In the 1994 World Cup an under-skilled, but inspired United States Men’s Soccer team narrowly defeated an outstanding Colombian side that many analysts felt was the most talented team in the tournament. If not for death threats to midfielder Gabriel Gomez and head coach Francisco Maturana, and an own goal by Andrés Escobar, the US wouldn’t have stood a chance. 

10 days after that game, Andrés Escobar was murdered in his hometown of Medelin for his role in the defeat, just five months before he was to be wed. 16 years later, writer Nick Sprague and directors Jeff and Mike Zimbalist produced The Two Escobars, a documentary on the role the illegal drug trade played in the rise of Colombian soccer, the Colombian Conflict, and the lives of Pablo and Andrés Escobar. 

Ion Michael Furjan’s wonderful music was featured throughout the film and this song (edited from its original 6 minute length) perfectly captures the joy and sorrow Colombians felt while following one of the greatest generations of players to ever take the pitch. If you have not seen this documentary, it is powerful and outstanding.


The Two Escobars:
http://www.the2escobars.com/
If you would like to hear more from Ion Michael Furjan: https://lavajumperstudios.bandcamp.com/album/music-inspired-by-andr-s-and-pablo-escobar

Like fellow musicians Kevin Parker of Tame Impala and Connan Mockasin, Jackson Scott is the latest in the long line of artists skillfully keeping trippy sounds alive. His latest project Votaries combines these psychedelic sensibilities with a generous smearing of washed out guitars, vocals, and rolling basslines. It makes me smile to find younger musicians still smothered in delay and reverb. 

Jackson Scott and his fellow Asheville NC musicians continue to release well-crafted songs, and like their older Shoegazing cousins of the 90’s, I hope they continue to push the envelope of contemporary music. Other tracks from Jackson Scott worth listening to are “That Awful Sound” and “PRPLMTV.” You might also like newer psychedelic musicians The Triptides, and with a much larger budget behind them, The Temples.

In 1950 former real estate salesman Ernest “Ernie” Young created Ernie's Record Mart, and soon after the Nashboro and then Excello Record labels. While Nashboro was known for gospel music, Excello focused on the Blues, and helped propel the careers of Lightnin’ Slim, Slim Harpo, and Lonnie Brooks among many others. Most of the early Excello singles were recorded live after hours at Nashville’s legendary radio station WLAC. 

“Calling all Cows” is just one of many memorable singles released on Excello, and it also happens to be one of my favorites. Written by Earley Dranne it features “Lazy” Bill Lucas on piano and vocals, Dranne on guitar, P.T Hayes on harmonica, and Jo Jo Williams on percussion. It’s a curious, playful song with cheeky lyrics. and like most recordings of the era, was most likely captured live without multitrack overdubbing. This “open mic” style of recording was not only necessary to capture the entire group, but allows the audience to step into the room as if they were also performing with the musicians. 
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I adore this time period in music, not only because of the early analogue distortion and production values, but because the players could actually perform flawlessly live. I hope you all enjoy this track and make sure to check out more of Excello’s legendary 78’ and 45’ singles.

From 1956 until his death in 1989 Franco Luambo Makiadi and his band OK Jazz dominated much of the African musical landscape. He is considered by many the "King of Rumba,” Soukous, and the “Sorcerer of the Guitar.” With a band that featured at times over 30 musicians on stage and with over 100 albums and over 2000 songs recorded, one can understand why. 

This song was released in 1979 and features the vocals of Franco, Josky Kiambukuta and Djo Mpoyi. It also showcases Franco and his fellow guitarists’ magically delayed guitar work, most notably at 7:15 and when it locks in with the horns at 7:52. I especially love the mesmerizing bass lines that round out every OK Jazz track. 
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Franco, OK Jazz, and Rumba are still largely ignored in the United States but this music deserves much more attention especially for the fact that it is just as warm, friendly and kindhearted as the people that play it.