Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

Local & Future Releases
+ Albert Mazibuko of Ladysmith Black Mambazo

1. The Grisly Hand – “Western Avenue”
from: Western Avenue / Independent / February 1, 2012
[The new EP is now available through thegrislyhand.com and on Feb 1 it will be available on iTunes and Amazon. The EP contains 2 original songs, “Western Ave.” & “Black Coffee,” and 2 covers, Radiohead’s “Thinking About You” & “Still Feelin’ Blue” by Gram Parsons. The 2 originals are currently being pressed into a 7″ dual A-Side, which will be available Mid-February. Nick Davis reports that the band is already back in the studio working on another EP, and they’ll be releasing a full-length around this time next year, with or without any label support.]

2. Thee Water MoccaSins – “Diablo Diablo”
from: Thee Water MoccaSins / Independent / April 5, 2012
[Thee Water MoccaSins is comprised of KC musicians Billy Smith on Guitar and Vocals; Steve Tulipana on Vocals, Guitar and Bass; John Bersuch on Drums and Percussion; and Wade Williamson on Guitar, Keyboards, and Bass. All musicians are currently involved with, or have been involved with: Roman Numerals, Season to Risk, Olympic Size, Dirt Nap, Stella Link, Bacon Shoe, Minds Under Cover and Starhaven Rounders. Billy Smith, now living in NYC, told us that the band will release their new record during this year’s Middle of The Map Festival, to be held April 5 – 7.]

10:13

3. John Velghe & The Prodigal Sons– “The Occupier”
from: Don’t Let Me Stay / Lakeshore Records / March 13, 2012
[John Velghe – vox, guitars, keyboards. The Prodigal Sons: Mike Alexander – guitar, mandolin, backing vocals; Chris Wagner – bass, backing vocals; GoGo Ray – drum set; Hermon Mehari – trumpet; Sam Hughes – saxophone; Mike Walker – trombone. With: Kirsten Paludan – vocals; James Mitchell – cello; Whitney Williamson – violin; Catherine Root – violin. John Velghe will be our guest on Mar. 21, to talk about the new record and play a few songs LIVE. John will be concert at The recordBar, Feb 10, w/ 7-piece, “The Prodigal Sons.” “Don’t let Me Stay” will have a special release concert, Mar. 24, at The Record Bar that’ll include an 11 piece ensemble, including string players and a horn section.]

4. The Depth and The Whisper – “Blindsided”
from: One Steady Breath / Independent / June 28, 2011
[Produced and recorded by John Velghe at Guttersnipe recording. This song features Albert Bickley and Dave Tanner, the principle musicians and songwriters, with Troy Van Horn on lead guitar, Go Go ray on Drums, John Velghe on keyboards and backing vocals and Elaine McMilian on backing vocals. The Depth and The Whisper will be in concert at the Record bar on Jan. 27 with the entire band. Dave Tanner told us Elaine McMilian, will be with them for this show.]

5. Christopher Tolle – “We Belong Together”
from: We Belong Together (Digital Single) / Capitol / Jan. 14, 2011
[One of the founding members of Olympic Size, Christopher Tolle told us because of the “feel” of several of his new songs, he is going to wait for Summer to release the full length record. He said it’s just a summer-y-kind-of-record. He is, however, going to release an EP of brand new songs this winter. (2 of the 4 songs are already recorded). He promised us that as soon as the new stuff is out he will send the songs to us, to share with listeners on WMM. CT with Bill Latas will be in concert at The Brick, KCMO – with The CAVES, this Friday, January 20.]

10:27 – (Bands with Andrew Connor)

6. Power and Light – “Earthly Schemes”
from: EP / Warp / January 14, 2012 [A new collaboration between Nathan Readey (production) and Andrew Connor (songs, vocals). Their music is described as pop, chill, downtempo, electropop, french pop.]

7. The ACB’s – “Feel Winter”
from: Daytrotter Studio / Independent / Jan. 6, 2012
[Konnor Ervin on lead vocals, Andrew Connor on Guitar, Bryan McGuire on Bass, Kyle Rausch on Drums. David Hudnall of The Pitch wrote, “Nobody in the city is writing sharper or more inventive melodies than Ervin, who has honed his craft the old-fashioned way: working a part-time job, living in a (crappy) apartment and practicing music all the time.” Recenting while the band was out on the road, The ACB’s were invited to play for The Daytrotter Sessions, in the Horseshack studios, in Rockford, Illinois. The band recorded four songs: 2 from The ACB’s late 2010 release, “Stona Rosa,” and 2 brand new songs. On January 6, Daytrotter posted the songs at Daytrotter.com.]

