One World Beat By Jonathan E.
Conjunto Ckspedesbe- gan at a family reunion in Oakland in August, In 1970, in a magazine called Crawdaddy, he described a kind I 1981and becameprorni- music that no one else had heard of, let alone tried to describe. nent players in the mid- He named this music heavy metal. Courtney Pine (alto and soprano saxophone, flute). '80s surge of interest in Songstresses NrDea Davenport of Brand New Heav- world beat in the Bay In 1972, he assembled, named, wrote far, ies and Carlene Anderson take this LP over the top Area. They released a with some penetrating vocals. Songs like 'When produced and managed great album, Guira con rite to Jonathan E., c/o Sound You're Near," 'Trust Me," and "Sights of the City" Son, on their own dl,54 29th St., Richmond, CA the first avowed heavy metal band, Blue Oyster Cult. are absolutely brilliant. Caldero label in 1984. 804, or email to: ieue @ For many young people, jazz is a lofty and unat- only to disappear from well'sf'ca'Â¥'s In 1975, before Rotten, before the Ramones, tainable music from the past. However, Jazzmatazz regular view. Over the past couple of years there have he discovered, fought for, succeeds in bringing generationstogether. At a recent been scattered sightings, but with the release of their recorded and forced Epic to release the first punk record, show at the DNA Lounge, the players got an over- magnificent new album, Una Sola Casa (Green Lin- whelming reception as Ayers got busy on the vibes The Dictators Go Girl Crazy. net/Xenophile), they should regain- their place in the and Byrd wove intricate notes with his muted trum- spotlight. pet, while Guru dropped the dope rhymes. Guru In 1976, having defined the scope of heavy metal for summed things up when he humbly noted that he was proud to be down with the "masters" and that it a thousand imitators to come, the Blue Oyster Cult redefined was an honor to work with their crew. the Top 40 with "Don't Fear the Reaper." Although rap is derived mostly from blues, the irnprovisational/freestyle elements of hip-hop and In 1978, he was invited to produce the second record by jazz have often led folks to liken the two musical "the only band that matters," the Clash. genres. The highlight of the DNA show came when Guru allowed Byrd and Ayers to let loose while he In 1980, he was invited to assume management of the other I invited local SF rapper JT the Bigger Figger and a raggamuffin artist from East New York to come seminal heavy metal band, Black Sabbath. onstage and wreckshop. Props out toGuru for taking hip-hop to a new level. In 1984, he brought LA'S paisley underground into the light, Finally, for the record, while this hip-hop-jazz- thing is the flavor of the month, please bear in mind producing the major-label debut of Dream Syndicate. that folks were rapping over jazz grooves and col- laborating with jazz musicians from jump street. In 1987, he helped bring San Francisco alternative music Grover Washington and Bob James had tracks that to the world as proprietor were highly popular among NY's pioneering rap- of 41 5 Records, home to Romeo Void, Translator. pers. Later, Herbie Hancock hooked up with hip-hop DJ Grand Mixer DST. Stesasonic and DJ Jazzy Jeff &the Fresh Prince superbly demonstrated the poten- In 1990, he established Popular Metaphysics Records, tial for this fusion with tracks like "Talking All That home to Manitoba's Wild Kingdom, Jazz," and "A Touch of Jazz." Even Public Enemy World Entertainment War, and Love Club. with their "noise" hooked up with Branford Marsalis for "Fight the Power." But Guru has centered his Conjunto Cespedes: irresistible and universal sound and perspective around the jazz masters, and And in 1991, he built his dream recording studio, 72 tracks dedicated to making musical history on into the millenium. Jazzmatazz bears that out. If s a curious thing, but even with an almost com- Finally, on the local tip, look out for Oakland's plete personnel turnover (only leaders Gladys"Bobil' Siggnett Posse, which has released a very flavorful Ckspedes and her nephew, Guillenno Ckspedes, That studio is ~lpha& Omega. and funky track entitled "Get Right to It" (BSB remain from the old days) and the addition of piano And now it con be yours. To borrow. Records). The group's two principle members, Jwanz and a powerful horn section to the lineup, the