Since its inception, the music business has been an independent, “do it yourself” endeavor. From the early country, rhythm and blues, and doo wop labels to the digital distribution we see today, the industry has always been driven by creative artists, typically on the fringes of society, and their visionary business partners. This was also the case in Western Africa in the 1960’s.
    
After singer Tabu Ley Rochereau and guitarist Nico Kasanda left the legendary rumba group Le Grand Kallé et l'African Jazz, they formed L'Orchestre African Fiesta and their Vita Record label. Both were short lived, but left behind some of the greatest rumba and soukous ever laid to wax.
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I love the second half of this song and Kasanda’s Hypnotic guitar work. He was a true master  craftsman whose work was only matched by legendary musical rival Franco and his OK Jazz.

Very little is known about this band, and a part of me wants it to stay that way, because the three tracks they have released are pure magic.
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“One Time Villain” is their second release from May of this year and it’s my favorite of the three. Think David Lynch, ominous sunsets or long lost love.

We lost another landmark musician this week to Covid 19 with the passing of Frederick “Toots” Hibbert. He was one of the founders of Reggae music, and spent the last 60 years recording and performing his ska, rocksteady and roots hits around the world. I was lucky to have seen him twice in the 90’s, and although I’m not much of a live music fan, his performances are still two of the sweetest musical memories I have.
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“Feels So Good” was recorded and released in 1970 on Trojan and produced by the great Leslie Kong. It’s an underrated classic and if you adore soulful, honest music, it’s hard not to fall in love with this one.

My dentist has an eclectic taste in music and aside from the novocaine, tugging and drilling, I’ve always looked forward to sitting in his office, listening to whatever he has playing over the loud speakers. According to the dental hygienist it was country music Wednesday, thankfully featuring Lyle Lovett, and for the next hour I was able to lay back and enjoy his soothing voice and varied musical pallet (fortunately without any drilling this time).

My favorite Lyle Lovett song wasn’t played that day, and isn’t one of his handful of top twenty Country hits, but rather a humorous Latin influenced number from his 1996 album The Road to Ensenada.

“Her First Mistake” is a loving poke at barstool flirting, regionalism, and inflated male egos.
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Enjoy.