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EMOTIONAL RESCUE

Group Du Jour was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1983 and have had a storied career spanning the decades since. They have always brought together live, ethnic, and electronic sounds with folk and modern pop, later getting ever more experimental. Early albums Forgotten Colors in 1986 and Wonderful Vision in 1988 are groundbreaking affairs, the latter of which gave rise to 'Motion Of Waves', which is something of a cult favourite for deep diggers. It is a rich instrumental groove that layers up synthesiser, flute, guitar and haunting vocals sitting over a brilliantly electric beat. The whole thing was a live one-take recording and is perfectly suited to both sunset and sunup moments of dancing pleasure.

TRACK LISTING

"Motion Of Waves"
"Motion Of Waves" (Cassette Mix)
"We Travel Dark Waters"

Betty & The Code Red is a life and creative partnership between Benin-born Tunde Obazee and his girlfriend Betty. The pair grew up in Nigeria and would play all manner of instruments to entertain people at the local school before staying together as they went on to live in Italy and the US. Obazee performed at colleges and universities despite no formal training and eventually recorded a selection of tunes together including a small album on relatively new bits of gear like the Yamaha RX7. Emotional Rescue has collated some of their best work across two new EPs, this being one of them.

TRACK LISTING

"Akure"
"Is Wrong (Apartheid)"
"Cry Africa"
"Hard Working"

There is always a good backstory to the music that Emotional Rescue releases and this EP is a case in point. It comes from Betty & The Code Red and Betty was the girlfriend of Tunde Obazee, a Nigerian-born artist who used music as a "non-violent tool to express his socio-political opinions on global injustice." The pair would entertain people on campus by playing anything they could get their hands on, informed by the old Edo folk songs they had grown up around. They went on to live in Italy and the US and start a family as well as lay down self-released songs that have become cult classics. A selection of them feature on this, the first of two EPs from the pair.

TRACK LISTING

"Wishful Thinking"
"Na Wahala"
"Na My Life Be Dis"
"Memories"

Emotional Rescue's vital Konduko reissue series sadly comes to an end here with a look at the label's final years. In those days it moved away from reggae, disco and boogie towards an enduring electro sound that had a vast and lasting impact on the Miami scene. The biggest tune from that time was when Noel Williams linked with local songwriter Lawrence Dermer aka Der Mer for the track reissued here. 'Fall Out' soon became a hit with its driving electro-funk rhythms. The original sits next to the later Fresh '86" mix as well as a NAD disco mix from Dan Tyler, best known as one of the Idjut Boys. It's an irresistible package of body-popping electro with hooks for days.

TRACK LISTING

"Fall Out"
"Fall Out" (Fresh '86)
"Fall Out" (NAD Discomix)

King Sporty / The Extra Funk Factory

Fantasy - Incl. Jonny Rock Remix

The last of the Konduko series from Emotional Rescue arrives now and quite possibly it is the best of the lot from Noel Williams. His 'Fantasy' saw him work with Larry Dermer aka Der Mer on what is an effective and catchy electro jam that operates at the higher end of the tempo chart with some classic vocoder vocal action to really make it pop. Despite being released originally in 1984 this one still bangs with its emulated TR-808 beats and nagging melodies. The instrumental heightens that and then the Jonny Rock Discomix shuts down with long-form rework that shows why the DJ, editor and all-round amiable bloke is so well regarded.

TRACK LISTING

Fantasy
Fantasy (Instrumental)
Fantasy (Jonny Rock Discomix)

Kalahari Surfers

Censorship Is Killing Music (Gross National Products 1981-1989)

South African Warrick Sony is a ground breaking composer who was behind the Kalahari Surfers project which now gets a vital spotlight courtesy of Emotional Rescue. This compilation shows how effortlessly eclectic his sound was - from jive rhythms to jazz, tabla to political speeches and much more in between. A Hindu pacifist who was once conscripted into the South African Defense Force, he founded this group as a way out getting his ides out there, calling on other musicians as and when he needed them. It was the first radical white anti-apartheid pop in South Africa and as this vital collection shows it explored polyrhythms, slow motorik, dub sound collage and even a goofy cover of Nancy Sinatra.

