We Are Busy Bodies HHV Records 67 Items

Lionel Pillay’s broad list of associations is a testament to how widely respected he was in South Africa’s diverse jazz scene. In addition to his work with Mankunku, he played with Hugh Masekela in the early 1960s, produced the exquisite long-form recordings “Shrimp Boats” and “Cherry” with Basil Coetzee in the 1970s and collaborated with trumpeter Murray Campbell and saxophonist Bez Martin in the 1980s. However, is it with his 1980 album Deeper in Black, backed by core members of the jazz-fusion supergroup Spirits Rejoice, that his legacy was cemented.Deeper in Black was inspired by the 1969 Blue Note recording of American trumpeter Blue Mitchell entitled Collision in Black and took its name from Pillay’s cover of the album’s Peggy Grayson composition. Pillay’s album featured another two compositions from Collision in Black by way of the Monk Higgins track “Keep Your Soul,” with distinct arrangements straddling Side A and Side B, and Vee Pea’s “Jo Ju Ja” closing out the set. Although the source material was over a decade old when Pillay recorded his album, Collision in Black had struck a chord in South Africa with its first pressing in 1969 and even seen a local repressing in 1978. Blue Mitchell owed much of his popularity in South Africa to a six-week tour with saxophonist Harold Land in 1976. It was during this time that As-Shams/The Sun producer Rashid Vally seized the opportunity to record the Dollar Brand album Blues for a Hip King with Mitchell and Land backing Abdullah Ibrahim. Although the recording and release of Pillay’s Deeper in Black coincides with Blue Mitchell’s death in May 1979, the album was not explicitly promoted as a tribute but did certainly offer a respectful nod to the esteemed trumpeter who was among the few American jazz heavyweights who managed to connect with the South African scene during the Apartheid era.

Blue Stompin' is a collaborative album between Kippie Moketsi and Hal Singer that was organized and produced by Rashid Vally, owner of The Sun record label. The album prominently features both influential saxophonists as well as other iconic South African players Barney Rachabane and Pat Matshikiza. It was originally released by The Sun in 1977 and is being reissued by We Are Busy Bodies in partnership with the original label. The album has been remastered by Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel. ---- 'Kippie Morolong Moketsi will appear very prominently in any history of jazz in South Africa. He will span the period from the frantic years when the sounds of the Charlie Parker's and the Dizzy Gillespie's first hit our shores to the now. And into this story some will read a curve: from Kippie teaching himself music by imitation, to a climax of artistic achievement and renown in this country, and then the decline... Others will read a lifetime of involvement, in spite of personal problems. Count me among the latter. A life-time of involvement: Kippie was among the few who understood bebop while the rest of us were still doing the jitterbug to the sounds of swing. In his way he made us see what it was all about. He has seen a generation of colleagues go to join the Orchestra Up Yonder, or merely leave their horns to spiders and their webs while they got on the straight and narrow path of grandfather-hood and six to six jobs at factories. Kippie continues on the wide, wide ' often unappreciated - road, creating music.' Notes by JOE Thloloe (Jazz Critic Drum Magazine)

