Robert Christgau's Music Criticism Blog - Expert Witness - MSN Music

Moreno and L'Orch First Moja-One/Laba Sosseh

African Afro-Cuban looks east and west

By Xgau Jan 8, 2013 2:39AM

Moreno and L'Orch First Moja-One: Sister Pili + 2 (Sterns Africa)

Batamba Wendo Morris was born in Patrice Lumumba's east Congo hometown in 1955 and died at 38 having migrated to East Africa itself like such fellow Congolese musicians as Samba Mapangala, with whom he sang for a while in a rough baritone pitched so luxuriously low some call it a bass. When he was leading the band, he not only made sure the guitars slackened soukous's high-tension-wire acrobatics in the casual Kenyan-Tanzanian manner but generally gave a single saxophone its say. Recorded in his home base of Nairobi, the 1983 title album comprises four nine-minute tracks, the most notable the half-English closer and "Kaka Puneira Wivu" with its drolly twangy second guitar. The clattery plus two are from 1977, with Tabu Ngongo horning in irrepressibly. A good groove is had by all. A MINUS

Laba Sosseh: Volume 1 (Syllart)

Of griot family, the seminal Senegambian salsero sang forcefully from the sternum and grooved unshakably from the fundament, a principled disciple-evangelist who recorded regularly with Orquesta Aragon in Paris and occasionally with his Manhattan heroes as well. In Dakar he was the dancing master of the postcolonial elite, steadying his bands' Congo-rooted "Latin" beats so that they signified for West Africans. In what I assume is completist grandeur on a two-CD set whose français-seulement notes are impeccably free of useful detail, these 26 ('70s?) ('80s?) (classic?) (early?) tracks are solid and resonant once the recording quality rights itself. Seldom, however, do they rise above, with the biggest exception the same "Marie Gomis" available in somewhat duller audio on the Sosseh album I've puzzled longest over, Monguito El Unico and Laba Sosseh. Three of the other four tracks on that record also repeat here, with the bonus that this "Yamanekh" adds a speedy and welcome three-minute coda. A titan, definitely, and near as I can tell‑-compared to Sar's easier-to-find Laba Sosseh, for instance‑-this is as good as you're liable to find until some saint does a proper comp. B PLUS

< Back to Expert Witness

209Comments

Newest

Not. Milo. Miles.

Jan 10, 2013 11:25PM

Speaking of "Racer-X" and Big Black and Steve Albini ...

One of my top obsessive quests over the years is to hear anything recorded by the Missoula MT punk band Just Ducky (Steve Albini's high-school debut). Well, sunnovagun, somebody finally blogged about them, an Albini classmate --

http://goo.gl/TF2TJ

For now, I have to take his word for it they recorded nothing, but that Just Ducky set list is going up on the office wall. Yes, yes it is.

Previous replies

Jan 10, 2013 10:48PM

""the fifteen-track edition of Celebration Rock"

What's that all about?"

01. The Nights of Wine and Roses
02. Fire's Highway
03. Evil's Sway
04. For the Love of Ivy (The Gun Club Cover)
05. Adrenaline Nightshift
06. Younger Us
07. The House That Heaven Built
08. Continuous Thunder
09. Heavenward Grand Prix
10. Art Czars
11. Sex and Dying In High Society (X Cover)
12. Shame (PJ Harvey Cover)
13. Racer-X (Big Black Cover)
14. Jack the Ripper (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Cover)
15. Younger Us (7" Version)

Available on iTunes or as an import from Australia.

Previous replies

Paul Hayden (Paul H.)

Jan 10, 2013 10:27PM

"the fifteen-track edition of Celebration Rock"

What's that all about?

Previous replies

Jan 10, 2013 9:57PM

Some people were nervous about whether or not I would "count" some of the albums they voted for. As if! I counted it when Dan Weiss voted for the deluxe version of Pink Friday for the 2011 poll (which was totes bullhonkey and he knows it). I never don't count a vote. The "rules" as I state them are merely guidelines so that everyone thinks the same pool of albums are eligible.

