VIN 001 002 003 (Out today)

*Now available on Bandcamp. Listen... Learn... Share... PEACE

 

2021 in review

I’m gonna start with McCartney III’s “Deep Deep Feeling.” Originally released on December 18, 2020, it may as well have been issued in 2021. Perhaps the finest song that I’ve heard in recent memory, along with Fiver’s “Death Is Only a Dream,” from this year’s Fiver with the Atlantic School of Spontaneous Composition, insanely absent from the recent Polaris short list, a very short sighted omission. No diss, but if awards must be given, then Mustafa's When Smoke Rises should have received the prize. I'm sure it was hotly debated. I loved New Chance’s Real Time, it’s boss. Sam Tudor continues to amaze. Seek out Two Half Words if you can. GET TO KNOW SIPREANO: You realize that I mostly listen to older music, right? HEADLINE: “Canadian colonial mass media outlets keep ignoring Seekersinternational.” Good thing that their sounds are universal and cosmic, seen? Try anything by WzrdryAV or whatever upper/lower case, slash, space or hyphen variation of that name is currently being used. In a mutated strain, perhaps Dr Nacho might float your taco shell boat, oozing down the cheesy river of lust and life while paddling to an undisclosed jalapeño for munchies. GET TO KNOW SIPREANO PT. II: To be frank, I’ve been digging like a mother f%cker this year. I don’t floss this shit online (unless it's on film) cause it’s on the DL and for the few heads in the cipher who know (who they are). I’ve come this far not to be corny except when playing my organ. Thanks Art. I guess that take us to release of Creation Never Sleeps, Creation Never Dies: The Willie Dunn Anthology. For the first time in my life I have seen Willie Dunn header cards in bins at record stores across Canada. Do you know what that means? REPRESENTATION! Alas, many stores around the world weren’t even able to get a single copy of this release, including some of the biggest in Toronto, as the 2-LP set sold out after one month, sometime in April, 2000 copies later. I hope it’s been evident that Voluntary In Nature is the vision behind this project w/ LITA being the bank, and you know banks. Catch me on the corner at Yonge/Dundas handing out free copies of the WILLIE DUNN NOTES newspaper and thanks to all for the support. It's not too late Guardian! Maclean's? I have a feeling, and have felt for decades now, that the late, great, Willie Dunn is as important of an artist as the major label Canadian icons many of us hold so dear. I am talking about Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, and yes, even Gord Downie, all incredible beacons of light and love, the only difference being that these stars have had an abundance of financial backing to let their creativity soar and have their music promoted. Let’s just say that the sections for Lightfoot, Mitchell, Young, Cohen, and Downie are not empty at Christmas time, or ever for that matter. FACT: There are currently 6’ tall Leonard Cohen posters all over Toronto right now... What Willie Dunn accomplished on occasional poverty wages from the CBC and NFB in the 1960s and 70s speaks a great deal to the integrity of his poetry, songs, art, and film. To work with them is an honour. PRESS RELEASE STATEMENT: The final days of 2021 will see the musical launch of Voluntary In Nature with three albums: Wayne ’76 by Wayne McGhie, Indian/Inuit Country by Willie Thrasher and the self-titled Catseye. This is an extension of my life’s research and 16 years of contribution to Light in the Attic Records. Call me George Harrison about to drop All Things Must Pass. More on that to follow… With the global pandemic as unpredictable as the weather, concerts have been few and far between, since the emergence of COVID-19 regulations, I have only attended two and both deserve mention: The 2 Rivers Remix/Native North America Gathering occurred on September 6th as a 12-artist live stream from Toronto’s Lula Lounge, certainly one for the history books, and Mustafa at Massey Hall, my first gig at Canada’s oldest running concert hall. Art shows were also severely compromised, but the Burnaby Art Gallery hosted the incredible Oblique Trajectories which showcased a retrospective of Gary Lee-Nova and is available to view online. RIPs: We lost Bunny Wailer this year. We also lost Lee Perry and our dear friend Curtis Jonnie, aka Shingoose. Um, I can’t go on any longer... WE LOST BUNNY WAILER, LEE PERRY, and SHINGOOSE THIS YEAR!@#$%!!! Actually, I have to acknowledge the departures of Jo-Jo Bennett, Biz Markie, Ellen McIllwaine, and Charlie Watts, amongst a great many more… Nardwuar doesn’t stop and apparently neither do I? Thanks for sharing the music and artifacts and helping to raise a political awareness in Canada with your ongoing election interviews. Kier-La Janisse is running things with the award winning Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched and so are The Beatles and Peter Jackson on the 8+ hour Get Back. I’ll forgive its 5-minute intro synopsis which did nothing than likely appease some Disney suits, and no I’m not talking about Mickey or Goofy. Well, maybe... Visits w/ Bob Robb, The Mighty Pope, Gordon Dick Sr., Bob Williams, the McGhie family, Chef Eric at HK BBQ Master, Birdapres, and the Cratery crew made the year a little less lonely as did trips to Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Ottawa to record a commentary track over The Ballad of Crowfoot with Lawrence Dunn for the aforementioned Kier-La Janisse and her newly released folk horror DVD box set which I am anxiously waiting for. Thanks for your friendship friends. Paid work has certainly been compromised with the pandemic for so many of us, so extra grateful for the uncredited usage of my GRAMMY®-nominated writing and research on a nationally broadcast radio program by the CBC. This is where I'm at. At 47, no less… Glad that somebody is getting paid here, but would somebody throw me a f%cking bone other than Kamandi, not to mention the selfless folks like Chris G, Alanna Edwards, Christi Belcourt, the Dunn family, Bob Robb, Alanis Obomsawin, the Willie Dunn Notes contributors, John Angaiak, Willie Thrasher, Elisapie, 2 Rivers Remix, Kier-La Janisse, the McGhie family, Duane O'Kane, Catseye, Doug Cho, Dancing Bear, and The Stunt Man, who have all made important contributions to the cause, the cause of lifting each other up, professionally and spiritually... Thank you. So catch you all on the flip, the flip being 2022. Hopefully on the streets somewhere safe or over a plate of Singapore vermicelli somewhere fresh. Goldstone Bakery & Restaurant (REST IN) PEACE

