Living Is Hard

From 78’s in the RMI Hayes Archive in Britain comes this collection of historic recordings of early African music in the UK. It’s all stripped-down, showing little or no European influence, just a traditional roots sound from their homeland. Mostly midtempo with call/response vocals and light percussion or strings. Interesting stuff, especially:

3. Growls, solo chanting, spare and kinda creepy.
4. Guitar, simple, untrained male voice.
5. Claps, call/response, midtempo.
6. Starts w/solo voice, then fast percussion & vocals.
8. Swinging guitar instrumental w/light perc. Catchy.
9. Mid call/response w/what sounds like soda bottle percussion.
13. Midtempo w/cool rough vocals & chorus w/light drumming.
14. Slight Caribbean influence, guitar, vox, mid/upbeat.
18. Guitar, midtempo w/relaxed vocals.
21. Mid/up w/cool lead vocals, light drums, chorus.