Previous replies

Jan 10, 2013 9:11PM

39. Sadie - P.S. Eliot: 38 (3)

boom.

Previous replies

Jan 10, 2013 8:59PM

All right, this is last post of incoming results before 2 pm Central time tomorrow, when the full ballots, tally, and top albums pages will be unveiled.

31. Bouger le Monde - Staff Benda Bilili: 50 (5)

31. C.A.R. - Serengeti: 50 (5)

33. Born to Die - Lana Del Rey: 49 (6)

34. Tropicália Lixo Lógico - Tom Zé: 49 (5)

35. Words and Music by Saint Etienne - Saint Etienne: 44 (4)

36. Beak & Claw - s / s / s: 43 (4)

37. Dylan Hicks Sings Bolling Greene - Dylan Hicks: 39 (4)

38. A Thing Called Divine Fits - Divine Fits: 38 (6)

39. Sadie - P.S. Eliot: 38 (3)

40. The Money Store - Death Grips: 36 (5)

41. Coexist - The xx: 35 (4)

42. Call Me Sylvia - Low Cut Connie: 33 (4)

43. Sunken Condos - Donald Fagen: 32 (3)

44. R.A.P. Music - Killer Mike: 30 (4)

45. Little Victories - Chris Knight: 30 (3)

46. Nehru Jackets - Himanshu “Heems” Suri: 29 (4)

47. A Working Museum - Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby: 29 (3)

48. Psychedelic Pill - Neil Young & Crazy Horse: 27 (3)

49. Reign of Terror - Sleigh Bells: 26 (3)

50. Living for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran - Jamey Johnson: 25 (3)

50. Lonerism - Tame Impala: 25 (3)

50. Now What! - Tommy Womack: 25 (3)

50. True - Solange: 25 (3)

54. The Rough Guide to Ethiopia - Various Artists: 24 (2)

54. Visions - Grimes: 24 (2)

56. No1 2 Look Up 2 - Big Baby Gandhi: 23 (2)

57. Born to Sing: No Plan B - Van Morrison: 21 (2)

58. Bell Hooks - BBU: 20 (2)

59. En Yay Sah - Janka Nabay & the Bubu Gang: 20 (2)

59. The Cherry Thing – Neneh Cherry & The Thing: 20 (2)

61. Master of My Make-Believe - Santigold: 19 (3)

61. Out of Sight, Out of Town - Standard Fare: 19 (3)

63. Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - Nicki Minaj: 19 (2)

64. Breakfast - Chiddy Bang: 18 (2)

65. Listen…Oka! - Chris Berry & the Bayaka of Yandoumbe: 17 (2)

65. MDNA – Madonna: 17 (2)

65. Songs for Desert Refugees - Various Artists: 17 (2)

68. Between the Time and the Tides - Lee Ranaldo: 16 (2)

68. The Rough Guide to Highlife - Various Artists: 16 (2)

70. Shields – Grizzly Bear: 15 (2)

70. Reunion: Live in New York - Sam Rivers/Dave Holland/Barry Altschul: 15 (2)

70. The Only Place - Best Coast: 15 (2)

73. Elysium - Pet Shop Boys: 10 (2)

73. Kiss - Carly Rae Jepsen: 10 (2)

Previous replies

Jan 10, 2013 8:51PM

However, the non-Rhino 8 track Carl Perkins album I constructed on Rhapsody is killer.

Do the shared playlists still work? I tried, anyway. Good luck finding it.

Previous replies

Jan 10, 2013 7:49PM

Recent EW acquisitions:

The Moreno CD is fantastic and I hear no loss after Sister Pili's four tracks end. The "+2" are both pluses in my book. To quote the liner notes, " the popular music created by Congolese musicians working in East Africa in the latter half of the last century is still, today, one of the world's finest and these tracks show just why." Amen.

