The Long Goodbye: Part 27

We're in Sweden. It's Part 27 of our 27 part series. You know what that means, don't you?

I am contractually obliged to include that video in the post. There is one more contractual obligation to come right at the end. 

It is not an obligation but a great pleasure to thank two individuals who contributed greatly to the series. The first is the excellent Asthmatic Harp, who guest hosted the Danish leg of the tour way back in April. The other is the equally excellent George, who gave us his unique take on the Portuguese music scene and contributed a few tracks to other posts along the way. Thank you both.

Sweden is a great place to end the tour, having been responsible for so much magnificent music over the years. And Rednex. So let's go out on a high. Take it away, Little Gerhard!

"Into The Go-Go Groove" - Little Gerhard

"She's Having A Baby Now" - The Tages

"Oje Brudmarsch" - Monica Tornell

"Den Gamla Vanliga Historien" - Turid

"Staten & Kapitalet" - Ebba Gron

"Would You Say Stop? " - Acid House Kings

We'll bring things to an close with our other contractual obligation. From everyone here in Leggiesland, thanks for sticking with us. And to all of you out there in Europeland, thank you for the music.

The Kids Of Today

Young people, eh? What are they like? Coming round here with their long hair and loud music and lack of prospects.  

"Young Generation" - Desmond Dekker

"Younger Generation" - The Lovin' Spoonful

"Who Do You Think You're Foolin'" - Disillusioned Younger Generation

This Is Kologo Power!

Yet another winner from the magnificent folks at Sahel Sounds for you today. This time it is "This Is Kologo Power!", a compilation from Ghana featuring the kologo, a local two-stringed lute. First released in 2016, it is still available on their Bandcamp page along with many other fine albums.

Dig those funky two-stringed sounds!   

"Africa" - King Ayisoba

"I Have Something To Say" - Atimbila

Here is some more from King Ayisoba, possibly my new favourite king. You can find his album "1000 Can Die" on Bandcamp too. 

Eric B and Charley P

If you are one of those people who take a logical approach to cataloging your record collection, it is highly unlikely you would put Eric B & Rakim next to Charley Pride. Fortunately the good folks who run the pet rescue shop in Ramsgate take a more laissez faire approach. I was down there earlier in the week and found Eric and Charley's respective greatest hits collections nestling next to each other. At just 25p each I didn't need to decide between them, I snapped them both up.  

"The Punisher" - Eric B & Rakim

"A Shoulder To Cry On" - Charley Pride

J.C. Lodge is a big Charley Pride fan, taking this version of one of his old hits to number one in the Netherlands back in 1982. I wonder if she ever pops down to Ramsgate?

Bunny Lee R.I.P.

Very sad to learn that the great Bunny 'Striker' Lee has died at the age of 79, without doubt one of the greatest and most influential producers there has ever been Here is a tiny selection from his phenomenal back catalogue. RIP Mr Lee.

"Bangarang" - Lester Sterling & Stranger Cole

"My Conversation" - The Uniques

"Gorgon A The Ginegog" - Cornell Campbell

"Under Heavy Manners" - Derrick Morgan

"Minstrel And Queen" - The Blackstones

"The Duke" - I Roy

The Long Goodbye: Part 26

It's the penultimate leg of our EU tour and we're off to sunny Spain. Y Viva Espana! We're taking the Costa Brava plane to El Quarantina etc.

I always enjoy visiting Spain and I have had many memorable nights there over the years, including one that indirectly led to me becoming buddies with Mama Coconut through these very pages. I would link you back to the story that prompted her to get in touch but after searching for it for nearly five whole minutes I gave up.

Instead, on with the show. There are many mountain loads of marvellous music from Spain. Here is a very tiny fraction of it.

"Me Sabe A Humo" - Los Chinquitos

"Señora" - Joan Manuel Serrat

"En Una Habitación Realmente Pequeña" - Los Negativos

"Perlas Ensangrentadas" - Alaska y Dinarama

"Occident (Recepte De Cuina)" - Pau Riba

One of the memorable nights I alluded to occurred about four years ago. My mate Rich and I were visiting bars in the Lavapies district of Madrid when we met the legendary El Rumbero de Vallecas. That's him on the left and Rich on the right.

Former professional singer and multiple winner of Spain's annual John Cooper Clarke lookalike competition, El Rumbero now performs in the bars of Lavapies accompanied by his son on guitar. And very entertaining they are to, as the first of today's videos demonstrates.

Now You See Him...

Today we have some top pop tunes from Kampala's King of Kool, Dr Jose Chameleone. Unlike other chameleons, he is not very good at blending into the background.

"Nvanja" - Jose Chameleone

"Twenkanya Size" - Jose Chameleone