Sunny Tracks For A Rainy Day: Orlando Julius

Orlando Julius & His Modern Aces: Ise Owo and Bojoubari
From: Super Afro Soul [Phonogram Nigeria, 1966]

Hooray for global warming! It's mid July and I'm still eagerly awaiting the beginning of British summertime. Never one to let 60 days of constant rain affect me, I've been breaking up the periods of self harm and Joy Division with some desperate attempts at creating my own sonic sunshine with the UV rays of the marvellous Orlando Julius & His Modern Aces.

A massive star in his native Nigeria, Orlando's 1966 LP, Super Afro Soul, is widely regarded these days as a benchmark album in the development of world funk (DustyGroove, in classically understated fashion, describes it as being an "inspiration to some of James Brown's funkier work of the late 60s!") despite never originally being released outside his homeland.

A mixture of African rhythms, fierce horns and straight soul have helped seal the reputation of this album over the last couple of years and worth revisiting.

Ise Owa is a great great track, with a cheeky horn riff that streams through the darkest clouds and a percussion section not dissimilar to the JB band.

Bojubari kicks off with a cracking drum break before settling into a slower groove which has a more distinctly African feel than Isw Owa but is still pure funk.

So, the soundtrack is in place, now, pretty please, bring on the sunshine........

On a side note, I'm aware that we haven't been fulfilling our side of the bargain regarding updating the site recently so I'll try and pop by again tomorrow with possibly my favourite slept on rap album of all time.

Osibisa: Music Beyond Labels

Osibisa: Spirits Up Above and Rabiatu
From: Woyaya [MCA Records, 1971]

Apologies if today's post is a little abrupt, I'm currently experiencing the joys of a spring cold and am feeling less than sociable. However, before we go any further with this post you have to promise me something. Promise me you won't stop reading as soon as I refer to the following group as "World Music". Believe me, that term tends to send shivers down my neck and invite uncontrollable retching due to bad childhood experiences with my parents record collection. So, ignoring stereotypes, while Osibisa may be generally classed as World Music, this isn't some trendy fad music, oh no, this is proper soulful funk.

Composed of six highly talented musicians, the band formed in London at the end of the sixties but kept their Ghanaian and Caribbean roots tightly woven into the music they produced. Blending African rhythms with jazz, funk and rnb the guys were one of the first world music groups to gain international success and are still touring today. You can read more about them on their official website

Both songs are from their second release, Woyaya and showcase the versatility of the outfit. I absolutely adore Spirits Up Above, the way it takes a soulful intro with harmonies rising and falling over the trumpets and switches it up to an extremely funky jam session. Two songs for the price of one and both lovely.

Raibatu is a more African influenced piece, bass heavy percussion and flutes mixing with the piano and harmonies, slowly turning darker and more drum heavy as the song progresses, breaks for days.

World Music? Pah. It's all about good music my friends, fuck the labels.

For A Rainy Day

Arthur Verocai: Caboclo and Dedicada A Ela
From Arthur Verocai [A&M, 1969]

A recent Soulstrut post, and the fact that it's starting to rain in my neck of the woods has inspired me to post a couple of tracks from this overlooked Brazilian guitarist.

Born Arthur Cortes Verocai in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 1945, Verocai studies music with Leo Soares, Darci Villaverde, Nair Barbosa da Silva, Roberto Menescai, and Vilma Graca. Strangers to most I'm sure, but they helped carve one fine guitarist. Verocai began his career as a musician and arranger, scoring music for the theater and orchesta, as well as arranging records for various Brazilian artist.

His 1972 debut took his musical talents even further, creating dreamy arrangements of jazzy soul with hints of funk. "My opportunity came when I was recording this album. I created a rhythmic cell in the acoustic guitar with the harmonic line. I added bass and the non-conventional drums and the percussion with a very smooth orchestration in blocks (four trumpets and a flute) plus the delicate touch of the strings (12 violins, 4 violas and 4 cellos). By 1972 many of the musicians of my generation were feeling the same influences. Because of our exposure to all many musical influences, we put a distance between us and the conventional recording styles. "

The result is quite a remarkable album, one that plays perfectly with a rainy day, or any occaision that calls for ethereal backdrops. I could post the whole album without hesitation, but if I had to pick a couple tracks these might be them. "Caboclo" is a sweet number, simple, yet unforgettable. "Dedicada a Ela" shows Verocai's arranging capabilities, starting slow and sultry before turning into a beautiful jazz piece.

I'm normally not a huge fan of reissues, but for lost gems like these it's hard to resist, and the fact that originals fetch around $500 makes this one a no brainer. If anyone has an OG, holla!