The Carl Perkins comp on Collectables is, in my opinion, a waste. The 1986 Rhino comp Original Sun Greatest Hits includes all the essential tracks and has much better liner notes and most importantly sounds 1000% better. The Five Royales comp on Collectables sounded ok so I was shocked to hear how poor the Perkins sounds. Seriously it sucks. Find the Rhino.

Previous replies

Jan 10, 2013 7:38PM

For reference, last year Get out the Lotion came in at #11. WHAT HAPPENED, GUYS?!

Previous replies

Jan 10, 2013 7:38PM

Speaking of prediction-making, I'm proud to say that I guessed this year's Expert Witness Pazz & Jop winners, both Carly Rae and [mysteryyyyyy], correctly. A while ago too, I might add.

Speaking of adding, here's a few more albums. Now is when hearts start being BROKEN.

42. Call Me Sylvia - Low Cut Connie: 33 (4)

43. Sunken Condos - Donald Fagen: 32 (3)

44. R.A.P. Music - Killer Mike: 30 (4)

45. Little Victories - Chris Knight: 30 (3)

46. Nehru Jackets - Himanshu “Heems” Suri: 29 (4)

47. A Working Museum - Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby: 29 (3)

48. Psychedelic Pill - Neil Young & Crazy Horse: 27 (3)

49. Reign of Terror - Sleigh Bells: 26 (3)

50. Living for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran - Jamey Johnson: 25 (3)

50. Lonerism - Tame Impala: 25 (3)

50. Now What! - Tommy Womack: 25 (3)

50. True - Solange: 25 (3)

54. The Rough Guide to Ethiopia - Various Artists: 24 (2)

54. Visions - Grimes: 24 (2)

56. No1 2 Look Up 2 - Big Baby Gandhi: 23 (2)

57. Born to Sing: No Plan B - Van Morrison: 21 (2)

58. Bell Hooks - BBU: 20 (2)

59. En Yay Sah - Janka Nabay & the Bubu Gang: 20 (2)

59. The Cherry Thing – Neneh Cherry & The Thing: 20 (2)

61. Master of My Make-Believe - Santigold: 19 (3)

61. Out of Sight, Out of Town - Standard Fare: 19 (3)

63. Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - Nicki Minaj: 19 (2)

64. Breakfast - Chiddy Bang: 18 (2)

65. Listen…Oka! - Chris Berry & the Bayaka of Yandoumbe: 17 (2)

65. MDNA – Madonna: 17 (2)

65. Songs for Desert Refugees - Various Artists: 17 (2)

68. Between the Time and the Tides - Lee Ranaldo: 16 (2)

68. The Rough Guide to Highlife - Various Artists: 16 (2)

70. Shields – Grizzly Bear: 15 (2)

70. Reunion: Live in New York - Sam Rivers/Dave Holland/Barry Altschul: 15 (2)

70. The Only Place - Best Coast: 15 (2)

73. Elysium - Pet Shop Boys: 10 (2)

73. Kiss - Carly Rae Jepsen: 10 (2)

Previous replies

Jan 10, 2013 7:35PM

Xgau: Oh god, of course not. I could have decided that contest between Frank and Merrill last year but didn't. I lock my ballot in before everyone else (it's identical to my VV P&J ballot, which I posted here a while back). It's just that my point distro was 15-14-11-11-11-10-8-8-6-6, and I think that #6 is on even footing with #3, 4, and 5 now, because I've been blasting the fifteen-track edition of Celebration Rock like once every three waking hours over the past two days. Basically, I think a great value of a critic is being good at determining the long run behavior of your taste, so when I see things inching in one direction or the other, I do a lot of forehead slapping. Of course, your relationship with an album (like mine with Celebration Rock, an album that way back when brought me out of a pretty dark place by being the most fun thing, ever) will change because that's just how music does, and of course that's beautiful. My inability to predict things (like, say, last year's VV P&J tuneyards win (seriously, what on earth?)) is always a little disconcerting, though, personally. My problem less closely resembles a willingness to cheat and more closely resembles obsessive compulsive disorder. I work for hours until I'm comfortable with those point distributions, damn it.