sound and DFlat, have been hard at work promoting their is much the same. Such is the innate power of the For custom rate packages, material and successfully establishing club and local tradition of son Cubano. The cool shade of the key- production & management services, college radio play. The flipside is "Chocolate Girls," boards and the blazing light of the flashy horns flow a slower groove that may hit you right. so naturally with the fres riverine guitar, airy flute, help, dial: 41 5-485-5675. Next issue, I'm gonna hit all the local releases, I entwined strings, embedded bass, and splashy rap swear, including Pooh-Man, Easki, Spice-1, and oth- ids of percussion that one hears the whole watershed ers. Until then, peace out. before the tributaries. Tumbling throughit allisBobi's elementall life-affirmingvoice, travelling through the musical landscape from sourceto ocean with a stream- ing force that is irresistible and universal. The official record release dance party will be June 26th at La Pefia Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Blue Notes Berkeley. You can also catch ConjuntoCbspedes June 19th at the Julia Morgan Theatre, 2640 College Ave., san rafael By Steve Stolder Berkeley. In addition, Wayne Wallace, who provided the horn arrangements and played lead trombone on 16 to 72 tracks rn API 48 console Una Sola Casa, unveils "Rhythm and Rhyme" at the IAnalog 1/2", 1/4" & ADAP digital mastering Steve is playing tourist in Dinkelspiel Auditorium July 2nd as part of the New Yorkforan issue. Blue Stanford Jazz Workshop Summer Jazz Concert Se- Moving fader automation rn No VCA's Notes will return on July ries. Call (415) 386-8535 for full info on that series. 17 delays, reverbs & multi-efx boxes 2nd. Sol Y Luna's Flamenco, Salsa, Rumba (Nagualito Music, 516 Monterey "C",Pacifica, CA 94044; 415/ 36 channels of outboard limited & compressors 282-4369) steers away from traditional fare, blending IMassenberg, EAR & Drowmer mike-pre's 36 noise gates three Hispanic musics together with a little jazz to 16 outboard EQ's Tube gear Address correspondence c/o BAM come up with something familiar yet new. The com- at 3470 Buskirk Aue., Pleasant IStone & glass drum chapel Hill, CA 94523. bination of two pita& endlessly chasing each otherL
JUNE 18.1W3/BAM 13 given the number of times these guys have split and way they leave artists alone and manage to break reunited, fwas bound to happen, and the dawning of them anyway. Just ask Helmet and 4 Non Blondes, a new era is welcome. Bad Brains have never been less both enjoying some success thanks to Interscope per- than scorching. Rise, the band's new album, won't be severance. out for a couple of months, but I implore you to check Cop Shoot Cop, which has been allowed to make a out their albums (especially Rock for Light, I Against I, fine album in its own way, will play the Kennel Club and Quickness), and make sure to catch a show next June 18th. It's a show that looks set to be a big, fat time. winner, especially with the God Machine on the bill. v v v Can they recreate those ugly, woeful, incessant walls of misery live? It'll be intriguing to see.. . "I'm taking you out!" said my wife Deanna one ~ednesdaynight, and I was jolly excited; if s nice to the expected palmas (the handclaps so associated be brought out on a date. We pulled up outside the with flamenco), and the extra percussion fromcongas Clubhouse, parked our ride, and went inside to Faster and timbales, allied with tasteful piano, yearning Pussycat night. I was finally going toseeMudwimmin, South Bay Beat violin, and the vortex of ecstatic singing, perfectly a band which I've been meaning to see for a while. No By Carla Hay captures the swirling energy of flamenco while tak- femme-femme pretty garbage here, just thick, heavy ing it to a higher ground. It's a luminous peak, yet slabs of riff tossed at you like a crowbar. As the band interesting shadows dapple the earth. Sol Y Luna are interchanged instruments, each having a leap and yell The Bay Area isn't ex- , the house band at the Sol Y Luna restaurant, 475 at the mic, nothing could hide the murderous mean actly the center of the Sacramento, SF, and can be seen there every Friday at streak that is so obviously within the Mudwimmin's country-bluegrass in- 1030 p.m. and every Saturday at 11 p.m. They also easy reach. Didn't quite see