Hammock House – “Africa Caribe” – Produced & Mixed by Joaquin “Joe” Claussell

FANIA gives Joe Claussell access to their back catalogue. The result is a stunning two-disc album; the first featuring fresh re-workings of classic Fania tracks, while the second is a live continuous mix.

Released on 27th June 2011

Fania Records announced today the release of a deluxe 2-disc set entitled, Hammock House ‘Africa Caribe’ produced and mixed by the legendary Joaquin “Joe” Claussell. The project is a perfect marriage between old and new, a fresh take on classic sounds from the Fania archives. Late in 2010, Fania Records hand delivered the original multi-track recording tapes in a battered cardboard box to Joe Claussell’s NYC studio. Inside was a round metal reel wrapped with many feet of rolled magnetic tape, and a crumbling “Track Report” sheet from some matter-of-fact day in the 1970s. As Joe ecstatically explained, “When the carrier came to my place with all these boxes, I had an Indiana Jones moment, like when he opens the treasure chest and the glow of gold light shines up on his face. It was miraculous that they were still around, and the history of this stuff is just amazing.”

Ojos de Brujo “Corriente Vital”

Special 10th Anniversary Show live at the Barbican on Friday 15th April as part of La Linea ‘11

Barcelona collective Ojos de Brujo could never be accused of going about their business conventionally as they celebrate their tenth anniversary with a special recording. A celebration in which many artist friends collaborate on the group’s songs as well as providing two brand new ones: the title track, produced by long time spar Nitin Sawhney and “La Machine” by Juno Reactor. Also included is their lusciously fluid flamenco re-styling of Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry”.

“Corriente Vital” (Lifestream) contains songs from the extensive OdB canon transformed by producers such as Italy’s Tom Waits Vinicio Capossela, Jorge Drexler – the first Uruguayan ever to win an Academy Award (for his work on The Motorcycle Diaries) and Roldan from Cuba’s Orishas as well as the aforementioned Nitin Sawhney and Juno Reactor (who participated in the OST of “Matrix”).

Word has it that “Corriente Vital” could be the band’s last offering for some time as the different members experiment in other areas; and if that proves to be the case it can honestly be said that they kept their freak flag flying until the end, staying true to themselves and their principles.

A large part of Ojos de Brujo’s legend is based on spectacular live shows where they have never been known to give less than 100%. Their performances are rooted in flamenco with flavourings from reggae, raga, rumba, hip hop and house melded into their trademark jip jop flamenkillo. The last chance for the foreseeable future to catch one of the world’s most vibrant and inventive bands in any genre, takes place on April 15th at the Barbican. Prepare for a musical version of El Clásico with multifarious musical fireworks.

Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 – From Africa With Fury: Rise

Released by Because on 4^th April ‘11

UK tour begins on 13^th April*

This is what Afrobeat is all about – and it’s the album Fela’s fans have been waiting for since his sad death in 1997. Record Collector *****

Seun Kuti will be available for interview

Seun Anikulapo Kuti will release From Africa With Fury: Rise on Because Music on the 4^th April 2011.

At just 27 years of age, the album sees Kuti finding his own idiosyncratic voice as songwriter, singer, and band leader, heading up Egypt 80, the extraordinary combo first fronted by his renowned father, Fela Kuti. The album follows Seun Kuti’s critically praised debut, 2008’s Many Things**, which was unanimously hailed for continuing Kuti’s musical legacy.

The mighty ‘From Africa With Fury: Rise’ is produced by Brian Eno, John Reynolds and Seun himself, with additional production by Godwin Logie. Eno – an avowed fan – has nothing but the highest praise for Seun and his band, hailing them for “making some of the biggest, wildest, livest music on the planet.” Co-producer Reynolds (whose work as musician, producer, and mixer spans such artists as Sinéad O’Connor, U2, and Natacha Atlas) agrees, applauding Kuti and Egypt 80’s distinctive Afrobeat as “a musical adrenaline rush.”

La Linea 11 — Yasmin Levy + Melingo, Muchachito with Santos de Veracruz, Ojos de Brujo, Mexican Institute of Sound, Axel Krygier, Pollito Boogaloo, Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club

The London Latin Music Festival April 6th – April 19th 2011

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“La Linea has built an impressive international reputation
as one of the world’s most eclectic celebrations of Latin music.”—Time Out

Wednesday 6th April – Yasmin Levy + Melingo Barbican Hall
Friday 8th April – Muchachito with Santos de Veracruz Cargo
Friday 15th April – Ojos de Brujo Special 10th Anniversary Show + Depedro
Barbican Hall
Sunday 17th April – A Night of Twisted Cumbia featuring Mexican Institute of Sound, Axel Krygier, Pollito Boogaloo + special guests to be announced. Koko
Tuesday 19th April – Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club® Featuring Omara Portuondo Royal Albert Hall

Details of all shows, videos, music and to book online at www.comono.co.uk/lalinea

La Linea ’11 lands with its trademark mix of established heavy hitters plus the best of the new generation plucked from throughout the Latin music diaspora – with Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Cuba and Brighton all represented. Barcelona’s Ojos de Brujo have never been known to give less than 100% in a stage show rooted in flamenco with flavourings from reggae, raga, rhumba, hip hop and house, and as this will be their last show for at least 2 years expect multlifarious musical fireworks.  Debutants include Spain’s Muchachito with Santos de Veracruz, Depedro who will be supporting Ojos de Brujo and the entire Twisted Cumbia night line up of Mexican Institute of Sound, Axel Krygier, Pollito Boogaloo who are all La Linea virgins. And then there’s Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club® Featuring Omara Portuondo and paying homage to the music and musicians who helped make Buena Vista Social Club the worldwide phenomenon that we all know and continue to love.