Author Archives: Jammo

Review: Ar Condicionado

Read Time: 1 min

Film: Ar Condicionado (2020)
Director(s): Fradique
Starring:  José Kiteculo, Filomena Manuel
Soundtrack: Aline Frazão
Genre: Mystery, Afrofuturism

Directed by Angolan filmmaker Fradique, Ar Condicionado has an eerie, possibly unintentional sci-fi feel. Instead of Xenomorphs or Replicants appearing, the sense of impending doom comes from air conditioner units intermittently falling from the buildings of Luanda. Fradique’s lens captures Luanda as an almost post-apocalyptic city.

The film follows cleaning lady Zezinha and security guard Matacedo, who are tasked with getting their largely unseen boss’s air conditioner repaired. The cinematography is stunning, vividly portraying the city’s post-colonial scars and its strange beauty. Like Spike Lee’s 1989 classic Do the Right Thing, the film stands out in its ability to convey the oppressive heat.

At times, Ar Condicionado feels like a fever dream, especially when we meet Kota Minos, an eccentric repair shop owner with a plan to build a machine that retrieves memories. A truly excellent film with fantastic characters and a gorgeous soundtrack.

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Jammo’s Music Report No.014

Read Time: 3 mins

Welcome back to my consistently unpunctual Music Report. I’ve noticed that, post-covid, writing has become more difficult, not to mention drive. My apologies, dear reader.

Nevertheless, It’s been a busy month for me. I’ve been editing the first bunch of Peng Valley comics, which I’ll be posting here soon, coping with various kindergarten illnesses and trying as hard as I can not to waste what little energy I have on things that don’t matter, like Boris Johnson. With that in mind, here’s a bunch of stuff I’ve been listening to heavily over the last month or so:

Tomaga – Lilith Wakes

This düster number from London’s Tomaga has been lurking on my pod for weeks. With its Mellotron lead hovering like a spectral bird of prey over Valentina Magaletti’s phasing motorik rhythms, “Lilith Wakes” is the perfect prescription for the weird changeable weather we’ve been having. RIP Tom Relleen.

Annette Peacock – Survival

14 Mins of funky spoken word excellence from Annette Peacock’s album “The Perfect Release” (Tomato Recordings, 1979). Sampled by Ghostface, J-Live and many more, it’s a stone-cold classic!

Traxman – Footworkin on Air

I haven’t bothered to check if I’ve put this on a music report before. I most likely have, and if not, I should have! The opener from Traxman’s album “Da Mind of Traxman” (Planet Mu, 2012) has everything: jittery rhythms, turbocharged 303s and ethereal overtones, it would be criminal not to love it.

Solid Space – Spectrum is Green

From the band’s cassette album “Space Museum” (In Phaze Records, 1982), and later reissued by Dark Entries, “Spectrum is Green” features Captain Scarlet samples and jangly post-punk melodies that make my heart sing. A real gem! If you ever needed a reason for the existence of reissues, this is it!

Beak> – Oh Know

I’ve been listening to this one a lot lately, while ferrying the bairns around town. It gives me energy. The synth refrain sounds like a rocket launching on some obscure Eastern European kids programme, and the drum recordings are pure perfection. Top marks for the Smash Hits inspired cover art:

DJ Marfox – Bit Binary

One of Marfox’s earlier tracks, “Bit Binary” (Príncipe, 2011) highlights the raw power of Kuduro. Frantic, percussion-fuelled and funkier than Mosquitos tweeter!

Dr Scott – Mayday, Mayday

Nothing beats the energy and alacrity of the hardcore sound. “Mayday, Mayday” (Reinforced Records, 1992) is raw and rugged and will never leave my heart.

CV Vision – Gleiten

Undoubtably the most listened to track of this month, comes from Berlin based CV Vision. If there was an AI bot out there, which could create an accurate amalgamation of my various musical passions, I suspect it would sound pretty close to this. From Kraftwerk to Ashra, from the Isley Brothers to Flaming lips and beyond “Gleiten” does it all! It is, in this humble bumpkin’s opinion, a masterpiece.

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