it that night-the show dustry, but there are present a traditional flamenco show there the same was more for fun than thuggery-but I'll bet in the some talented perform- evenings at 8 p.m. right situation,Mudwimmincould blow up a PA, kick ers here that are making Out and about: The San Francisco Ethnic Dance some heads in, and make some bodies explode. They their mark. Among them Festival runs for two more weekends. Thereare shows make Babes in Toyland seem like Europe for is the award-winningsan at8p.m. onJune18th, 19th,25thand26that the Palace Chrissakes, and even the mighty L7 seems strangely Jose duo McCarty and of Fine Arts. Call (415) 474-3916 for the undoubtedly stale in comvarison.I extensive lineup of dancers from around the world. varietypack, on the inde- BAM's South Bay ofice: 20 Hn- vvv raid Ave., #39, San Jose 95117. .. . Clan Dyken appears at the Boulder Creek Brewing pendent HIT Records, is Company June 18th and the Starry Plough, Berkeley, Reverend Ernie writes to tell a bit more about Pale- as good as country can get. Vocalists E.V. McCarty June 19th. I guess they like good beer! Sister band face: '"You say he looks like a man of many aliases, I and Kevyn Stoffer (who've appeared on the Nash- (they share Marc Margolis as manager) Pele Juju have news for you-he is. Think back two to three ville Network) have a real winner with this album stops over in the Bay Area after dates in Alabama and years. Do you remember a local thrash band called since it showcases not only their talent in country Tennessee with a show at Ashkenaz June 25th. Then Sick Minded? Who was their singer? Could it have music but also their ability to incorporate a wide they head north for a benefit for the Fort Ross Volun- been Paleface, sporting long blonde locks and using range of other influences. Variety Pack is an appropri- teer Fire Department in CazaderoJune 26th, the High the pseudonym Ronnie Ray? Who was he before that? ate title for this ambitious 17-song CD since it features Sierra Music Festival July 3rd (Clan Dyken appears Paleface was an Iowa football jock who used to get a variety of guest appearances such as Tiran Porter there July 2nd), and a string of Oregon, Washington, drunk on weekends and tip over cows. His real name? and Dave Shogren (the Doobie Brothers), Donny and Canadian dates. They return to California for Chadwick Bradley Pense." Baldwin (Starship), Commander Cody,Fred McCarty Reggae on the River July 31st. Call Marc at (510) 420- The point, sadly, is that how you present yourself (E.V.'s cousin, who fronts the South Bay country 1776 for further info on either band. these days is as important as what you play. We are in group McCarty and Company),LydiaPenseandCold Ancient Future has a new album, Asian Fusion an era where packaging attracts, where a strong pre- Blood, and the African Rain Singers. For more infor- (Narada), and a couple of shows-both freebies. One sentation makes people take notice. I am not too sure mation, call (408) 866-5058. is at the Healdsburg Plaza (it's a nice place, could be about Paleface's "authenticity," but the point is that worth a weekend drive) from 2-4 p.m. June 27th; call Paleface made me look at his demo-cover, made me (707) 431-3301 for further info. The other is at the read about him, made me Farmers Market at Cinema Square, near Galindo and listena few times, and con- Salvio, in Concord at noon June30th; the info number vinced me that I had to is (510) 671-3393. To reach Ancient Future, call Mat- talk about him. (Sideques- thew Montfort at (415) 459-1892. .. . Also June 30th, tion: Is "tipping cows" an Trance Mission celebrates its new album release on American phrase, or can City of Tribes with a party at the Great American you really do it? I cannot Music Hall. A full review will follow, but suffice it to imagine tipping over a say that Stephen Kent on didgeridoo, Beth Custeron cow, and would like to clarinet, John Loose on percussion, and Ken Newby know how it's done.) on electronics and Asian wind instruments make music that is both adventurous and deeply rooted. Cement, ex-Faith No More man Chuck THE HARD STUFF Mosely'slatestproject, has anew album out via Dutch East India, and it's a re- Raw Power turn to Mosely's brooding By Steffan Chirazi best. They recently played Morty's, and will doubt- less be cruising up the Bad Brains, who re- again