Published on
October 25, 2018
Category
Features
Featuring highlife, soca, bubblegum, and Afro-disco.
Though Julien Dyne may be known for past collaborations with the likes of Theo Parrish, Steve Spacek, Andreya Triana and Lord Echo, his new solo Soundway LP Teal, strikes a zippier tone.
As Dyne explains: “My new album is mostly uptempo, influenced heavily by the more boogie-based African records, as well as classic disco and funk.
I don’t aim, nor am I able to, convincingly copy or replicate vintage music styles. But for me, I feel this is liberating – as a result what you get on Teal is my own idiosyncratic, homespun amalgam of these influences.
The songs in this mix are a combination of tracks I regularly play out in DJ sets as well as music I enjoy listening to at home.”
For the occasion Dyne delivered a 16-track, “percussive, soulful journey mainly through ’70s-’80s Africa and the Caribbean, occasionally straying into jazz, New York post-punk and future-soul”, which traverses from Jackie McLean and Chantal Curtis to ESG as well as two of his own productions. Listen to the mix, and find out more about 4 of the tracks below.
Gasper Lawal
‘Ajomasé’
(Cap Records, 1980)
This Gasper Lawal record sits in a space of its own: you’ll find dubbed out, cosmic sounds alongside 12-string guitars and African percussion, as well as a phone-ringing sample which gets people looking around every time. Recorded in London and featuring a cast of talented Nigerian musicians. I love every moment of this amazing record. The title track of the album translates to: “we all have to do it together”. I can get with that.
Kamazu
‘Trains Stop-Dub’ 7”)
(Bemba Records, 1988)
Every track is a winner on this South African gem. It’s safe to say there is a reason people are going crazy over South African records at the moment – lots of lovely Yamaha DX7 keyboards, often featuring double-time drums that work well with house and disco tempo records.
Jackie McLean & Michael Carvin
Antiquity
(Inner City Records, 1976)
Great mix of raw drum and percussive energy with wailing alto saxophone. I’m a sucker for a vocal chant, and tempo-wise this is a good one to slot next to a disco jam and see what happens!
ESG
‘ESG’ 12”
99 Records, 1981
Emerald, sapphire and gold! This record is unparalleled, both sonically and in its attitude – the sounds are just so tough. The Scroggins sisters really epitomise that intersection of disco, rap and punk that encapsulated the sound of NYC in the early ’80s.
Tracklist
1. Gasper Lawal – ‘Ajomasé’ – Ajomasé
2. Gyedu-Blay Ambolley – ‘Burkina Faso’ – “Bend Down Low” Party Time
3. Carl and Carol – ‘Yonge Street Jam’ – Ole Time Calypso
4. Kamazu – ‘Push In Push Out’ – Trains Stop – Dub
5. Nomuntu & Chimora – ‘Rico Dance Dub’ – Being Bitchy Is My Kind of Fun
6. Teddy Davis – ‘Let Me Love You’ – Tity Connection / Let Me Love You
7. Julien Dyne – ‘Design’ – Teal
8. Akissi Christine Bella – ‘Akolou Ndjadia’ – Akissi Christine Bella
9. Paul McCartney – ‘Secret Friend’ – Temporary Secretary
10. Terry Mackson – ‘Love Letter to Johny’ – Weekend Love
11. Lord Julien – ‘Shades’ – Shades / Tennis
12. Jackie McLean & Michael Carvin – ‘De I Comahlee Ah’ – Antiquity
13. Chantal Curtis – ‘Get Another Love’ – Get Another Love
14. ESG – ‘Moody’ – ESG
15. Julien Dyne – ‘YouYou’ – Teal
16. Mike Umoh – ‘Do It’ – Dreaming
Teal is out now on Soundway Records.