Bixiga 70 return to Dublin

Bixiga 70 at The Sugar Club, Dublin, 25 July 2024

To quote Martin Luther King, 'I had a dream....'. My dream had nothing to do with civil rights, however, instead it centred on music. It was back in 2017, when reading through the pages of a reputable music magazine (few of them left now and at exorbitant prices too!), that I chanced upon a piece about Brazilian Afrobeat ensemble, Bixiga 70. The band had completed gigs in the UK, but nowhere was there any mention of them coming across to Ireland to play. This, I thought, was astonishing. 

Dublin now being home to much of Ireland's estimated 70,000 Brazilian community (admittedly many of whom are students on short-term visas), I felt an immediate urge to try and bring Bixiga 70 over here for a gig. The ex-pat Brazilians would go wild for this kind of entertainment. The only snag was I have little experience of promoting gigs and where to begin? A plan had to be put in place.

My initial idea was to try to contact the band themselves through their management. I sent off an email to their European tour manager and they replied saying they'd be happy to come to Dublin. Finding a venue to accommodate them was the only issue. So I got in touch with The Sugar Club in Dublin's Leeson St . Finally - without the promoters contacting me - in 2018 the Southside venue, known as 'the home of culture', booked the São Paulo outfit. 

The ensuing gig was a riot of horns and other effects all leading to a massive party vibe. I was correct in my assumption - the Brazilian community came out in force for what was a memorable occasion. Since then the band have returned to Dublin, most recently last night. They have now performed here three times, plus gigs in Galway and Cork to boot. . Sometimes dreams do come true!

Bixiga 70's latest LP, 'Vapor' is out now on Glitterbeat Records https://bixiga70.bandcamp.com/album/vapor

Organic Vibes 04.07.2024

 PLAY LIST

AUGUSTUS PABLO - East of the River Nile/Intro

SANAM - Bell ('Live at Cafe Oto' LP/Mais Um; 2024)

YEMANJO - Baobab ('La Misma Fuente' LP/Wonderwheel Recordings; 2024)

LINVAL THOMPSON, JONQUAN & VICTOR RICE - Cultivator (Single/Easy Star Records; 2024)

LINVAL THOMPSON, JONQUAN & VICTOR RICE - Ganja Dub 

CHOUK BWA & THE ANGSTROMERS - Somanti ('Somanti' LP/Les Disques Bongo Joe; 2023)

HAJ BELAID WITH A NEW RHYTHM - Track 5 ('Silent Music' LP/Hive Mind Records; 2024)

JUDY & THE JERKS - Bug Boys

JUDY & THE JERKS - Criminal

JUDY & THE JERKS - Rumpus ('Free Violence' LP)

ALPHA STEPPA & WELLETTE SEYON - Giving Thanks

ALPHA STEPPA & WELLETTE SEYON - Giving Thanks Dub ('Balance' LP/Steppas Records; 2023)

K.O.G. (KWEKU OF GHANA) - Live For Today (Single/Heavenly Sweetness; 2024)

MDOU MOCTAR - Oh France ('Funeral For Justice' LP/Matador Records; 2024)

THE FLAIRS - She Wants To Rock ('Dust My Rhythm & Blues: The Flair Records R'n'B Story 1953-1955' LP/Ace Records)

L'ENTOURLOOP Feat. THE ARCHITECT & SCARRA MUCCI - Dreader Than Dread ('From DJs To DJs' LP/X Ray Production; 2024)

LONNIE HOLLEY Feat. JEFF PARKER - I Can't Hush ('Oh Me Oh My' LP/Jagjaguwar; 2023)

SANAM - 94 ('Live At Cafe Oto' LP/Mais Um; 2024)

Organic Vibes 05.06.2024

 PLAY LIST

AUGUSTUS PABLO - East of the River Nile/Intro

LENGUALERTA, NAI-JAH & ALPHA STEPPA - Ceasefire Now (Bandcamp. All proceeds go to Médicins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders; 2024)

THE GODFATHERS - Ebe Ye Yie Ni (Various - 'Ghana Special 2: Electronic Highlife & Afro Sounds In The Diaspora, 1980-93' LP/Soundway Records; 2024)

L'ENTOURLOOP feat. GENERAL LEVY - People Is Massive ('From DJ to DJ' LP/X Ray Productions; 2024)