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
1. "Free State Fence"
2. "Crossed Cheques"
3. "Running Out Of Time"
4. "Beat About The Bush"
5. "Ten Dirty Fingers"
6. "Hillbrow 2"

Side 2
1. "Don't Dance"
2. "Beatle Love Song"
3. "I Wonder Why"
4. "Song For Magnus"
5. "Messer Im Kopf"
6. "Telephone"
7. "Perpetual Emotion"

As one of the finest and most stylishly eclectic labels out there, you never know where Emotional Rescue will go next. This time out they head into a world of Afro-cosmic, a scene initially pioneered by early and groundbreaking Italian DJ Danielle Baldelli. Boyake's 1990 gem 'Ethno Groove' stands out as a classic of the genre and joins the dots between the early house and techno sounds that were sweeping Italy with new age ideals, Afro drums and chunky tribal percussion next to Balearic synths. It features syncopated analogue beats and live percussion and as well as the original, this 12" features two of the further mixes that came in 1994. All are heady, head-turning and mind-melting pumpers.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: A proper Baldelli-endorsed thumper from a surprisingly later period than the cosmic hayday. This feels like it was pulled straight from those original Cosmic Club mixtapes, but actually came some 7 years later.

TRACK LISTING

Ethno Groove
Ethno Groove (New Age To Bokaye Mix)
Ethno Groove (Double Beat Explosion Mix)
Ethno Groove (Tribal Mix)

Noted reggae vocalist Barry Biggs comes under the Emotional Rescue microscope here with celebrated LA digger Patrick Billard aka DJ Duckcomb remixing one of his cuts. First up is the original version of 'Illusion' which has big pianos over the clean digital dub. The soaring vocal is obscured by plenty of lush effects and melodies. After a version twists and contorts the original, the DJ Duckcomb Discomix slows things down and ups the dazzling disco vibes but keeps the dub dubby bottom end to ensure plenty of dance floor impact. This is a classy one as ever from this label.

TRACK LISTING

Illusion
Illusion (Version)
Illusion (DJ Duckcomb Discomix)

King Sporty / Fashion Funktion

Sun Country - Incl. 40 Thieves Remix

Here comes Emotional Rescue and Konduko's last in their series of Noel Williams/King Sporty reissues, this time looking at later electro productions and the hip-hop/boogie influenced 'Sun Country'. Vocals and co-production come from Williams' long-time partner Betty Wright and as well as a vocal and instrumental mix there's a longform remix by Bay Area disco dub stalwarts, 40 Thieves.

By this point in his career, the godfather of Miami Bass had travelled a long way from his Jamaican roots in reggae and soul, paying homage to the warm climbs of the Sunshine State and laying down a much copied template using the TR-808 drum machine create the electronic emulations of the breakbeat, claps accenting the backbeat and trademark low frequencies shaking the floorboards. The instrumental stretches the arrangement, emphasising the interplay between electronics, bass, vocal samples, scratching and fx, the voice transformed into a percussive element in its own right. The flip sees 40 Thieves flexing their understated understanding of electro funk, making for a rounded, generation-jumping package.

TRACK LISTING

Sun Country
Sun Country (Instrumental)
Sun Country (40 Thieves Disco Mix)

The Vision

Far Away: 6 Songs Of Reggae & Dub Music

Emotional Rescue looks to the newly rebuilt but still very much culturally separate East and West Germany of the 1980s with this new EP. It's dub reggae through a post-punk and alternative lens by Hanover artists Felix Holter aka Dubvisionist. All these cuts have a very live, improvised feel because father way he worked from rhythms first and jammed endlessly before adding the vocals. They are taken from their 1987 release 10 Tracks Of Reggae & Dub Music which was inspired by the great Adrian Sherwood label On-U Sound label, and you can hear that clearly.

