Paraphrasing the Soul Sonic Force and sorting through today`s releases for tunes that could have graced Alfie & Leo`s Amnesia dance floor.

When I met Alfredo Fiorito – Godfather Of The Balearic Beat – a few years ago now – one of the questions on my obsessive`s list was, “What did you listen to, chill out to, post-club?” Alfredo`s answer gave a sharp insight into just how “on it” he was during Amnesia`s heyday, in the mid to late 1980s. He explained that he didn`t really “chill out”. That following a marathon set at Amnesia, he would go home and listen to the recording of the evening (every night was recorded). Assessing what worked and what didn`t. That he`d spend the day record shopping, and practicing. In between driving around, again with a cassette of the night before playing in the car. He did say that on the rare occasions that his energy crashed, he would hit the beach bars along Las Salinas, where the DJs eased his recovery with music from Brazil. 

Me telling you this, is an attempt to introduce, neatly, to two new reissues on Joe Davis` Far Out Recordings. Two mid-70s projects from Brazilian comedians Chico Anysio and Arnauld Rodrigues.

Baiano & Os Novos Caetanos – Cidadao Da Mata – Far Out Recordings

Azambuja & Cia – Tema Do Azambuja – Far Out Recordings

Baiano & Os Novos Caetanos is a dig at the duo`s “right-on” contemporaries, the Tropicalia-istas. Who Anysio and Rodrigues deemed to be po-faced. The comedians` recording pseudonym is a banging together of key Tropicalia artists, Caetano Veloso and Novos Baianos. On the record, the pair occasionally assume funny voices, but their satire is backed by Azymuth. So, musically, its a pretty damn fine reproduction of Tropicalia`s politically-charged Hendrix & Beatles-inspired melting pot. Acoustic guitars, accordion, and Juice harp mix up Forró, Baião, ballads and a Reggae lilt, with Whole Lotta Love Rock riffs, Psyche fuzz, and tumbling percussion. Wah wah, with brass fanfares, and Spaghetti Western twang. Sounding like Os Mutantes meet Gal Costa`s Relance. The tracks segueing via crowd noise. Applause, chants and cheers.

Azambuja & Cia is the soundtrack to the TV series of the same name. A vehicle for Anysio and Rodrigues` creation, the con man, Paulo Maurico Azambuja. Again the music is provided by Azymuth. Here adding Arp strings and funky Clavs. The album`s more laid-back than the Baiano & Os Novos Caetanos set. With some similarities, sonically, to Jorge Ben. The highlights, for me, are the harmonica on Nega Brecho, and the Chakachas / Stories-like beat of Tema Do Azambuja.

Dorothy Ashby – Canto De Ossanha – Black Hole

One of two tracks lifted from the 1969 Cadet LP, Dorothy`s Harp, and pressed up on what I suspect is an illegitimate 45. Canto De Ossanha is a Baden Powell cover produced by Richard “Burning Spear” Evans, that`s a nice way out of the Brazilian stuff. 

Quiroga – Ciao Fischio – Really Swing

Superior head-nodding sampledelia from Walter Quiroga.

Malphino – Molienda – Lex

Malphino features members from Colombia, France, Japan, Philippines, and the UK. On accordion, Garage Rock organ, percussion, surf guitar, Tarzan shouts, and tuba. They sound like a Cumbia revision of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra. Dancing a Polka to faux-Exotica. Mixing in influences from each individual`s homeland. The album`s out on May 4th, via Warp off-shoot, Lex. 

Blank & Jones – Good (Leo Mas & Fabrice Mix) – Soundcolours

Lifted from Blank & Jones`Milchbar Seaside Season 10 CD. A compilation which puts their own compositions alongside those of Phil Mison`s Ambala, Chris Coco, Maricopa and Troel`s Hammer. Leo & Fabrice`s remix of Good forcefully chugs against a slowly descending bass-line, sunset / sunrise synth swells, and Jazz guitar licks. The lonely piano though, is what makes the track. Taking your mind for a stroll. Letting it wander wistfully where it will. With a touch of Mr. Fingers` Missing You melancholy. There`s a vinyl sampler due on May 10th. 

Lou Blic – Mineralite – Music From Memory

Sax-honking, percussive, Post-Punk poetry and jungle Funk, that evolves into a full blown Jazz solo. Another standout from Jamie Tiller & Raphael Top-Secret`s Uneven Paths.