Neil Young: ‘Barn’ with Crazy Horse and Being Future-Forward with Care for the Past | Apple Music

WILLIE DUNN NOTES

Free (download) at http://voluntaryinnature.com #WillieDunnNotes 

Creation Never Sleeps, Creation Never Dies: The Willie Dunn Anthology (2022 Grammy nominee, Best Album Notes category)

The Palace Of The King Of The Birds

Creation Never Sleeps, Creation Never Dies: The Willie Dunn Anthology Album Notes category Grammy nomination

The true story of Canada's reggae capital

VIN 001

Soon come...

TMR x Paul McCartney - McCartney/333: Melting ‘McCartney’ & ‘McCartney II’ into ‘McCartney III’

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan | Nit Khair Manga | Live | Birmingham

Special Beat - Save It For Later - (Live at Shibuyu On Air, Tokyo, Japan, 1992)

The Beatles: Get Back | Official Trailer | Disney+ (Re-post)

Beef Rice Noodle Stir Fry 干炒牛河 (Better Than Chinese Restaurant Cooking) Beef Chow Foon Noodles (Re-post)

Still surfing...

47/74

B. 1974

Nardwuar vs. Annamie Paul

There, There My Dear

God Only Knows

RECORDS Trailer | VIFF 2021 (re-post)

Nardwuar vs. Jagmeet Singh (2021)

Banner

Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched | 2021 | Trailer HD

Native North America Gathering at 2 Rivers Remix LIVESTREAM

More info... HERE... PEACE

Super Reggae & Soul Volume 3 (Intro)

Kevin Howes · Super Reggae & Soul Volume 3 (Intro)

L E E S I P R I P

Charlie Watts (RIP)

Emotional Rescue (RIP Charlie)

Pudding Plains

*Nice one from PK and crew... PEACE

LP in the vinyl format available from https://spiralvoid.bigcartel.com/product/polite-society