Following the April 2022 reissue of the album Shrimp Boats, We Are Busy Bodies presents companion titles Plum and Cherry and Deeper in Black to round out a Lionel Pillay and Basil Mannenberg Coetzee “trilogy” as part of the label’s As-Shams South African jazz archive series. The connection between these three albums is tight as the 1987 release Shrimp Boats compiled unreleased recordings from both the 1979 session for Plum and Cherry and the 1980 session for Deeper in Black. These two rare records have been carefully remastered from their original tapes and are back in print for the very first time in over 40 years.Shrimp Boats and Plum and Cherry capture the extraordinary musical chemistry that existed between pianist Lionel Pillay and tenor saxophonist Basil Coetzee in the late 1970s. The respective album showpieces “Shrimp Boats” and “Cherry” each occupy an entire side of vinyl with both exquisite musical journeys clocking in at an epic 25 minutes a piece. While “Shrimp Boats” was an instrumental reimagining of the popular 1951 song by American singer Jo Stafford, “Cherry” drew inspiration from Abdullah Ibrahim at the behest of producer Rashid Vally, who wanted to emulate the success of the famous track that had helped launch his independent As-Shams/The Sun record label in 1974. Ibrahim’s hit “Mannenberg” had also featured Basil Coetzee and it was this zeitgeist South African jazz recording that had given rise to his stage name.Capturing the grace and vitality of working-class township life on the city fringe, “Cherry” channels the type of laid-back Cape groove that Abdullah Ibrahim, recording as Dollar Brand, introduced to South African jazz in the 1970s. On the flip side, “Plum” appears to take its own simple chord change in the same direction before breaking into a chugging 20-minute romp that verges on proto-electronica and on which Pillay hangs all manner of savage keyboard riffing and experimentation. The two distinct flavours of Plum and Cherry make for a well-rounded platter with an iconic cover featuring the work of abstract expressionist painter and As-Shams/The Sun collaborator Hargreaves Ntukwana.

Enough Light is songwriter Bradley Davis’s debut solo release as Affiliate Links. After more than a decade immersed in instrumental post-rock as a member of Fresh Snow, Enough Light is as bold an about-face as anyone familiar with Davis’ previous band could expect.

We Are Busy Bodies is proud to announce the first official reissue of ‘Playtime’ by popular and prolific Italian composer, Piero Umiliani. Incorporating styles like jazz, easy listening/lounge, rock, funk, and bossa nova to a genre largely dominated by orchestral scores, he penned some of the most outstanding film music from the '60s and '70s with over 150 titles under his belt. Originally released on Umiliani‘s own Omicron label in 1968, the album has been remastered from the original recordings by Noah Mintz.

We Are Busy Bodies is proud to announce the first official reissue of ‘Beat Gregoriano’ by Italian guitarist and composer, Mario Molino. Incorporating styles like surf, rock and folk, Beat Gregoriano is a unique album within the library music genre. Originally released on Dishi Monticarlo in 1971, the album has been remastered from the original recordings by Noah Mintz and art restored by Michael Dawson.

Electric Looking Glass are a modern day baroque pop group from Los Angeles, CA. Electric Looking Glass unabashedly creates sugar-coated whimsical pop with all the bells and whistles; chiming guitars, dreamy mellotron, bouncy harpsichord and three part harmonies. You might mistake them at first for an obscure Apple Records signing but Electric Looking Glass insists they are forward thinking tomorrow-people making music for NOW! Boasting multiple vocalists, multi-instrumentalists and songwriters, ELG is a collaborative effort between four kindred spirits; Arash Mafi, Brent Randall, Johnny Toomey and Danny Winebarger. Self-producing in their own analog wonderland, the lads pay loving homage to the kaleidoscope pop of yesteryear with impressive attention to detail in both their records and smile-inducing Monkees-esque music videos.

Recording for the As-Shams/The Sun label in the 1970s, Pat Matshikiza released the collaborative album Tshona! with sax giant Kippie Moeketsi in 1975. The album was followed in 1976 by Sikiza Matshikza, Pat's solo debut with Moeketsi appearing as a featured artist. The personnel on the album were an early iteration of the group that would become Spirits Rejoice in 1977, with Duke Makasi on tenor sax, George Tyefumani on trumpet, Sipho Gumede on bass, Gilbert Mathews on drums and Sandile Shange (who appears alongside Matshikiza and Moeketsi on the album's cover photo) on guitar.Pat Matshikiza's mid-70s recordings mark a high point in his career and are essential documents in the history of South African jazz on vinyl. With these reissues, we hope to bring his artistic legacy to prominence and share his work with lovers of jazz around the world.