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
1. "Far Away"
2. "Different Language"
3. "Whirl"

Side 2
1. "Natty Vision"
2. "Fear"
3. "No 4"

The Konduko 7" series ends with the 4th and possibly best single with Noel Williams aka King Sporty's cover version of Bob Marley's "Them Belly Full", here released as "Dance To The Music".

First released on the Natty Dread album of 1974, it was Marley's first album working away from Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer and was a spiritually charged political and social statement, also featuring classics "No Women, No Cry", "Lively Up Yourself" and "Rebel Music".

As an associate and friend from their Studio One days, William's version makes sense, in the tradition of covers throughout reggae's history. Appearing a year late, the 1975 single came in Jamaican and US pressings, a nod to Konduko's roots, having started in Kingston before the move to Miami in the earlier part of the decade.

A warning against allowing the poor to go hungry, with the prophetic 'a hungry mob is an angry mob', the cover includes a lot of the Miami feel Sporty was incorporating. With instrumentation again from the Ocean Liners KC And Sunshine backing band, the horns and guitar raise the soul, with counter keys, Part 1 is a straight vocal, while Part 2 is close to a Version but more than an instrumental and in its title, shows its funk and soul background too. A perfect end to the series, the uplifting tracking belies the powerful message, bringing the Miami swing to the JA groove once more. 


STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: More from King Sporty's early period with a riotous cover of Bob Marley's "Them Belly Full". One of two releases on Konduko this week - both essential collectors items and strong relics of reggae-crossover history.

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
1. Dance To The Music (part 1)
Side 2
1. Dance To The Music (part 2) 

The second 7" in the Konduko series reissues this mega-rarity, Noel Williams aka King Sporty's own version of Bob Marley's Concrete Jungle. The connection between Marley and Williams was long-standing, both living in the tenements of West Kingston and gaining their musical foundations as part of the Studio One, that would reach fruition when they later co-wrote Buffalo Soldier together.

Clement Dodd's organisation was more than a label, running a sound system, studio, pressing plant and its own distribution. As Deejay on the system and later releasing his debut single on the label, William's learnt his craft, taking this knowledge to Miami and replicating much - expanding the Konduko label to encompass studio, plant and distribution.

First recorded with Lee Perry, Marley's 1971 original was famously rerecorded for The Wailers move to Island Records and their 1973 album, Catch A Fire. Here, a rare Williams' vocal is backed with horns atop a reggae-funk groove. The songs message of struggle is universal and everlasting, even with a touch of Miami swing.

This is backed by Young Girl, a single in its own right, from the same period. A rocksteady, breakbeat shuffle bely the songs roots in late 60s soul, with a powerful counterpoint vocal from wife and partner, Betty Wright. A collector's item itself, together they are essential.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: One of two King Sporty 7"s in this week. Hard to pick a favourite - they're both killer. And so nice to see his pre-disco evolution from Jamaica, to Miami and with more reggae focussed stylings from what would flavour his later discography. The Bob Marley and Lee Perry connection also makes these two 7"s highly desirable.

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
1. Concrete Jungle 
Side 2
1. Young Girl

Carl Weingarten and Multiphase Records return to Emotional Rescue with a  collection of the music of Delay Tactics and their live, reel-to-reel and collaborative experimentation, that spawned two remarkable albums.

After meeting guitarist Reed Nesbit from the St. Louis new wave scene , Weingarten joined forces for a series of concerts, performing with guitars running through tape looping delay systems similar to Robert Fripp's 'Frippertronics' ideals.

Producer and engineer Walter Whitney joined to record the debut album, Out-Pop Options (1982), when it became clear his skills were a perfect addition. Recording to 4-track analog tape, the sound developed from drone based to proto-techno pop. Digital technology, drum machines, guitar pedals and digital effects offered creative freedom that resulted in rhythmic, kraut inspired pieces.