TOSHIO MATUURA GROUP - Kitty Bey ('Love Play Dance' LP/Brownswood Recordings; 2024)

THE BIONIC RATS - Red, Gold & Green ('Another Fine Mess'LP; 2015)

PEPPER, ONION, GINGER & SALT - M.C.Mambo (Various - 'Ghana Special 2: Electronic Highlife & Afro Sounds In The Diaspora, 1980-93' LP/Soundway Records; 2024)

ME & YOU - Wouri River (Red Eyes Mix) (Various - 'Shapes: 08:02'/Tru Thoughts Recordings; 2008)

JOE TEX - Buying A Book (Atlantic Records; 1969)

PAT THOMAS - Gye Wani (Various - 'Ghana Special 2: Electronic Highlife & Afro Sounds In The Diaspora, 1980-93' LP/ Soundway Records; 2024)

OHANA feat. SISTA MANU & SON ROB - Family (Single; 2024)

DUBMATIX - Unite (Bandcamp; 2024)

MARIJATA (feat. ATA KAK) - Otanhunu (Various - 'Ghana Special 2: Electronic Highlife & Sounds In The Diaspora, 1980-93' LP/Soundway Records; 2024)

LENGUALERTA, NAI-JAH & ALPHA STEPPA - Ceasefire Dub (Bandcamp. All proceeds go to Médicins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders; 2024)

Organic Vibes 08.05.2024

PLAY LIST

AUGUSTUS PABLO - East of the River Nile/Intro

BIXIGA 70 - Malunga (feat. SIMONE SOU) ('Vapor' LP/Glitterbeat Records; 2023)

SARAVAH SOUL - Oil Is Thicker Than Blood ('Shapes' LP/Tru Thoughts; 2008)

QUANTIC - Disco Caribe ('Shapes' LP/Tru Thoughts; 2008)

VIBRONICS meets CARROLL THOMPSON - My Warriors ('Women On A Mission 2' LP; 2024)

LONNIE HOLLEY - Mount Meig ('Oh Me Oh My' LP/Jagjaguwar; 2023)

DUBMATIX (feat. RASTA REUBEN & FREDLOCKS) - Enter The Dragon ('Dubmatix Presents Champion Sound Clash' LP; 2004)

AUGUSTUS PABLO - Java ('Roots, Rockers & Dub' LP/ Nature Sounds; 2023)

FOREST LAW - Ooo, I (Les Disques Bongo Joe; 2024)

TIKI PARADISE - Juntos ('Chaleur Chaude' LP/MaAula Records; 2024)

DARROW FLETCHER - Now Is The Time For Love ('The World Needs Changing' LP/BGP/Ace Records; 2013)

SIMON NYABINGHI - Royal Quotes (feat. IMAN ONEDUB) ('Days Of Dub' LP/All Nations Records; 2023)

SANDMAN PROJECT - Karnataka ('Where Did You Go?' LP/Batov Records; 2024)

LARRY MONTECA - Ufo Bossa ('Best of 2023' LP/Four Flies Records)

RADICAL GURU - Mentalist ('Dub Mentalist' LP/Moonshine Recordings; 2016)

Organic Vibes 02.04.2024

 PLAY LIST

AUGUSTUS PABLO - East of the River Nile/Intro

J. MASCIS - Can't Believe We're Here ('What Do We Do Now' LP/Sub Pop Records, 2024) 

AFRICAN HEAD CHARGE - A Bad Attitude ('A Trip To Bolgatanga' LP/On-U Sound, 2023)

OLUKO IMO - Were Oju Le (The Eyes Are Getting Red) (2024)

DANNY RED meets MARSHALL NEEKO - Jah Is Here (Edit) (Free Download/Bandcamp, 2024)

LONNIE LISTON SMITH - Expansions (7" Edit) (Originally released in 1975, reissued on 'The World Needs Changing' LP/BGP, 2013)

SINÉAD O'CONNOR - Jah Nuh Dead ('Throw Down Your Arms' LP/Chocolate & Vanilla, 2005)

THE KONDI BAND - Don't Follow Sweetness ('We Famous' LP/Strut Records, 2021)

AUGUSTUS PABLO - King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown ('Augustus Pablo: Roots, Rockers' & Dub' LP/Nature Sounds, 2023)