DIgital available from https://politesocietytoronto.bandcamp.com/releases

Beyond / Below 45

Beyond / Below · 45. wzrdryAV

Gust of Wind Concert Series - Willie Thrasher (Episode 4)

***** (out of 5)

 

Leroy Sibbles (on bass)

No Depression (Ghosts, Fall 2021)

 

*More info/available... HERE!!! PEACE

The Selecter

Yorkshire Pianist · The Selecter

Joseph "Jo-Jo" Bennett RIP (1940-2021)

It's safe to say that the world will never host another gem of a person quite like Kingston, Jamaica-born Joseph "Jo-Jo" Bennett, who, according to family, passed away in his sleep on August 3rd. Jo-Jo was a musician, teacher, family man, Rasta man, bandleader, connector, entertainer, and a true force of nature. With help from the man himself, I pieced together the following bio of Jo-Jo's musical migration for 2004's Jamaica to Toronto compilation. There is a very good reason why "Fugitive Song" was the album's first track... Bennett will always lead the way...

"Joseph “Jo-Jo” Bennett began his musical career at the esteemed Alpha Boys’ School in Kingston, Jamaica, over sixty-five years ago. His mastery of the trumpet, jubilant stage presence, and eagle eye soon caught the attention of prominent bandleader Byron Lee who quickly snapped up the young player for his busy group, The Dragonaires. Performing all over the Caribbean, it wasn’t long before Lee offered Bennett and long-time friend, lyricist, and business partner Owen “Bunny” Stone an opportunity that they couldn't refuse, a small label of their own where the duo could develop talent and release their own material. The label was named Fugitive in tribute to the popular American television show starring actor David Janssen which aired from 1963-1967.

The original “Fugitive Song”—there are two separate recording sessions of the song released on vinyl—was captured in 1967 with Stone and members of The Dragonaires during the same sessions that produced “The Lecture” and a rocksteady version of Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island” dubbed “Cantelope Rock.” “I came up with the lyrics inside of the studio,” explained Stone. “They go, ‘All over the country I work and I live and that's why, that’s why they call Jo-Jo, the Fugitive.’ That was describing a lifestyle which was his and partially mine.” Leaving Jamaica to travel with The Dragonaires to Montreal for Expo 67, the trumpet dynamo decided to remain in Canada after the world’s fair. He sought out potential work in Toronto (542 kilometers south-west), and immediately befriended Kermit and Kingsley Lyn of the West Indian Federation [W.I.F] Club. After a short stint with The Cougars, Bennett was given the challenge to assemble his own group, and he drafted in a gang of players from Montego Bay, including guitarist and songwriter Wayne McGhie, who all shared a house on Temple Avenue in Toronto while getting acclimatized to life in a new country.

By 1968, the Fugitives had also recorded McGhie’s “Chips-Chicken-Banana Split,” which was released on the Cobra label. “Chips and chicken go together, and the dessert was banana split,” explained Bennett with his trademark laughter. As for the flavour-filled sound, the song is a wildly animated R&B shouter with utterly raw vocals by McGhie and the unique brand of contagious playing that typified the explosive energy that the crew delivered on-stage. Jo-Jo And The Fugitives pushed in along in Toronto until their namesake leader’s short-lived return to Jamaica in 1969 where he recorded the Groovy Joe LP for producer Harry A. Mudie, which included the all-time classic "Leaving Rome." Under heavy pressure and without solid guidance from Bennett, the Fugitives collapsed and its members pursued other avenues."

Of course, this was just the beginning of Jo-Jo's life in Canada, which later saw him launch a music school w/ drummer Joe Isaacs (The Soul Brothers, Sound Dimension, Lynn Taitt & the Jets, Frank Motley and the Hitch-Hikers, Risco Connections), launch his own Bunjo record label, and help to form the Canadian reggae institution The Sattalites ("Wild," "Easier Said Than Done," "Gimme Some Kinda Sign" to name a few) along w/ veteran Canadian singer-songwriter Fergus Hambleton, winning two Juno Awards in the process. 