These Kosmiche leanings retain a unique US aesthetic and continued after Nesbit's departure. When guitarist David Udell joined for Any Questions? (1984), greater explorations - now recorded to 8 track - pushed the envelope to a wider sound.

In an age of endless holy grails, the work of Delay Tactics has a resonance, spanning Eno to Ashra but with a place and sense beyond Europe and towards to new age and fourth world leanings of Laraaji, Hassel and Karma.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Yellow Samba
A2. Hands On Fire
A3. Cymbolia
A4. Oyster
A5. Basic Tactic
A6. Almost Touching
B1. Kites
B2. Journey To Omdurman
B3. Under The Ice
B4. Chasing Moroder
B5. Spring Man
B6. Woman In A Room (Of Colors)

The 3rd part (of 4) collating the music of International Noise Orchestra, Marching In Time 3 again highlights the breath of music this mainly studio project presented between 1987 and 1991.

Starting with The Atlantic Swimmer, Richard Strange leads with his ubiquitous punk poet delivery across pure late0s Balearics. Out on his own, sport or ambition, all atop strident guitar, one drop; funk drum and bass interplay.

The global music anthem Far Away is the first of 3 tracks by alias Internationales Gerauschorchester. Flowing like street soul remixes of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, as Rama Mani's vocals envelop and rise above the syncopation meets world love.

On the flip, the band shows their rock roots of Gimme More Lovin'. The vocal sees Strange in tandem with founders the Gemini Brothers behind the desk, as Ulrich on keys and Wolfgang on guitar let it all swing.

Finally, when you have a floating ensemble featuring master percussionists from the Indian sub-continent in Ramesh Shotham, R. A. Rajagopal, T. A. S. Man and T. N. Shashikumar then I Speak Your Body Electric with it's hazy, cosmic mid-tempo lure and the closing instrumental of eastern melodics of Veena Via Video, all ends in perfection.

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: Volume 3 of ERC's INO retrospective lands, showcasing the hyperactive brilliance of the group to the fullest. Cosmic rock, Fairlight funk, DX7 fusion, Konnakol dub and sitar drama all tumble together in the INO mixing bowl!

TRACK LISTING

A1. The Atlantic Swimmer
A2. Far Away
B1. Listen/Gimme More Lovin
B2. I Speak Your Body Electric
B3. Veena Via Video

Emotional Rescue presents the 2nd EP (of 4) highlighting the music of International Noise Orchestra. Centered around Ulrich Hornberg and Wolfgang Sperner, aka producers Gemini Brothers, this world "supergroup" released 5 LPs and 2 EPs in just 4 years.

Again showcasing their rhythm, calm and power, a metaphysical, real sensitivity and intellectualism, all wrapped around the groove. Starting with their own instrumental remix of Gimme Move Lovin', this little known 12" B side has long been a play for "heads" and allows the band's Pop Balearic, esoteric meets electronics to shine, layering Fairlight samples over a funky bass 4/4 around some '88 Amnesia pool dive.

Next the anthem, Yeh Naina Yaad Hai, as Asha Bhosle's beautiful vocals from the Manzil Manzil soundtrack, are mixed with drum machines to create a dream Bollywood meeting.

Again side two features 3 songs and starts like EP 1 with Glynnis Thomas (Savage Progress) vocals, now atop a sax laden Synth Pop brain, mind and body dance. Alias, Internationales Gerauschorchester offer wonderful jazz leanings for A Lulu A Bobe Danz, where the "bop" takes a leftfield embrace. To close then, Mr Richard Strange returns, invoking The Driving Force, returning to the idiosyncratic, percussive Earthbeat. Listen!

