Now-Again Records

Egon’s Funk Archaeology at RBMA: Unsung Funk (and Rock!) Hero Robert Rozelle

Linked below: Egon’s newest Funk Archaeology post at Red Bull Music Academy’s website, this time detailing the legacy of a true unsung musical hero, bassist Robert Rozelle. As you’ll read, Rozelle was not only the bassist for our very own Apple and the Three Oranges, but also for psych-rock ensemble Love and – if you believe our investigative work – Dyke and The Blazers, on tracks previously assumed to have been recorded by members of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band.

The download this time around: Ed. “Apple” Nelson’s “I’ll Give You A Ring (When I Come, If I Come)”, Rozelle’s swan song and one of the most perfect soul songs of all time.

The New Series: Robert Rozelle – A True Unsung Musical Hero – Egon’s Funk Archaeology at Red Bull Music Academy.
The Old Series: Egon’s Funk Archaeology at NPR.
Download: Ed. Nelson “I’ll Give You A Ring (When I Come, If I Come)”

Stream: Egon’s San Francisco Boiler Room Set

Above, stream Egon’s set from the Boiler Room party in San Francisco last October. Selections include sneak-peaks into what is to come on a few of our forthcoming anthologies and songs from Kaleidoscope, JA Ceasar, GAA, The Zipps, SRC, Paternoster and other obscure names. Like Donovan. Kidding. No, actually we’re not. Listen and learn.

Video – Egon On Fuse TV’s Crate Diggers

Egon profiled on Fuse TV’s Crate Diggers. Learn more about our the backstory to our forthcoming Heitkotter and Nigerian Fuzz Funk anthologies, the relation between the Detroit Sex Machines and J.Dilla and hear all about ex-spiritual jazz leaders currently imprisoned for visa scams executed during Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath. True stories from the field.

Madlib Medicine Show In San Francisco, June 7th: The Sound of Zamrock

Buy Tickets: Madlib Medicine Show: The Sound of Zamrock.

Madlib has championed Zamrock’s heroes for some years now: his Beat Konducta in Africa release leaned heavily on samples from the likes of WITCH and Paul Ngozi and the Ngozi Family; his DJ sets feature rarities from the scene; he and the rapper formerly known as Mos Def have been discussing a trip to Zambia to record a collaborative album. At this special Madlib Medicine Show, Madlib will not only put together a DJ set that weaves his trademark hip hop beats in and out of funky and fuzzy Zamrock classics, but he’s brought WITCH’s last remaining member, bandleader Emmanuel “Jagari” Chanda from Zambia to San Francisco to 1015 Folsom to perform Zamrock Live! on June 7th for the first time to a public audience in North America…. Ever.

Also on the bill is Egon, Madlib’s partner in Madlib Invazion, and, as any visitor to this site is almost certainly aware, the man behind the resurgence of interest in the Zamrock movement via anthologies of the giants of the scene: WITCH, Rikki Ililonga, Musi-O-Tunya, Paul Ngozi, Chrissy Zebby Tembo and, soon to come Salty Dog, Mike Nyoni, Born Free and The Peace.

As Now-Again ramps up its undertakings to document the lost gems from this isolated yet genius movement in 2013, they happily partnered up with Urban Outfitters to bring a Zamrock inspired collection into the chain this spring. With Urban Outfitters, Now-Again brought Chanda and his Zamrock Live! – which has been making the European festival rounds – to Hollywood this past month for a private show, but this is the first time that Zamrock Live! can be accessed by the ticket buying public.

At the show, Madlib will be selling a limited edition 7” EP containing selections from his forthcoming Rock Konducta album on Madlib Invazion. The 7”s – white labels, housed in a custom designed Jeff Jank sleeve – were only manufactured in a run of 300 copies.

More Info/Rock Konducta preview: Rappcats.com