In the early 1990s, The Sattalites were showcased in an hour-long MuchMusic special entitled "10 Years of Roots, Reality & Culture," celebrating the band's many achievements up until that point. As a music loving and playing teenager with my own roots in Toronto, I cherished the program, which I recorded onto a VHS tape, as well as the songs and warm personalities of Hambleton and Bennett, who took us back to Sister Mary Ignatius Davies [1921-2003] and the Alpha Boy's School in Jamaica and recapped their legendary Reggae Sunsplash performance. In other words, it influenced me greatly. 

A decade later, it was such an honour to connect w/ Jo-Jo (and Fergus) while producing the Jamaica to Toronto compilation. Both were very kind to me and I will cherish the moments that we connected. Included below are a photo of Jo-Jo (right) blowing his trumpet alongside Bobby Gaynair (left) courtesy of the Mullings family, Jo-Jo's "Fugitive Song," Jo-Jo hanging out w/ Noel Ellis at a gathering to honour Wayne McGhie at the Aura Club in Toronto in 2003, and a clip from MuchMusic's 1990s Sattalites special... 

Though Jo-Jo wasn't the first to make the trip from Jamaica to Toronto, the legacy of his trailblazing journey and life should be celebrated FOREVER... PEACE, VIN

GIVING THANKS FOR THE INCREDIBLE JO-JO BENNETT

Photo essay

This is a view from the underpass below the overpass across from an aging levelled parking garage on the fringe of the downtown core of Toronto. Even as a semi-occasional passerby, it's clear to see that the roads, exits, and bridges all appear to be crumbling under the weight of time and existence. Were they built w/ the love that I pour into these words? Were they built so that people could love? All types of love needs tending, obvious or not. Just like gardens and farmer’s fields, maintenance and nurturing are needed on city thoroughfares and streets the world over… These are the paths that bring us together. PEACE

Freedom

The Ethics of Songs: Andrew Balfour on “I Pity the Country” by Willie Dunn

Orange t-shirt today

I walked down the lanes as I often do, en route to the post office. In the distance, I saw what could only be described as a gaggle of little people, surely under 3 feet tall, children from Chabad Midtown, lining up to enter a short yellow school bus. The sight tickled my stomach and I began to chuckle like the image of old Saint Nick seen in advertisements. They could have been little bears, cats, or birds and I would have felt the same. Spirits. Today, I chose an orange shirt from my closet, emblazoned w/ the Native North America album cover image. Three the Hard Way: Willie Thrasher, Willie Dunn, and Willy Mitchell (*Fellow journalists, note the spellings). On my face, a pair of polarized lens sunglasses that ease my eyes from the bright sun shining down from the sky and reflecting against a great many surfaces. My destination was close, yet it felt hazardous crossing the busy Vaughan/St. Clair intersection, a diverse meeting place where a road and avenue connect and the smells of Jamaican food from Albert's Real Jamaican Foods can be enjoyed free of charge. Today, I catch pimento and coconut milk. Heading south on Vaughan on a green light saw two left turning cars eek ahead of the many pedestrians. To quote Giorgio, "Watch your step!" or maybe just watch the road drivers? Shoppers was my destination and I strolled into the large store w/o batting an eye. I was only until I joined the queue for a minute that I realized that I hadn't put my face mask on, a rare breach of COVID-era etiquette and bylaw. I'm sure that the postal clerks would have mentioned it to me one way or another causing much embarrassment on my part so I'm glad that I eventually clued in to my lapse. To think that there are still relatively new ways to participate in society on the street level is still a trip, wherever it is you may roam... PEACE

Johnny Be Gay If You Can Be

Last year...

I rocked Rockports... This year Roots Tuff Boots...

What's next??? 

Pants... I need a new pair of pants... 

