I don’t know how I could’ve been any later on posting this, the first edition of the annual equinoxical rituals from Awkward Movements crew. The fact that part 2 for 2022 is just days away prompted me to lock myself away for a few minutes and share what’s become one of my most important listening pieces for the year so far.
Recorded back in February and shared at the time, Kamikaze and Jimmy Monsta Funk took on Africa as the theme for the first of the musical explorations. The deepest of the four corners when it comes to sonic contribution and evolution, it’s probably unsurprising then how much material they’ve pulled out here that I’m. hearing for the first time.
There’s no way to describe this besides a beautiful journey. There are many intersections where raw field recordings meet modern interpretations on traditional rhythms seamlessly. As always I’m left in awe of these two masters.
With the ownership of land and culture being at the forefront of some leader’s minds right now, we’ve decided to concentrate on territories for our Seasons Changes mixes this year. To create a quartet of offerings, we’ve gone back to the old concept of the Four Corners of the Earth, with our corners consisting of Africa, The Americas, Asia and Europe. We’ve racked our brains as to how we’ll divide up the countries of the World, but it’s a much more anodyne process than that which took place in Berlin in 1884, Cairo in 1921 or Yalta in 1945.
This first selection takes us to the cradle of civilization, Africa. We hope to share with you music directly from the continent, music influenced by the continent, and the threads of culture that weaved into the multi-lingual countries that the African diaspora have spread out to under the steam of their own volition, and through the threat and receipt of violence by their colonial oppressors.
Full tracklist below.
Happy Equinox! x
Mulatu of Ethiopia – Chifara [Worthy]
Pharaoh Sanders – Our Roots Began In Africa [Verve]
Cesária Évora – Angola (Bateau Ivre Rework by Pepe Bradock) [Lusafrica]
The Ano Nobo Quartet – Maria Cze Bu Tem [Ostinato]
Maulidi Musical Party – Kabibi [Buda]
Maalem Mahmoud Gania – La Ilha Illa Allah [Hive Mind]
Salah Ragab – Ole (Cairo Version) [Honest Jons]
Aby Ngana Diop – Dieuleul-Dieuleul [Awesome Tapes of Africa]
Hugh Masekela – Don’t Go Lose It Baby [Jive]
Albert Bisaso Ssempeke & Band – Akasozi Bamunanuka Keyagaza [Nyege Nyege Tapes]
Mira Calix – Transport Me [Warp]
Klein – Skyfall [Pentatone]
Africa Express Presents – Terry Riley’s In C Mali [Transgressive]
Maw Presents A Tribute To Fela – MAW Expensive [MAW Records]
Buraka Som Sistema – Komba Featuring Kaysha [Enchufada]
Hunanki – Atiah Mba [Makkum]
Nihiloxica – Black Kaveera [Crammed Discs]
Pan Afrique – Angee Koko : Rasta Cobra Okot Rework [Nyege Nyege Tapes]
Nephews of Phela – Uhuru Mash-Up* [Unknown]
Africanism Loves Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Steel Storm (Main Mix) [Africanism]
Four Brothers – Makorokoto [Discograph]
Hocine Chaoui – Ouechesma [Outer National]
Guedra Guedra – Aura [On The Corner]
Zuli – Where Do You Go [UIQ]
Stay-C – Russian Doll [Hospital]
MC Solaar – Nouveau Western [Talkin’ Loud]
Aquizim – African Connection [Ariwa]
Scotch Rolex – Omuzira (ft. MC Yallah) [Hakuna Kalala]
DJ Black Low – Stiwawa Quitter [Awesome Tapes From Africa]
Riton & Kah-Lo – Fake ID [Last Gang]