Plena is the most typical rhythm of Puerto Rico and the master
of the plena was Canario. His real name is Manuel Jiménez and
started his singing career at the age of 5. He was beheld a child
prodigy and that gave him his start towards everlasting fame.
The vocals here belong to Raful. Listen to Canario.

tracks;

1 Llego de Roma
2 Hechisera
3 Buscando a malen
4 Cortaron a Elena
5 Cuando las mujeres quieren a los hombres
6 El mundo se va acabar
7 Santa Maria
8 Por bandolera
9 Que se va José
10 Tanta vanidad
11 La negra Merced
12 Que tabaco malo

Global Groovers, a few weeks ago I’ve been posting 4 albums
of the series; ‘Les Meilleurs Souvenirs de la 1ére Biennale
Artistique et Culturelle de la Jeunesse, 1970’ from Mali.
There was still one missing piece in the puzzle. Today one of
our dear visitors donated it, for us to be complete. Very nice
gesture indeed, thank you so much on behalf of all GGers.
Let’s take the opportunity, and listen.

tracks;

1 Boro
2 Récital
3 Manden po
4 An jigi ye mali ye
5 Ferro
6 Sènè
7 Taara

I have another ‘Lutumba’ for you but it has One Problem !
The first track; ‘Coeur Artificiel’ has a disturbing Tac..tac..tac
through the whole number, a real Big Shame !
Maybe one of you wizzkidz can remove it for us and send it back.
Unfortunately I don’t control those skills. On the other hand I
thought you wouldn’t want to miss it anyway, the other 3 songs
sound as they should. Have you seen the video’s I linked you to
at Worldservice yesterday ? Absolutely amazing to see how
Lutumba plays that guitar, if you didn’t, go watch it !

tracks;

1 Coeur artificiel
2 Mangassa
3 Sindo na Bruxelles
4 Maclebert

To end this evening of great Congolese singers, this le T.P.O.K. Jazz.
It’s a special jubilee release with Franco and Le Poete
Lutumba Simaro, our friend and collegue of Worldservice
knows_more_details.

He’s the one with the specific background information,
I’m doing the smalltalk and this old record.
Check it out.

tracks;

1 Testament ya bowule
2 Vaccination
3 Tala merçi ba pesaka mbua
4 Aminata na zangi visa

The second album to come out on SAM records ( Système Art Musique ).
Great guitar work by Syran, Pablo and Sammy Massamba.
Sam Mangwana brings ode to fellow African country’s, Zimbabwe
and Cameroun. Grab it.

tracks;

1 Maria Tebbo
2 Tchimurenga Zimbabwe
3 Bana ba Cameroun

Congo’s greatest singer of all time is Tabu Ley Rochereau.
On this album we hear him perform with Orchestre Afrisa International.
These recordings from the early 70’s have such a subtel relaxed
sound, you wouldn’t want to miss. Listen.

tracks;

1 Kaful mayay 1 & 2
2 Mayeya
3 Mass media
4 Nzale
5 Mose – Konzo
6 Bala bala
7 Aon-aon
8 Lisala ngomba

When I see a record on Eddy’Son’s label I am immediately alert.
So when I saw this one passing, what can I say ? Master Mwana
and Syran on guitar, Theo Blaise backing vocals.
It was not a real gamble. David ‘Fefe’ Diambouana comes in with
an album I liked from the first tones.

People, I must correct myself here,
comparing this music with Franco or Mangwana, I just found
out that only the 4th track is in Lingala, Congolese, the other
three are in some other language. Not understanding the language
and only assuming it’s Congolese because at least 3 musicians are,
was jumping on conclusions too fast. David Diambouana is from
Brazzaville Congo according to ‘Ambiance Congo’.
Can any one tell us the inside on this topic ?
What is the language sung in the first 3 songs ?

tracks;

1 Nikeumbu kuaya-bika
2 Maman Cathie
3 Angue maman
4 Kisi ya bolingo

Now pay attention !

I am so very happy to finally have found an original Romanian
pressing of an album, so beautiful, I can cry.
No seriously, Romica Puceanu came to me first time
when I bought the great Suburban_Bucharest.
I was so very impressed by her two songs on that cd, that voice.

Maybe you think; Romanian music, not for me, but don’t mistake here.
Just listen to this heartwarming music and you will understand
why Romica Puceanu had the gypsies weeping all around her.
She started her career singing in bars. At age 14 she was
more or less discovered and guided by the Brothers Gore, with
whom she made several records. On this LP she is backed by
Orchestra Florea Cioaca and on acordeon, Bebe Serban.
I have taken the tracklist from the backsleeve this time
so I can’t go wrong. ( all those symbols )

R.I.P. Alton Ellis, 1938 – 2008

This afternoon I found out that one of my biggest idols has left
this world. He was known as the Godfather of Rocksteady.
Ska develloped through Rocksteady to Reggae and Alton Ellis
was there, inventing it.
This is his finest album to my opinion, it’s produced by
Cocksone Dodd on Studio One. He also recorded a lot of his
music in the Treasure Isle Studio’s. The above story, taken from
the Rough Guide to Reggae, illustrates that fact.
I have added 4 of his other great songs as a bonus.
Alton, you’ll live on in my heart forever.

tracks;

1 Joy in the morning
2 Sunday coming
3 These eyes
4 Hurting me
5 It’s true
6 Alton’s groove
7 What does it take to win your love
8 The picture was you
9 Gonna take a miracle
10 Your heart is gonna pay
11 Wide awake in a dream
12 You make me so very happy
13 Reasons in the sky
14 The winner ( ext. version )

Bonus tracks;

15 Dance crasher
16 Ain’t that loving you
17 Willow tree
18 Cry tough

Hello musiclovers around the globe, I just got back from a
two day record-hunt through Belgium and the Netherlands.
I visited Antwerp, Brussels, Nijmegen and Arnhem, and
found quite some material to spoil you with in the
forthcoming weeks.

I start with an album I was very lucky to find.
Let me explain, my first encounter with Ramito was
when I found this_album at La Caja de Pandora.
I was surprised and exited hearing this delightful style
form Puerto Rico. So when I had a conversation with Mrs. Salsa,
in the Amsterdam Bimhuis later, and heard her speak about Ramito
so passionately, I decided to start a search for his music.
She explained to me a ‘Jibaro’ is a wild dog in Cuba, but in
Puerto Rico it is this fine music.
For two days I saw a lot of LP’s and also bought quite some.
When I visited the very last shop, in Arnhem, they had very
little Worldmusic, I couldn’t believe my eyes when this
treasure of Ramito appeared. It was the rewarding final piece
I brought home from a great trip.

About Ramito, I’ll quote the backsleeve; “Ramito is a true
child of Puerto Rico. Born and raised there, he loves his
homeland and shows his devotion in his singing.
Ramito is a troubadour – as such he sings and improvises
about everything that moves him: Love, patriotism, politics
and the trivia of daily live.”
Our friend Yoyo from Listentoyourears will post some Jibaro
in the near future he promised me. He’s got a great collection
of this nice Puerto Rican music.

tracks;

1 El Jibaro del cuento
2 La historia de un mal padre
3 El deudor de todos
4 En el monte del olvido
5 Apellidos del hombre casado
6 Ramito en Hawaii
7 Soy Boricua
8 Penas que matan
9 El grito del buen Cubano
10 Flores para Hawaii
11 Aires Navideñas
12 Feliz año nuevo