – Chilindron de chivo
06 – Conjunto Los Karachi – De kabinde a kunene un solo pueblo
07 – Los Van Van – Anda ven y muevete
08 – Conjunto Rumbavana – Vuela la paloma
09 – Orquesta Revé – Se que tu sabes que yo se
10 – Grupo Monumental – Frutas del caney

He was crowned King of Vallenato in 1975, ‘el Pequeno Gigante’,
the little giant, born july 20, 1936 in Chochó (Sucre). After participating
8 times, starting from 1968, he won the prestigious festival in 1975.
Once part of the famous group Los Corraleros de Majagual, he made
some 32 lp’s. Part from hits like ‘Adiós Maria’, ‘la Coquetona’ and
‘los Miles Trabajos’ his greatest work was ‘la Colegiala’. The album
we have today is his coronation album. What I do not understand
is the backsleeve says 1974, probably a printing error ’cause the
label is correct. Anyway, enjoy these twelve songs despite
the hum it carries. Get it & spread it..

tracks;

01 – Que traiga que no lleve
02 – Guarare en barranquilla
03 – Desamparada
04 – Me olvido
05 – Linda sucreñita
06 – Por ti luchare
07 – Edilma rosa
08 – Te machastes
09 – Maria del carmen
10 – Adiós maria
11 – Cariñito
12 – La margentina

One of Franco’s better albums was waiting long time to find
it’s way to you. Other blogs have posted it already but it can’t
remain absent here. Some say it’s from 1984 others say 1985
one way or the other it is a joy listening to it. So finally we’ve
got Franco et le T.P.O.K. Jazz a l’Ancienne Belgique with on
guitar, Franco, Gerry Dialungana, Gégé Mangaya and Mpuidi
Deca. Vocals, Madilu System and Josky Kiambukuta..

tracks;

01 – K.S.K.
02 – Nda ya
03 – Pesa position na yo
04 – Mukungu

It seems the story of Rodriguez is made a little bigger
than it actually was in the movie “Searching for Sugar Man”.
Still, it’s a wonderful thing to watch and the album ‘Sugar Man’
is one you really should hear, enjoy listening,
..and watching..

tracks;

01 – Sugar man
02 – Only good for conversation
03 – Crucify your mind
04 – This is not a song, it’s an outburst:
or The establishment blues
05 – Hate street dialogue
06 – Forget it
07 – Inner city blues
08 – I wonder
09 – Jane s. piddy
10 – Gomorrah (a nursery rhyme)
11 – Rich folks hoax
12 – Like janis

This is Safohene Djeni, he appears at the groove first time
with this album. Vocals by Jewel Ackah and Awiema Little
John. From 1980 this is a Discoboa Production
manufactured by Ambassador. Sparkling 80’s
highlife just how you like it, enjoy..

tracks;

01 – Obaye boe a enee wove
02 – Edi bie a sie bie
03 – Nea ye boe
04 – Menkoa

Completely captured by vallenato I selected this slice of
Colombian vinyl for you today. Los Hermanos Lopez made
a bunch of records with singer Jorge Oñate. Their strong
instrumental work with Jorge’s strong voice combine per-
fectly. This is their first one here at the GG but certainly not
their last. Jorge Oñate also worked with Nicolas ‘Colacho’
Mendoza and with Los Hermanos Zuleta. Both of whom
more to follow. For now, enjoy los Hermanos Lopez..

tracks;

01 – El cantor de fonseca
02 – El contrabandista
03 – Palabras al viento
04 – El compadre
05 – Si la vieres
06 – Los tres hermanos
07 – No voy a patillal
08 – No te vayas
09 – Razon y olvido
10 – Hermosos tiempos
11 – Mi huerto
12 – Despedida al festival

Rafael Calixto Escalona martinez was a Colombian composer
whose music is well known and still being played by many.
His Vallenatos belong to the most prominent. He was also a
close friend of Gabriel Garcia Marquez who once stated his
masterpiece novel ‘100 years of solitude’ was in fact a 350
page vallenato. Escalona himself never played an instrument
nor sang his own compositions. One of the main interpreters
of his music was Julio César Bovea Fandiño, better known as
Bovea y sus Vallenatos. The lp we have today concerns another
singer. Alberto Fernandez with the acordeon of Gustavo
Gutierrez y su Conjunto. 12 great songs for lovers of
the genre. Get it & spread it..

tracks;

01 – El testamento
02 – La golondrina
03 – El general dangon
04 – Maria tere
05 – La plateña
06 – El villanuevero
07 – La muerte de pedro castro
08 – La vieja sara
09 – El almirante padilla
10 – El compadre simon
11 – La patillalera
12 – El pobre miguel

Summer starts today, well theoretically that is, we’ve got rain,
it’s cloudy, nothing at all like summer. So what can we do ?
Sit at home and rip another record that makes the sun shine.
Let’s see..

I’ve said it before, the more you listen to it the more you like it,
compas from Haïti is hot stuff. This guy stole my heart with his
swell tropical sound. Got some more of his records waiting,
Toto Nécessité on Mini Records from 1980 is here to
brighten up our rainy day, enjoy listening..

tracks;

01 – Bande nan chaud
02 – Artemise
03 – Rasta
04 – Tî roro
05 – Cé m’chou

Another group coming forth from Zaïko Langa-Langa is this one.
La Zaïkomania made this album in 1989. Recorded in Verckys’
24 track studio in Kinshasa, it sounds fresh as if recorded only
yesterday. Zangilu Popolipo’s guitar and the young voices of
Bebe and marius make this lp a true joy to listen to. Better get
it and give it a couple of spins, I’m quite sure you’ll agree..

tracks;

01 – Olasi
02 – Wadeni
03 – Lutonzol
04 – Pajora

It is from 1990, Bezerra da Silva was 63 years of age when he
made this album. His music belongs to my favourite samba.
Always funny and society critical in his lirycs, Bezerra never
disappoints. If you’re into samba this is must have material.
Don’t you just love the cover of this record, good stuff..
“Eu não sou santo = I am no saint”

tracks;

01 – Quando o morcego doar sangue
02 – O preto e o branco
03 – Mudo cagüete
04 – Vovô tira-tira
05 – Boca de radar
06 – Eu não sou santo
07 – Se não avisar, o bicho pega
08 – Passa o rodo nele
09 – Divino mestre
10 – O filho de juremá
11 – Cachorrinho de polícia
12 – O poeta operário