**************Important ordering information**********
If you are ordering more than 4 items international shipping, please contact me to get the correct postage amount. If you are having difficulties placing your order, please email us at littleaxerecords@gmail.com. Let us know if you would like to join our mailing list.
If you are ordering more than 4 items international shipping, please contact me to get the correct postage amount. If you are having difficulties placing your order, please email us at littleaxerecords@gmail.com. Let us know if you would like to join our mailing list.
LITTLE AXE RECORDS
LA-018 Sosena Gebre Eyesus
Ethiopian artist Sosena Gebre Eyesus sings accompanied by her playing of the Begena, or King David’s Harp, one of the world’s oldest and most beguiling instruments. Since ancient times the Harp of David has been used as an aural balm, a soother of evil and disturbed spirits —it’s low, buzzing tones widely noted for their ability to sweetly refresh one’s soul. Said to have been brought to Ethiopia in biblical times by Menelik I, it has long been the central instrument used to accompany Ethiopian Orthodox hymns, which Eyesus plays here in an absolutely entrancing manner while softly singing songs of devotional reflection. Featuring six beautiful hymns that gently unspool at the measured pace of a lullaby, Sosena Gebre Eyesus magically creates a rarefied atmosphere that feels absolutely necessary and vital for these most turbulent of days.
Originally released on cassette, this is a limited edition lp of 500 copies.
Also available as a digital download: https://littleaxerecords.bandcamp.com/album/sosena-gebre-eyesus
$
12.00
LA-017 Esther Suarez - La Bolognesina - Back in print!
Esther Suarez, also known as La Ocrasina De Oro, is a popular Peruvian Huayno singer. La Bolognesina is one of her earlier albums, featuring reverbed vocals over Andean harps supplemented with light percussion and handclaps. The album was recorded in 1981, with the title referring to her roots near the snow-capped Andean mountains of the Bolognesi province in the Ancash region of Peru. Peru experienced waves of mass rural-to-urban migration in the latter half of the twentieth century due to poverty and political instability, but with it also came an explosion in the popularity of the folkloric Huayno tradition. An urban and modernized studio version of ancient indigenous Quechua folk traditions, Huayno became the soundtrack to the migrant’s experience of both hardship and homesickness. Esther Suarez’s clear and yearning vocals soar over galloping huayno rhythms, evoking the highlands of her youth with heartbreak, regret and melancholy, while simultaneously looking to a place where there is always a will to live and an invitation to dance. Truly some of the most beautiful music ever.
Digital copies can be purchased here:littleaxerecords.bandcamp.com/album/esther-suarez-la-bolognesina
$
10.00
LA-016 Wimeanacas Cambodian Band
Wimeanacas was a Cambodian band based in Portland from 1982-1992. This is their second album, originally self released on cassette in 1987. An album of Cambodian celebration music, Wimeanacas played weddings, new year parties and community events during their 10 year existence. For this record, the band recorded all original numbers and had grown to a 10 piece ensemble. Holica and Sovann Yoeun were both working musicians in their native Cambodia when they fled the Khmer Rouge in 1975. Settling in Portland, Oregon they formed Wimeanacas Band which translates to Castle In The Sky.
Digital copies of this record can be purchased here: https://littleaxerecords.bandcamp.com/album/wimeanacas-cambodian-band
Digital copies of this record can be purchased here: https://littleaxerecords.bandcamp.com/album/wimeanacas-cambodian-band
$
12.00
LA-015 Anna Makirere - Tiare Avatea (Vinyl is out of print)
The lone recordings of teenaged vocalist Anna Makirere of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Sung in close harmony in Māori Kuki Airan, Tiare Avatea pairs Makirere’s casual yet masterful vocalizations with virtuoso accompanists. Somewhere between slack-key and flat-picked, the brilliant guitar work is seasoned tastefully with sunburned effects. Translating literally to “Afternoon Flower,” this radiant collection of originals and traditionals was issued regionally on cassette in 1981. It remains a unique look into Cook Islands sound and style.
Digital copies of this record can be purchased here: https://littleaxerecords.bandcamp.com/album/tiare-avatea
Digital copies of this record can be purchased here: https://littleaxerecords.bandcamp.com/album/tiare-avatea
$
0.00
LA-013 V/A - The Sigh of Silver Strings from Suvannabhumi: The Western Stringed Instruments of Burma (Vinyl is now out of print)
During the 1800s, various Western stringed instruments came to Burma by means of traders, explorers, and colonizers. These instruments - the acoustic slide guitar, mandolin, banjo, violin, and zither - were quickly and ingeniously adapted to the intricacies of Burmese music. The music draws from Burma’s rich vocal tradition, and the centuries-old royal repertoire of the Burmese harp and xylophone. Recorded and produced by Rick Heizman.
