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LP
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LANR 019LP
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Reissue, originally released in 1980. Welcome to the realm of creator and mentor Michael Wadada, the man behind the exotic maneuvers of Suns of Arqa, one of the most sought-after world beat fusion project of the early eighties. His main goal was to increase the vibrations of classical Indian raga with the rhythms of Niyabinghi drumming, epitomized in England by contemporary dub producers. Released in 1980 on Manchester's own Rock Steady Records, Revenge Of The Mozabites is an essential masterpiece paving the way for future over the border contamination. Deeply informed by cosmic mysticism the album still reverberates with the hidden sounds of earth and soul. Fully remastered and licensed; edition of 500.
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CD
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CVSD 037CD
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Corbett Vs. Dempsey present a reissue of Suns Of Arqa's Revenge Of The Mozabites, originally released on Rocksteady Records in 1980. One of the key ensembles in the history of what is now referred to as world music, Suns Of Arqa began in 1979 with Revenge Of The Mozabites, the brainchild of Michael Wadada. With a ground base of dub -- in both aesthetic and method -- made palpable by master dub rhythm section of Style Scott on drums and Lizard Logan on bass, and produced in tandem with future On-U Sound maestro Adrian Sherwood, Wadada built an incredibly eclectic and imaginative program, touching on flamenco and Irish music, as well as a Suns Of Arqa touchstone, the intersection of Indian music and dub reggae. The results are unlike anything heretofore heard, and Revenge Of The Mozabites remains one of the unsung classics of hybrid musicality to emerge from the post-punk ethos, having exerted an unexamined influence on British music in the '80s. Upon finding a copy of the ultra-rare original LP in 1982, for instance, Peter Gabriel promptly booked Suns Of Arqa to the first WOMAD festival. This release marks the first time any of Suns Of Arqa's music has been released in the US, and Revenge Of The Mozabites is restored to its original glory, with the packaging as it was in 1979, additional photos of the band, and three bonus tracks -- dubs and edits from Hyphen --, everything remastered from original tapes. Recorded in 1979 at Berry Street Studio, London and Cargo Studio, Rochdale. Personnel: Michael Wadada - esraj, sitar; Style Scott - drums; Lizard Logan - bass; Kalu Zeria - table; Aziz Zeria - harmonium; Big Red - violin; Bubblers - piano; Mothmen - cuica, percussion; Maria Aiawa - vocals; Mark Stone - flamenco guitar; I. Green - bassoon; Tony Sullivan - banjo; Moot Beret - Chinese shawm.
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CD
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CVSD 038CD
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Corbett Vs. Dempsey present a reissue of Suns Of Arqa's Seven, originally released on Arka Sound in 1987. Perhaps the pinnacle of the Suns Of Arqa discography, Seven was released in 1987 and was in fact the band's fifth LP. With its stunning cover design and outlandishly ambitious sound, steeped in dub but festooned with plainchant and Indian music, it was alone in the market, its closest relatives maybe African Head Charge or New Age Steppers, but with a host of original ideas and musical intersections and an incredible, almost unthinkable cast of participants. Amongst the vocalists is the British singer-songwriter Helen Watson, punk poet John Cooper Clarke, talk-over star Prince Hammer, and comedic genius Professor Stanley Unwin, all of whom offer their unique and unconventional words to the dub stew. A powerhouse Jamaican rhythm section is filtered through sitar, shenai, santoor, and tabla, hurdy-gurdy and pennywhistle, strings and saxophone, all orchestrated by the inimitable Michael Wadada, founding father of Suns Of Arqa. On this reissue, Seven's first time available in the US, the original LP cover has been restored to its initial glory, and the original music is available complete in one package for the first time, adding five extra tracks not included on the LP. Recorded at Sawmill Studio, Cornwall, and Elephant Studio, London.
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CD
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SOL 158CD
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"When Satoshi Morita introduced Muslimgauze to Suns of Arqa he had a good hunch the two musicians would form a connection. Bryn Jones (Muslimgauze) and Michael Wadada (Suns of Arqa) were already deeply immersed in the kinds of rhythmic music made far from England's rainy shores. Jones' fascination with the cause of Palestine found an outlet through his prolific musical output, and Wadada's interest in Jamaican reggae and Eastern mysticism was likewise reflected in his own recordings. But they moved in different circles and had never crossed paths, despite living relatively close to one another. Bryn Jones in particular was well known for his reclusiveness and lack of curiosity about other music (and musicians), so it's no surprise that it took a Japanese label owner to bring them together. Morita knew both men individually, liked their music enough to release it on his label Gift, and intuitively saw the potential in a collaboration between the two. He arranged an introduction in 1996, and like a spark landing on dry tinder, a musical firestorm blew up that summer. Several collaborations by mail were produced in the two and a half years preceding Jones' sudden and unexpected death in January 1999 from a fungal infection of the blood. The final sessions are presented today on this CD. Suns of Arqa Re-Mixs Muslimgauze tips the scales at nearly 74 minutes, with 21 songs forming an unmistakable hybrid of the two bands' styles. Wadada's Caribbean beats pulse and flow alongside Jones' staccato gunshot rhythms in a true blending of the two artists' music. While it's true that Bryn Jones is gone, we take comfort knowing that Muslimgauze lives on in the creative expression of the multitude of musicians whose lives he touched. For Wadada, this album will stand as a lasting tribute to a friend and creative collaborator. At Soleilmoon, packaging and presentation are never overlooked. This CD is presented in a square black folder made of sugar cane fibers, and the whole thing is covered with a translucent vellum over-wrap. Only 500 copies of this handsome CD have been made."
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