Sunday, January 20, 2008

Oh Yeh Yeh, It's Chrissy Zebby Tembo

It's Sunday, and Sundays should be about fun, so here I present to you one of the sweetest little records to ever come from the AIDS ravaged, open grave known as Zambia. There is a youthful innocence, a third-world naivety that permeates "My Ancestors,"the 1974 album by Zambian guitarist, Chrissy Zebby Tembo. Fuzzed-out wah wah psych had obviously made it's way to Africa by 1974 and Chrissy Zebby Tembo was at the forefront of the scene. If you happen to own the great "Love, Peace & Poetry: African Psychedelic Music" compilation, you may remember Chrissy Zebby Tembo's instrumental "Oh Yeh Yeh", which is also featured on this album. The sun shines all over the 9 songs here, and it's hard not to smile when Chrissy's kooky, relaxed vocals come in. The album has a warmth and closeness that make it absolutely infatuating. I fell in love with "My Ancestors" upon my first listen, and I imagine, you (being a person of distinction and taste) will too.

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21 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 20, 2008 at 12:14 PM

    Absolutely stunning! Perfect for Sundays as you stated. Thanks so much! New to your blog and an instant follower. Found it through Ludicra's bulletin. Respect to you & Ludira.

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  2. AesopJanuary 20, 2008 at 1:14 PM

    Thank you very much. Keep on visiting.

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 26, 2008 at 5:15 AM

    another great treasure from the cosmic hearse - thanks a lot

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  4. UnknownFebruary 11, 2008 at 2:38 PM

    I heard that this was just re-issued through bomp but when I go to the website I can not find it. Whats the deal dude?

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  5. AesopFebruary 11, 2008 at 2:49 PM

    Never heard of a Bomp reissue, but recently a surplus of these were uncovered and I managed to get a sealed copy through gemm.com for less than $15. It's such a magical album.

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  6. AnonymousJune 23, 2008 at 5:50 AM

    This is fantastic. I've been losing is just about the best thing I've heard since the eighties.

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  7. AnonymousAugust 26, 2008 at 12:32 AM

    Thanx Crotchbat!!!!!!! Ha

    Really lazy blog you have.....Nice

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  8. AesopAugust 26, 2008 at 12:40 AM

    Wow, didn't know Crotchbat owned this album. It's been on a few blogs actually. I never claimed that these were exclusives. If you think this blog is lazy you're obviously not paying attention. Why would I have a link to a blog I was ripping off, genius?

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  9. AesopAugust 26, 2008 at 12:43 AM

    In fact here's a link from Crotchbat to Chris Goes Rock's post of the same album where he just cut and copied my text, am I whining? Nope...

    http://chrisgoesrocks.blogspot.com/2008/08/chrissy-zebby-tembo-my-ancestors.html

    Seeker, you are clearly confused about how these music share blogs tend to go. Sometimes we end up posting the smae things. I have never had any complaints before. Thanks.

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  10. MANCYAugust 28, 2008 at 7:34 PM

    Excited about this one, thanks!

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  11. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2008 at 10:46 AM

    "...AIDS ravaged, open grave known as Zambia"-
    have you ever been to zambia? or do you just enjoy making gross uninformed generalizations about all of africa's countries? that sentence a great example of how out of touch americans are with everything. also, check out the 70s psychedelic zambian rock band WITCH (we intend to cause havoc).

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  12. AesopSeptember 9, 2008 at 11:07 AM

    No, I have never been to Zambia but I did a bit of reading on the subject so your assertion that my statement is gross and uninformed is, well, uninformed, as is your statement that I make these statements about all African countries. I like how you get upset about a generalization about Africa and in turn make one about Americans. I enjoy sloppy, knee-jerk reactions.

    Anyways, Here's something I read...

    From avert.org
    "
    Mother and child at Nsanje
    district hospital in Malawi,
    both HIV+
    Both HIV prevalence rates and the numbers of people dying from AIDS vary greatly between African countries. In Somalia and Senegal the HIV prevalence is under 1% of the adult population, whereas in Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe around 15-20% of adults are infected with HIV."

    As far as Witch, they indeed rule and were written about here:

    http://cosmichearse.blogspot.com/2008/05/lazy-bones.html

    Also check out Amanaz if you haven't

    http://cosmichearse.blogspot.com/2008/07/africa.html

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  13. J BubblegumJanuary 21, 2009 at 7:28 AM

    Thanks aesop- i listen to this all the time. troublemaker is a great mixtape song!

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  14. AnonymousFebruary 3, 2009 at 4:35 AM

    this is beautiful. i've never heard this and i love turn ons to new sounds. perfect for sunday is right. i can think of 6 other days that could use a dose of this and things like it. thanks.

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  15. AnonymousMarch 12, 2009 at 9:06 PM

    Heard 'Lonely Night' on Henry Rollins' show (kcrw.com) last weekend. Couldn't get the song out of my head. Can't find on Itunes or Amazon. Googs led me to you. Much thanks.

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  16. GulkieJuly 10, 2009 at 1:13 PM

    Mystery Poster first dropped this.

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  17. weewekaAugust 14, 2009 at 11:53 AM

    great record, just picked up a copy thanks to this.., but your "AIDS ravaged, open grave known as Zambia" call comes across as a bit needless, Zambia is peaceful and brilliantly friendly place, not to with mention with an unreal musical heritage...great that your pushing these records man, but whats the point in taking a cheap shot at the place that gave you them?

    anyway, gripes aside, cool blog

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  18. danielJanuary 22, 2010 at 1:48 PM

    this is fantastic! i browse thru your posts now and then..everythings good, but this is golden! i plan to visit africa..too bad i can´t do it in 1974.

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  19. isaFebruary 18, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    amazing...thank you so much for the link!

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  20. No AnthemsNovember 25, 2012 at 12:07 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  21. AesopNovember 25, 2012 at 9:23 AM

    It isn't comedy and you clearly are confused about the meaning of the word "humbly." Write your own blog, don't censor mine.

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