A fascinating look at musical modes in London during the big years
of postwar immigration – a time when former residents
of the crumbling British Empire were flooding to London for jobs and a better way
of life – often bringing along a huge amount
of cultural experience in the process! This set follows wonderfully in the spirit
of previous volumes
of the series – bringing together a range
of different sonic styles that were originally recorded in London as 78rpm singles – where a new wave
of Caribbean and West African immigrants were fusing older styles with a newly modern sensibility, and often a fair bit
of jazz as well! The set list is wonderful – a great array
of well-chosen material – and titles include "Wa Sise" by Willie Payne & The Star
lite Tempos, "The Emperor
Of Africa" by The Mighty Terror, "Royal Wedding" by The Lion, "Modern Telephone" by Dai Dai Simba, "
Sons &
Daughters Of Africa" by Lord Beginner, "Caroline" by Trinidad Steel Band, "Ema Foju Ana Woku" by West African Rhythm Brothers, "Kana Kana" by Billy Sholanke, "Boul Ve Se" by Calypso Rhythm Kings, and "My Handy Man" by Marie Bryant.