Ithaka's Somewhere South of Somalia album review

Big Baer Magazine: The Urban Alternative Music Magazine

November 19th 2001

Let me start by telling you the ending” Run, don’t walk, and buy this CD! Don’t miss out on one of hip hop’s most original releases of the year!”

Somewhere South of Somalia, the third album to be released from the artist Ithaka, is the

freshest compilation of hip hop beats, rap lyrics and spoken word that I have heard in a very long time. If you are feeling hip hop but are more than a little tired of hearing rappers spit about ho’s and 4/0s, about twenty inch rims and all-nighters; if the thought of one more Jay-to-the-izzo causes you more pain than fingernails scratching mercilessly on the chalkboard then Somewhere South of Somalia is for you.

The timing of this review is impeccable. I recently sat on a panel at an Urban Music conference where I addressed the situation of originality, or rather, the lack of it in much of today’s urban music.  Somewhere South of Somalia is as original as they come, written on location in Kenya and Tanzania, it is an adventurers diary, a hip hop recollection of one man’s soul-searching escape to the east coast of Africa. Ithaka Darin Pappas is a visual artist and a writer. He is also a superb storyteller who explores the sometimes forgotten topic of escapism.

The album plays out like a hip hop adventure journal. Somewhere South of Somalia brings us stories of tribal folklore, urban dangers, epidemics, and voodoo. It recalls life threatening experiences and human tragedy. It is funny; it is serious and at times wildly erotic.

There are nineteen tracks of songs and interludes on this very unique offering. Though written on location in East Africa, followed by a stay in Lisbon, Portugal, Somewhere South of Somalia was recorded in Los Angeles with producer-engineer, Conley “Conman” Abrams III (Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifa, Heavy D, etc.). Ithaka’s distinctive laid-back but powerful rap style is complimented by first class original beats and vocal arrangements.

The overall production quality is first rate. It is obvious that a great deal of thought went into the production of each track. Almost as adventurous as the album’s material itself, Somewhere South of Somalia transports you from rap to spoken word, to trip-hop, all seamlessly done lending a true sense of discovery.

Rana Linda is a story of a foreign war correspondent originally from Colorado who had been covering events in Rwanda and now struggles with the realities of difficult choices. Ugly American tells of a wealthy business who moves to the Kenyan Coast, destroys forests, sexually abuses his maid and kills endangered species for fun.

Black Rock is a song based on Tanzanian tribal tradition of a black stone reported to save lives of those bitten by venomous snakes. The catchy chorus is sung by tribal children and backed by a thick base of tribal hip-hop rhythm.

Lapis Lazuli & Mother of Pearl is a spoken word proclamation of love with a melodically sung hook-line by IZREAL (from the song Rana Linda) and woven throughout by a beautifully muted trumpet and jazz-like beats. The song adds to the diversity and richness of the album. Very well done.

Upendo is eight minutes and twenty-six seconds of superb and outrageously erotic, trip-hop. “Mr. Lapis Lazuli” receiving a language lesson from “Mother of Pearl” (50 ways to say I LOVE YOU in Swahili). For sheer mood enhancing power, Upendo stands tall in the company of Enigma’s “Principles of Lust” (MCMXC a.D.) and Lonnie Liston Smith’s “Desert Nights” from his hallmark Expansions album. I would buy Somewhere South of Somalia for this album alone.

Exploring the outskirts of Nairobi’s notorious River Road, Ithaka relates a tale of adventure-turned nightmare involving pimps, drug dealers and knife-wielding gangs. It ends with Ithaka sprinting for his life.

Mwajuma, tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a wandering nomad, Ithaka, and a domestic servant to Nairobi’s elite. The story unfolds with a light-hearted meeting to Ithaka’s discovery that his new friend has tested HIV positive. Her husband is already dead and she ponders about the future of her children while still showing great concern for Ithaka’s well-being. Cynthia Denise Farmer sings the moving gospel chorus, building to a full choir ending. The song is a powerful reminder of the AIDS epidemic that is devastating much of Africa today.

