#RecordOfTheDay “Nigeria Go Survive” by Veno

This 1985 record by Veno is one of the classics from Lago’s synth-boogie-disco scene that represented a new wave of Nigerian music. Musically it’s perfectly 80s and will get you dancing, but what makes it timeless is how inspirational it is. I’m of the firm belief that our survival is tied to each and considering how dire shit has been recently I need all the upliftment I can get.

Nigeria Go Survive

Podcast: Diggin at the record swap

For this podcast we decided to try something we have never done before — set out to do a show without any records from our collection. Instead we went to a local record swap meet with a set budget of $50 each to create our playlist for the day.

After a full afternoon of digging through many boxes of records from all over the world we headed straight back to La Sala to see if we spent our money wisely. We think we did pretty well, but have a listen and let us know what you think.

 

Playlist:

fela

Fela Ransome-Kuti and Africa ’70 with Ginger BakerLet’s Start

20thCent

20th Century Steel BandHeaven and Hell is on Earth

monarco

MonarcoSilenciar A Mangueira

avohou

Avohou Pierre Et L’Orchestre Black Santiago – Makoba Houi Dé O

Hirt

Al HirtHarlem Hendoo

ChicoChe

Chico Che Y La CrisisSagitario

Doves

The DovesGive Peace to the People

peuple

Orquestre Le Peuple – Massavi Fololo Y’ Africa

The NumonicsYou Lied

EGC

El Gran ComboEl Jolgoria (Wepa-Wepa)

Podcast: Digging deep in Ghana

We’re back with our 4th podcast of Pelanga en La Sala. Hosts Arjuna (dj smokestack), Jacobo (dj pozole) and Federico (dj papicultor) welcome guest DJ and collector Juan G into La Sala, the man behind Diggin4Gold, as they discuss his record digging experience in Ghana and explore much of West Africa via vinyl treasures.

You can download it for free on iTunes along with all our previous episodes. Leave a review and let us know what you think.


Podcast – Episode 1

Please excuse our recent absence from this space. We’ve been doing some remodeling and maintenance, but we’re back now! We’re still very excited to continue sharing more music and culture. In fact, last week we got together and recorded our very first Pelangacast live from our LP clubhouse! The concept is not to have the typical radio “programmed show,” but instead to invite you into our cozy wall-to-wall collection of culture on vinyl as we share stories and discoveries from our musical addictions.

Below is our first episode with more to come soon. Have a listen, and let us know what you think.

 

Playlist

  1. Intro
  2. Advice – I. C. Rock
  3. Ce La Vie – Les Difficiles De Pétion-Ville
  4. Ah Ah Oh No – La Protesta (ft. Joe Arroyo)
  5. El Preso – Louis Towers [NOTE: This unlabeled record was in a Grupo Kuwait sleeve, but it’s actually Louis Towers]
  6. (Where Were You) Last Night – Sumy
  7. Banana Juana – Ralph Robles
  8. Guami Guami – Sir Victor Uwaifo and his Melody Maestros
  9. Jessie – Kanda Bongo Man

pelangacast1_covers

First Taste Of Fuji

36604902-Alhaji_Front2

While Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister may not be the go-to floor-filler on a Friday night, his unique blend of west African spiritual rhythms still energize the soul like a Pelanga dance floor! As if the faded carnival font and dapper 70’s fashion were not a strong enough lure, our featured musician is rockin’ some turquoise leather shoes! Don’t know about you, but that’s evidence enough for me to drop a few dollars and take the risk of buying an unknown record. I figured a man with such style, yet laid back enough to take time out to smell the flowers would surely create some high quality music.

Well, for our listening enjoyment Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and his Fuji Exponents produces just that…the kind of music that instantly soothes the soul and leads those unfortunate enough not to speak the Yoruba language to ask “what on earth is he saying”?

A brief internet search quickly informs me that as far as the Nigerian musical style of Fuji is concerned I’ve tapped the source. As it turns out, Alhaji is not only the father of Fuji but was also an early master of it’s musical precursor Were/Ajisari, a genre traditionally performed before dawn during the fasting season of Ramadan. According to the spiritual leader and master musician, Fuji music is named after the Japanese mountain of love and is a combination of Sakara, Apala, Juju, Aaro, Gudugudu, and Highlife.

With over 150 albums recorded up until his passing in 2010, Alhaji helped cement the Fuji sound in the popular culture of Nigeria, where it continues to flourish today. Listen to this incredible self-titled album in its entirety here!

-Smokestack