We Are Busy Bodies is proud to announce the first official reissue of 'Zodiac' by brilliant French tenor saxophonist, Barney Wilen. Originally released on the Disques Vogue label in 1966, the album has been restored and remastered from Barney Wilen's personal copy of the album. The album was recorded a few years after performing on albums and European tours with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and Miles Davis. The album is an exploration of free jazz, dedicated to the signs of the zodiac. Wilen and his friend, photographer Jean Larivière worked together to create the photos and artwork for his album, Zodiac. The intention at the time was to also create a film with a storyline and characters developed by Jean. Unfortunately, the concept was never fully realized at the time,. Sketches, photos and further context are included in the accompanying album insert.

We Are Busy Bodies returns with a reissue of composter, guitarist, and later producer, Almon Memela's ultra rare 1975 album, Funky Africa. From the original liner notes: Africa has always been many things to many people. To some, Africa is the Dark Continent, a mysterious, romantic and vast expanse of unexplored territory. To others, again, Africa is the ultimate symbol of man's triumph over his environment: a wakening giant destined to play a significant role in world affairs. But to Almon Memela, Africa is Home . . . and his music tells it like it really is. "Funky Africa" is the sound of Africa today. And as you listen, you will find that Africa is indeed many things. For in the music of Almon Memela lies everything that is Africa: the call of the wild and the scream of the Jumbo; the throb of the bush and the roar of Commissioner Street. So here it is . . . "Funky Africa". The sound of Africa, by an African, for the world.

Originally released in 1976, Ubok Aka Inua is the fifth album by legendary Nigerian saxophonist and band leader, Etubom Rex Williams. The album features Psychedelic Shoes and One Woman Is Enough Trouble, both heard on countless funk and soul compilations. The album was restored from the original tapes by Noah Mintz and artwork restored and recreated by Steve Lewin. "Etubom Rex Williams occupies the genuine space of legend of Nigerian Highlife. His incredible professionalism, vast body of work and huge personality, established him as a veritable force of the genre quite early in his career. A case quite similar to another teenage prodigy of Highlife Music, Sir Victor Uwaifo. However any accolades he earned were well deserved and based on a platform of hard graft and genuine love for his art. He like Uwaifo, straddles the Inter-generational gap between the old masters of Highlife such as Bobby Benson, E.C.Arinze, Inyang Henshaw, Dr Victor Olaiya etc and the latter generation of Eddy Okweddy, Orlando Owoh, Tunji Oyelana, Eric Akaeze, Osayomore Joseph et al." - Ed Keazor, Music in Africa

We Are Busy Bodies returns with a remastered reissue of The Best of Vis-A-Vis in Congo Style. The album finds the the young band in great form, with six new songs. The album was one of three released by the band in 1976. The band continued to be the backing band of choice of some of Ghana's biggest and most famous musicians all while recording their own albums.

We Are Busy Bodies exploration of Vis-A-Vis catalogue continues with a remastered reissue of their album Di Wo Ho Ni. The band continued to be the backing band of choice of some of Ghana's biggest and most famous musicians all while recording their own albums. The album has been remastered by Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel, with art restoration completed by Steve Lewin.

Beach Body wrote their debut album Walking Holiday in spring 2020 while holed up in a cabin in the remote woods of Northern Saskatchewan. They spent the summer recording at funeral-home-turned-recording-studio SoulSound Studio back in Regina.

These are the indigenous Afro-Jazz Sounds of the Genius, Philip Tabane ' the original Malombo Jazzman. It started in 1964 at Orlando Stadium when Philip went on stage, leading his group ' 'The Malombo Jazzmen'. On that Saturday afternoon, South Africa was staging its third Jazz Festival. Philip and his group walked away with all the honours. Malombo Jazz-music was introduced for the first time that year. This group started up as a trio and consisted of Flute, Guitar and Drums. Philip has now parted company with the other two members, and today he plays alongside a young drummer by the name of Gabriel 'Sonnyboy' Thobejane. This young man is tremendously versatile, and he plays the Thumb Piano known as 'Dipela' in Northern-Sotho, and Drums. On this LP Philip plays Guitar, Penny Whistle and Drums. Listen to the way Philip plays the Penny Whistle and Drums on 'Dithabeng'. His inherent feel and his knowledge of the instruments can quite obviously be heard. Mastery to say the least! He sings about his sister's child on 'Ke Utlwile', meaning 'I've Had Enough.' Sit back, relax and absorb the vocal and instrumental artistry of Philip Tabane. RAY Nkwe ' President OF THE Jazz Appreciation Society OF South Africa. Remastered by Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel Mastering and restored by We Are Busy Bodies.