Ithaka’s curiosity of places and people is revealed wholeheartedly in Somewhere South of Somalia. His travels have taken him to Europe, Africa and the South Pacific. While in Lisbon, Portugal, a brief stint as a radio host landed him a record deal with a local subsidiary of EMI. In 1998, he released the e.p. ESCAPE (Nortesul/EMI Portugal) which featured a remake of his hip hop dance track “Escape From the City of Angels”off of his first album. The song earned Ithaka the 1998 SCYPE AWARD (European Radio Listener’s Choice Award). Note the song's original version appeared in the soundtrack of Columbia Films’s “The Replacement Killers starring Mira Sorvino and Chow Yun Fat directed by Antoine Fuqua.

Somewhere South of Somalia is a continuation of Ithaka’s philosophy: live it, write it, rap about it. It is an excellent hip hop album as well as a true collector’s offering. Now I can finish right where I began: Run, don’t walk, and buy this CD! Don’t miss out on one of the most original hip hop releases of the year!”

Review by Jack Baer 

Lapis Lazuli & Mother of Pearl (official video)

Ithaka on the microphone

ithaka "Get Up I'm Free" (produced by Siba Giba)

ithaka "Get Up I'm Free" (produced by Siba Giba) new collaboration between Californian poet Ithaka and Brooklyn hip hop legend Siba Giba

https://www.discogs.com/release/22670378-ITHAKA-Get-Up-Im-Free-produced-by-Siba-Giba

Flowers And The Color Of Paint - By Ithaka - $950usd (used) on Amazon.com

Flowers And The Color Of Paint - album by Ithaka currently selling upwards of $900usd (used) on Amazon.com

SO GET UP - Original Unedited Lyrics by Ithaka Darin Pappas

"So Get Up" written and vocalized by Ithaka  - 1993

© Ithaka Darin Pappas

Ravenshark Music/Scion Four Music/ASCAP

Album: So Get Up & The Lost Acapellas

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"SO GET UP"

THE END OF THE EARTH IS UPON US

PRETTY SOON ITLL ALL TURN TO DUST

SO GET UP FORGET THE PAST

GO OUTSIDE HAVE A BLAST

GO A THOUSAND MILES IN A JET AIRPLANE

GO OUT OF YOUR MIND GO INSANE

TO A PLACE YOU NEVER BEEN BEFORE

EAT ICE CREAM OUR YOULL LICK THE FLOOR

CUZ, THE END OF THE EARTH IS UPON US

PRETTY SOON IT'LL ALL TURN TO DUST

GOODBYE MY FRIENDS, GOODBYE WORLD

I'LL SEE YOU IN THE NEXT LIFE

More information about So Get Up:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_Get_Up

https://www.facebook.com/IthakaBlue/


SO GET UP - lyrics and vocals by Ithaka.
Publishing: Ravenshark Music/Scion Four Music/ASCAP

See his new vocal-only album entitled
"So Get Up & The Lost Acapellas"
released by Sweatlodge Records.
https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ithaka2

___________________________________________

Also titled,
Ithaka's "So Get Up" vocals and lyrics have been used on tracks mixed by: Underground Sound Of Lisbon, Junior Vasquez, Danny Tenaglia, Orion's Voice, Sarasite, Committee, Public Domain, Stretch & Verne, Marcel, Fatboy Slim, Atlantis ITA, Ce Ce Lee, PC, Miss Kittin, K-Trax, High Voltage, Dyla, Mert Yücel, Eric Kupper, King-Size, Dan Robbins, Low End Specialists, Architect, Meat Katie, Phobia, Lexicon Avenue, Dave Seaman, Mowree, Sharp & Smooth, Alex Bass,  David Mimram, Phunk Investigation, DJ Zorneus, Lochness DJ Team, Maziano, Dantim, Seikos, Pathfinder, Andrea Doria & Dino Lenny, Philippe Rochard, Bart Skils, Hakan Sarigul, Derek Mari, Danny Garlick, Black Force, Armin Van Buuren, Hardwell, Cosmic Gate, Heartbeat, Bob Ray & Van Dyuk, Furio Levant, Koozah, Ben Gold, Pelari, Igor Carmo, Swing Kings,  JJ Mullor, Dani Sbert, Micromakine, Atmozfears, Acti & Antolini, TNT, Technoboy, Razat, Joseph LP, Alex Page, Feed, Lee Burridge, FuturePlays, Samir Kuliev, Armin Van Buuren, Rui Flip, Geometric Dark, Alex Di Stefano, Nell Silva, etc, etc, etc.