in the near fu- McCarty and Stoffer: as good as country can get cently supported Living ture. Reports of the show I Colour at the Warfield, heard were very good, and if s nice to see Mosely back Ever since the Ajax Lounge opened around two have also recently on track and doing his own unique, unpredictable years ago, it has slowly but surely become one of the penned a major label thing again. I hope he can keep things together better most talked-aboutnightspotsin theSouthBay. Known deal with Epic Records, than in the Faith days, because his potential has never primarily for its jazz shows, the Ajax Lounge (located ensuring that these been in doubt. above the Eulipia restaurant in downtown San Jose) hardcore-thrash pio- Congratulations are in order for Primus, which, also features poetry readings, DJ dancing, and perfor- neers will finally have Addresscorrespondencec/o BAM having made one of the most inaccessible albums of mances by local groups from different genres. Part of their day. When1sit back at 3470 Buskirk Ave., Pleasant the year, is bigger than ever. Pork Soda's gold in the US, the Ajax Lounge's appeal is due to the fact that it has and thinkabout just how Hill, CA94523. and they haven't even kicked off Lollapalooza yet, been attracting people from all over the Bay Area important an influence when unknowing frat kids are sure to get in on the act. through word-of-mouth rather than through a moun- Bad Brains has been on so many of the bands we know It's tremendous to see a band which didn't compro- tain of publicity and hype. and-love, it's mind-boggling; no one buzzes faster, mise one bit and, just as importantly, a label that Speaking of hot nightclubs, the Edge in Palo Alto dubs spacier, or fuses styles with as much flair. No didn't make it. Tom Whalley, Jimmy Iovihe, and has found a winning combination in alternating DJ more HR(the new singer is called Israel Joseph I), but everyoneelseat Interscopedeserveour respect for the dancing nights with live ska and reggae music. While Continued on page 56 14 JUNE 18, -1W3/BAM
voice, and there's some striking original material on dent Future has worked on this concept for more than display. Contact: (707) 762-3654. a decade (this is its sixth album) and the result is cool, Demo Department: The Riz Quartet/Aram Band flowing music that effortlessly floats where it will. check in with a couple of classy jazz efforts. The Matthew Montfort's guitar is the common thread former is a basic four-man quartet, while the latter is that ties together otherwise varied instrumentation. that same foursome, plus a sax player. Contact: (415) One slightly reggaefied song features the Vietnamese 435-9613. .. . The DIArmous Boone Collective's tape dhn bhu, a one-stringed instrument with a whammy- was cut live at a Well of Souls-produced Berkeley bar, played by Biii Huu Nhut, while five tracks fea- Square show. Featuring two members of Z-Groove, ture Zhao Hui playing the cascading ~hinesegu theensemble that backs the heralded San Jose bebop/ zheng, a board zither. Violin, piano, Chinese flute, hip-hop group 10-Bass-T, this foursome's music is synthesizer, bass, and a wide variety of percussion are cipient of the National Association of Independent surprisingly mature, frequently inspired, and admi- also heard. It's pleasing music that succeeds in evok- Record Distributors' award for Best Adult Alterna- rably adventurous. A cut above. Contact: (415) 721- ing picturesque and idealized images of Asian land- tive Album of the Year. Her very cool 1969 debut with 9541. .. . Oakland's Blind Horse is co-led by soulful scapes; the heat and dust, the grime and sweat of ex-husband Geoff Muldaur, Pottery Pie, has just been vocalist Ms. Dee and slashing guitarist/vocalist Paul everyday scenes are replaced by rarefied airs and a reissued by Hannibal/Ryko.. .. Congrag tooakland's Wood, who are backed by a strong supporting cast. courtly stateliness. the Stingers, who're off to Long Beach July 31st to The duo attack affords this outfit the kind of versatil- Upcoming dates for Ancient Futureare July 22nd at compete against bands from around the country for ity similar blues-rock outfits lack, and there's some thevalhalla Summer Festival, South LakeTahoe; July an opening slot at this year's Long Beach Blues Festi- good (and varied) material here, particularly the plain- 23rd at