8. Ghosty – “This Wolf”
from: unmastered track from Spring release / More Famouser Records / April 2012
[Andrew Connor performs with: The ACB’s, Power and Light, The Finsters, Mary Fartune, many know him for the band Ghosty. Andrew told us that Ghosty is currently wrapping up the production of their new album this week, at More Famouser Studios, w/ Mike Nolte. Andrew says they’re “trying for a big vinyl release party in March or April.” The album is not mastered yet, but he passed on a mix of their new song, “This Wolf.”]

10:35

9. The Latenight Callers – “Calaveras”
from: Easy Virtues / TLNC / 2012
[TLNC have been invited to perform in San Francisco, Sat, Jan. 28, at The Noir City Nightclub, in a celebratory fundraiser for The Film Noir Foundation. TLNC were originally formed in Lawrence by baritone guitarist, Krysztof Nemeth, and vocalist Julie Berndsen, With the addition of Guitarist Ellen O’Hayer, Bassist Gavin Mac, and Nick Combs on keyboards TLNC have become a KC Band known for their enchanting live performances. The band hosts a CD Release Party, Sat, Feb 25, at The Beaumont Club. W/ Federation of Horsepower, American Catastrophe, The Delighted, & Voler Aerial Arts.]

10. Grand Marquis – “The Jungle”
from: The Sun Session / Grand Marquis / Jan. 13, 2013
[Recorded live, February 1, 2011 at Sun Studio, 706 Union Avenue, in Memphis Tennessee. This song is on their CD plus their limited edition 2 song 7 inch single on vinyl. Bryan Redmond – lead vocals, soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones; Chad Boydston – trumpet, backing vocals; Ryan Wurtz – guitar; Ben Ruth – upright bass, sousaphone, backing vocals; Lisa Mckenzie – drums, washboard.]

10:45 – Wednesday MidDay Medley Exclusive!

Two of Kansas City’s favorite bands: The Hearts of Darkness and The Good Foot have teamed up for the release of their first collaborative project, a split single 7” record titled “Numeration / Bad Way”. This single grew out of a discussion between the two bands about ways to cooperate on a release, share expenses and to grow the spirit of friendly competition. The record jacket features two “front covers”, so it’s up to the bands are leaving it up to their fans and listeners to determine which song is the “A” side and which is the “B” side. The single features The Good Foot’s first released original tune: “Bad Way” on one side and Hearts of Darkness’ first single “Numeration” off the forthcoming album on the other side.

The 7″ vinyl record w/ digital download will be released Sat, Feb 18, at The inaugural Carnivàle du Soul, at the Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway. Carnivàle du Soul was created as the gala event, of the 11 year tradition of Mardi Gras carnival season in KC. Hearts of Darkness and The Good Foot will headline the main stage. Opening the show will be DJ Fat Sal w/ Voler Aerial Fabrics. Also featured will be DJ sets by Superwolf & Joc Max. These DJs specialize in rare funk, soul, R&B, Afro-Caribbean, & reggae on vinyl. More info at: heartsofdarkness.net. The split single will be available at local record stores.

The Hearts of Darkness

11. The Hearts of Darkness – “Numeration”
from: Numeration / Bad Way (Split Single) 7″ Vinyl / Shipshape Records / Feb. 18, 2012
[The Hearts of Darkness will play this year’s Wakaursa Festival. The 15 piece ensemble includes: Les Izmore – Vox, Percussion; Brandy Gordon – Vox; Erica Townsend – Vox; Rachel Christia – Vox; Brad Williams – Drum Kit, Percussion; Sean Branagan – Kit, Percussion; Miko Spears – Congas; Pete Leibert – Bass Guitar; Richard Gumbel – Rhythm Guitar; Jolan Smith – Tenor Sax; Shawn Hansen – Alto Sax, Sam Hughes – Baritone Sax; Andrew Ford – Slide Trombone; Ken Walker – Valve Trombone; Bob Asher – Trumpet. The band blends American funk & soul, hip-hop & KC jazz big-band traditions into an afrobeat-based foundation to create a huge sound. Bobby Asher tells us that the band expects to release the 2nd full length vinyl later in the Spring.]

12. The Good Foot – “Bad Way”
from: Numeration / Bad Way (Split Single) 7″ Vinyl / Shipshape Records / Feb. 18, 2012
[7-piece, KC soul revue that is one of the most popular bands in the area. The band includes: Julia Haile, Adam Wagner, Tim Braun, Quentin Schmidt, David Conarroe, Nick Howell, and Nick Rowland. Known for their interpretations of the Motown & Stax songbook, as well as their own original compositions.]