TRACK LISTING

A1. Gimme More Lovin (instrumental Muezzin Mix)
A2. Yeh Naina Yaad Hai
B1. Sick Of Love
B2. A Lulu A Bobe Danz
B3. Listen To The Earthbeat/The Driving Force

The King & City reissue series continues with Paul Robinson's disco boogie jam Come On Sister. Moving from the Lovers sound of his early productions, his first solo recording was aimed straight at the blues, clubs and pirate stations of South London and beyond - a prolific artist on the rise.

Appearing as a 13 year old protegee drummer in The Simeons, recording for the legendary Freedom Sounds label out of Kingston; to forming the influential Roots / Lovers Rock outfit One Blood; then vocalist in the Nick Straker Band; and through to a 30 year career as "dubplate" producer / singer Barry Boom, Robinson is a man of talents and serious legacy.

This highly sought after debut, part of Neville King and Lee Laing's family of labels, followed releases in One Blood and productions for female Lovers groups Blood Sisters and Charisma. A pure disco boogie party cut, Come On Sister sees the Robinson family hit the Brit funk.

In label style, the flip is given the Discomix treatment, here by up and coming digger, dealer and producer, Bruno (Perfect Lives). Letting the horns, dub bass and drums build in anticipation before the keys and guitar join and it all drops to Robinson's vocals - Come On Sister.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Come On Sister
A2. Come On Sister (instrumental)
B1. Come On Sister (Bruno Discomix) 

Taking a turn to some of its roots, Emotional Rescue offers a reissue of Ramjac Corporation's UK house/breaks anthem Cameroon Massif!. First released on the increasingly cult-status Irdial Discs in 1990, this was very much the sound of the big bang explosion of Acid House morphing and splintering, as subsequent multi-genres developed, formed, imploded and reformed in new ways that still subsists today.

Within the melting pot of anything goes, chemically-enhanced optimism that spread across the UK during that return to the summers of love from 1987 onwards, the nascent sounds coming from Chicago and Detroit were mixed with a hybrid of 80s British influences, taking in European synth pop, US electro, new beat, hip hop and reggae. Out of this appeared a new sound, mixing that love of techno and house with dub bass and break beats into a proto-jungle swirl. Like many growing up through the ever-evolving 60, 70s & 80s British music scene, Paul Chivers' early years of learning piano and guitar, moved from Beatles era pop to take in punk, jazz and anything an eager musical mind could explore.

Developing a long-term interest and study of Cuban and Afro-drumming, his acquisition of an Atari and sampler soon moved to programming of both drum machines and TB303 and with that, Ramjac Corporation was born. Playing live at some of the earliest raves in 1988, as often through luck and "right time, right place", including the infamous Back To The Future and Energy parties, Ramjac went from playing from 50 to 10,000 ravers in a matter of months, as the nation was gripped, depending on your cultural standing, by either a mixture of drug apocalypse paranoia or ecstatic celebration. It was a meeting with Akin Fernandez, founder of Irdial Discs, that led some of the first studio experiments and creation of Cameroon Massif!.

TRACK LISTING

Side 1

1. "Cameroon Massif!" (Massive Mix)
2. "Cameroon Massif!" (Massing Mix)

Side 2

1. "Cameroon Massif!" (live At The Brain 09 Mix)

A project bringing together Javier Bergia and friends Luis Delgado and Manuel Illan, Ishinohana sees these masters mesh the inflences of rock, new age and Eastern percussion in to a cohesive whole. With a nod to the influence of Pat Metheny throughout, "Le Flor De Piedra" is removed from their works in Finas Africae or as solo artists, allowing each to flourish in their craft with the framework of a group setting. Delgado is prominent. His guitar playing ties the album together and his production looks as much to the albums of 70s and early 80s America than to Japan, where the background for the album is set.
While new age and jazz fusion are oft considered areas to avoid, it's actually the more discerning ear that realises these genres are some of the deepest and most free forms of musical expression. The passion within "Le Flor De Piedra" displays as such. To not stop, listen and understand songs like "Delta" and "Lucia" and their ethereal approach would be a travesty. The reissue of such a cult album is something worth more than that.



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