Category Archives: selector okunola

selector okunola: this girl, 2009

Posted on May 26, 2011 | 1 Comment

Most of Selector Okunola’s picks have been works in the 1970s. Lucky for his ears and ours, a lot of folks have jumped on the retro-soul bandwagon lately, right? My beloved Raphael Saadiq’s recent works sound straight out of another decade, Amy Winehouse made it super popular awhile back, and Aloe Blacc holds a special place in my heart for his work. I especially love his intro to How To Make it in America but I’ve told you that already.

Australian group Cookin’ On 3 Burners, along with vocalist Kylie Auldist go way back in the right way. I can’t stop listening to this song.

Turn it up. Happy Thursday!

Related Posts
Selector Okunola: Malin Kpon O, 1975
Selector Okunola: Love Lock, 1978
Selector Okunola: Don’t Talk (Close Your Eyes), 2010
Selector Okunola: Totally Together, 1970
Selector Okunola: Transamazonica, 1970

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selector okunola: transamazonica, 1970

Posted on May 19, 2011 | 1 Comment

Called a “breezy classic” by the folks at Dusty Groove, this week’s musical offering by Selector Okunola aka The Mister is Transamazonica by Brazil’s Antonito Adolfo and A Brazuca. Play this in your kitchen while cooking breakfast on Saturday morning. I promise it will set the right tone for a highly enjoyable weekend: bird sounds and all.

Related Posts
Selector Okunola: Malin Kpon O, 1975
Selector Okunola: Love Lock, 1978
Selector Okunola: Don’t Talk (Close Your Eyes), 2010
Selector Okunola: Totally Together, 1970

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selector okunola: totally together, 1970

Posted on April 30, 2011 | 2 Comments

This week’s song choice from Okunola is perfect for the spring weather Chicago will be experiencing.

Jackie Mittoo was born in 1948 in St. Ann’s Parish, Jamaica. He was one of the founding member of The Skatalites, and released a dozen albums in the 60s and 70s.

I’ve had his instrumentals on repeat for the last few days. My advice: turn “Totally Together” up high while sitting on your back porch or balcony, crack open a beer or make a Rosalee to quench your thirst, and enjoy the sunshine. Happy weekend!

Related Posts
Selector Okunola: Malin Kpon O, 1975
Selector Okunola: Love Lock, 1978
Selector Okunola: Don’t Talk (Close Your Eyes), 2010

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selector okunola: don’t talk (close your eyes), 2010

Posted on April 22, 2011 | 3 Comments

The man behind Selector Okunola, sipping on a cold clementine vodka tonic, above.

He’s picked a good one this week– a mash-up of The Beach Boys’ “Don’t Talk {Put Your Head On My Shoulder}” and the ‘essence’ of legendary producer Jay Dee aka Jay Dilla’s beats, done by British producer Buillion.

From website Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs:

Bullion took “Pet Sounds” and ran it through his interpretation of J Dilla’s sound; his legacy. It’s more of a re-imagining, answering the question that I’m sure no one has ever asked: “What would it sound like if J Dilla produced ‘Pet Sounds’?”

As a commenter on the original song left on YouTube put it: This could get you laid.

Related Posts
Selector Okunola: Malin Kpon O, 1975
Selector Okunola: Love Lock, 1978

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selector okunola: love lock, 1978

Posted on April 8, 2011 | 8 Comments

You’re most likely familiar with Mtume’s Juicy Fruit, the hit Notorious BIG sampled for Juicy (no fruit), but may be unfamiliar with Love Lock, the breezy 1978 song Selector Okunola has decided to share with us today– I didn’t even know the two songs were by the same group and he’s been playing this song around the house and at BBQs for years.

There’s no words on the track, just a lovely female voice kinda going “ohhhh ohhhh aaahhh ohhh” over and over– but not in that way, get your mind out of the gutter! It reminds me of summer drives with the windows down and the dog in the backseat, Lake Michigan gleaming in the sun, iced tea, long dresses, big sunglasses, and open-toed high heeled sandals. We hope you like it.

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selector okunola: malin kpon o, 1975

Posted on March 31, 2011 | 9 Comments

Turn your speakers up. Thanks.

We listen to good music in this house. I mean really, really good music. Toe-tapping-have-you-dancing-around-the-apartment-not-caring-who-is-looking-inside-dog-going-all-crazy-jumping-up-on-you kind of music. I figure it’s only fair to share some of it once a week, right?

[Though we know how my previous series have all worked out; let's cross our fingers for this one to last, shall we?]

The Mister, aka Selector Okunola, as I have decided to christen him, has agreed to supply me with video and/or audio linkage to some of the stuff he plays for me on a daily basis. This man, who can sit in front of the computer for hours virtually digging in the crates, has put me on to more good music than any radio station or music website ever could. I wouldn’t want to keep all this goodness to myself, now would I?

Okunola picked a song called Malin Kpon O by Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou, a group from Benin for his first share today. Originally released in 1975, the song received new attention this century when The Vodoun Effect: Funk & Sato from Benin’s Obscure Labels, 1973-1975 was released by Analog Africa in 2008. Enjoy– and don’t forget to toe-tap.

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