I have just realised that this is my first post for the cheery old month of Feb. Soz for that! How about some Nino Nardini to brighten up your day and indeed your month??

This 1972 piece of synth wizardry sees the Library music legend Nardini experiment with bleeps and guitar over a trippy tribal beat, resulting in a mellow yet eccentric piece of electronic magic. That’s the stuff!

Nino Nardini – Afro-Beat/Afro-Syn (edit)

Daysarenumbers are the lucky recipients of an exclusive mix from one of most exciting UK bands around, Gyratory System. Wowing audiences and critics alike with their hallucinatory brand of post-punk and electronics, we were over the moon when Andrew kindly agreed to do a special mix for us during our Downtown Week. He also wrote us a lovely introduction.

Here’s Andrew, with a few words…

Here’s a selection of music that has influenced the Gyratory System sound. In keeping with this week’s theme we have included some downtown-type stuff, by Konk, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Laurie Anderson; and Material. It is certainly a unique period in music and its juxtaposition of repetition and chaos is something we emulate. There is also a selection of other things – British music from Joe Meek, Loop and Nightmares on Wax; Afrobeat from Fela Kuti; Miles Davis playing jazz fanfares; and something by the French modernist composer Olivier Messiaen. People sometimes ask us where our sound comes from, hopefully listening to this mix will help answer that question. Andrew GS.

Gyratory Systemm – Influences Mix

TRACKLISTING

Konk – Baby Dee

Joe Meek – Disc Dance of the Globbots

Kid Creole and the Coconuts – Lili Marlene

Loop – Head On

Miles Davis – Saeta

Laurie Anderson – From The Air

Fela Kuti – ODOO

Material – Reduction

Olivier Messiaen – Louange a l’immortalite de Jesus

Nightmares On Wax – I’m For Real

Find out more about the wonderful Gyratory System, with the links below!

Gyratory System Official Site

GS Twitter

GS Facebook

Angular Records

Blast away your Monday blues with some crazy Columbian afro-beat from Wganda Kenya! Paying homage to Fela Kuti’s classic track, Shakara Oloje, Wganda Kenya were Discos Fuentes’ (the pioneering Colombian label of the 60’s & 70’s) studio band and were hired to record non-latin records that encompassed influences from Africa, Martinque and Curacoa. Exotic!

Released in 1976, Shakalaode is an undeniably infectious and joyous track. Effortlessly funky, the horns are seamlessly woven into the rhythmic bassline, resulting in seven minutes of hypnotic afro-beat. Perfect!

Wganda Kenya – Shakalaode

Today’s SOTD is simply a brilliant afro/cuban rock number from the 2001 Kona Records compilation ‘Afro-Rock Vol.1′. I don’t know much about the song or the band, so I will quote from the excellent linear notes by Duncan Brooker, which will reveal a bit more about the Mercury Dance Band…

“The Mercury Dance Band led by Yiadom Boakye had previously played a more traditional African sound until experiencing Fela Anikualapo Kuti (that’s to you and me! – Ed.) first hand. ‘Envy No Good’s’ vocal chants even echo those of ‘Egbe Mi O’ (that’s Fela Kuti song to you and me! – Ed). Written by Sammy Walker, arranged by Dey and Featuring Kingsley and Oscar on vocals, this appears to be their only afro-beat recording.”

 Well, that pretty much covers it so I don’t need to say anything more other than Mambo Fresh!