va -- Perfect Harmony [Graham's Mixtape March 2023]

 

How do Senegalese avant-garde storytelling, 60's garage girl groups and acoustic Afro-Brazilian sambas combine ? In perfect harmony !

On this eclectic comp/mixtape, I've chosen (with great difficulty) excerpts from several concept-albums : NYC-based El Michels Affair's cinematic ''Yeti Season'', London's secret soul collective SAULT's ''7'' LP, Count Ossie's triple-long-player spiritual trip ''Grounation' (as The Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari)', Senegalo-Swedish political art project Wau Wau Collectif's first album ''Yaral Sa Doom'', Pastor T. L. Barrett's funky church choir production ''Like A Ship'', and Baden Powell & Vinicius De Moraës' legendary ''Afro Samba'' LP, featuring extraordinary vocal performances by Quarteto Em Cy.

Less conceptual but no less perfect and harmonious : 2 obscure songs from the excellent ''Ghost Riders'' compilation (Efficient Space), respectively by teenage garage boy band the Yardleys and teenage garage girl band The Mod 4 ; 2 songs by 80's UK girl-group The Delmonas (backed by Billy Childish's band Thee Milkshakes) ; Turkish instrumental group Önder Bali 4's first single ''Halûk için'' (featuring arranger Zafer Dilek on guitar), Barbadian soul singer Jackie Opel's ''Higher and Higher'' from his very last recording session ; and Quincy Jones' theme song to 1967 film ''In The Heat Of The Night'', sung by Ray Charles.

Thanks : Gérard, Cam Cam, Anja & Klas, Flavien, Georgia, Benny, Jérome, Le Major, Ella.