Smith & Mudd – Janet 50 (I-Cube Remix) – Claremont 56

Parisian electronic music institution I-Cube turning the Balearic Rock of Smith & Mudd`s Janet 50 into mid-tempo`d House. With a half-stepping B-line that recalls Loft classics by Psychotropic and Holy Ghost. 

 

William DeVaughn – Be Thankful For What You`ve Got – Roxbury

Highly influential and the subject of countless covers, Be Thankful…`s a classic crossover feelgood Soul / Pop song that every home should have. Its Record Store Day reissue – on Gangster White Wall vinyl – makes that a possibility again.

Unknown – C60 Lato A – Talking Drums

Piccadilly Records-linked, and Growing Bin-championed edits. One side is Disco pitched down and turned into a Soft Rock groover – somewhere between Blue Gas` Shadows From Nowhere and Stephane Sévérac`s Hold On. But it`s the other that does it for me. Wonky, percussive, looped-up and set to a bouncing b-line. Gradually revealing itself to be a piece of horny Afro. 

Yasuaki Shimizu – Tamare Tamare (Chee`s edit) – Japanism

A moment of dance floor drama from Yasuaki Shimizu`s Re: Subliminal compilation. Put together by Chee Shimizu of Organic Music. A proto-House, Electro collaboration that brings together musicians from France, Japan, Senegal, and Tunisia.

Rudy`s Midnight Machine – Reach Backless – Faze Action

The most uptempo cut from Robin Lee`s Midnight Safari E.P. Setting up a backing that invokes an `80s of Peech Boys, Rockers Revenge, and Sunnyview. Then topping it off with some very classy piano. 

Seb Wildblood – Wet Plants (Telephones Mix) – Omena

There are four remixes on Seb Wildblood`s The One With The Emoticon E.P. They`re all great, but those from the two most familiar names will grab the most attention. 

Telephones plays with a Salsoul break (Let Know Man Put Asunder? I`m saying that `cos while listening I`ve got the line “I`m surprised to see your suitcase at the door” going round and round in my noodle) and sets off sonar blips like fireworks (or should that be cruise missiles in the light of unfortunately on-going news?). Pretty chimes are infinitely looped in counterpoint in the manner of Derrick May making over Sueno Latino. The vibe, that trance-y loved-up one of all those old Italian records on Heartbeat and Calypso. If I were Pete Tong, then this would be my Miami Music Week tune. Turning it up loud, and about-facing all mirrors, it`s easy to pretend that I`m one of those trim folks in swimwear dancing poolside in the sunshine. 

In contrast, D.K. creates a music of the tides. Ethereal sighs, pan pipes, and gentle polyrhythms. One for your holidays. Unless you already live on a beach.

Moscoman – I Ran – Disco Halal

I Ran combines an extended Marcus Mixx-like drum workout with zithers and trippy arabic vocals. The effect is a bit like Cut Hands at Shoom, or Glory`s. 

The Woodentops – Why Why Why (Live at Glastonbury 1987) – BBC TS

An alternate version of the seminal Balearic Beat. Included in part to promote Rolo McGinty`s excellent recounting of the background to the song`s recording. Please take a look, if you haven`t already. 

Tracklist

Baiano & Os Novos Caetanos – Cidadao Da Mata – Far Out Recordings

Azambuja & Cia – Tema Do Azambuja – Far Out Recordings

Dorothy Ashby – Canto De Ossanha – Black Hole

Quiroga – Ciao Fischio – Really Swing

Malphino – Molienda – Lex

Blank & Jones – Good (Leo Mas & Fabrice Mix) – Soundcolours

Lou Blic – Mineralite – Music From Memory

Smith & Mudd – Janet 50 (I-Cube Remix) – Claremont 56

William DeVaughn – Be Thankful For What You`ve Got – Roxbury

Unknown – C60 Lato A – Talking Drums

Yasuaki Shimizu – Tamare Tamare (Chee`s edit) – Japanism

Rudy`s Midnight Machine – Reach Backless – Faze Action Recordings

Seb Wildblood – Wet Plants (Telephones Mix) – Omena

Moscoman – I Ran – Disco Halal

The Woodentops – Why (Live at Glastonbury 1987) – BBC