Orientalism is defined as the imitation or depiction of aspects of Eastern cultures in the West by writers, designers and artists.  In a more general sense, it’s when one culture tries to imitate another in an artistic sense.  Specific to this article, the term “orientalism” can be applied to music in the cases of Afro-beat, Tropicalia, Mbaqanga (Township Jazz), and even Ska & Reggae.

The interesting thing to me is how these genres, while initially trying to imitate American & UK music–a kind of reverse orientalism, have created their own genres which, in turn, have influenced those same musical cultures; from Santana (who tried to imitate, among many, the psycho african beats of bands like The Psychedelic Aliens) to Paul Simon (who essentially copied, verbatim, the sounds of Township Jazz in South Africa from the likes of The Boyoyo Boys).

Music is thus a synecdoche of influence.  One genre influences another which influences another, which can, in turn, influence itself, and so on.

Many of the songs on the mix below have obvious influences, while, at the same time, are an obvious influence to others.  It includes some of the greats of Tropicalia, some of the unsung heroes of Mbaqanga, the roots of Afro-beat and a little bit of Reggae & Ska.  It’s the first of what I hope to be many mixes exploring the idea of “synecdochic orientalism”.

Afrozilicalia (DOWNLOAD)

1. Bat Macumba – Gilberto Gil
2. A minha menina – Os Mutantes
3. Khuzani – The Heroes
4. Mane Joao – Erasmo Carlos
5. Money That’s What I Want – The Lawrence Amavi Group
6. Finger Toe - Tabukha ‘X’
7. Procissão – Gilberto Gil
8. Samba de Minha Terra – João Gilberto
9. S’timela Sase-zola – Mbogeni Ngema
10. 007 (Shanty Town) – Desmond Dekker
11. My Conversation – The Uniques
12. In Concert – Ofege
13. Fefe Naa Efe – Fela Kuti

“What are you thinking about?” she asks me.
“About going to Spain,” I reply.
“What are you going to do there?”
“Eat some delicious paella.”
“That’s all?”
“And fight in the Spanish Civil War.”
“That ended over sixty years ago.”
“I know,” I tell her.  “Lorca died and Hemingway survived.”
“But you want to be a part of it.”
I nod. “Yup. Blow up bridges and stuff.”
“And fall in love with Ingrid Bergman.”
“But in reality I’m here in Takamatsu.  And I’m in love with you.”
“Tough luck.”
I put my arm around her.
You put your arm around her.
She leans against you.  And a long spell of time passes.
“Did you know that I did this exact same thing a long time ago?  Right in this spot?”
“I know,” you tell her.
“How do you know that?” she asks, and looks you in the eyes.
“I was there then.”
“Blowing up bridges?”
“Yes, I was there, blowing up bridges.”
“Metaphorically.”
“Of course.”
You hold her in your arms, draw her close, kiss her.  You can feel the strength deserting her body.
“We’re all dreaming, aren’t we?” she says.
All of us are dreaming.

“upside d’owl”

“i’m not so much angry as disappointed”

“see you, cowboy”