LOS MEGATONES DE LUCHO - Muneca ('Discomoda Salsa de Venezuela 1964-1977'/Olindo Records, 2024)

HOUSSAM GANIA - Kobayli Bala ('Mosawi Swiri'LP/Hive Mind Records, 2019)

CHAMPAGNE DUB - Scrubbing ('Rainbow' LP/On The Corner Records, 2024)

OBF & IRATION STEPPAS - Earthman Style (Single/Dubquake Records, 2024)

J. MASCIS - Right Behind You ('What Do We Do Now' LP/Sub Pop Records, 2024)

Organic Vibes 06.03.2024

PLAY LIST

AUGUSTUS PABLO - East of the River Nile/Intro

ASTON 'FAMILY MAN' BARRETT - Cobra Style (Disco Mix) ('Soul Constitution: Instrumentals & Dubs 1971-1982' LP/Dub Store Records, 2018)

DUB COLOSSUS - Madmen (Feat. LIL OBEAH & MARIUS COSTACHE SPACEDUB)

LEE 'SCRATCH' PERRY - Solid State Communication

LEE 'SCRATCH' PERRY - Solid State Dub (Both taken from 'The Black Album' LP/Upsetter, 2018)

THE FUCKED UP BEAT - Zenith/The Wardenclyffe Tower ('Europa'LP, 2015)

MBIRI YOUNG STARS - Ndiri Ndanogio Niwe ('Kenya Special: Selected East African Recordings From The 1970's & 1980's' LP/Soundway Records, 2013)

HAVANA CULTURA - Traketeo (Feat. LUZ DE CUBA) ('Subelo Cuba' LP/Brownswood Recordings, 2018)

RAFAELITO ROMAN - Que Mala Suerte ('Merengue Tipico: Nueva Generation!' LP/Bongo Joe Records, 2024)

BARRY BROWN - Love Is What The World Wants ('Linval Thompson Dub Landing Vol. 1' LP/Greensleeves, 2017)

SARAMACCAN SOUND - We Lost Someone Close To Us Again ('Where The River Bends Is Only The Beginning' LP/Glitterbeat, 2024)

THE SORCERERS - She Who Perceives The Sounds Of The World ('I Too Am A Stranger' LP/ATA Records, 2024)

CHINEUR - Indie (X Ray Productions, 2024)

MANUDIGITAL in a digital UK Session featuring DADDY FREDDY - Digital Man (X Ray Productions, 2024)

Organic Vibes 08.02.2024

 PLAY LIST

AUGUSTUS PABLO - East of the River Nile/Intro

PAMBELE - To Etundo (Palenque Records, Colombia/Single, 2024)

LONDON AFROBEAT COLLECTIVE - Freedom (Single, 2024)

THE SKATALITES - Ska-Ra-Van (Take 3) ('Ska Boo-Da-Ba' LP/Pressure Sounds, 2023)

THE BIONIC RATS - One More Nail In The Coffin ('T.B.R.' LP, 2016)

KILEDJIAN - Dlo (feat Celia Wa) ('The Otium Mixtape' LP/Underdog Records, 2024)

LITTLE JOHNNY JONES & THE CHICAGO HOUND DOGS - Dirty By The Dozen (Sweet Little Woman) (Various: 'Dust My Rhythm & Blues: The Flair Records R'n'B Story 1953 - 1955'/Ace Records)

TRAVELERZ - Tears On Fire

TRAVELERZ - Tears On Fire (Dub) ('Tears On Fire/Time Nah Fully Come' EP/Culture Dub Records, 2024)

MO' HORIZONS feat. GYEDU-BLAY AMBOLLEY - Mango Woman (Somo Rhizmo' Remix) (VARIOUS: 'Agogo 2023'/Agogo Records)

THE BLACK PITTS - Culture Vultures (VARIOUS: 'Bullshit 2024'/No Romance Records, 2024)

MUNAY KI DUB - Bad Babylon (Thriakis Remix) (Dubophonic Records, 2024)

DJ KAPWANTHI - Ndikakwatile Kubala (I Will Get Married & Give Birth) (Digital Indigenous, Malawi)

SABABA 5 - Aeolus (VARIOUS: 'Batov Records Artists 3', 2023)