Plus, Celebration Rock would need eight points to move up a slot. Though my #10 could lose a single point and fall a slot (it's in a tie in both points and mentions).

Previous replies

Robert Christgau (Xgau)

Jan 10, 2013 6:12PM

Joey: Poobahs must never shift points. On two separate occasions I could have put records I loved--I mean loved: Have Moicy! and A Thousand Leaves--into the top 30/40 by adding just a point or two to their valuations. I am proud to say I resisted.

Previous replies

Jan 10, 2013 5:52PM

I can't stand to look at my ballot anymore because, without changing order, I would have bumped #6 from 10 to 11 points and bumped #10 from 6 to 5 points.

I think I have a problem, you guys.

Previous replies

Paul Albone (Melbourne Paul)

Jan 10, 2013 5:43PM

I'll just keep playing Brad Paisley's "She's her own woman", "I Hope that's me" or "love her like she's Leaving". That'll do the trick. Damn, if I could only write songs that good.

Previous replies

Greg Morton (GMort)

Jan 10, 2013 5:34PM

When your wife starts playing "Third Rate Romance", "Out of Hand" or the Blasters "Help You Dream", that's when you really worry.

Previous replies

Paul Albone (Melbourne Paul)

Jan 10, 2013 5:01PM

If I'd been more than a Lurker last year, maybe "Four the Record" might have made it in the top 64. "Hell on Heels" was my wife's favourite CD last year. When she plays "Trailer for Rent" on repeat, should I be concerned ?. Would be more worried by "Dear Diamond".

Previous replies

Jan 10, 2013 4:47PM

Of my top 10, only Standard Fare has appeared so far. And since my list hasn't been very interesting or creative, I suspect that the other 9 albums will appear sometime, if Joey finally reveals the whole thing and the ants leave my pants.

I am still pretty fond of that weird thing on top, though. Actually gave it a few relistens for the list making.

Previous replies

Not. Milo. Miles.

Jan 10, 2013 4:31PM

I'm about to check out the trio album from 2012 that features Mary Halvorson, who did well on the Rhapsody poll, which is my tie-in for my addendum to my plug for Gerard Edery, *Edery Sings Yupanqui* ...

I've now checked out *Mis 30 Mejores Canciones* by Atahualpa Yupanqui and I'm about equally delighted and disappointed. The downside is that I have confirmed a distant impression I got from listening to a friend's vinyl ages and ages ago: Yupanqu's vocals are very frail, not without charming passages, but not nearly commanding enough to overcome the language barrier. And he's given to spoken parts that are even more skippable.The tunes and the guitar work have an otherworldly dignity and assurance that you don't hear any more (products of a different sonic environment) and that almost make up for the singing.

Still, right now I will reach for the Edery interpretations first.

Previous replies

Jan 10, 2013 4:26PM

In case anyone's interested in looking at how these things fall, here's the full album tally from last year.

1. nostalgia,ULTRA. - Frank Ocean: 443 (32)

2. w h o k i l l - tUnE-yArDs: 442 (33)

