Test Dept recently started recording and touring again. I caught their show in San Francisco last year, and despite delays making it later than usual, not to mention getting a parking ticket, it was one of the musical highlights of the year. The force with which they speak of for the oppressed is a supremely cathartic experience. Some of their earlier releases rank among my favorite releases ever, and the new one is no slouch either. At the moment, just the newer releases are available on their Bandcamp page. Go get yourself some percussive, righteous anger.
Tangentially related to Test Dept is soundtrack composer John Hardy, who used to perform as Brith Gof and collaborated with Test Dept on one of their most powerful releases, Gododdin.
Speaking of righteous, Ani DiFranco's label, Righteous Babe Records, is releasing an important new album which was spearheaded by brilliant songwriter Zoe Boekbinder. It's album called "Long Time Gone" by The Prison Music Project, and is exactly what it sounds like, a collaboration with prisoners incarcerated at New Folsom Prison, outside of Sacramento. This release helps shed light on another facet of our countries ongoing problem with racism and classism. Get yourself some other music while you're there!
Righteous Babe Records Bandcamp is here.
I'll wrap this up with the fantastic label, Now Again, which has become my go-to label for Zamrock, which is short for Zambian rock. There was a whole scene in Zambia during the seventies, most of which was (and still is) entirely unknown to most. Now Again is attempting to change that. The one band that has managed to reform (with the one surviving member and some young Dutch musicians) is W.I.T.C.H. (We Intend To Cause Havoc), and I caught them live last year as well. It was definitely another musical highlight of 2019. As far as W.I.T.C.H. goes, start with either Lazy Bones!! or Lukumbo Vibes. I think those two are my favorites. Their last couple of albums were more disco than anything else, but if you like disco, check those out too. Now Again has also have reissued lots of other interesting music from all over the world, so hop on over to their site and do some exploring!
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