Comes with insert with title translations. Limited edition of 500, now sold out!
Digital copies of this record can still be purchased here: https://littleaxerecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-sigh-of-silver-strings-from-suvannabhumi-the-western-stringed-instruments-of-burma
During the 1800s, various Western stringed instruments came to Burma by means of traders, explorers, and colonizers. These instruments - the acoustic slide guitar, mandolin, banjo, violin, and zither - were quickly and ingeniously adapted to the intricacies of Burmese music. The music draws from Burma’s rich vocal tradition, and the centuries-old royal repertoire of the Burmese harp and xylophone. Recorded and produced by Rick Heizman.
Comes with insert with title translations. Limited edition of 500, now sold out!
Digital copies of this record can still be purchased here: https://littleaxerecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-sigh-of-silver-strings-from-suvannabhumi-the-western-stringed-instruments-of-burma
LA-011 Su Wai - Gita Pon Yeik (Vinyl is now out of print)
Su Wai is a modern virtuoso of the ancient Saung Gauk, a Burmese harp instrument of both royal and religious significance (fashioned to resemble a leaf of the bo tree which the Buddha attained enlightenment beneath) with roots as far back as the 6th century. In this collection of 8 traditional poem-songs, Wai unfurls clusters of melodic lines alongside a cyclical bell chime-pulse to accompany texts drawn from the Mahagita, a collection of 500 court songs not unlike the British Isle's Child Ballads. Recorded in masterful fidelity by Burmese ethnomusicologist Rick Heizman (White Elephants and Golden Ducks, Green Tea Leaf Salad) and presented here for the first time on vinyl, Gita Pon Yeik offers a small window into a tragically under-documented royal tradition that sits comfortably next to both ethnomusicological documents and abstract avant-garde folk forms.
Comes with insert with title translations. Limited edition of 500, now sold out!
Digital copies of this record can still be purchased here: https://littleaxerecords.bandcamp.com/album/gita-pon-yeik
Su Wai is a modern virtuoso of the ancient Saung Gauk, a Burmese harp instrument of both royal and religious significance (fashioned to resemble a leaf of the bo tree which the Buddha attained enlightenment beneath) with roots as far back as the 6th century. In this collection of 8 traditional poem-songs, Wai unfurls clusters of melodic lines alongside a cyclical bell chime-pulse to accompany texts drawn from the Mahagita, a collection of 500 court songs not unlike the British Isle's Child Ballads. Recorded in masterful fidelity by Burmese ethnomusicologist Rick Heizman (White Elephants and Golden Ducks, Green Tea Leaf Salad) and presented here for the first time on vinyl, Gita Pon Yeik offers a small window into a tragically under-documented royal tradition that sits comfortably next to both ethnomusicological documents and abstract avant-garde folk forms.
Comes with insert with title translations. Limited edition of 500, now sold out!
Digital copies of this record can still be purchased here: https://littleaxerecords.bandcamp.com/album/gita-pon-yeik
LA-009 One of You - S/T LP - Sticker cover
Sticker cover edition!A fascinating and unique collection of music by a Czech immigrant to Canada who wishes to remain anonymous. Side A contains tracks from 3 singles originally released on her own Scarab label in the early ‘80s, two under the name One of You and one credited to The Triffids. The One of You tracks are mournful and quietly intense, really something special. Mostly just organ and voice, they resemble a mix of outsider minimal Goth and a Czech-accented Nico, maybe. The instrumental Triffids tracks are slightly less spare, adding a touch of synth and percussion to the mix, and ending up a bit like low-key basement prog. Side B consists of Czech-language guitar-based demos recorded in the late ‘70s, and shows a bit more of an Eastern European folk-music influence, with occasional subtle folk-psych tinges and some spooky reverb. Amazing stuff. - Tony Coulter (WFMU)
Comes with insert with lyric translations.
Digital copies of this record can now be purchased here: http://littleaxerecords.bandcamp.com/album/one-of-you-s-t
$
10.00
LA-007 V/A - Harafin So: Bollywood Inspired Film Music from Hausa Nigeria
First ever international release of film soundtrack tunes from Northern Nigeria - where the film industry is modeled on Bollywood. Autotuned robotic vocals combine with frenetic drum machines and pitch bending synths for a singular hybrid of local styles and Indian influence. Featuring smash hits by Hausa superstars Fati Niger, Abubakar Sani, and the exuberant Sani Danja.
