Filed under: Nepal
♬ Madan Pariyar & Friends • Himal Chulli Palla Patti
♬ Ram Sharan Nepali & Friends • Dhanako Bala Illari Billari
Nepal is a landlocked nation located in the Himalayas, sandwiched in between the People’s Republic of China and India. The country had been ruled by a monarchy since 1768 until a decade long Civil War with the Communist Party of Nepal resulted in the first democratic elections in 2008.
The music of Nepal reflects its culture and its many different ethnicities. Due to its geographic location, you can hear influences from India and China with 81% of the population is Hindu and 10% is Buddhist. But since the majority of the county is rural with only one major urban center – Kathmandu – the predominate music tends to be more classical and folk. Although I have read mention of rock music influencing the music of Nepal as early as the late 70s, I have yet to find any recordings pre-dating the early 90s.
According to Discogs.com, the Shree Ratna Recording Corporation apparently released a number of these “Nepalese Songs & Melodies” / “Folk Tunes of Nepal” / “Nepalese Folk Tunes” seven inch e.p.s in the late 70s and into early 80s. Both Madan Pariyar and Ram Sharan Nepali were featured on some of the releases other than the record posted here. Ram Sharan Nepali has also recorded a few cassettes for the Music Nepal label.
If you have any further information on Madan Pariyar and/or Ram Sharan Nepali, please contact me or leave a comment.
Catalog number E S R 154 on Shree Ratna Recording Corporation of Kathmandu, Nepal. Manufactured by Victor Musical Industries, Inc. of Tokyo, Japan. Released 1979.
Filed under: Malawi
♬ Echipini
After Nyasaland gained it’s independence from Britain in 1964, the country became know as the Republic of Malawi. The small landlocked East African nation is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west.
During British rule, very few local artists would gain prominence due to the oppressive colonial regime. After the country’s independence, the most prevalent music on the radio was Western Pop, Congolese Soukous and East African music. But due to the 1968 Censorship Act, Malawian musicians had to write lyrics acceptable to censors to ensure that their songs would be played on radio.
It should be no surprise that the most popular band in the country became the M. B. C. Band, the house band for the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation – which had a monopoly on the airwaves up until 1994. Formed by Kapote Mwakasungura, Mjura Mkandawire and Wyndham Chechamba in 1973, the band pioneered the modern popular Malawi Sound – mixing indigenous music with foreign influences. Although the band went through numerous line-up changes, they disbanded in 2001.
Other than this single, I have also seen a full length album entitled “Kokoliko Ku Malaŵi” on the same label – Ng’oma. As far as I know, The M. B. C. Band and the Chichiri Queens were the only artists on that label that may or may not have been based in England.
If you have any further information on the M. B. C. Band and/or the Chichiri Queens, please contact me or leave a comment.
Catalog number MBC 001 on Ng’oma Records. Released 1973.
Filed under: Sri Lanka
While researching The Three Sisters of Sri Lanka, I stumbled upon this post from Backroom – which was apparently previously found on YouTube:
Mallika, Indrani and Iranganie Perera were born to a musical family. Their mother was an accomplished pianist and a singer and though the father did not play any instruments, he loved music and was a close associate of Mohammed Ghouze, famously known as Ghouse Master. Mallika was actively involved in school variety shows at Presbyterian Girl’s School where she and Iranganie studied. Indrani later went to Stafford Ladies. Indrani’s first public encounter was a recording for school at the Radio Ceylon. Her talent was spotted by the school’s music teacher Mrs. Potgar and encouraged by the principal Mrs. Liyanage.
Mallika later attended Amaradeva‘s music classes held at YMBA and Indrani used to accompany her and practiced her singing outside the class. The girls had a difficult time when their beloved mother died of cancer, and Iranganie was only six at the time. Mallika took over the responsibility, left school and started to look after the two younger sisters, which created a strong bond between the father and the three sisters.
Indrani was selected by Dalrene as a backing singer in her band Fire Flies. Later in 1969, Indrani Joined Annesley with Moonstones and sang her first song “Dilhani” which became an instant hit. This was followed by ‘Sigiriya’ and a number of other hits. Girls’ father gave his fullest support and gave the idea of the girls forming their own band. On the 31st December 1969, they had their first performance at the Hotel Taprobane (now called Grand Orient Hotel – GOH). They had an excellent response for songs “Kalu Kella Mamai” and “Akkala Nangila”. The three sisters continued to make fabulous music for over 20 years until Mallika’s untimely death by cancer. It was not then viable for the remaining two sisters to continue under the name of Three Sisters. Indrani later embarked on a successful solo career.
