Back from Accra: Big Mama Unice's Drinking Spot
Frank
2,370 Posts
I had posters put up all over Accra, radio announcements were made and ads were plugged in the local papers. The most rewarding result was a call from Big Mama Unice.
Big Mama Unice runs a small bar simply called "the drinking spot" where she also cooks rice with a different sauce each day. 
A big freezer keeps beer and locally distilled sugar cane liqueur nicely chilled. I was told to come around in the morning hours and when I arrived at around 10 am, I was given a large travel bag containing 45s from G to Mint, from Hi-Life to African Jazz, Soul, Psych and Afrobeat. Besides a large number of James Brown releases, everything else were African releases. What they all had in common, was that they all were top tunes. I don't knowmuch about Hi-Life and never cared much about this style but the stuff I found there is just incredible! There also was a small stack of LPs and we all had an amazing time, playing these records on the portable turntable. All the pieces below came from Big Mama Unice's Drinking Spot, most notable are the nice company 45 sleeves and of course the Psychedelic Alliens (sic) EP. I'm only posting a few selected LPs, no need to show off spares...
" 
Nice philosophical liner note on backside of the Uhuru Dance Band sleeve:
New mixes will follow in a few days. I'll make one Soul, Psych & Afrobeat mix and another one with Afro Jazz and Hi-Life.
Dubious nightclub outside another digging spot.
Big Mama Unice runs a small bar simply called "the drinking spot" where she also cooks rice with a different sauce each day. A big freezer keeps beer and locally distilled sugar cane liqueur nicely chilled. I was told to come around in the morning hours and when I arrived at around 10 am, I was given a large travel bag containing 45s from G to Mint, from Hi-Life to African Jazz, Soul, Psych and Afrobeat. Besides a large number of James Brown releases, everything else were African releases. What they all had in common, was that they all were top tunes. I don't knowmuch about Hi-Life and never cared much about this style but the stuff I found there is just incredible! There also was a small stack of LPs and we all had an amazing time, playing these records on the portable turntable. All the pieces below came from Big Mama Unice's Drinking Spot, most notable are the nice company 45 sleeves and of course the Psychedelic Alliens (sic) EP. I'm only posting a few selected LPs, no need to show off spares..." Nice philosophical liner note on backside of the Uhuru Dance Band sleeve:New mixes will follow in a few days. I'll make one Soul, Psych & Afrobeat mix and another one with Afro Jazz and Hi-Life.Dubious nightclub outside another digging spot.
Comments
Unless it's a different band, they are known (sometimes as Aliens, sometimes Psychedelic Aliens, I believe).
Great finds and words as usual, Frank. How's that Saint Augustine and the Rovers record?
Peace,
Dress
quite a lineup http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_to_Soul_(film)
They're only spelled "ALLIENS" on the cover, the label says "ALIENS"
Jazzman Gerald had told me about the EP a year and a half ago. I never quite believed him though, the idea of an African group naming themselves "PSYCHEDELIC ALIENS" just seemed too outlandish...
The SAINT AUGUSTINE has a very nice and haaunting "native blues" on it.
That "Vida Rose" sleeve is my favorite:
"What, me to relax? Good god! Not when I have got it and all want to see and hear me do it"
looking very much forward to hearing these...
Yeah, Unice actually sung along and tapped her foott with almost every record I put on the portable.
I'll give her CDs with my mixes next time I get to Accra.
awesome picture
So true... it's been said so many times before, but you're really doing it man. I'm in awe every time you post and it makes me want to just quit my job, pack my bags and head out into the world... but I just don't have the balls
Thanks for letting us see/hear.