Thru the years, So Get Up Has been released by the labels: Armada Music [Netherlands], Wake Your Mind [Germany], Nervous Records [USA], Kaos Records [Portugal], Tribal Records [USA], Tribal Records [UK}, Twisted Records (U.S.), Twisted Records (UK), Plastic City [Germany], Sweatlodge Records [USA], Absolutely Records [Italy], Kontor records, 24 Records [Italy], Skint, Bosphorus Underground Recordings [Turkey], Chuvstvo Ritma Records [Russia], Black Hole Recordings [Netherlands], Elektrobeats Records [Italy], Forensic Records [UK], Mental Madness Records [Germany], Groove Records [Switzerland], Hymen Records [Germany], Trance Corporation Recordings [Spain], Titanic Records [Italy], Hardcore Maniacs [Spain], Party Label Unique Records [Netherlands], Desire Records [Portugal], Black Habitat Records, People Tech Records [Venzuela], HARDwithSTYLE Records [Netherlands], Subground Records [Italy], Memory Stick Records [Netherlands], Union Recordings [Poland], Supermarket Records, Orange Groove Recordings, Doctors Of Chaos Records [Italy], Next Cyclone Records [Italy], Elektrobeats Records [Italy], Digital+ Records [Spain], Bliss Point Records [Turkey], Activa Records [Italy], Afterglow Records [Germany], Sector Beatz [Switzerland], Re-Fuel Records [Netherlands], Fabric Records [UK], Dogmain Records [Portugal], PTP Records [Germany], Bit Music [Spain], Sys-X Records [Netherlands], Spot On Records [UK], Overodose Records [Germany], Lost Paradise Records, BZRK Records [Netherlands], Kontor Records, 24 Records [Italy], Skint, Renegade Hardware [UK], Melody Maker Records [Italy], Tronic [Sweden], Mole Listening Pearls [Germany], Refreshed [Germany], etc, etc, etc.

So Get Up and its derivitives have been written about by: Ariya Beitollahi, Ryan Farber, Steph Evans, Hugh Lurcott, Hannah DeuPree, etc.

For publications such as: Mix Max, Daily Beat, Insomniac, Earmilk,  DJ Maj, Mix Mag, etc

Ithaka's So Get Up & The Lost Acapellas - new album

 

In early, 2017, Los Angeles-based independent music label, Sweatlodge Records will release the seventh album by the Californian songwriter, Ithaka, entitled, So Get Up & The Lost Acapellas. The record will include thirteen of Ithaka's vocalized poems (without music), many of which were written during 1992 and 1993, two of the six years that the artist lived in Lisbon. Also, as a bonus track, the original 1993 demo-version of So Get Up will appear.


There in Portugal, Ithaka was regularly recited his texts and rhymes for the daily radio program, Quatro Bairro on the national station, Rádio Comerical. Ten of the poems offered on the Lost Acapellas release were written and recorded specifically for the radio program and later (in mid-1993) were rerecorded as voice-over and musical demos on a visit to England. These recordings, were missing for 23 years until recently being discovered in a Los Angeles storage unit on a antiquated cassette tape.


Among these early acapella poems is So Get Up, most recently re-popularized by Armin Van Buuren and Cosmic Gate, which today (twenty-four years and more than a thousand releases and adaptions later) is considered The Most Remixed Vocal Acapella In Musical History (by Guinness World Records - 2016, 2017).


Ithaka first wrote So Get Up in a small cafe in Amoeira near Rádio Comerical about an hour before going on air with it for his slot on Quatro Bairro, unfortunately this very first recording has never been recovered. He did however, as mentioned, record it a second time in the U.K - to present to radio producers and possibly record companies.