Catalog number CHB 011 on Sooriya of Columbo, Sri Lanka. No release date listed.
Filed under: Turkey
Guitarist and composer Zafer Dilek was born in Turkey in 1945. He is best known for his arrangements of traditional folk songs. Dilek recorded a number of singles in the early to mid-Seventies that were collected on two LPs – “Oyun Havaları” and “Oyun Havaları 2“. Beyond that, there is not a whole lot of information available other than the fact that he is apparently – as of this posting – still alive. For some reason, this song – which was also covered by Erkin Koray – was left off the CD re-issue of Dilek’s music.
If you have any further information on Zafer Dilek, please contact me or leave a comment.
Catalog number YCAS-052 on Yonca Plakçilik of Istanbul, Turkey. No release date listed.
Filed under: Sudan
Mohamed Mirghani (محمد ميرغني) was born in Omdurman, Sudan in 1945. His father, Mohamed Ben Ouf, had been a famous singer in Sudan as well.
Mirghani began his studies at the Sheikh Amin school, which next to the National Cinema in Khartoum. He completed his education at the Babiker Badri School, where he taught until his retirement in 2008.
Mirghani recorded his first song in 1965 for Sudan Radio. He would go one to record over 200 songs by many famous Sudanese writers. This song, which translates as “You Are Hidden From Me”, was written by Al Sardoleeb and the music was written by Hassan Babaker.
If anyone has any information on the Musphone label – or any other releases on that label – please contact me or leave a comment.
Many thanks to Hany Zaki and Hisham Mayet for the translation.
Catalog number 5577 on Munsphone of Khartoum, Sudan. No further information available.
Filed under: India
Kazi Aniruddha is mostly known – at least in the Western World – for his steel guitar versions of Bollywood songs. But to a large portion of the population of the Indian subcontinent, he was better known as the youngest son of Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Kazi Nazrul Islam was a Bengali poet, musician and revolutionary who pioneered poetic works espousing intense spiritual rebellion against fascism and oppression. His poetry and nationalist activism earned him the popular title of Bidrohi Kobi (Rebel Poet). Accomplishing a large body of acclaimed works through his life, Nazrul is officially recognized as the national poet of Bangladesh and commemorated in India.
This recording was to be Kazi Aniruddha’s last. He died in 1974, two years before his father passed away. As far as I know, this is the only recording Aniruddha produced of his father’s music.
Catalog number 7LPE106 EMI / HMV of India, manufactured & distributed by The Gramophone Company of India Limited in 1974.
Filed under: Algeria
Mohamed Mazouni was born in Aït Lahcène in the Kabylie region of Algeria in 1949 – the same village and year as Idir. His name ‘Mazouni’ in the Kabylie dialect means ‘He will live’.
Mazouni is considered one of the most popular singers of the 1960s and 1970s. He is well known to Algerians living abroad due to his songs about immigration, homesickness, love and country. His hit “Adieu la France, Bonjour l’Algérie” was very successful since it celebrates the independence of Algeria from France. Among his other famous songs are “Allo Allo”, “Azizi”, “Mini Jupe” and “Halte à la Vitesse”.
Mazouni continues to record and perform to this day, and is an important figure in the world of Algerian Kabylie music. His most recent album – as of this posting – was “Mazouni 2007”, which was released in 2007.
You can find a few more tracks by Mazouni over at Phocéephone.
Catalog number JAM 21 on Disques Z of Paris, France. No release date listed.
Filed under: Ghana
Polydor of Ghana, as far as I know, only released a handful singles. But just about all of those records are killer:
➣ Adam’s Apple • “Adiomi Owusu” / “See Sane”
➣ The Barbecues • “Otswe ‘Nu” / “Aya Lolo”
➣ The Big Beats • “Kyenkyema” / “Mi Nsumõõ Bo Dõnn”
➣ The Big Beats • “Afro-Pride” / “Kwemo Nahi”
➣ Germaine Jourias & Wilkomen Dance Band (from Togo) • “Ave Maria” / “Dzobe Nyui Nawo”
➣ The Psychedelic Aliens • “Blofonyobi Wo Atale” + “Hijacking” / “We’re Laughing” + “Extraordinary Woman”
➣ The Magic Aliens (what The Psychedelic Aliens changed their name to after a line-up change) • “Gbe Keke Taoɔ” / “Gbomei Adesai”
➣ The Magic Aliens • “Homowo” / “Okpongo Ni Tsitsi Emo Le”
➣ Orchestre Abass (Togo) • “Awula Bo Fee Ene” / “Samarin Banza”
➣ Orchestre Abass (Togo) • “Operation Bye Bye” / “Haka Dunia”
➣ Orchestre Abass (Togo) • “Bayiwan Ala” / “Mankan Na Obo”
➣ Segun Bucknor & His Revolution (from Nigeria) • “La La La” / “Poorman No Get Brother”
➣ Uppers International (which included members from Tall Emma & His Skippers) • “Dankasa” / “Neriba Lanchina”
Given that Polydor was somewhat of a major label, the fact that not many of these gems turn up is utterly baffling. I am guessing they must not have pressed up that many of these singles – which is a crime. The few that do see the light of day are usually pretty beat – like this copy. If Polydor of Ghana did put out any other records, I would love to hear them. If they’re anything like the ones listed above – they’re probably pretty amazing.
