Oscar Sulley and Bontuku
August 9th, 1986
Urbana, IL @ nature's table
pzm mics > snr202 > sonyd6 > cassette > remaster (4-00) > CDR

2 cd's

oscar sulley brimah--leader, percussion
scott mordecai--percussion
mitch paligia--sax
john jenowiac--trombone
jeff helgesen--trumpet
tom sullivan--bass
mark brunner--drums
curtis morisson--lead guitar
bruce lambert--rhythm guitar

so, bontuku was simply unbelievable.  nature's table held about 60 people when full.  they played there about once a month.  it was like seeing fela in a tiny club.  jeff helgesen and mitch paligia are simply soloing monsters--jeff played with ray charles for awhile, and i have no idea where they are now.  anyhow, those of us who used to attend these marathon afro beat sessions were really really lucky.  sulley made some 45s in africa, about 4 records and a couple cassette-only releases in middle IL, andas far as i know, this is the ONLY recording of one of the hundreds and hundreds of shows they played.  kinda sad...