The glass bottom boat of the cultural press
With over 40 albums and an unassailable legacy as the originator of one of Africa’s most popular and enduring sounds, the job of curating Fela Kuti’s catalog for the 21st century is a difficult and enviable task. Ink 19 dives into the Knitting Factory’s Chop n’ Quench, Fela’s first nine albums re-released, and gives a heads up on the Na Poi set of albums due to drop on May 11.
The second annual Harvest of Hope Festival raises money to help migrant farm workers by giving music fans three days of music, mud, and mayhem.
Revolutions (Sony). Review by Rob Walsh.
Stolen Lives (Jasiri / Subverse). Review by Bill Campbell.
A.J. Croce celebrates the 50th anniversary of his father, Jim Croce’s, three ground breaking albums, with a nationwide tour of Croce Plays Croce.
High Above Harlesden 1978 - 2023 from On-U Sound collects 60 dub and reggae tracks from Creation Rebel, an astounding set of musicians.
Gerta O. Egy’s beautifully drawn fungi almost eclipse their fairyland habitats in her Mushroom Daydream Coloring Book.
One of the last of the classic wuxia swordplay films stands as a fitting coda to the grand period of the genre. Phil Bailey reviews a new Blu-ray release of the 1975 film The Valiant Ones.
The Complete Friends of Old-Time Music Concert (Smithsonian Folkways Records). Review by Bob Pomeroy.
Smash Mouth takes us back to The Brady Bunch circa 1973, with “Sunshine Day,” featuring Barry Williams, the original Greg Brady.
Not everyone can be excited by blocks spinning on a screen, but if you are, Ian Koss recommends you pay attention to Best of Five.
The final two films in the bonkers Hong Kong action comedy series The Inspector Wears Skirts hit Blu-ray from 88 Films.
A pair of early “girls with guns” action films from superstars Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock have arrived from 88 Films.