PLEASE

Badlands

Job's Garden

Goin' Down the Road

Pimming swools

The logo is nearly there and the sign at the park reads "BE BEAR AWARE." Which is more dangerous? If Coffy is the colour, Toronto is the city, the town, the place where I call home. "HOME!" See? I just called home, to my heart and soul wherever it may be... Inside of me, I think. Perhaps floating around my perimeter or dancing with the cosmos on a good day. Fries. Is the lake swimmable? Can it be swum? If a fish hit you in the eye, would you ask it, "Can you fly?" I guess it's simply time to try. Hurrah! I have no wings, only arms, and currently weak ones at that. I dunno, something to work on. Another reason to dive, but after staring at this photo for a while, I realize that I prefer my chlorine through stone, metal, and glass. Let's say, from a distance, but it's those pH balanced waters that not only taught me to float, but also to dunk more than my perfectly doughy pizza crust into a cold glass of Coke, all just north of here, yes HERE, a block from a shopping mall. There is a Pollywog certificate printed in black ink on red paper to prove it, my early aptitude for floating and dunking in chemically adjusted water that is, from a time in my life which I will always hold dear... PEACE

Let's Just Say It Was 20 Years Ago And Call It A Day

Kevin Howes · Let's Just Say It Was 20 Years Ago And Call It A Day

Real Time by New Chance (OUT NOW)

*New NEW CHANCE album... Available HERE!!!

Wilderness West

Of course...

Biz Markie and Dolores Claman would have got along... In song, and BEYOND... PEACE

I Hear Music... Eternally... RIP to the one and only... BIZ MARKIE!!!

The MIDI Janitor - It's Not Very Busy At Work

Incapable D'aimer

The Tuffest

I'm happiest, these days, when I walk... I have a route that begins just north from where I'm at. On my feet are a pair of Roots Tuff Boots, purchased in a short window of open door retail during the pandemic. I have to say that these leather walkers are incredible for city and trail. I have worn them almost daily for months now on treks both short and upwards of 16 km. In my younger years, I was actually fired from my job at Roots Coquitlam Centre branch, but rest assure it wasn't as devious or sinister as what you are already thinking and I'd actually say that however tragic—actually, it wasn't at all, really— the unfolding of such events helped to lead me down the path that I walk on today, in Roots boots no less, so hey, let's just call it a technical bureaucratic issue based on blood and move forward, ok? I'll tell you the story in person one day, and no, it's not gory. Today, I feel compelled to do some "work." Transit will assist, taking some pressure off of my boots though I must share that I have already started looking into a second, backup set. At this rate of clicking and clocking kilometers, they will be needed. Hmm, I didn't think that this post would turn into an unpaid advertisement for Roots, but when the words start to flow,  I suppose that one will never know exactly where they will go... PEACE

London Gangs

"I Pity the Country" Willie Dunn Banjo Cover by a s b

Jane By Charlotte (First Trailer)

Haitian Frustration

Nica's Dream

Wheels of Life

Time for a REWIND!!!

Two Pictures

Lindsey Buckingham - I Don't Mind (Official Audio)

*Quite catchy, this one... PEACE

The Specials Live Gig, Ska Revival, UK 1980s (NEWLY UNEARTHED)

Start

Theory Of Ice — with Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

Below the Radar · Theory Of Ice — with Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

New Chance - Earth House (Turning) (Radio Edit)

Jr. Wreck - Fiver with The Atlantic School of Spontaneous Composition

Nardwuar's Video Vault: Kevin Howes on the Willie Dunn Anthology & More!

ByeByeBirdMix

Birdapres · ByeByeBirdMix

Sunday Session Early Years First Episode (Courtenay Pollock)

Phillip Fullwood - Love Everyone + Thanks & Praises

Cups N Cakes Vinyl Unveil: The Willie Dunn Anthology

High Explosion

Kevin Howes · High Explosion

Inside The Album with Graham Coxon from Blur - "Modern Life Is Rubbish"

TWITCHING TONIGHT W/ NARDWUAR (7 PM EST)

 

*Link HERE!!! PEACE

Fortune

Kevin Howes · Fortune

Crafternoon

Vancouver · Crafternoon

Airplay with Dave White - April 1, 2021: Music That Matters: Kevin Howes

 

*LISTEN... PEACE

Creation Never Sleeps, Creation Never Dies on CBC's Q (Lawrence Dunn and Kevin Howes speak to Tom Power)

Today on CBC's Q... PEACE

Mustafa - Ali

Gary Lee-Nova: Oblique Trajectories

Why

Don't Play Share-Aids

Creation Never Sleeps, Creation Never Dies: The Willie Dunn Anthology (Out NOW!!!)

