I have a similar request. I'm researching black "protest songs" and am trying
to branch out from just "Eyes on the Prize", "We Shall Overcome" etc... I want
to talk about Thomas Mapfumo's early work during the Zimbabwe revolution, Fela
(of course), Gil Scott-Heron, James Brown, Sun Ra, PE...
If anyone has any further information on this stuff (especially Mapfumo's
connection to the revolution) I'd love to hear it. And also any further
recommendations (especially on the soul/fusion/acid jazz tip) are welcome as I'm
sure I'm missing a lot of great stuff.
How 'bout that Black August?
Peace/Rob
Ralph Cooper wrote:
> You should also check out Fela's Autobiography, "This Bitch of a Life" one
> hell of a read. As well as Marvin Gaye's, "Divided Soul". I know your'e
> doing a radio show but there are quotes all through both books. Musically,
> if youre not black, you gotta bring it! Meaning that (speaking as ONE black
> person) dont play the standard shit. Donny Hathaway is really good "Young,
> Gifted, and Black", is an excellent song to start with. It still epitomises
> the sentiment of a lot of black people young and old. Also find a copy of
> the 'black national anthem' "Lift Every voice and sing" there have been
> numerous remakes of this song. After you scratch the surface with those kind
> of easy to find tunes, open up the heads with the Fela, the Femi, Tony
> Allen, Doug & Jean Carn (Black Jazz records), New Rotary Connection (or
> Minnie Riperton!!), If you want some really good rare groove black music
> (meaning music made by black folks) Any of the "Strange Games and Funky
> Things" series on BBE. As well as the "Inspirations" Album mixed by King
> Britt has some standouts from the 70's and 80's. And look at the new
> frontier of Black people making music. Your show doesn't play hip-hop (which
> personally is the greatest testament to a great black history month show,
> black folks do more than hip-hop!:)so hit 'em over the head with Fishbone,
> Bad Brains, of course Jimi Hendrix, Vernon Reid. As well as new school GOOD
> r'n'b-ers Frank McComb and D'angelo come to mind as well as the ladies like
> Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Kelis(give the girl her props;), and (you heard it
> here first!:) if you can find her India Arie.
>
> I think it's dope that you have the show and are trying to do something with
> it!
>
> Good luck, and e-mail this dope ass list (or me) if you need any more help.
> The list is a great resource, there are a lotta black people and white
> people from all over the world as well as other races on this list, who know
> their fuckin music!!!:) Kind of makes you smile, when ignorance is so
> abundant.
> peace
> Ralph C.
> **********************************************************
> *"Black men are not going to cringe before anyone but god"
> *-Marcus Garvey 1887-1940
> *"What we need is to rest more, talk more, walk more, fuck
> * more and enjoy things in life more." -Fela Anikulapo-Kuti
> *
> *"I want Black People to be Free!" -Mos Def '99
> ***********************************************************
>
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