The A side to this single – “Aya Lolo” – as well as two tracks by The Big Beats and one by The Psychedelic Aliens can be found over at the legendary Voodoo Funk.
If you have any further information on The Barbecues or Polydor of Ghana, please contact me or leave a comment.
Catalog number PLD 2080105 1F on Polydor of Ghana. No other information available.
Filed under: Thailand
By now, most of you should know Suang Santi…
In the last few years, he has appeared on a few Thai compilations – most notable being Finders Keepers‘ Thai? Dai! The Heavier Sound of The Lukthung Underground, where his name was transliterated as “Sroeng Santi”. The Black Sabbath inspired “Kuen Kuen Lueng Lueng” on that compilation is worth the price of admission alone. You also get “Dub Fai Kui Gun” and “Nam Mun Pang” – both of which had appeared on two of ZudRangMa‘s compilations – which are quite heavy as well. But this track is a bit different…
Whereas Suang Santi’s backing band – “The Suang Santi Band” – borrowed the opening riff from “Iron Man” on “Kuen Kuen Lueng Lueng”, here the intro is sampled directly from Ennio Morricone. The soundtrack music from Sergio Leone‘s “Man with No Name Trilogy” was quite popular throughout Asia, and was released in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. A vast majority of those records were not properly licensed, and some were even credited to Clint Eastwood instead of Ennio Morricone. The soundtrack was also covered by a number of bands, including Hong Kong’s Man Chau Po Orchestra and Singapore’s The Stylers, to name a few.
According to Monrakplengthai, Suang Santi had originally started out as a boxer before getting into the music business. He pioneered a crossover style of luk thung and heavy funk rock which few others attempted, and won success not only with his own recordings but songs he penned for others. Unfortunately, Suang Santi was killed in a car accident in 1982 while on tour at the age of 37.
The first couple verses of the song basically describe the hero, who is compared to Charles Bronson (“Once Upon A Time in The West“), Alain Delon (“Zorro“) and “Ringo” (“A Pistol for Ringo“). As the song continues, Suang asks: “Where does this mystery man come from, does anyone know?” Then you hear the gruff, accented voice ordering laap, khao nieow and lao khao (typical Isaan food and drink), and Suang remarking upon it. That this man is obviously from Isaan is what listeners are meant to take away. Isaan, the northeast part of the country, is often viewed as Thailand’s “Wild West“, and cowboy culture has a notable following there. Bangkok people often derive amusement from Isaan stereotypes.
This song has a “Part Two” that was included on Suang Santi last album 1 2 3 Duan Song Thaeo.
Much thanks to Peter Doolan for the information and translation.
Catalog number MN 146 on ตรากระต่ายคู่ (Tra Kratai Kkhu) or Pair of Rabbits Brand of Thailand. No release date listed.
Filed under: Morocco
Naima Samih (نعيمة سميح) was born in the Derb Essultan suburb of Casablanca, Morocco. She has been referred to as “Edith Piaf of Morocco”. Naima Samih was one of the first female singers to gain prominence in the late Sixties and early Seventies when the field was generally limited only to men.
She began singing at the age of nine, leaving school to pursue a career in music. In the early 1970s, Naima Samih participated to Abdelkader Rachdi talent show « Mawahib » winning applause from both the jury and the audience. During her career of over three decades, she has collaborated many Moroccan songwriters and composers – including Abdou el Omari.
The song “Zifaf Filfada” – which was also arranged by Abdou el Omari – was included on the second volume of the Waking Up Scheherazade compilations.
Catalog number GB171 on Disques Gam of Casablanca, Morocco. Released 1977.
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