There working at Rádio Comerical, Ithaka met DJ Vibe (Portugal's most prominent DJ), who played an hour of progressive house music immediately following Ithaka's segments. There Vibe usually heard the end of Ithaka's vocal sequences and was intrigued by the poems. Some months later, he invited him to participate as a guest vocalist on the first release by Underground Sound Of Lisbon (a progressive house duo consisting of Vibe and Rui Da Silva) for Kaos Records.


They recorded Ithaka's vocal in the early hours of a rainy winter night at the garage studio, 1 Só Céu, owned by the Portuguese rock band called, Os Delfins.

Ithaka was told by Kaos (a micro label at the time) that they would make 200 white-labels vinyls for distribution within Portugal only. They paid him $70 dollars for his participation, with a verbal promise to discuss any future distributions and manufacturing that would possibly follow. And weeks later, from just that single white-label distribution, the song exploded into an almost instantaneous national dance floor classic.


Although open-minded musically, Ithaka was more associated with hip hop, surfing and contemporary art more than dance music and only infrequently appeared at the clubs his apocalyptic poem had literally become an anthem for an entire generation of club goers, inspiring even people who never liked dance music to get involved.


Ironically, Kaos Records and Underground Sound Of Lisbon themselves never made a point of explaining who the mystery prophet was and nobody seemed to ask, the press included - even though Ithaka was indeed the actual performer and owned 50% of the publishing.


"I remember specifically on a couple of occasions trying to get into Lisbon-area night clubs, which was always a chore because of the wait to get in, and there in line, two different times during height of the song's first wave of popularity, I could hear So Get Up playing on the dance floor...The first was at Frágil in Bairro Alto - and I said to the snob at the door, hey man, that's me, my voice...let me in.  And the doorman said, if that was you...I would know who you are AND I DON'T! - And the other time, a few months later, was at ALCÂNTARA, when I again declared that that was my voice with hundreds of people shouting the lyrics on top of it muffled behind the thick curtains out the dance floor..and that doorman said, Yes, my friend, and Elvis is still alive too!


In late 1994, Ithaka left Portugal for four months back to Los Angeles for an art exhibit - and during that short amount of time, Kaos Records had licensed So Get Up, without consulting him, to several international parties most notably Tribal Records -USA, a sub-subsidiary of Miles Copeland's I.R.S. Records (EMI).


Although Rob Di Stefano, the managing director of Tribal Records had met Ithaka on a previous trip to Portugal, and obviously understood he was from California and only temporarily residing in Portugal, he realized the marketing potential of an exotic 100% Portuguese house music product arriving in the U.S. for the first time and made no attempt to publicize the vocalist's true origins. No featuring Ithaka credit was ever included on any of the releases, even though he is both the author and the vocalist. Yes, this is dance music, but no matter how good or bad the production is, no one can deny that the vocal-poem and adjoining hooks are the primal guts of the entire So Get Up experience. How else could it possibly appeal to such a large musical spectrum of DJs and producers?


The first 1994 release of So Get Up on Tribal was a double-vinyl set with ten-mixes, including several versions by New York superstars Junior Vasquez and Danny Tenaglia. The early international popularity of So Get Up was undoubtfully manifested by these interpretations by Vasquez and Tenaglia. Two New York all-stars creating music around the words of a California hip hop wordsmith. To call So Get Up, even at that point, a 100% Portuguese release, was inaccurate at best.  The first release by Tribal, which sold upwards of 50,000 copies, also included an uncredited acapella of Ithaka's raw poem - which paved the way for a vast multitude of remixes and samplings over a huge cross-section of electronic musical genres.