the Kentucky Mine Amphitheater, Sierra City; val. The group topped the regional competition at tive 'The Next Fool." Contact:(510) 339-1922. August 5th at Jack London Square, Oakland, at 5:30 Jack's Bar in SF June 14th. p.m. (if s a free one); August 7th at Life on the Water CD Department: Grant Watson, Jr.'s Creativity in EGGAE & WORLD BEAT 1 Theater, Fort Mason, SF, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (also Motion features well-played sax parts over ultralight broadcast live on KQED-FM); and a "duet perfor- jazz and stilted rhythms. Contact: Saxe Records, P.O. mance" August 27th at Larkspur Landing Shopping Box 3295, Berkeley, CA 94703. .. . Along the same lines One World Beat Center at 7 p.m. (also free). (a little too polite for my coarse tastes) but more By Jonathan E. Kenneth Newby of Trance Mission also has a CD successfully executed is In the Pocket's Ladies and out under his own name. Ecology of Souls (Songlines Gentlemen.. .In the Pocket, which comes via Jack Street Ancient Future's Recordings, Box 421,810 W. Broadway, Vancouver, Records. Contact: (510) 420-1 182. .. . Finally, one I do punnily titled album on B.C., Canada, V5Z 4C9) features deeply atmospheric like (for the most part) is the self-titled disc from the Narada Equinox, Asian music designed to illuminate our awareness of the Pulsators,a Petaluma five-piece that has a publishing Fusion, is also accurately. multiple layers of reality that surround us. The title is and production deal with booster Art Neville. (Jason, titled. If s a musical trip borrowed from a passage in Terence McKennalsFood Newsted of Metallica appeared on thecover of Guitar through the classical of the Gods and the album is imbued with the shamanic Player last year wearing a Pulsators T-shirt.) The styles of Japan, China, spirit of the Archaic Revival in that if s at once of this group adds blues and all thoseattendant roots sounds Pakistan, Vietnam, Indo- world and of others. Acoustic suling gambuh (sound- to a rockabilly bed. An abysmal foray into arena rock nesia, and Asia Minor, ing a little like a flute), a Balinese gender wayang ("Heart of Reaction") is rather jarring, but there's smoothly fused with quartet, shimmering percussion, and whispering some jazz and just a little' Swell, 54 29th St., Richmond, enough good stuff going on here to make some mis- CA 94804, or email to> jetn? @ voices are entwined with electronic drones and sonic steps forgivable. Vocalist Johnny Campbell is in fine African percussion. An- well.sf.ca.us. transformations of didjeridu, Gregorian chants, and
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14 JULY 16,19931BAM THE HARD STUFF wasstored-in Belgium, with them. And they brought I I with them absurdly wonderful visuals in the form of dry ice and strobes in the scorching daylight. Black law Power leather disco from hell in the sun! Fantastic! Arrested Development was the day's nicest sur- prise, as the group brought a true Lollapaloozian Before Lollapalooza message of peace (not to mention real African-rooted 1993, adviceon analbum music) to the stage. AD was cheery, danceable, and to buy Treponem Pal's delivered a message without forcing it down your forthcoming Roadrun- neck. A perfect late-afternoon vibe! natural sounds to create an expanding spiral of deli- ner release, Excess and I've seen Fishbone skarockrollfunk it up with more cate proportions. Time is suspended even as the mu- Overdrive. Electro-am energy in the past, and the recent problems involving sic unfolds. ... A good maa-order source for this withrepetitive,ind&k- guitarist Kendall Jones seem to have taken a sting out release and other mysterious musical wonders (retail alizedguitarbatteringof of the group. Nothing that won't be rectified once the stores appear not to have figured out which section the highest order, this dust settles, and the band at 95 percent strength was they belong in-nor have I) is Playing by Ear, 1244 points the direction Address correspondence 'I0 entertaining, if not astounding. BAM at 3470 Buskirk Ave., royally Mojave Dr., Colton, CA 92324; (909) 824-8749. A cata- where we all hope Min- phntH~H, 94523. Jeez, what is it about DinosaurJr.? With a smorgas- log is available or you may order di- bord of FX put out through amps set at 11, they were rectly by phone. ... Wanna play the PHOTO' Pa bloody aggravating. Spin