The word from Mississippi…
‘Relentless polyrhythms, call and response vocal poetry, melodic and layered horns, flute, and even accordion!!! A huge and rich sonic landscape, propulsive, energetic, and deeply soulful.
‘Every neighborhood in Dakar has its own Assiko band. They’re community groups, open to anyone who wants to join, as opposed to the legendary griot culture that only allows select families to take part.
‘These hyper-democratic bands can kick off a thousand-person street party at any moment. But they also operate as mutual aid groups, neighborhood security, impromptu after-school programs, and repositories of local music and lore.
The Assiko Band of Grand Yoff neighborhood is led by Djiby Ly (Wau Wau Collectif), who takes his role in the community seriously. He’s led iterations of the band for over a decade, and describes in detail each rhythm they play, its roots, travels, and contours. This Assiko band is particularly prolific and popular, and these recordings remind me of a good rock band - loose and rangy, you can hear the humor and warmth amongst the bandmates come through.’

The first of his three Fela-produced solo LPs, from 1975.

Half-price this weekend.

Mythical 1981 recording by the Mancunian eleven-piece, supervised by Prince Hammer. Reason was the sound-boy weapon. Compellingly off-kilter and atmospheric.

Sensational Texan guitar blues. Gatemouth comes out of T-Bone Walker. Don Robey started the Peacock label, just to put his records out. Without Clarence there is no Johnny Guitar Watson. Killer, killer, killer.

Loco, lo-fi garage and psych, 1966-7, put together by the people behind the excellent Six Feet Under compilation.

Blissful boogie-down soul by the Fatback Band alumnus, produced by Greg Carmichael and Patrick Adams; originally released in 1978. With the almighty It Ain’t No Big Thing.

Too experimental for their label International Artists, back in 1967.

A recording at the Maison de la Radio in May 1973; broadcast on France Culture later that year, but never released till now. Songs from their various early-seventies albums, but stripped right back, highlighting Fontaine’s inventive and provocative poetry, with only their own accompaniment of guitar, percussion, and accordion.

The former Flair and Leiber and Stoller go-to is a rock ‘n’ roll hero. A charged, witty, extrovert guide to its glory days — from doo wop through blues, rhythm and blues, rock and roll… into soul. Terrific stuff.