101 Things To Do In Bongolia (Electric Cowbell, 2011)
101 Things To Do In Bongolia is a compilation of dance music that contains a selection of 45 rpm vinyl singles released by the Electric Cowbell label. The eclectic mix, compiled by percussionist Jim Thomson, has some interesting material that will please world music fans.
Initially, the vinyl-oriented 45RPM Electric Cowbell record label ruled out releasing their singles in digital format, until their family members and friends without turntables began asking how they were going to get a chance to hear the songs. This was resolved by offering a digital album version, which is also available as a CD, of the label’s first year of singles. 101 Things To Do In Bongolia is a sample of Electric Cowbell’s first batch of singles from 2010-2011 with the addition of some bonus tracks and remixes from the label’s current releases.
Standout tracks include the Ethiopian flavors of ‘Adderech Arada’ by Debo Band, ‘Dina’s Mambo’ by Bio Ritmo, ‘Silbando (GRC For NYC Trust)’ by chicha band Los Ribereños, ‘Adderech Arada (Kiddid Remix)’ by Debo Band + Kiddid, ‘La Muralla’ by Bio Ritmo, and the mbira fueled ‘A Troll’s Soiree (Brooklyn Chimp Remix)’ by CSC Funk Band.
Other artists featured include Stuart Bogie’s band Superhuman Happiness. All of his 45′s are represented here as well as his only-in-New-York collaborations with Sierra Leone-born vocalist Sahr Ngaujah. Greg Ginn (Ex-Black Flag guitarist) gets a remix treatment by electronica outfit. Synth pop band Amazing Ghost have two singles: I Gettupa and Tiny Raindropz. New York’s boogaloo band Spanglish Fly contributes ‘Let My People Bugalú’. Free jazz outfit Talibam! have a piece titled ‘Cosmic Attidude.’
101 Things To Do In Bongolia is an interesting introduction to some of the new dance sounds coming out of the Electric Cowbell label.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