called J Mascis God? I guess didjeridu?stephen~ent,alsoof~knce I don't know the art of noise. It was ugly. I wonder Mission, leads a Clarion Music Center how many "admirers" feel the same way but won't workshop July 18th. Call (415) 391- admit it? 1317 for info. Clarion also has many Of course, in a stunning display of predictability, I didjs for sale. ... And while we're in have to announce that not only was Alice in Chains Trance Mission territory, the band's great, the band is now posited to become an enor- June 30th CD release party at the Great mous presence in rock 'n' roll. Layne Staley per- American Music Hall was beautiful, formed like an enigmatic, evil freak, and the band was exciting,and phenomenal. Buy theCD! toasty. An hour of their finest material culminated If s on the City of Tribes label. with the superb "Rooster." Lucky Dube returns yet again to the I have come to like Primus because this group is Bay Area fora show at Slim's July29th. completely into its own thing. They have no interest By now the high energy level of his live in appeasing anyone. They may well prove to be their performances should be well known, generation's Pink Floyd, plus they'resick and twisted but it's worth noting that his new beyond belief. And everyone stayed for 'em, which Shanachie album, Victims, is quite su- screwed up a lot of predictions! perb. His ability to endow tender per- The second stage could've used more action, al- sonal love songs with a political con- though Tool was decent and Mercury Rev impressed text is reminiscent of Bob Marley's with some whizzed-up, buzzed-out nonsense. The best writing~andhe's not afraid to big disappointment was the "midway," which was quote and build upon Marley's words, crap. It resembled one long, fancy street-market. Po- even to the point of indicating where litical booths were sacrificed for a wider variety of Marley's vision may have failed him. clothing, food, and trinket outlets. Meanwhile, the "Different Colors/One People" is a line for the cash machine stretched out. The vibe, most succinctand optimistic statement which had beenLollapalooza's best feature, was gone. on the single most pressing issue of our As for the debate tent, who the hell in this tripping times: the need to develop a true plan- crowd was going to argue with '60s acid guru Timo- etary consciousness without racial di- thy Leary? No, more true political conflictwas needed. visions. The band is excellent, able to Lollapalooza needs a serious injection of enthusi- rock out, steer a steady course, or ex- asm to avoid becoming a complete commercial white- plore intricate passages, all without wash. Some definition could make next year's the best losing the basic reggae feel. The sweet- Primus's Les Claypool: The crowd stayed 'tll the end yet. And, yes, I predict there will be a next year. and clear-voiced backing singers are particularly pleasing as they slide eas- PENINSULA ily around Dube's slightly husky tones. Lucky Dube istrv is headed. An added dimension comes from SAN JOSE & I has always been an impressive artist, but with this producer Franz Treichler (one of the Young Gods album he has elevated himself to an even higher geniuses), who adds warmth and a searing rock sen- South Bay Beat standard. sibility to the near-undassifiable sound. Treponem By Carla Hay Note that you can catch some Hawaiian reggae Pal brings hard music to a pair of ears that have heard IÑ the Jawaiiansound-from Ho'Aikane July 28that the a lot of it, but succeeds at being exciting. If you still Lollapalooza. We've Kennel Club. ... And the amazing D'Cuckoo will have any doubts and need some "big name" endorse- heard all the hype,solefs MIDI-marimbasize Alberto's, Mountain View (736 ment to convince you, Al Jourgensen took vocalist get down to how the W. Dana) ~uly23rd;the Catalyst, Santa Cruz (1011 Marco Neves and guitarist Michel Bassin along as third installment played Pacific Ave.) July24th;and theGreat American Music part of Ministry's '92 Lollapalooza circus. Fantastic June 2nd-23rd at the Hall, SF, July 30th. .. . And now for something com- and French! ShorelineAmphitheatre. pletely different: Nose magazine presents "Steal This So, Lollapalooza.. .? I approached this festival with Standouts: LA'S Rage Show" at the Elbo Room July 19th, featuring bands enormous trepidation, only to be proven half