Fela Kuti - Why Black Man Dey Suffer (1971)

"Why Black Man Dey Suffer", recorded in 1971, was originally deemed too controversial for release by EMI, Fela Kutis label at the time. Having recently been schooled in the American black power movement and having taken on a new Pan-African worldview, this album served as one of Fela’s first musical soapboxes on which he challenged the colonial injustices and corruption of the ruling elites of his time.

The title track “Why Black Man Dey Suffer” is a history lesson on the oppression of the African man. It details the litany of abuses the black man has suffered - from being taken as slaves, to having an alien people impose a new culture upon them, take their land, fight them, and set them against one another. The following track, “Ikoyi Mentality”, firmly expresses Fela’s identification with the downtrodden masses and his rejection of the ways of the ruling class inhabitants of the Ikoyi neighborhood in Lagos.

 

Tracklist:

A	Why Black Man Dey Suffer
B	Ikoyi Mentality Versus Mushin Mentality

Fela Kuti - Why Black Man Dey Suffer (1971)

(320 kbps, cover art included)

Charlie Parker - The Charlie Parker Story (Savoy)

The Charlie Parker Story is an LP record by Charlie Parker, released posthumously by Savoy Records. While many of the tracks on this album had been previously released on other formats (78 rpm records, 7-inch EPs and singles, and 10- and 12-inch LPs), this is the first album that chronicles the entire session, recorded November 26, 1945, including all takes of all pieces.

This session is famous in that it is the first recorded under Parker's name. It is also controversial, in that to this day it is unclear who the pianist and trumpet player are on all of the tracks.

Charlie Parker - The Charlie Parker Story (Savoy)
(256 kbps, cover art included)

Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Blessed Assurance (1951)

Sister Rosetta Tharpe became gospel music's first crossover artist and its first great recording star. Her vocals and electric guitar playing influenced future greats such as Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Aretha Franklin and many others. Her 1944 hit "Down By The Riverside" was selected for the American Library of Congress National Recording Registry in 2004. Her accomplishments were cut short in 1973 when she died from a stroke. After listening to this powerhouse singer you'll agree, Sister Rosetta Tharpe truly deserves the title of "the original soul sister".

"Blessed Assurance" is an album with slow Gospel songs, accompanied by organ. It was also released in France as "Spirituals".

Tracklist:

A1	Blessed Assurance
A2	Amazing Grace
A3	Rock Of Ages
A4	Let The Lower Lights Be Burning
B1	In The Garden
B2	There's A Fountain Filled With Blood
B3	Throw Out The Life Line
B4	What A Friend We Have In Jesus

Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Blessed Assurance (1951)
(256 kbps, cover art included)

Dizzy Gillespie - The Champ (1956)

An early LP on Savoy that gathers Dizzy Gillespie's small-group recordings from 1951-52, "The Champ" has a lot to recommend it - songs, sidemen, and performances. With just one exception, each of the selections are drawn from quintet or sextet dates, boasting work by Art Blakey, Milt Jackson, J.J. Johnson, Percy Heath, and Stuff Smith in addition to an early appearance from John Coltrane (he made his debut with Diz, though not here).

On the title track, a six-minute jam released as a two-part single, Gillespie plays furiously and tenor Budd Johnson contributes a great squawking solo. "Birk's Works," one of Dizzy's finest compositions, gets its first commercial recording, while Stuff Smith's violin solo gives "Caravan" exactly the exotic touch it needs to lift it above competing versions. Diz and Joe Carroll trade vocals on "On the Sunny Side of the Street," and bop culture meets gospel for "Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac."                

Tracklist:

The Champ
Birk's Work
Caravan
Time On My Hands
On The Sunny Side Of The Street
Tin Tin Deo
Stardust
They Can't Take That Away From Me
The Bluest Blues
Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac
Ooh-Shoo-Be-Doo-Bee

 Bopsies Blues (alt. take, bonus track)
 Blue Skies (bonus track)

Dizzy Gillespie - The Champ (1956)
(256 kbps, cover art included)

VA - Mojo Presents - The Songs Of Leonard Cohen Covered

Leonard Cohen passed away yesterday at the age of 82. Rest in peace!

The Songs of Leonard Cohen Covered is a tribute album to Leonard Cohen, released in 2012. It was compiled by Mojo magazine, as a part of the magazine's March 2012 issue. The album features contributions by various musicians, including Bill Callahan, Cass McCombs, The Low Anthem, Field Music, Marc Ribot and ex-Fleet Foxes member Father John Misty.

Leonard Cohnes 1967 debut remains not only the cornerstone of Cohen´s remarkable career, but also a genuine songwriting landmark in terms of language, themaic developments and even arrangements. The entire album is covered here, its 10 tracks being augmented by five bonus cuts. The result is a fine tribute to Leonard Cohen.

Tracklist:

1. Field Music – "Suzanne"
2. Emily Barker and The Red Clay Halo – "Master Song"
3. Palace Songs – "Winter Lady"
4. The Miserable Rich – "The Stranger Song"
5. Liz Green – "Sisters of Mercy"
6. Bill Callahan – "So Long, Marianne"
7. Michael Kiwanuka – "Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye"
8. The Low Anthem – "Stories of the Street"
9. Cass McCombs – "Teachers"
10. Father John Misty – "One of Us Cannot Be Wrong"

Bonus tracks

1. Diagrams – "Famous Blue Raincoat"
2. Paper Dollhouse – "Last Year's Man"
3. Marc Ribot and My Brightest Diamond – "Bird on A Wire"
4. Dan Michaelson – "Avalanche"
5. Scott Matthews – "Seems So Long Ago, Nancy!"

VA - Mojo Presents - The Songs Of Leonard Cohen Covered
(256 kbps, cover art included)