TH#112 - The Ship That Sails To The Sun [Graham's Selection X-mas '25]

SIDE A 

1 Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons – You're A Song (That I Can't Sing)

2 Jimmy Cliff – The Harder They Come

3 Mulatu Astatke & Hoodna Orchestra – Major

4 Tootard feat. Lynn Adib – Al Qamar

5 Zohra – Badala Zamana

6 Hany Mehanna – Damat Alam

7 Tang Lan Hua & Universal Big Band - from 'Flying to the Moon'

8 Wu Gang - ?

9 Esin Afşar ve Kurtalan Ekspres – Güneşe Giden Gemi

10 Norma Tanega – A Street That Rhymes At 6am

SIDE B

11 Surprise Chef – Spiky Boi

12 Clarence Reid – Miss Hot Stuff

13 Leon Thomas – China Doll

14 Madlib – Slim's Return

15 Hany Mehanna – Al Qina' Al Za'ef

16 Lijadu Sisters – Come On Home

17 Florence Adooni & El Michels Affair – Say Goodbye

18 Leon Thomas – Love Each Other

 

Thanks : Tomy, Alana, Helen, Derya ! 

Photo 'Güneşe Giden Gemi' by Ak Sakallı Dede

X-mas come early once again, with this comp / mixtape I couldn't wait to share with you all. The title 'The Ship That Sails To The Sun' is the translation of 'Güneşe Giden Gemi', written by Turkish rock legend Bariş Manço and sung by Esin Afşar. Of course I also had to pay tribute to the late Jimmy Cliff who just passed away aged 81, with the title song to the amazing Perry Henzell movie 'The Harder They Come'.

What else ? A joyful criss-cross of groovy soul tunes and African / Arabic pop, helped by masters like hip-hop genius Madlib and spiritual jazz singer Leon Thomas. Cool hits by the Nigerian Lijadu Sisters and Algerian popstar Zohra (also known as Dihya). A beautiful lullaby by Arabic-pop combo Tootard, sung by Lynn Adib. More contemporary 2020's tunes by Florence Adooni teaming up with El Michels Affair, and by Australian instro-group Surprise Chef. Hany Mehanna's beautifully dreamy and cinematic compositions, a recent track by Ethio-jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke, little-known Californian folk singer Norma Tanega... 

But pleeeaase I need your help here with tracks 7 and 8 ! Someone has already helped us identify the artists (thanks so much btw!), but getting info on song titles or any other info would be amazing. See photos below ! Records are from Hong-Kong and Singapore respectively. Let me know if you can help. Thank you !