3. Strawberry - Wussy: 390 (28)

4. So Beautiful or So What - Paul Simon: 326 (29)

5. Hell on Heels - Pistol Annies: 186 (16)

6. Devil’s Music - Teddybears: 177 (17)

7. Watch the Throne - Jay-Z & Kanye West: 140 (18)

8. Funeral Dress II - Wussy: 131 (10)

9. Sky Full of Holes - Fountains of Wayne: 120 (11)

10. Relax - Das Racist: 108 (12)

11. Get out the Lotion - Low Cut Connie: 84 (12)

12. Black Up - Shabazz Palaces: 83 (9)

13. Stone Rollin’ - Raphael Saadiq: 78 (7)

14. Good News - Withered Hand: 77 (8)

15. Ancient & Modern: 1911-2011 - Mekons: 76 (8)

16. An Argument with Myself - Jens Lekman: 74 (9)

17. Western Teleport - Emperor X: 68 (7)

18. Nine Types of Light - TV on the Radio: 67 (6)

19. Live: The Storyteller - Todd Snider: 55 (6)

20. Tell My Sister - Kate & Anna McGarrigle: 55 (5)

21. Family & Friends - Serengeti: 54 (6)

22. Mountaintops - Mates of State: 52 (6)

23. Wild Flag - Wild Flag: 51 (7)

24. Femme Fatale - Britney Spears: 49 (6)

25. Blues and the Empirical Truth - Allen Lowe: 46 (3)

26. Eleven Eleven - Dave Alvin: 44 (5)

27. Middle Brother - Middle Brother: 41 (4)

28. Divine - Blaqstarr: 39 (6)

29. Bwati Kono - Lobi Traore: 39 (4)

30. 21 - Adele: 39 (3)

31. Bad as Me - Tom Waits: 38 (4)

32. Carolina Chocolate Drops/Luminescent Orchestrati - Carolina Chocolate Drops/Luminescent Orchestrati: 34 (5)

32. House of Balloons - The Weeknd: 34 (5)

34. David Comes to Life - ****ed Up: 33 (5)

35. Goblin - Tyler, the Creator: 31 (2)

36. Let England Shake - PJ Harvey: 30 (3)

37. Coin Coin Chapter One: Gens de Couleur Libres - Matana Roberts: 30 (2)

38. KMAG YOYO - Hayes Carll: 29 (3)

39. Screws Get Loose - Those Darlins: 28 (5)

40. How Do You Do? - Mayer Hawthorne: 27 (3)

41. Born This Way - Lady GaGa: 26 (4)

42. Yuck - Yuck: 25 (3)

43. Road Shows Vol. 2 - Sonny Rollins: 24 (3)

44. Divine Providence - Deer Tick: 22 (3)

45. Go-Go Boots - Drive-By Truckers: 22 (2)

46. Zayna Jumma - Group Doueh: 21 (2)

47. Wounded Rhymes - Lykke Li: 20 (3)

48. Big Gurl (Smell My Dream) - Darius Jones Trio: 20 (2)

49. Content - Gang of Four: 19 (2)

49. Lasers - Lupe Fiasco: 19 (2)

51. Tassili - Tinariwen: 18 (2)

52. A Note of Hope - Various Artists: 17 (2)

53. Gloss Drop - Battles: 16 (3)

54. Aratan N Azawad - Terakraft: 16 (2)

54. Collapse into Now - R.E.M.: 16 (2)

54. D - White Denim: 16 (2)

54. Father, Son, Holy Ghost - Girls: 16 (2)

58. Agadez - Bombino: 15 (2)

58. Low Country Blues - Gregg Allman: 15 (2)

60. Talk That Talk - Rihanna: 14 (2)

60. Vol. 2, High and Inside - The Baseball Project: 14 (2)

62. Obscurities - Stephin Merritt: 13 (2)

63. The King of In Between - Garland Jeffreys: 10 (2)

63. This Is Country Music - Brad Paisley: 10 (2)

Previous replies

Jan 10, 2013 4:25PM

The EW P&J seems to have a weird trend where about three jazz/world albums do pretty damn well.

Previous replies

AdChoices

about the blogger

Robert Christgau

Starting in 1967, Robert Christgau has covered popular music for The Village Voice, Esquire, Blender, Playboy, Rolling Stone, and many other publications. He teaches in New York University's Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music, maintains a comprehensive website at robertchristgau.com, and has published five books based on his journalism. He has written for MSN Music since 2006.

find concert tickets

Find more tickets. Powered by FanSnap

follow msn music

music news

what's hot

Listening Booth

inside music

Gallery: '90s Flashback

Fight Club: Madonna

Lead Singers We Love to Hate

music video

photo galleries

Essential 21st-Century Albums

Encore! The Week in Music

Sound and Vision: Rock Styles

explore with bing

Lady Antebellum

our blogs