Today we bring you the first of our slim pickings from Malaysia, bought purely on the basis of the cover:
As the eagle-eyed among you will spot, the album is "Masa Scarecrow" and the band is Doktrin Metos, which I am am advised is Malaysian for Metal Doctrine. Which gives you a pretty good idea of what you get - bog-standard metal of the era (1990) with a couple of less heavy tracks thrown in to show depth. It's not for me, but make your own minds up. "Patahyna Sayap Malam" - Doktrin Metos "Benar Atau Jelmaan" - Doktrin Metos
But whatever else might be said about Doktrin Metos, they are at least an improvement on the similarly named novelty band Doctor & The Medics.
Well, I'm back from my trip to Jakarta and assorted parts of Malaysia, and a great time was had by all. My visit to the Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak was curtailed by the arrival of torrential rain - I suppose the name of the festival should have been a clue - but I was taught how to use a blowpipe while there. I am sure that is a skill that will come in handy in the future.
Apart from the festival, the musical pickings were pretty slim. While admittedly I didn't scour every inch of Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur or George Town, I failed to find a single CD emporium in any of them. I had better luck in Kuching, where I managed to acquire a compilation of 1970s Malaysian pop plus what judging by the cover may be a concept album involving aliens. Let's hope so.
More of those anon. For now, let's get back in the saddle with some fun and frivolity from Cameroon. Both tracks come from a groovy compilation with the self-explanatory title of "Pop Makossa". "Mussoliki" - Bernard Ntome "Nen Lambo" - Bill Loko
As far as I know, "Mussoliki" is not a misspelt tribute to the former Italian dictator. We don't need that kind of thang.
I'm heading off on my travels in a couple of days, back towards the end of the month. I'm looking forward to the trip - work in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, and a couple of long weekends in Penang and Sarawak, with a visit to the Rainforest World Music Festival likely to be a highlight of the latter.
As usual, I'll leave you with a selection of tracks that were first featured here back in the pre-zeitgeist era of 2009. They aren't quite as exotic as some of the earlier selections but that is because the dredging is nearly done now. There are a few dodgy things that I couldn't bring myself to inflict on you twice - and I say that knowing that "Finnish Whistler" made the cut - but not much else.
A couple of slices of sunny, funky pop for you today. One from Turkey, one from Cote d'Ivoire, because that's how we do things round here. "Bis Istersek" - Mazhar Fuat Özkan "Black & White" - Moussa Doumbia
Which leads us inevitably to Greyhound. Those are some enormous microphones.
Some sad news to report. I found out a couple of days ago that the great Texan troubadour Jimmy Lafave died of cancer in late May.
I was lucky enough to see him play in London a couple of times three of four years back. He was very personable and he and his band knew how to put on a great show.
But the unforgettable thing about Jimmy was his incredible, emotive voice. There are very few singers, if any, who can more reliably bring a lump to my throat. R.I.P. Jimmy. It's not dark yet, but it's getting there. "Home Once Again" - Jimmy Lafave "I'll Remember You" - Jimmy Lafave "Not Dark Yet" - Jimmy Lafave
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