WFHB FireHouse Broadcasting

The Paul Carlon Octet

Roots Propaganda

“What if the spirit warrior goddess had blown through the Hurricane Club during Drake Ellington’s early 1940’s flirtations with Latin jazz?  Jazz saxophonist and composer Paul Carlon and his Octet imagined such a musical scenario.  On this album, the ensemble returns to the roots of classic jazz and to the Afro-Latin roots that have sent Carlon on a spiritual journey of sound around Latin America.  His mission: to bring roots music center stage and jazz back down to earth.”~(rock paper scissors)

comments / tracks  of interest: 

#2: slow & swanky

#4: scat jazz

*#7: sax solo in beginning, other instruments and vocals follow

#8: traditional condomble chant for the orisha, oshun.

#10: very slow

#11: more swan

k#12: staggered rhythms

Jackson Conti

Sujinho

“Jackson Conti is a new project between Madlib (Otis Jackson, Jr.) and Ivan "Mamão" Conti. You hear some incredible songs, along with jam sessions that show the development and process of great songs to be, or simple jamming in order to find the perfect beat.  It's distinctly Brazilian due to the percussion of Mamão, but there's a trippy groove that is undeniably Madlib.  Musically, it is a mixture of the various styles of Brazil, plus soul, funk, and especially jazz.  Some of the songs sound carefully arranged, but as one of the spoken interludes reveals, sometimes it's about the importance of improvisation and simply playing from feel.”~(John Book)

comments / tracks  of interest: 

#2: classic yet modern

#4: “claustrophobic yet open vibe”

#5: begins w/ intense Brazilian drumming then changes up quite a lot

#8: classic yet modern

#9: female vocals

#11: soprano saxophone solo

#12: 3/4/ time signature

African Scream Contest

Benin is the birthplace of Vodun (voodoo) which is, “all about losing yourself in traditional rhythms.”~(Chris Moss)  You can also lose yourself with the African Scream Contest.   The project began in 2005 when a traveler to Benin searched for good African albums.  30 months and a few thousand records later, Analog Africa began releasing a series from the music collection.  This is the third.  Musicians are, “taking the coolest parts of funk, soul and disco to reinvent and transform their own music and culture.”~(Chris Moss)  Brazilian (samba), French, and local rhythms heard on the radio are also of significant influence.

comments / tracks  of interest: 

all tracks are good…find your fave!

#1: Cuban brass, Congolese chorus, & psychedelic riffs

#2: in the spirit of blues

#5: this song stirred up it’s own revolution on the music scene in Benin

Fiesta Latina

Salsa, meringue and bachata…it’s all here!

comments / tracks  of interest: 

#4: fun & lively

#10: rap version

#13: medium tempo w/ flute

#15: funky ominous feel w/ abrasive female vocals

Cuban Street Party

“Havana, famed for its rum, tobacco and Afro-Latin rhythms, is home to some of the liveliest party-people on earth.  The rough guide to Cuban Street Party celebrates this exhilarating spirit by reuniting the best loved USA based Cuban exiles including Celia Cruz and Roberto Torres with world famous Island talents such as Sierra Maestra and Yumuri Y Sus Hermanos.” (Rough Guide)

comments / tracks  of interest: 

#2:

#8: Celia Cruz prepares you for Carnival

#10:

#13: salsa w/ rap and violins

#14: scratchy record sound in beginning…raps too