 With the exception of Stretch & Verne's legally licensed rerecord "Get Up, Go Insane!" in 1997 (and subsequently Fatboy Slim's remix of that), every other international release of So Get Up has essentially been unauthorized. It is fair to say that every (of the more than a thousand mixes released) house, trance, techno, electro, drum & bass, big beat, dub step, and art rock versions - under their varying titles of "So Get Up", "Get Up", "Forget The Past", "the End Of The Earth", "Have A Blast", "Headcharge", "Hardaventure", etc. have been issued illegally. No record royalties or performance royalties have ever been paid to the vocalist/lyricist although all have been made using Ithaka's 1994 recording - made that late night way back when in Cascais, Portugal. By the most recent estimates of Ithaka's publisher attempting to recoup his writing shares, So Get Up in it's many incarnations has been either sold or downloaded more than 30,000,000 times and approximately 250,000,000 have at least heard the poem. Whether payment ever falls into the right hands, time will only tell.

Ithaka himself has had an unusual career (and life) to say the least. He came to recording not thru music itself, but via music photography, visual arts....and reading books. For nearly three years, among his many other sporadic occupations, Ithaka was the principal photographer for Priority Records gangster rap icons, NWA and Eazy E , but that's a story for another day.

In 1992, attempting to expand his boundaries outside of the Southern California area, the half-Greek, Ithaka Darin Pappas, set off soul-searching. He first relocated to Athens for six months and then spent a year in Tokyo, finally landing in Lisbon where he spent more than six years.

During this six-year period in Portugal, Ithaka was hyper-productive. He recorded So Get Up (and many other poems), made two award-winning hip hop albums, published translated poems and short stories in Portuguese magazines - and had several large scale sculpture exhibits of his work. He also photographically documented much of the early and mid-nineties Portuguese music scene, shooting record covers for rock, hip hop and EDM projects.

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Ithaka : So Get Up & The Lost Acapellas

ithaka : So Get Up & The Lost Acapellas

Collection of vocal poems recorded in Europe in 1993, which had been completely lost until being rediscovered in early 2017 (on a damaged cassette tape in a Los Angeles garage). These are the companion works for the iconic, So Get Up.

 https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ithaka2

Californian-born writer and vocalist Ithaka (aka Ithaka Darin Pappas) relocated from his native Los Angeles in 1992 to Europe where the artist entered of six year period of hyper-creativity. There he wrote, vocalized, created sculptures and photographed among other activities.

In 1993 he wrote a collection of poems for a daily audio segment he hosted on a program called Quatro Bairro on Rádio Commercial, Lisbon. After reciting some these poems live on Rádio Comerical in 1993, he later recorded them as a collection of demos with a producer friend in the UK.

The next year he recorded one of these poems, So Get Up, with the progressive-house project Underground Sound Of Lisbon who achieved massive international success with the track via distribution by Tribal/I.R.S. Records in New York.

Between a series of moves and career developments, the original 1993 vocal poem demos recorded in England were lost. Neither studio technician or artist could find the original, or copies.

So Get Up went on to become an international EDM anthem remixed by greats such as; Miss Kittin, Fatboy Slim. Mert Yücel, Dave Seaman etc.


Later in 2013, the song saw yet another chapter of fame when top DJ's both Hardwell and Armina Van Buuren endorsed a new version of the So Get Up rleased by German trance music stars Cosmic Gate using Ithaka's original lyrical/ vocal acapella)

Ithaka himself went on to record a series of critically acclaimed hip hop albums.

Here together on this disc are two new vocal recordings of Ithaka's iconic poems "So Get Up" and "We Are The Players" (recorded in Mexico - 2017) along with the complete collection of vocal-poem acapella demos made in 1993, some with their original proposed instrumental sketches. Please note: These are not intended to be finished songs, but instead are included to demonstrate Ithaka's early musical direction prior to both Underground Sound Of Lisbon's version of So Get Up (1994) and his own solo album, Flowers And The Color Of Paint (1995).

ithaka - "Twenty Years Ago Today" (video)

"Twenty Years Ago Today" (unreleased)

An early poem I wrote on my twentieth birthday,

                                                           

later recorded in Manchester in late 1996 (I think).

The video was shot and directed by Yadira Pascault Orozco at 

at Parque Nacional Desierto de los Leones 

near Mexico Cityin January 2016.

Edit and shadowman: Ithaka

Ithaka songs are published exclusively by Scion Four Music - NY.

INSTAGRAM: @_ithaka_

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/IthakaBlue