wrong. Against the Machine h that try to be funny instead of simply ending up that Musically, the main stage was superblybalanced. Rage up the crowd with a furious fusion of I way through ineptness or pretensions. The acts are Against the Machine was a fine opener, energizing , correspondence to the band of clowns Simon's Blue Diamonds (defi- the crowd with its special brand of politically revolu- rap and rock. Most ev- BAM'S south Bay office: 20 nitely from another world), High Ball (with stand-up tionary funk/rap/rock. On record, it doesn't work eryone there ate it up-a Harold Am., #39, San lose, CA comic Laura Milligan), and Rezzin, which is the Nose like this; this is a band that needs to be seen to be vefy good sign for a band 95117- house band (whose members don't play house, but do heard. performing -first at this horse around in bad wigs while performing "silly Babes in Toyland provided a noise orgy, but the multiact festival. ... Arrested Development, whose songs from thepot-smokingera". ..whichmakes them buzzing and thrashing didn't work for the unrespon- set was filled with themes of unity and African pride, pretty contemporary, I suppose). Besides being an sive suburbanites in the front rows, who probably has by far the most theatrical show of this year's issue-release party for the magazine, if s also a benefit haven't heard anything this "alternative" before. Kat beup. Lead vocalist Speech and dancer/singer to buy a new PowerBook for editor Jack Boulware, Bjelland appears to be well versed in raging angst, Montsho Eshe (she of the nonstop leap-dancing) who was totally cleaned out by burglars not long ago and she carried the show with a mean punch, with were particularly outstanding. ... Primus, the weird and who provides the acerbic, essential, and occa- support from the towering drums of Lori Barbero. and wonderful trio from Berkeley, was absolutely, sionally inaccurate slapsho hots" column in the SF The Babes took the underground overground with unequivocally top-notch. Clad in a sleazy cowboy Weekly. Now who's gonna throw a benefit for my the day's most pissed-off set. outfit, bassist/lead singer Les Claypool captivated computer needs? Front 242 showed where the template for Ministry the audience with his unique style, which is part
16 JULY 16.1993/BAM PHOTO: JAY BLAKESBERG Shankar 'n' Caroline, Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart, James, ene Geoffrey Oryema, [HEla1 ... Remmy Ongala and anumi Orchestre Super Matimila, Inner Circle, the Drummers of Burundi, the Terem Ralph Carney, who kind of plays Bobby Keys to the Quartet, Trisan, and El rest of the group's Rolling Stones, jolted each song Cabrero. Additionally, he guested on to a higher level. there will be workshops The next Robert Cray album, which I misidenti- in dance, percussion, and fied last column, is called Shame (not "Same") and a textiles, and the Future Sin. I thought that was rather cryptic. .. . At work in Zone, where contempo- Dave Wellhausen Studios in SF: singer Tamra rary electronic art forms Gonzalez, backed by her own Blues Bandits, plus will be on display and guests Johnny Nitro & the Doorslammers. .. . One available for audience of the leading lights of contemporary jazz, Roy interaction. For more on Hargrove, pays tribute to "the true bastions of this aspect of the festival, Participating in the press conference announcing the upcoming WOMAD jazz" with his new Novus CD, Of Kindred Souls. read my Multimedia 101 Festival were: (back row, left to right) Gregg Perloff, president of Bill Graham The album was cut live at six "stalwart" clubs, column in the August Presents; Peter Gabriel; Future Zone coordinator Brett Leonard; (middle row) including Bach Dancing & Dynamite in Half Moon 23rd issue of MicroTimes. Johnny Podell of the William Morris Agency; Nick Seymour of Crowded House; Bay, Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz, and v v v Evie Dworetsky of Ben & Jerry's; and Rob Mlchalak of Ben & Jerry's; (bottom Keystone Korner/Yoshi's in Oakland. Hurry on down to the row) BGP producer Peter Barsottl and Holly Aives of Ben 81Jerry's Great American Music Hall August 12th for Richie Havens, writer of "African Herbsman" (originally known as "Indian Rope Man"), performed by both Bob Marley on his great Lee Perry-produced LP, African Herbsman By Jonathan E. (Trojan), and Ziggy Marley on his new album, Joy and Blues (Virgin). The same venue has Gil Scott- Heron supported by the Charlie Hunter Trio The WOMAD Festival is August 14th, and Ancient Future and Jai Uttal & finally touring the US., the Pagan Love Orchestra August 18th. ... The with the last stop being Michael Pluznick Group is at Bahia Tropical in SF the Polo Fields in Golden August 13th. .. . The Fourth Annual Wine Country Gate Park September World Fiesta takes place at the Rodney Strong 19th. The festival, which Vineyards, Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg will run from 11 a.m.