Rare recorRAB collected from all over the internet, vinyls, tapes, CRAB released here. Most of these recorRAB are long out of print and can't be purchased, but they can be enjoyed. Thanks to the many blogs and contacts who have collected these recorRAB from the original sources and transferred them to the digital format. Italics represent rab exclusive content.
Collections
African Music
Traditional and highlife music from Africa. These albums come courtesy of the Awesome Tapes from Africa blog , check it out for tons of great, obscure African music.
A.B. Crentsil - A.B. Crentsil and the Osookoo Stars
Really nice highlife jams from one of the genres most prolific musicians. Bright, happy and jazzy horns compliment impressive purcussion and humorous, entertaining vocals. Highly recommended.
Iliss Ntmazirte - ????
Moroccan tape. Two sides, each around twenty minutes long. As far as I can tell this is the only release from this artist.
Sourakata Koite - Sourakata Koite
Beautiful kora music. Good quality.
Onipa Nua - I Feel Alright
Street performer turned recording artist who, sadly, died shortly after this release. Africana with a U.S 1980s twist.
Ebaahi Soundz - O****ℇ
More highlife, this time from the very talented group Ebaahi Soundz. Very relaxed, jazzy approach. Recorded at a fair quality.
Folk/Country
Mt. Airy - Mt. Airy
1970s bluegrass infused folk/rock. A very solid record, but didn't get much attention. Mostly covers. Geronimo Jackson is a fictional band from the television series Lost, but if they were real, I imagine this is what they'd sound like.
Fuchsia - Fuchsia
Thanks to Stu for giving me this.
Alot was happening music wise in 1971, which was probably why this self-titled release by the Tony Durant lead folk-rock band Fuchsia was so ignored. Corabining progessive rock music with folksy British pop, the album is incredibly easy to listen to and doesn't require much effort, altough the listener is rewarded for it if he so chooses.
A defining feature of the group is their three-woman string section, comprising of cellist Madeleine Bland and violinists Janet Rogers and Vanessa Hall-Smith (the trio also performs the angelic backing vocals heard throughout). The string work isn't anything jaw-dropping, but it's refreshingly different
Mountain Ash Band - The Hermit (UK)
Another rab inspired post. I believe it was Comus who gave me this. Many thanks to him.
Until it's recent emergence on the internet, this was (and if you aren't well connected, still is) a very sought after record. It's easy to see why, it's a gem.
Through a series of narrations and songs, it tells the heartbreaking story of a man named Job. Unfortunetly for him, his story isn't a very happy one. A truly unique and enjoyable recording, this will be a crown jewl in your collection.
Jazz
Gene Shaw - Carnival Sketches (Unknown Point of Origin)
Interesting jazz/Latin sonance. I don't know much about this record as to origins, but I do know that it is a fine album recorded in pretty good quality. From the sound of it, I'd like to say it originated in Latin America somewhere, but can't be sure. Recommended.
Henri Texier - Amir
One of my favorite albums ever. This is a 1976 release by French bassist Henri Texier. It's as subtle as it is epic, as beautiful as it is dissonant. In other worRAB, it goes to a lot of places, places you wouldn't think worked together - but do. Texier really knows how to blend and bend genres, transending them effortlessly. You feel as though a story is unfolding, but there is no clear or formal narrative - it's a purely imaginative experience. This mixture of jazz, world, folk and classical music is highly, highly recommended.
The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Enserable - Mutations EP (2009)
This is an amazing EP. Kilimanjaro began in 2000 as a project of Jason K