11:00

13. The B’Dinas – “Five-Day Weekend”
from: Morning Party / Independent / Feb. 25, 2012
[Winner of Audience Favorite on the Electric Stage at the HRC Battle of The Bands, this past Sunday January 15. The B’Dinas will perform at a special CD Release concert for their new 6 song EP, on Saturday, February 25 at Czar.]

14. Sneaky Creeps – “Flat”
from: The Thin Man Wigs Out / Independent / Jan. 8, 2012
[The 2nd EP from band formed by, Max Crutcher, Andy Davis, Andy Erdrich who all met while going to KCAI. Andy Davis moved away, making the Sneaky Creeps a duo pf Max Cruthcher on Drums and Yell/Talk, and Andrew Erdrich on Guitar and Yell/Talk. Recorded by Ashley at Infoaming Vortex All material written by Sneaky Creeps, Andy Erdrich, who is also a co-founder of BREAD! Was happy to report that we were the very first to download their new, release, “The Thin Man Wigs Out,” through bandcamp.]

15. The Brannock Device – “The Consequence of Hope”
from: Into The Witness Chamber / Independent / Spring 2012
[The Brannock Device has been making music for 15 years w/ Jason Beers on vocals & bass; D Bernard Dugan on drums & vocals; Marco Pascolini on guitar; Jeremy Schutte on long distance lover, guitar & vocals; and Elaine McMilian on Vocals. Jason Beers tells us that The Brannock Device’s new album is all done and awaiting packaging.]

11:13 – Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Ladysmith Black Mambazo will be in concert at The Kauffman Center for The Performing Arts on Tues, Jan 24, at 7:30 PM. Info at kauffmancenter.org.

16. Ladysmith Black Mambazo – “Diamonds on The Soles of Her Shoes”
from: The Very Best / Springbot Records / September 28, 2011

17. Ladysmith Black Mambazo – “Yangiluma Inkukhu (The Biting Chick)”
from: Songs From a Zulu Farm / Razor & Tie / Feb. 1, 2011

11:20 – Interview with Albert Mazibuko of Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo, was formed by Joseph Shabalala, in the early 1960s. In the mid-1980s, Paul Simon visited South Africa and incorporated Black Mambazo’s harmonies into his 1986 album “Graceland” and introduced World music to mainstream audiences. “Graceland” won the Grammy Award for Best Album of the Year. In 1987, Paul Simon produced Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s first U.S. release, “Shaka Zulu,” which won the Grammy Award, for Best Traditional Folk Album in 1988. Since then, the group has received 15 Grammy Award Nominations and three Grammy Award wins, and have recorded 40 albums and sold more than 6 million records. The 10-member ensemble will be in concert at The Kauffman Center for The Performing Arts on Tues, Jan 24, at 7:30 PM. (Info at kauffmancenter.org.)

Albert Mazibuko talked about how “Diamonds on The Soles of Her Shoes” a song wriiten by his cousin Joseph Shabalala and Paul Simon, originally released on “Graceland” in 1986, (and later re-recorded for their 2006 release “Long Walk To Freedom” w/ guest Melissa Etheridge) introduced Black Mambazo to the U.S.

The band traveled to London to record “Graceland” w/ Paul Simon. Many people forget that The Apartheid system was still in place during this time, however the Apartheid government allowed the group to tour to parts of Europe. Albert Mazibuko discussed how it was difficult in those years. He talked about how when the band left the country to play ion parotids of Europe they were never sure if they would be allowed back home.

The Apartheid system was abolished in 1994. The after the release of Nelson Mandela, after 27 years imprisonment, Ladysmith Black Mambazo celebrated the end of Apartheid with their song “Isikifil’ Inkululeko” (“Freedom Has Arrived”). Nelson Mandela (shortly after his release from prison) publicly stated that the members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo were “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors”. In 1993 The band accompanied Mandela to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway at his request. Mambazo sang again at President Mandela’s inauguration in May 1994, after he became the first democratically elected President of South Africa. Albert told us how this period felt to him as a citizen of South Africa, seeing these changes in his life.

We asked Albert Mazibuko about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and how his life affected Albert and his family in South Africa. Albert told us that he viewed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as an angel sent from heaven.

The name Ladysmith Black Mambazo represent the hometown of Shabalala’s family, Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal; the black ox, considered to be the strongest farm animal; and Mambazo, which means axe in the Zulu language, and is symbolic of the choir’s ability to “chop down” the competition? I read that, by the early 1970s, the group was forbidden to compete in the competitions because of their continual success.

Albert Mazibuko told us about the style of music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, how this music evolved out of working in the mines, where workers were separated from there families for long periods.

