RIP – Highlighters and Rhythm Machine founder, funk bassist James Boone

It’s with a heavy heart that we note the passing of Indianapolis born and bred funk and soul bassist and bandleader James Boone. Now-Again’s Egon first met Boone while researching the independently released soul and funk records that would form the basis of his Stones Throw Records anthology The Funky 16 Corners, first issued in 2001. Boone featured prominently on that album, from the title track by the Highlighters band to Spider Harrison’s “Beautiful Day” to “The Kick,” by his later outfit Rhythm Machine.

After Egon issued Rhythm Machine’s 7″ single “Brenda and Me/Put A Smile On Time” as an extended disco single on the Soul Cal series in 2003, he helped Traffic Entertainment Group reissue the Rhythm Machine’s self-titled 1976 album on Now-Again in 2004, from master tapes that Boone had maintained when he moved to Omaha, Nebraska in the late 70s. In 2012, Now-Again issued an expanded version of the album with bonus tracks that Boone recorded with the band in the late 70s before the band splintered following the death of member Maride Williams.

Though Boone had walked away from music following Williams’ passing – focusing instead on his Omaha publication Go Ahead Magazine, which he founded in the early 80s and maintained until his death, and his barbecue restaurant Alexander’s – he maintained a love and passion for real soul and funk, and immeasurably helped this label during over the past twelve years. We’re proud to have called James Boone our friend, are honored that he trusted us with his music and plan on never letting his legacy go silent. With that in mind, download one of our favorite Rhythm Machine tracks below.

Download: Rhythm Machine “Put A Smile On Time.”

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Out Now: Musi-O-Tunya “Give Love To Your Children” – Grab a Free mP3!

Funk, Psych-Rock, and Fuzz-Guitar-lead Afrobeat from Zambia’s groundbreaking band. Contains extensive booklet with liner notes, an exclusive interview with drummer Brian Chengala and guitarists Rikki Ilionga and Wayne Barnes, photos and ephemera. Limited deluxe edition LP contains bonus disc with rare 7” tracks, never reissued on vinyl. Out now!

Finally! The legendary Zamrock band’s second album and rare 7” tracks presented a an album. We can only describe Give Love To Your Children as a medley of Funk, Psych-Rock, and Fuzz-Guitar-lead Afrobeat from this groundbreaking Zambian band. As you’ll read in our extensive booklet this album follows Now-Again’s first foray into the Zamrock genre, Rikki Ililonga and Musi-O-Tuyna’s Dark Sunrise.

Dark Sunrise hadn’t even entered production when we became aware of Musi-O-Tunya’s post-Ililonga trajectory, and its uniqueness in the Zamrock landscape. It is the corollary to Ililonga’s story. And now, that story can be told, and the music can be heard, thanks to the participation of Ililonga, Chengala and Barnes, who color the creation and release of Give Love To Your Children. This album’s grooves hold the last, sustained shouts from one of the first Zamrock ensembles: Musi-O-Tunya exploded at the height of the Zamrock movement, scattering its members everywhere, with only this last, fiery artifact to remember them by.

Download a track from the album below.

Download: Musi-O-Tunya “When I’m Gone”
Buy: Musi-O-Tunya Give Love To Your Children on Rappcats.
If you missed it: Rikki Ililonga and Musi-O-Tunya Dark Sunrise.

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