MANUDIGITAL feat. LIAM BAILEY - Enough ('Step Up'/X-Ray Production Records, 2023)

Organic Vibes 25.01.2024

PLAY LIST

AUGUSTUS PABLO - East of the River Nile/Intro 

CREATION REBEL Feat. PRINCE FAR I & DADDY FREDDY - This Thinking Feeling ('Hostile Environment' LP/On U Sound, 2023)

JUMBO SYSTEM - Look Back ('Jumbo System' LP/Maaula Records, 2023)

BIXIGA 70 - Parajú ('Vapor' LP/Glitterbeat, 2023)

IDRIS ACKAMOOR & THE PYRAMIDS - Police Dem ('Afro Futuristic Dreams' LP/Strut Records, 2023)

BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH - Palestine ('Back To Roots' LP/Acid Jazz, 1995)

YARA ASMAR - It is 5pm And Nothing Bad Has Happened To Us (Yet) ('Synth Walzes & Accordion Laments' LP/Hive Mind Records, 2023)

DUB MARTA - Remember The Truth ('Island Wave' LP, 2023)

MANUDIGITAL Feat. ALIKA & BLACKOUT JA - Quieren Mas ('Step Up' LP/X-Ray Productions, 2023)

BOUNALY - Takamba ('Music From Saharan Whats App Vol. 10'/Sahel Sounds)

HAROLD ALEXANDER - Mama Soul ('The World Needs Changing' LP/BGP/Ace Records)

OWL TRACKERS Feat. FLOWBEEZ - Red Glasses ('The Bright Side' LP/Culture Dub Records, 2023)

MEN OF PAUSE - Perfect ('Bullshit 2024'/No Romance Records, 2024)

Organic Vibes 01.11.2023

 PLAY LIST

AUGUSTUS PABLO - East of the River Nile/Intro

HAYEREHJAH/RDK DISCIPLES - Good Foot (Smoking My Ganja Riddim) (Universal Roots, 2004)

BERES HAMMOND - No More War ('Aquarius Rock' LP/Pressure Sounds, 2023)

HERMAN CHIN LOY - No More Version ('Aquarius Rock' LP/Pressure Sounds, 2023)

THE PYRAMIDS - Indigo (Indigo Suite Part 1) ('AOMAWA: 1970's Recordings' Box Set/Strut, 2022)

ONIPA - No Commando ('Off The Grid' LP/Real World Records, 2023)

ROOTS INSPIRATON meets AL BREADWINNER - Cool Ruler ('Can't Stop The Times' LP/Roots Inspiration, 2023)

ROOTS INSPIRATION meets AL BREADWINNER - Dub Schooler ('Can't Stop The Times' LP/Roots Inspiration, 2023)

BIG YOUTH meets DUBMATIX - The Killer (Revisited)

CYKADA - Dimension Stepper ('Cykada' LP/Astigmatic Records, 2019)

BLACKSTAR SOUND featuring REBEL I & NICO MICHEL - Who Are You? (Culture Dub Records, 2023)

ONIPA - Danger ('Off The Grid' LP/Real World Records, 2023)

JOE SAVAGE & THE SOUL PEOPLE - All Power To The People Part 1 ('The World Needs Changing' LP/BGP/Ace Records)

DIASPORA 70 featuring YADI CAMARA - Krishnamurti ('Mukambo Presents Global Afrobeat Movement Volume 3'LP/NYP Records, 2023)

COMRADE PIET - Dark Ages ('Bad Tunes' EP/Culture Dub Records, 2023)

SHIT KID - Dark Feelings ('Sort Stjerne!' LP/PNKSLM Recordings, 2021)

ONIPA - Fine Tho ('Off The Grid' LP/ Real World Records, 2023)

JAH SHAKA meets MAD PROFESSOR - Living Dub ('Jah Shaka meets Mad Professor'/Ariwa, 1984)

CHRONICLE - Suzy (Patate Records)

COLOMBIAFRICA (THE MYSTIC ORCHESTRA) - Mama Africa ('Afritanga the Sound Of Afrocolombia' LP/Trikont Records, 2011)

DUB COLOSSUS - Addicted to Dub ('Dr Strangedub [Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Dub The Bomb'] LP, 2019)