We told Albert about how 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio plays the music of Ladysmith Black Mamboza every week on our program World Sound, produced and hosted by Tom Crane, on Sundays from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.

It is reported that the group has had over 30 different members at one point or another over the past forty-five years. However it seems that the core of the group has been the families of Joseph Shabalala; his brothers (Headman and Enoch,) and currently his sons (Thamsanqa, Msizi, Thulani, and Sibongiseni and his cousins (Albert) and Albert’s brother (Abednego Mazibuko currently); (and his brothers Milton, Funokwakhe, and Joseph Mazibuko) (as well as close friends Matovoti Msimanga and Walter Malinga) and close friends Russel Mthembu and Ngane Dlamini, currently with the band. Albert discussed how it’s easier traveling with family, his brothers and cousins, because they are from the same family their voices blend in together in positive ways.

We interviewed Albert Mazibuko live on the phone from Brownsville, Texas, where the band has a show. It’s the 3rd show of their current tour that is taking them to 59 cities over the next 4 months. The group tours 8 months of the year and has traveled all over the world performing for Queens and Presidents, for Olympics. We asked Albert where his favorite places to tour & perform are and he replied his favorite place is “on the stage,” sharing their music with the audiences all over the world.

The members of the group currently reside in or near Pinetown, just outside of the coastal city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. We asked Albert what he misses most about being away from home, and he told us that it was a food served in South Africa that is not available here: sour milk.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo has been nominated for a Grammy for their recent release, “Songs From a Zulu Farm.” This recording is important to the group because the older members were born and raised on the farms outside of Ladysmith. It is a collection of original and traditional songs that sing of life on the farm.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo will be in concert at The Kauffman Center for The Performing Arts on Tues, Jan 24, at 7:30 PM. Info at kauffmancenter.org.

11:40

18. Fullbloods – “Candy”
from: The Perpetual Machine / Golden Sound Records / 2011
[Ross Brown, Alex Chapman, Bill Pollock, & Glenn Shipps. Ross Brown with Mat Shoare & Jerad Colton Tomasino started Golden Sound Records]

19. Millions of Boys – “Dead Girls”
from: Competing For Your Love / Golden Sound Records / 2011-12
[Omaha based, Sara Bertuldo on Guitar, Bass &Vocals; Alex van Beaumont on Guitar, Bass & Vocals; and Ryan Haas on Drums & Vocals will be performing a Vinyl Release of their album “Competing For Your Love” this Sat, Jan. 21 at The Slowdown, 729 N 14th St. in Omaha, NE.]

20. The Pedaljets – “Tangled Up”
from: New unreleased recording / Independent / 2012
[Formed in Lawrence, in 1984 they toured all over the country, opening for Hüsker Dü, The Flaming Lips, The Replacements. In 1988 they released their debut, “Today, Today.” Their 2nd album, “Pedaljets,” was released in 1989. And In 1990 the band went their separate ways. 20 years later The Pedaljets find themselves back in the studio. Bassist Matt Kessler passed on this track, from the band’s new sessions. The PedalJets will be in concert at the recordBar Sat, Jan 28, for Michael Byers’ B-day Party. Matt said they’ll be playing all new songs and he told us the band has been recording a lot, and are not sure about a release date, but are hoping for sometime this spring. Matt’s other band, The Doo-Dads will be in CONCERT at the recordBar, Fri, Jan 20 at 6:00 PM. ]

21. The Caves – “Weekend Blues”
from: Duplexiaville / Independent / 2012
[KC based: Andrew Ashby on Guitar & Voice, David Gaumé on Bass, Elizabeth Bohannon on Keyboards, Percussion & Voice, Jake Cardwell on Drums & Percussion. Andrew Ashby, sent us a new track that’ll be part of upcoming release “Duplexiaville” available this Spring on Golden Sound Records. Andrew Ashby also reports to us that this week The Caves are recording a new song for a compilation of KC/Lawrence bands due out for Record Store Day.]

22. The Sleazebeats – “Goosesteppin’ Nazis”
from: The Sleazebeats / Independent / Jan. 1, 2012
[Charlie Colborne – keyboards, guitar, vocals; Bill Belzer – drums; Jeff Harshbarger – bass; Recorded at More Famouser Studios w/ Mike Nolte engineer, mixing, mastering the recordings. The Sleazebeats will play in a CD Release show at the recordBar, Thurs, Feb 16, at 9:30, w/ The Features from Tennessee.]

Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:
WednesdayMidDayMedley.org
facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM
and kkfi.org

Thanks for listening!

11:59:30

23. Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now”
from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]

Sources for Notes: Artist’s websites noted above and wikipedia.org

Show #404