***For many years, this has been on the Domino Sound reissue wish list, and finally the wish has been granted. A reissue in cahoots with Mississippi Records of a 1976 gem of a record from Ethiopia. Aselefech Ashine and Getenesh Kebret met in Addis Ababa at the Hager Fikir Theater, a music and dance icon of Africa. They released one 45rpm single, and this album under the musical direction of Tishome Sisay. Ten beautiful songs, each of them sung as closely intertwined duets between the two “beauties”, backed by the tip top sounds of the Army Band. The LP comes in a Stoughton “Tip-On” sleeve with lyrical translations and a short interview with Aselefech Ashine. A split release with Mississippi Records, we are ecstatic to have more copies for the world to enjoy. Dig in!
LP $21.95
06/16/2023
***Ten more brilliant tracks from 1960’s Sierra Leone by the wildly popular S.E. Rogie! S.E. Rogie went from running a tailor shop in Sierra Leone to being one of West Africa's most popular artists. He toured around the country with his guitar, singing his palm wine music in multiple local languages, created his own record label, and was known as the most handsome man in Sierra Leone. He formed the highlife band The Morningstars in 1965. In 1973, he came to the Bay Area to live and expand his base, performing everywhere from local high schools and convalescent homes to festivals and large stages. In his later life he hit the road again and toured the world, eventually passing away while on stage in Russia in 1994. These tracks were originally released on 7" 45rpm on his own Rogie label in the 1960s and include solo, ensemble, and Morningstars songs, most of which have never been reissued until now. Sweet as a slice of rhubarb pie as the children drift off to sleep. A co-release with Mississippi Records.
LP $18.50
04/01/2022
Note new price. The first ever recordings of FRED MCDOWELL. Recorded by ALAN LOMAX in 1959. The first vinyl release dedicated entirely to this phenomenal recording session. Twelve songs that highlight the depth of his repertoire - from droning & hypnotic versions of songs that later became blues standards such as "Shake Em On Down" and "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" to his deeply felt renditions of spirituals like "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed & Burning." Accompanied at times by some amazing hair comb playing & beautiful backup vocals. The stuff of dreams. Received an 8.5 rating from Pitchfork.
LP $18.50
09/10/2021
MC $9.75
02/09/2024
***Sweet and joyful sounds from the first half of 1960’s Tanzania. SALUM ABDALLAH AND CUBAN MARIMBA BAND were at the forefront of “muziki wa dansi”, the emerging dance music scene influenced by Cuban 78s, dance music crazes like the twist and cha cha cha, and the local sounds of their home country. Hailing from the smaller town of Morogoro, they rose to be stars across the country. Out of over 100 sides recorded for local labels, mostly Mzuri Records of Kenya, these twelve songs are the cream of the crop. Only a few of these have ever been re-released in any form, and that hasn’t happened for several years. Lots of toe tappers, smile enhancers, and downright dancers, with a few slower and simpler songs to round it out. Taken from 1961-65, these twelve songs shine a brighter light on an already bright light that was Salum Abdallah, taken away from this earth all too early at the age of 37. The 12 song LP comes in an old style tip-on sleeve with lyrics in Swahili with English translations on the inner sleeve.
LP $17.00
05/10/2019
MC $9.75
10/21/2022
***A follow up to A Orillas del Magdalena, twelve more cumbias from Colombia's most prolific label, Discos Fuentes. Hailing, by all accounts, from the Northern coast of Colombia, Cumbia is the offspring of the musical melding of three cultures—the Indigenous, Spanish and African. Shaped by bright cymbals, an insistent bass line, eclectic percussion and brilliant accordion playing, these Discos Fuentes recordings remain raw, loose and unpolished. From dance floor hit to nostalgic ode—they come straight from the heart. Housed in a “tip-on” jacket.
LP $14.75
07/20/2018
***BACK IN STOCK!!! Note new price. From Asmara, Eritrea (formerly Ethiopia) TEWOLDE REDDA revolutionized the sounds of traditional Eritrean music by amplifying his kirar, playing his Eko electric guitar, and recording six singles in the first part of the 1970s. Including the first Eritrean songs to use a horn section, traditional songs reworked into his new sound, and originals influenced by radio broadcasts from the United States military base in Asmara, Kagnew Station, these ten songs originally released on the Philips, Amha, and Yared labels show off his talents with stringed instruments, a talented back up band, and often the hand clapped beat shifting into double time near the song’s end. Tewolde’s thick, deep voice sings songs of love over somber and joyous tunes. Comes in a tip-on sleeve with extensive liner notes, lyrical translations, and unpublished photos. A co-release with Mitmitta Musika of Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.
LP $20.25
04/14/2017
MC $9.75
10/21/2022
***Originally released on Philips Ethiopia in 1973, this seemingly impossible to find LP is available once again to the lucky humans of the world. With a mix of modern and traditional instruments these fourteen songs go through the progression of an Ethiopian Amhara wedding sung in Amharic. With the trio of singers, LEMMA G. HIWOT, ZENEBECH TESFAYE, and SELAMAWIT G. SELASSIE, alternating turns at the microphone, and sharing call and response duties, a relentless frenzy of hand clapping incites dancing and smiles. The consumption of tedj (honeywine) and the swirling love of a wedding was captured in the studio with euphoric energy to take away to play over and over again when the festivities are over. With hand screened covers and an insert of wedding photos accompanying the liner notes, this is the next best thing to an invitation to the real thing. A co-release with Mitmitta Musika of Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.
LP $17.00
05/15/2012
MC $9.75
10/21/2022