Ghetto Palms 109: Aidonia / TOK / Jim Screechie Riddim

Photographer Martei Korley
July 30, 2010

I believe from now on this column will just be a laundry-list of news items from Ghettopalmsland, capped off with a scam email. Anything related to Third World music, soundsystem culture, urbanism and global development or extremophile organisms is germane; the sweet spot I like to think of as ghettocology. I may not even talk about the riddim or tracks I’m reviewing, you can just use the blend as a soundtrack as you browse—at least until I change the format again.


Things that a gwan: FADER cover star Shabba has either because or in spite of his icon-ization picked this summer to stage a mini-comeback in the juggling by jumping on the Palms-approved Cosa Nostra riddim and also by contributing arguably the hypest four bars of Spragga Benz’ recent mini-comeback. In case you missed the NPR preview, Damon Albarn’s label Honest Jon’s released a CD of the Shangaan Electro tracks that Wills Glasspiegel and I debuted in this very space.

The excellent Ghetto Radio blog posted a downloadable ArchiAfrika newsletter meditating on the physical impact of the World Cup in the form of the new stadia in Johannesburg and related re-developments. This one is extra relevant to me because even back in late ’07 when I was in SA for the kwaito/BLK JKS thing there were rumors that the section of Alex township which seemed to have the jumpingest musical sub-culture was (also where the anti-foreigner riots took place not long after I left) was going to be razed/redeveloped for the World Cup. That was right before the bottom drop out of the global financial bucket though, and I haven’t heard anything concrete (!) since then. Jozi people, if you are reading this, whats the word—is the Monday night street dance still ramming 15th street??

GP109 Jim Screechie Blend:
Aidonia, “Jackhammer” (Equinioxx)
Akane f. Timberlee, “Move!”
Beenie Man, “Beat You Badd”
J.O.E., “You Shoulda Know”
Kemikal, “La La La”
RDX, “For The Girls”
Shanz, “Closer”
Spice, “Jim Screechie”
TOK, “Everybody Clap”

On a side note, Max Glazer passed me the recent Jim Screechie riddim from Equinoxx, which does pretty much everything a dancehall riddim should. It is a muscular machine made out of flangey snares, a reggaeton evil-circus synth vamp, screaming eagles and Aidonia going tough. Here’s your email:

From: desmond tunde Subject: Job Offer

I am looking for someone who can handle my Personal and Business errands at his/her spare time. Someone who can offer me these services: Mail services, Receive my mails and drop them off at the Post ,Shop for Gifts Bill payment ( pay my bills on my behalf),Sit for deliveries( at your home) or pick items up at nearby Post Office at your convenience.

I would love to meet up with you to talk about this job but I am currently away on business. I am in Australia so there will be no interview. I will prepay you in advance to do my shopping. I will also have my mails and packages forwarded to your address. If you will be unable to stay at your house to get my mails, I can have it shipped to a post office near you and then you can pick it up at your convenience. When you get my mails/packages; you are required to mail them to where I want them mailed to. You don't have to put money out of your pocket, all you have to do is have packages shipped to your house and do my shopping.

You are allowed to open the packages to reveal its content. The content of the packages are computer and electronics, clothing business and personal letters. All expenses and taxes will be covered by me. You will work between 15 and 20hrs a month. How much will you charge per month? I will pay $1000. That is not a bad offer is it? I need your service because I am constantly out of town. I work in real estate and I own an Art Gallery in Australia.

I will return to United State by Middle of  september  2010 so this process will be on going till then. If you don't mind, I will meet up with you when I return and then we can talk about the possibility of making this long term. Well, let me know if you are able to handle the position. I will email you the list and pictures of what to shop for me when I am ready. No heavy packages is involved! You can do the shopping at Sears, Walmart, and other stores. You will be shopping for Electronics and clothing. I will provide you my UPS account number for Shipping. All you have to do is to provide you myUPS Account Number and bill the shipping charges on it.. I will provide clear set of instructions for each task I need done as well the funds to cover them. If I were to mail you money to do my shopping plus upfront payment for your service, where would you want it mailed to? How should your name appear on the Pay check? so if you still have

interest you're to reply me back with all this following details.

Full Name:

Mailing Address(PO Box NOT APPLICABLE):

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Phone Numbers ( Home and Mobile):

Age:

Present Occupation:

Sincerely,

From The Collection:

Ghetto Palms
Ghetto Palms 109: Aidonia / TOK / Jim Screechie Riddim