Windy, Rainy Lagos

Tony Allen invented Afrobeat alongside Fela Kuti over 40 years ago.

We'll let that statement stand alone. Today, Tony is still deep in the game, making the music that made him famous and staying relevant (but not corny) with collaborations from all sorts of younger artists. Back in 2001, he worked with French producer Doctor L to create Psycho on Da Bus. I remember buying the disc from Hoodlum's music, where the stoner-owners called it "electronic Miles Davis." Recently, Allen's work received the electronic treatment again, as perennial Polyrhythmiques favorite Honest Jon's Records presented Lagos Shake. It was through this project that Tony encountered Chicago's Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, a nine piece that plays syrupy jazz with a head nod towards the head nodders.
Tony, Hypnotic, great LDN emcee Ty, and the legendary Baaba Maal all got together for a party thrown by Red Bull's Music Academy (your guess is as good as mine). Stream that here, or check out Elewon Po, a single from Tony's upcoming album Secret Agent, over on his myspace.

Skylarking

Horace Andy has been blessing the mic for over 40 years. He's done it all, from cutting singles (and his teeth) at the legendary Studio One, to collaborating with that other band from Bristol. These days, he's teamed up with UK producer Ashley Beedle for a little Inspiration Information. Ashley hasn't had a quiet career himself, he gave us several soul-inspired disco house classics in the 90s, and went on to remix Amadou and Mariam's "Coulibaby" before most of us knew who they were.
Now I might leave their version of "Angie" over there on that side of the pond, but bringing in yet another Bristol artist, DJ Pinch, for a dubsteppy remix of "Watch We" is a definite right-on.

(download it vowels and all at RCRD LBL)

Revival

David Murray here calling Jesus through the tenor sax. Y'all know I got a soft spot for some Chuuuch. Revival in a green field, a first breeze blowing through the tent flaps, taking the spirit out to the passing clouds. Whatever makes this music makes this music.

Hatred vs. Hot Beats

We here at Polyrhythmiques love dancehall reggae. Marching beats, synthed-out bass, and raw lyrics bring out some instinctive desire to raise two fingers in the air and buck shots. However, we have always been disappointed with the close-mindedness reggae artists maintain towards gays. Case in point: Movado's 2008 "Dem a Fag", on the Self Defense riddim. Turns out Movado was actually referring to rival Jamaican deejay Vybz Kartel. The two have been battling since 2006, and while Movado's accusations against Vybz's sexuality are harsh, the slightly auto-tuned cries of "fuck ya mudder" on Mr. Kartel's "Wha Dat Fah" seem far more incendiary. Fortunately, both artists bring precise delivery to almost evey riddim they touch, so the feud is far from becoming boring.

Movado: "Dem a Fag"


Vybz Kartel "What Dat Feh"

2008-bit Future Ish

Screwston, TX's Squincy Jones has produced an excellent mix to wrap up the oh-eight; a brilliant cocktail of where sound is right now.  With Nintendub, he blends wobbly dubstep with chopped and screwed Southern rap, topping the whole concoction off with 8-bit Nintendo loops.  Primo.  (via dj/rupture, sort of).

Kwaito

In ZA the gangster musik that makes you scared comes equipped with kick drum on every beat - musik that still reps the tuffest of the tuff but aims to keep folks steady dancing. South Africa's Kwaito music matured alongside 90's era stateside hip-hop, but with a stronger injection of Chicago house influencing the pace. If you want the info, go check whoever put all this in. Or listen to this writer's alma mater give it the documentary treatment.


Here's a couple joints from that web video site thing.


Mzekezeke:




And a lil Tkzee:

Menahan Street Band, Lil' Pookie!

This shit is jammin. I found it on Emusic. Which is the shit, if you don't know. Then i see Soul-sides O-dub done already done a write up. Go listen over there. In a nutshell "Dude from the Dap-Kings does his own ting." Aside from a slightly suspect Rocky rendition, this is on some instrosoul that you need when you're looking out the window at work and it's 4:30 and already getting dark. Young Hova already took it pop though, so even when your lil' pookie goes diggin in your crates for the futurefunk rave music that they vibe to you can be like, "That shit got sampled before it even hit the shelves! Keep looking, pookie."