-5 (off U.S. 101), August 14th. Appearing will be fla- p.m. (advance tickets are menco performer Cuadro Iberica, the Claddagh a very reasonable $10), Band of Ireland, Chaksam-Pa with Tibetan dance was announced at a July and opera, Javier Montoya and his Venezuelan 20th press conference -Vrite to Jonathan E., c/o harp, and Los Compas with a TexMex-Caribbean- bound Swell, 54 29th St., the 'Our salsa mix. The show starts at 4 p.m. Call (707) 431- Richmond, CA 94804, or 'lift in mail to: jme a zue~Z.sf.ca.us 1533 or (707) 224-4222 for further info. ... Also Francisco and featuring August 14th, but in the opposite direction, will be a Peter Gabriel, one of the originators of WOMAD, major percussion symposium, which is the finale of and Crowded House's Nick Seymour. the Stanford Jazz Workshop. Participating will be WOMAD, a World of Music, Arts and Dance, Armando Peraza, Francisco Aguabella, Billy helped foster my interest in world music back in Cobham, Zakir Hussain, Ignacio Berroa, and John 1982 with its first album release, Music and Rhythm, Santos. The symposium starts at 10 a.m. in the a double-LP benefitting its first festival. Since then, Braun Music Center on campus. There'll be work- the organization has released four albums in its shops in hi-hat, tabla, basic Latin rhythm, creating Talking Book series, plus several other compilations a personal percussion environment, and Afro- and releases from artists such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Cuban percussion, followed by a performance at 8 Khan, Fatala, and Remmy Ongala. In 1989, the p.m. in the Dinkelspiel Auditorium. Call (415) 386- label transmuted into Real World and has since 8535 for details. .. . Arrow heats up Kimball's East released many fine albums in many styles of music. every night through August 15th. ... Thomas WOMAD also held at least one festival every Mapfumo & the Blacks Unlimited return to Slim's year in England, expanding to several a year, then August 19th. They have a new release, Hondo, on a gradually became a touring festival with shows in new label, Zimbab Inc., (ask for Bob Diner at Europe, Japan, and Canada. Besides presenting a . 217/344-6878). ... There's dancehall from wide range of musical styles to the audience, the Nicodemus at the Kennel Club August 18th. The festivals give musicians and artists the chance to same venue has a major rai show with Cheb communicate among themselves. Artists have Sahraoui and Chaba Fadela, Chaba Zahouania, found that, after touring with the festival, they can and Cheb Hasni August 27th. ... Trance Mission set up their own tours the following year. brings its amazing music to Yoshi's (no longer One of the main purposes of WOMAD has Keystone Komer at Yoshi's) August 25th. always been to bring people together rather than Congrats to Dr. Loco's Rockin' Jalapeno Band simply ghettoize Third World artists. The lineup of for hitting the top spot on Miami's WDNA-FM this festival, with its healthy mix of well-known with "La Semilla" from their Movimiento Music Western stars and relative unknowns (although album on Flying Fish. ... Also congrats to Lynette many are distinguished in the world music com- Shaw of the Marin reggae band Net Wt. for her munity), should accomplish such a goal while reappointment to the Marin drug-abuse advisory introducing a new audience to world music. board. Her advocacy of medicinal use of cannabis Gabriel is the headliner and will play for more gave the board cold feet after her first appoint- than an hour. Other artists are Ziggy Marley & the ment, but after she promised not to push recre- Melody Makers, P.M. Dawn, Stereo MC's, ational use, the board relented. She made it into Crowded House, Sheila Chandra, John Trudell, Newsweek with the story.
20 A'JGUST 10,1993/BAM