*Youtube album playlist HERE!!!

**Order direct from Light in the Attic Records or at better local independent record stores worldwide... PEACE

Fiver with the Atlantic School Of Spontaneous Composition (Out May 7)

The Bunny Wailer Story (Interview With David Rodigan)

RIP Bunny Wailer

*Always love hearing the inspiration in this great...

LISTEN, LEARN, SHARE... REMEMBER BUNNY WAILER

Ferry Christened Cointreau

Kevin Howes · Ferry Christened Cointreau

Paul McCartney - The Lyrics (Coming 2nd November)

RIP Jay W. McGhee

RIP U-Roy

CREATION NEVER SLEEPS, CREATION NEVER DIES: THE WILLIE DUNN ANTHOLOGY and NATIVE NORTH AMERICA (VOL. 1) PRESS RELEASE

*More info/pre-order HERE and HERE! PEACE

The Work Song

Thinking of Goldstone today...

Theory Of Ice by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

Kevin Howes (aka Voluntary In Nature) 2021 bio + press photo

Kevin Howes is a GRAMMY®-nominated producer, journalist, DJ, filmmaker, musician, and artist of settler/immigrant heritage, humbly and respectfully working out of Toronto, Ontario (Tkaronto). His most recent project is Creation Never Sleeps, Creation Never Dies: The Willie Dunn Anthology and feels that Dunn, a trailblazing poet, folk singer, and filmmaker, should be mentioned alongside Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Joni Mitchell when discussing the legends of popular song. 

Contributing to and quietly influencing the Canadian music scene since the late 1990s, Howes has played a major role in shaping the extensive catalogue of well-respected US-based reissue label Light in the Attic Records on over 25 internationally acclaimed archival music projects: The Jamaica-Toronto series, Our Lives Are Shaped By What We Love: Motown's Mowest Story, and the Native North America series are a few key examples of his perception and dedication, realized through decades of travel, research, connection, and collaboration. 

Howes' book deep liner notes accompany Sixto Rodriguez's landmark Cold Fact and Coming From Reality reissues and those of rock giants Thin Lizzy. He has also helped to provide stages for artists at everything from side door after-hours to nationally broadcast events like the Native North America Gathering at Trinity-St. Paul's in 2017. As a DJ, he has lovingly supported the likes of Lee Perry, Paul Weller, Black Mountain, Destroyer, and Jennifer Castle, and had the immense privilege to play a selection of vinyl records before the final concert by the 13th Floor Elevators at Levitation 2015 in Austin, Texas. Often compared to folklorist Alan Lomax and eccentric collector Harry Smith, Kevin's work has been featured in The Guardian, Rolling Stone, CBC, NPR, and The New York Times. 

Pushing forward into 2021, Howes is focussed on Voluntary In Nature, an outlet for sharing, to continue bridging cultures, generations, and eras of technology, with greater accountability to his collaborators, as well as helping to dismantle the oppressive systemic realities faced by his peers in the corrupt business of music. "All you have to do is share the land," says Howes as an open message to the powers that be.

"You introduced me to a whole new world of records." - Nardwuar the Human Serviette

"Howes knows what people want, before they do." - Discorder Magazine

"The world in general, and Canadians in particular, owe an immense debt of gratitude to Kevin Howes." - Vancouver Folk Music Festival

RIP Shingoose

Jake One Behind the Beat John Cena "The Time Is Now"

2021 Beat No. 1

Kevin Howes · 2021 Beat No. 1

The Specials Performing I Can't Stand It at Hope and Anchor Pub

Coming soon...

Atlantic

RIP Mr. Marsden

Cup of Tea