GUITAR SLIM - Trouble Don't Last ('The Things I Used To Do' LP/Ace Records,1991; Recorded in 1954)

BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH - I Am A Revolutionary ('Revolutionary Minds' LP, 2017)

BANTAM ROOSTER - Crack In The System ('Fuck All Y'all' LP/Sympathy For The Record Industry, 2000)

THE ROOTS - Mash Down ('Lee Perry & Friends - Voodooism' LP/Pressure Sounds, 1996)

MULATU ASTATKE & BLACK JESUS EXPERIENCE - Ambassa Lemdi ('Agogo 2020' LP/Agogo Records, 2020)

RDK/DISCIPLES - Good Dub (Univeral Roots, 2004)

Organic Vibes 19.08.2023

PLAY LIST

AUGUSTUS PABLO - East of the River Nile/Intro

AUGUSTUS PABLO & HERMAN CHIN LOY - Iggy Iggy (Pressure Sounds, 2023)

AUGUSTUS PABLO & HERMAN CHIN LOY - East of the River Nile (Pressure Sounds, 2023)

HERMAN CHIN LOY - River Nile Version (Pressure Sounds, 2023)

DENNIS ALCAPONE - Return of Sabata (Pressure Sounds, 2023)

HERMAN CHIN LOY - Sabata (Pressure Sounds, 2023)

NAPPY NINA - Amen (2023)

ERNESTO DJÉDJÉ - Golozo (Analog Africa, 2023)

AHMED BEN ALI - Yarait (Habibi Funk Records, 2023)

MUFLON DUB SOUNDSYSTEM with MELANA & ZACHEOUS JACKSON - Holy Holy Holy (Dubophonic Records, 2023)

MUFLON DUB SOUNDSYSTEM with MELANA & ZACHEOUS JACKSON - Holy Holy Holy Dub (Dubophonic Records, 2023)

ESTHER MARROW - Walk Tall (BGP/Ace Records)

GENTLEMAN'S DUB CLUB feat. HOLLIE COOK - Play My Games (Easy Star Records, 2023)

COFFEE STAIN - Don't Bring A Knife To A Sword Fight (Bellicose Records, 2023)

COFFEE STAIN - Health For Wealth (Bellicose Records, 2023)

COFFEE STAIN - Easier Said Than Done (Bellicose Records, 2023)

ABAYOMY AFROBEAT ORQUESTRA - Eru (NYP Records, 2023)

Organic Vibes 01.02.2023

 PLAY LIST

AUGUSTUS PABLO - East of the River Nile/Intro

OBF - Controle La Danse (feat. JUNIOR ROY) ('Lava' LP/Dubquake Records; 2022)

CHARIF MEGARBANE - Tayyara Warak (Single/Habibi Funk; 2022)

ACID ARAB - Ya Mahla (feat. WAEL ALKAK) ('Trois' LP/ Crammed Discs; 2023)

CHANCHA VIA CIRCUITO - La Rosa China ('La Estrella' LP/Bandcamp; 2022)

DENNIS BOVELL - His Majesty ('The Voice' EP/Bandcamp; 2022)

OBF - Stay Strong (feat. JUNIOR ROY) ('Lava' LP/Dubquake Records; 2022)

DUB MACHINIST meets GARY CLUNK - Dub Mahal

DUB MACHINIST meets GARY CLUNK - Dub Mahal Part 2 (Various - 'Vocal & Dub Versions - 2016-2021 Part 1'/Culture Dub Records; 2022)

BOYE PAPAGEE & COLOURS AFROBEAT - Ashe (Single/Bandcamp; 2023)

VITO LALINGA(VI MODE INC; PROJECT) - Kalakuta (Various - 'Mukambo Presents Global Afrobeat Movement Vol 3'/NYP Records; 2022)

BATIDA - Hmmm (feat. BONGA) ('Neon Colonialismo' LP/Soundway Records; 2022)

OBF - Nah Easy (feat. Charlie P) ('Lava' LP/Dubquake Records; 2022)

PAULO DUBFILES BALDINI & AL BROWN - Liquid Dub Part 1 ('Dub Cuts' LP/Pressure Sounds; 2022)

STIFF LITTLE FINGERS - Alternative Ulster ('Inflammable Material' LP/Rough Trade; 1978)