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I’m not sure when it went live, but the latest issue of the Chicago-based online zine Blastitude has a great piece by Derek Monypeny about a recent excursion to Morocco. Monypeny accompanied Hisham Mayet, one of the prime movers at Sublime Frequencies, to do some field recordings and research for future releases, and the piece provides a vivid picture of the kind of seat-of-the-pants guerrilla ethnomusicology the label thrives on. Blastitude is definitely a strong supporter of Sublime Frequencies, and I was amused that the zine’s review of the label’s excellent compilation 1970’s Algerian Proto-Rai Underground makes such an odd and unflattering reference to me: “I knew absolutely nothing about Algerian rai music going in to this,” writes Blastitude main man Larry Dolman, “and never pursued it for fear of sounding like I was on Peter Margasak’s jock.”
Shirelles, Tonight’s the Night/Sing to Trumpets and Strings (Ace)Francisco Mora Catlett, Outerzone (Premier Cru)Various artists, El Mapurito: Caribbean Music From Colombia (Buda)Johnny Burnette & the Rock ‘n’ Roll Trio, The Complete Coral Rock ‘n’ Roll Recordings (Hip-O Select)Spring Heel Jack, Songs & Themes (Thirsty Ear)