$
10.00
LA-004 Henry Thomas - Bull Doze Blues
Twelve of our favorite songs by amazing Texas blues songster Henry Thomas. Thomas recorded a couple dozen sides between 1927-29 often accompanying himself on the quills, a pan flute sounding instrument. A traveling musician with an older style than many of the country blues musicians recorded in the 20s. Includes his classic numbers "Fishing Blues", "Railroadin Some", "Honey, Won't You Allow Me One More Chance" the beautiful gospel number "Jonah in the Wilderness" and many more.
$
5.00
LA-001 Lewlewal de Podor - Yiilo Jaam
Hailing from northern Senegal, "Lewlewal de Podor" is a Pulaar guitar
centric band that draws from the folk stylings of Fouta Toro. Featured
on last year's compilation Ishilan n-Tenere, their first ever full
length ranges from mellow acoustic jam sessions to electrified hip
shaking concerts. Recorded by Christopher Kirkley. Comes with booklet
and portrait studio photo. Co-release with
Sahel Sounds
$
5.00
MISSISSIPPI RECORDS
MR-036 Abner Jay - The True Story of Abner Jay
Back in print! Fourth pressing of our first compilation of the one man band. Less inserts this time but the record still rules. Like Toscanini is to his country - a classic.
$
12.00
MR-063 Range Rats
Recorded in 1986, this is Fred & Toody Cole's (Weeds, Lollipop Shoppe, Zipper, Torpedoes, Rats, Western Front, Desperate Edge, Dead Moon, Pierced Arrows, & so on) great lost country LP! All original compositions...some sad lilting ballads & some punk as hell. Two songs feature Fred & Toddy playing with "Rollie", a janky Roland drum machine that didn't keep a consistent meter very well. The rest of the songs were recorded with a lean mean band.
$
10.00
MR-070 Michael Hurley - Blue Hills
Hurley stretching out on six longer than usual compositions that are heartbreaking & beautiful as anything he's ever done. Side one features Hurley on a creaky pump organ. Side two starts out with two newer compositions - just Michael on guitar & vocals. The record ends with a stunning version of Tea Song (which Michael originally wrote & recorded way back in 1963). A sustained feeling of loss & need for redemption haunts this record.
$
12.00
MR - 038 Abner Jay - I'm So Depressed / Depression 7"
Great 45 by Abner Jay, back in print!
$
5.00
MR-033 V/A - I Woke Up One Morning In May
$
10.00
MR-073 V/A - The Rain Don't Fall On Me
Old blues comp on Mississippi Records, back in print for the first time in a few years.
$
10.00
MR-048 Michael Hurley - Hi Fi Snock Uptown
Now back in print
$
10.00
MR - 092 V/A - Fanafody: A Collection of Recordings and Photography from Madagasikara Volume II LP
The second volume of recordings in our series of Madagascar music. From the archives of Montreal recordist, Charlie Brooks. While containing some similar artists as volume one, Fanafody focuses more on his second trip through the island during 2002 featuring violin players and throat breathing singers. Includes extensive photography and liner notes booklet.
$
5.00
Mississippi/Change Records
Usiende Ukalale - Don't Sleep : Omutibo From Rural Kenya
"Omutibo", a uniquely Kenyan style of acoustic guitar music, was invented by George Mukabi in the late 1950s, and quickly adapted by his neighbors in a region that proved truly fertile for guitarists. In 2016, Cyrus Moussavi (Raw Music International) set out along the banks of the River Yala to document the songs of the old days. Recorded on location in homes and yards, these are the songs and stories of a golden era Kenya on the brink of Independence, beautifully resurrected by the songwriters themselves, over 50 years later. Featuring performances by Johnstone Ouko Mukabi, Shem Tupe (Tube), Fanuel Amimo, Jimmy Bongo, Sukuma Bin Ongaro, Peter Akwabi, Zachariah Omufumbwa, and more.
LP version comes in a deluxe metallic spot-color jacket, with 8-page full color booklet featuring interviews, photographs, and lyrics in English and Luhya.
$
15.00
Olima Anditi - Where I Would I Be?
Recorded in Kisumu, Kenya on New Year's Eve 2010, this is an intimate home recording session with the great roaming Luo guitarist Olima Anditi. The blind musician has been traveling the trucking routes around Lake Victoria for decades,playing haunting, gorgeous tunes passed down through generations of artists. He's a local legend, and his tales of love, morality and politics are widely known. This intimate session is being released for the first time on vinyl. Includes 12 page booklet featuring an essay on the controversial origin story of Olima Anditi and lyrics in English and Luo
$
15.00
MRP-106 V/A - I Believe I'll Go Back Home
International compilation.
$
13.00
Michael Hurley - Bad Mr. Mike
New Album from Michael Hurley!
$
12.00
Coming Soon on Little Axe Records
