Universal Champion

Michael James Williams, better known as Prince Far I, is no stranger to these pages. The one with the voice of thunder was probably my fave toaster of them all. Here he envisions a 15 rounds boxing match between natty dreadlocks and Babylon. And behold: "I can see some blood comin' from Babylon nose..."

Prince Far I - Natty Champion

Fiesta Grande

Listen up, my faithful flamenco friends, for this one sure is special. Vocalists Antonio De La Malena, Mijita Hijo, El Barullo, El Chico, El Torta, and Manuel Moneo take turns singing their hearts out, accompanied on guitar by the masterful Moraito Chico and Niño de Periquín. A true flamenco feast, over thirty minutes long. ¡Agua!

Antonio De La Malena, Mijita Hijo, El Barullo, El Chico, El Torta y Manuel Moneo - Fiesta Por Bulerías

Look See

"Plain as your eyes can see, read what the sign says..." So stop, look, and listen, mi amigos da musica.

Jim Sullivan - Plain As Your Eyes Can See

Plush - Three-quarters Blind Eyes
Ed Askew - Little Eyes
Thelonious Monk - There's Danger In Your Eyes, Cherie (take 2)
Warne Marsh - Smog Eyes
John Coltrane - The Night Has A Thousand Eyes

Off To College

It's 1974, and we're in that hot Algerian port city called Oran. Young Khaled's party band just went belly up. He's fourteen years old and decides to go it alone. Trig Lycée ('the way to college') is his first single, and to call it promising would be an understatement.

Cheb Khaled - Trig Lycée

And the rest, as they say, is raï rebel history. Here's a stone cold fave from later days.

Cheb Khaled - Sidi Boumediène

Rope & Hoot

"Lone Star sippin' and skinny dippin' and steel guitars and stars, are just as good as Hollywood and them boogie woogie bars..." Hell yeah. Buy yourselves a vest and head out west, why don't you... It's never too late to go cosmic.

Michael Murphey - Cosmic Cowboy (Part One)

Urban cowboy bonus tracks:

Kevin Ayers - Champagne Cowboy Blues
Pere Ubu - Lonesome Cowboy Dave

Beyond Love

And here's mr. Lou Barlow, the original losing loser, at home in his bedroom. Tape's running.

Sentridoh - Beyond The Barbwire
Sentridoh - Strange Love

That All?

Here's a great twisted take on the Leiber & Stoller-penned chestnut Is That All There Is?, once made famous by Peggy Lee. Cristina's version got pulled soon after its 1980 release, as the no wave chanteuse's hilarious rewrite of the lyrics didn't go down so well with the famous composers duo. Which didn't stop it from becoming a bona fide cult classic of course. "Let's break out the booze and have a ball..."

Cristina - Is That All There Is?

Garvey's Ghost

Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr. (1887–1940) was a Jamaican political leader, publisher, journalist, and entrepreneur. He founded the Black Star Line, a part of the Back-to-Africa movement, which promoted the return of the African diaspora to their ancestral lands. Hence, he was revered by rastas far and wide. And here's a heavy heavy roots six pack to prove it. "Marcus Garvey's words come to pass, can't get no food to eat, can't get no money to spend..."

Burning Spear - Marcus Garvey
Johnny Clarke - Poor Marcus
Culture - Garvey Rock
Revolutionaries - Garvey Dub
Jack Ruby & The Black Disciples - Marcus Garvey Dub
Burning Spear - Old Marcus Garvey

Blood Boils

Musical hybrid anyone? Here's Tamatant Tilay, on which British freakfolkers Tunng team up with the Tuareg troupe of Tinariwen in the studios of Auntie Beeb. Works wonders. Next, compare with the desert original.

Tunng & Tinariwen - Tamatant Tilay
Tinariwen - Tamatant Tilay

Joining The Maquis

Hey, you know me: trop civilisé et, mon dieu, trop cool... So I guess it makes sense that I'm off on a trip to gay Paree for a few days. A bientôt!

Metal Urbain - Paris Maquis
Clock DVA - Eternity In Paris
Jonathan Richman - Give Paris One More Chance
Coleman Hawkins - Under Paris Skies

Cantes De España

Or: back again, with a quartet of fantastic flamenco pieces from thirties Spain. Featuring Pepe Pinto, Antonio Mairena, Manolita from Jerez, and last but not least the legendary Tomás Pavon. ¡Palmas y agua!

Pepe Pinto - Hermanita, Sientate A Mi Vera Cuando Querra La Virgen Del Mayor Dolor
Antonio Mairena - Soleá De Alcalá
Manolita De Jerez - Bulerias
Tomás Pavon - Cantes De Triana