soleil rare 1 - mondovision.

First selection of tracks, and here is the tracklist :

Os Baobas - Bye Bye My Darling.

Undoubtly one of the most interesting Brazilian garage rock bands, Os Baobas was formed in 1966 in São Paulo, under the initial name The Rubber Souls.

They made a name for themselves by translating and covering rock songs (The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Doors, etc.), and by performing as a backing band for famous acts like Caetano Veloso. Os Baobas released only one LP and four singles.  

After the break-up of the group, members joined other bands such as Joelho de Porco and Os Mutantes. 

The original pressings now sell for ridiculously high prices over the internet, but the original LP is said to have a bad quality sound. The new edition of the LP was released by Groovie in 2009.

Stavros Xarhakos - Annabel. 

Stavros Xarhakos is a Greek composer, born in 1939. He studied music in Greece and France. His discography is huge, and made of scores, soundtracks, classical and popular music. Xarhakos also directed orchestras and is now a politician.

The song "Annabel" features the vocal of Maria Dimitriadi, a very famous Greek vocalist, who also performed over compositions by Mikis Theodorakis. "Annabel" was Dimitriadi's debut single, recorded around 1969. The original title is "Ena proino" (sorry no cyrillic).  

Amorf Ördögök - Betyar A Holdon.

Amorf Ördögök is a Hungarian big band. Their sound reminds the exuberant groups from the Balkans, but with a touch of modern beats. 

After years of releasing music as demos, they finally produced an album in 2000 on Ugar Records, and it's "Betyar A Holdon". Since then, they released 3 other albums. The group seems to be unactive now.   

The song "Betyar A Holdon" starts with flamboyant derbukas, which pave the way for more delirium... really intriguing. 

Asha Bhosle - Dum Maro Dum. 

Sorry for the bad song naming in the file. Read "Dum Maro Dum" instead of "Cum Maro Dum". This being said... ok, it's not very original. But I love Asha and I love Rahul Dev Burman, so this is the perfect Indian hit for me.

The song originally featured on the "Hare Rame Hare Khrisna" soundtrack published in 1971, and which now sports funny price tags, even for damaged copies. 

Asha Bhosle had, so far, an incredible career (she's considered the most recorded artist in the world, for instance), so you should just read her biography on Wikipedia. 

Kourosh Yaghmaei - Gol-e Yakh. 

When digging for records, either in crates or on the internet, you can learn about political history of the world ; you become aware of the tribulations of the many artists who suffered from dictatorships. 

Kourosh Yaghmaei is one of them. Born in Iran, Kourosh is often credited as the initiator of Iran rock. "Gol Yakh" was his debut single, with lyrics by his university classmate (and now well-known poet) Mahdi Akhavan Langeroudi. It was an instant hit, but Kourosh was banned from singing, after the Revolution took command of the country. Thus, the man who was promised to an extensive career and discography is now credited with only two official albums, released in Canada. 

Kourosh's pre-Revolution discography has been recently released by Now-Again. 

Galt MacDermot - Coffee Cold. 

Mr. MacDermot is the unforgotten composer of the music of "Hair". Born in Canada in 1928, he studied music in South-Africa. Thus, MacDermot is probably one of the most polyvalent composers of the previous century ; indeed, he composed music for jazz records, Blaxploitation movies, successful musicals, and scored various movies. 

"Coffee Cold" was featured in the movie "The Thomas Crown Affair", starring the iconic Steve McQueen. Galt MacDermot recorded the track on his "Shapes Of Rhythm" LP, in 1966, which features Bernard Purdie on the drums. The song was sampled by hip-hop acts DJ Shadow, DJ Premier and Oh No!, among others. Oh No! was even allowed to sample the whole MacDermot catalog for his album "Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms". "Coffee Cold" was also sampled by Handsome Boy Modeling School (Prince Paul & Dan The Automator) for the song "The Truth".

Galt MacDermot remains a huge influence for beatmakers and producers. His discography has been re-edited in recent years and a documentary on his life is in the cutting room as we speak.

Cesaria Evora - Partida. 

Is it useful to introduce Cesaria Evora ? Well, she's a queen, with a voice you will remember. Not powerful, but subtle and full of emotions. 

Discovered in Cape Verde (by the way, the English translation of this name is weird...), her home country, by French producers while performing in local restaurants and small stages, she's now an international star, having experienced great recognition with the song "Saudade". 

The song "Partida" was part of the album "Cabo Verde", released in 1997. The whole album is a masterpiece. Now you know. 

Okukuseku International Band Of Ghana - Black Beauty. 

Hailing down from Ghana (word...), Okukuseku International Band Of Ghana was formed in 1969 by Sammy Kofi. The band quickly became a huge force on the local highlife scene. 

Due to difficulties to release records in Ghana, the band relocated to Nigeria in 1979. Okukuseku signed a contract with the Roger All Stars studio. After years of success in Nigeria, the band eventually settled back home in 1985.

"Black Beauty", from the eponymous album (retitled "Why You De Run ?" for the CD edition), is a sweet African tune. Don't expect high notes and such, it's pretty relax but very entertaining. 

Galatasaray Lisesi - Zazie. 

Football fans need no introduction when the name "Galatasaray" is mentioned. But most of them don't know it is the most influential high school in Turkey. Alumni includes countless vizirs, kings, ministers, governors, artists...

"Zazie" was released as a single (b/w "Babeth") by the high school band in 1968. It is sung in French, as the Galatasaray Lisesi ("lisesi" meaning "high school") is well-known for its French department (the high school motto is in French). The lyrics are kinda cheesy, but it makes all the charm of this cute little song that contributed to the expansion of psychedelic rock, a genre that will later be known as Anatolian rock. 

The song recently gained exposure by being featured on the compilation "Anatolia Rocks : A Musical Trip Through Turkey 1968-1983".

Meiko Kaji - Fushigi Ne.

This song by the iconic Meiko Kaji is featured on her album "Sareyo Sareyo Kanashimi No Shirabe" (sorry no kanjis), released in 1974. 

By adding the words "Meiko Kaji" and/or "Japan" to any record search, you will be surprised (or not) to be asked to pay funky prices. It may be deserved (or not)... well...

You should know that the divine Meiko is an actress as well as an accomplished singer. The movies of the "Scorpion Lady" series are a must. Her polyvalence probably nurtured the legend, and the prices...

Meiko Kaji was, as everyone knows, a huge influence for Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill". Then again, it didn't do any good to the prices of her records. By the way, she recently put out her first album in 31 years. 

Jean-Claude Vannier - Danse Des Mouches Noires Gardes Du Roi. 

Vannier's "L'Enfant Assassin Des Mouches" is a must-have for any record collector. But incredibly hard to find. You will probably have to purchase the Finders Keepers re-edition and thank Andy Vottel for being such a digger.

Ok, so here's a concept-album you will never forget. Vannier is of course known for his arrangements for Gainsbourg (he's responsible for crafting the album "Histoire De Melody Nelson" with Serge). He also arranged for other artists, with more or less success. 

This song opens with a sweet melody, but quickly dives into a piano galore, swinging notes and hard rhythms. Almost danceable.