Fonseca Et Ses Anges Noirs
Gosata Muleta

 
«Born in Saint-Louis of a Senegalese mother and a Cape Verdean father, Luis Vera Da Fonseca is one of those forgotten pioneers of Latin music in Africa. Perfectly at home in the Cuban repertoire, accompanied by his orchestra, les Anges Noirs, they play a raw afro-latin fusion style where we can hear West Indians influences… and what about this guitar that would no deny Marc Ribot and his Cubanos?»
 

Boy Ge Mendes
Evolução (1989)

 
«Coming from the popular district La Medina in Dakar, of Cape Verdean origin, Boy Ge Mendes did not has the fame he deserves, although he is a star in Cape Verde. Former guitarist and vocalist of the legendary band “Cabo Verde Show” (along with Manu Lima) he helped modernized the traditional sounds of this tiny creole islands and was the first to play a cross over of african, latin, west indian and brazilian influences. “Evolução” is a typical Coladera but this perfect LP contains a wide range of styles, including the original version of the hit “Rickeza E Valor” (Guinée / Guinée).»
 

Positive Black Soul
Djoko

 
«Legendary Senegalese hip-hop album, mentioned as one of the 100 most important rap album by O. Cachin. PBS, formed by Didier Awadi and Duggy-Tee, claimed through its conscious lyrics the emancipation of the African youth. This Afro optimists pioneers called for a revolution of the minds and promoted political activity and activism in a pure boom bap style, sampling traditional instruments like sabaar and ngoni. For me this LP symbolized the return of rap back at home, “been born in Africa, raised in America”.»
 

DJ Boulaone feat. Sadrak
Chuispabo

 
«This 7″ banger is out of the Afrique 3D series by DJ/turntablist/producer/arranger Boulaone, featuring Cameroonian MC/poet Sadrak (also member of the band Negrissim’). Yoruba rhythms, digital beats, funny rhymes and poetry all melt with the clear cut skills of Boulaone for this anti-ego trip anthem titled “I ain’t pretty”. Check out the 4 others 7” from Afrique 3D and start a multidimensional travel through continents, time and space.»
 

Eddie Henderson
The Funk Surgeon

 
«I had to come back to my first love, jazz-funk, for the last track, taken from Eddie Henderson “Comin’ Through” LP with a funketeer’s-dream-come-true line up : Patrice Rushen, Paul Jackson, Lee Ritenour, Mtume, Al McKay (Earth Wind & Fire guitarist)… Typical Bay Area sound from the 70’s with mellow & groovy ballads and two dance floor killers. Need to say more?»

Bassist Cecil McBee is currently touring with The Cookers, an All Stars band featuring Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, George Cables, Billy Hart, Donald Harrison and paying tribute to Freddie Hubbard’s eponymous Blue Note LP. But he has been putting his own footprints on Jazz history for a long time: as a composer first and also as a musician. And if he’s only recorded a handful of LPs under his own name, these LPs for such respected labels as Strata East as well or India Navigation have become real classics for spiritual jazz lovers.. We are very proud to publish this (too brief) interview with one of our heroes.

 
 
 

You’re touring with The Cookers, the type of group you often participated in (The Leaders for example …). What pleasure do you find in this kind of summit meeting?
That I’m participating in creating some of the world’s most powerful music. Unlike what I generally am exposed to these days.

Between you all how many years of experience, albums recorded?
The Cookers have over 300 years of experience combined and have performed on over 1,000 albums combined.

Your are 80 years… Do you remember your professional debut? What brought you into music?
When I was 17, I performed with a blues singer named Jimmy “Cry Cry” Hawkins in my hometown of Tusla, Oklahoma. The blues got me off to a good start. I started on the clarinet when I was in middle school and showed a certain proficiency on the instrument. I began playing bass as well when I was 17 years old. Because of my skills on the clarinet, I went to college at Central State University in Ohio as a music major. While there, I got exposed to a lot of Jazz for the first time.

Later, you played on stage in Detroit. What was so special about that scene in the 1960s?
I was invited to move to Detroit by Kirk Lightsey who I had met while in the Army. We both performed together in the Army band on clarinet. After we were honorably discharged from the Army, we moved to Detroit and I met all the great Detroit musicians who would inspire to get to the next level over the next few years.

New York was something else, right? Do you think you experienced something unique in the 1970s?
New York was wonderful and from the moment I arrived, it was an extremely unique experience for me. However, I must add that from the very moment I arrived in New York I found myself performing at the highest level with some of the world’s greatest musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Jackie McLean and Charles Lloyd etc etc.

Mutima from “Mutima” (Strata East)

You even have actively participated in the experience of an independent label : Strata East. What was the philosophy behind it? Is it something still possible nowadays?
The philosophy was simply that on all accounts we would take ownership entirely of our music and at the highest level of business. This sort of thing is still possible today with a bit of hard work and insight and the willingness of musicians to work together for a greater good.

You were part of the Strata-East tour last year with Charles Tolliver and Stanley Cowell (with great gigs in Paris and London). Is it gonna be a following on this? More dates, a new album…?
It was nice to see the guys again. We plan to do a few more dates in the near future.

Jackie McLean and Yusef Lateef, Pharoah Sanders and Sam Rivers, Anthony Braxton and Horace Tapscott … Among all these stars you played with, who impressed you the most?
They all impressed greatly and in different ways. They were all of great importance to me.

What are the essential qualities of the so-called sideman? The listening? The sense of collective? The will to serve?
I don’t consider myself a sideman but an equal partner in the creation of this music. I have also know that I have a lot to contribute to this music as a bandleader and composer and being labeled as a sideman keeps me from getting the proper exposure I believe my music deserves.

The Cookers…

‘Consequence’ from “Alternate Spaces” (India Navigation)

Your album “Alternate Spaces” on India Navigation is one of our favorite! Can you give us details about the recording session?
“Alternate Spaces” to this day has been one of the albums I’m most proud of. The complex nature of the compositions introduced quite realistically a more in depth natural quality of who I am as a composer. It was India Navigation label that respectfully provided an open door for me to showcase where I was as a composer at the time. I felt entirely individual in my effort to be my own voice for the first time.

Will we be lucky enough to have another opportunity to listen a new album under your name after all these years?
I have completed many original compositions that I feel would make a great CD. However it takes a lot of time to properly prepare to record my music and I also need the right collaborators to fully realize this project. The goal is to record again in the future and I hope to realize this soon.

Thanks to David Weiss, Tom Woods and all New Morning’s crew!