Ten Easy Pieces is Dany Laj and the Looks third full-length album. The past two years has seen Laj spending quite a bit of time with his 4 track recorder writing a big collection of songs, re-working old ones, and even trying his hand at covering songs by Canadian artists he loves. "I think I had about 38 songs that I presented to our manager Eric with all kinds of stylings, I remember finally saying 'okay, that's the record' and felt bad 'cause I had bombarded his hard drive with like a million different mixes and so on.In comes Ten Easy Pieces, his most focused effort yet. After demoing and having more than three records worth of material, Laj eventually got together with his lifelong mate/longtime bassist Jeanette Dowling and drummer Dusty Campbell and started recording the latest Looks effort, which is their most focused effort to date.

Where are the Lemons now? Who are the Lemons now? Are you a Lemon or a Lime? Somewhere deep within the Seventeen Seas, DJ Lorelei is broadcasting 300 Hz of heavenly joy from the SS Scout radio transmitter, sending out the latest missive from the Lemon World.

Following a chance encounter with Sailor Lou, the intrepid DJ Lorelei is in possession of acetates containing never-before-heard recordings from the Lemons and has been broadcasting them non-stop for the past 213 days.

The archivists at We Are Busy Bodies were lucky enough to tune in to the signal one clear night and record a brief snippet of DJ Lorelei’s transmission, preserved here as “wlmn” to be released to the world on April 23, 2021.

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Vis​-​A​-​Vis - Odo Gu Ahorow
by We Are Busy Bodies

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Odo Gu Ahorow (Medley) 00:00 / 15:16
Limited Edition 12" Vinyl
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
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As both a popular live act and in-demand studio musicians, Vis-A-Vis released 13 albums between 1975 and 1982, of which Obi Agye Me Dofo remains the most sought after. Led by vocalist Isaac “Superstar” Yeboah and featuring Sammy Cropper on guitar, Slim Manu on bass and Gybson “Shaolin Kung-Fu” Papra on drums, Vis-A-Vis helped propel K. Frimpong to fame as one of Ghana’s most popular stars of the 1970s. On some of Frimpong’s albums, they also overlapped as part of his other recording band, the Cubano Fiestas.

As We Are Busy Bodies begins its roll out the Vis-A-Vis catalogue, it will also simultaneously release another essential album by the group, 1976s Odo Gu Ahorow. Original copies of both LPs are scarce and in great demand, with Obi Agye Me Dofo briefly issued as an LP in the US in 1980, and again in 2011 by Continental Records. Along with the Frimpong albums, they remain some of the most sought after West African records from the golden age. These reissues have been handled with the utmost respect — every detail has been given strict attention and care, with albums being remastered by Senior Mastering Engineer, Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel.

About the album:

"The Vis-A-Vis have had many good things to their credit, none more so than the collection of nostalgic items that make up this album “Odo Gu Ahoroo”. It has been able to achieve its well-deserved place in the Ghanaian musical best-seller parade. Now by the titles and programming this entirely new album benefits from Ofobros latest recording experience, bringing many plus-factors of listening pleasure.

With brilliant musicianship, the Vis-A-Vis as a group leads in the field of danceably rhythmic arrangements which do not obscure the enchanting melodies, such as “Abofra Ketewa”. Highlighting the softly soothing, yet richly textured blend of the organ and Slim’s bass work are solos by Sammy ‘red” Cropper on lead guitar, and other instruments as well.

The groups’ thirteen years’ experience in the field of dance music has made their melody reign supreme, and I hope these all are songs that will become a cherished part of our musical past in the future, and an enduring part of our musical period then. This recording the Vis-A-Vis with a new lustre that promises to glow through many mood-matching moments in the future.

Record is close to NM!