I recently created a new mix for DJ Ian Head’s Pullin’ from the Stacks series on Soundcloud, which is available HERE. I’ve long been interested in the transition of political music from old left worker, military, and folk sounds to the increased absorption of pop music idioms that ultimately lead to militant punk, hip hop, and reggae. This mix, Commie Freaks!, traces some of these changes from the 1960s through the early 80s.

Here’s the playlist:

1. AREA, “L’Internazionale,” 7”, Italy, 1974.
2. Ton Steine Scherben, “Macht Kaputt, Was Euch Kaputt Macht!,” Warum Geht Es Mir So Dreckig? LP, West Germany, 1971.
3. Zuno Keisatsu, “Pick Up Your Gun,” Second LP, Japan, 1972.
4. The Peter Brötzmann Octet, “Machine Gun” (excerpt), Machine Gun LP, West Germany, 1968.
5. Horn, “Free All My Brothers and Sisters,” On the People’s Side LP, Canada, 1972.
6. Peace, Bread, and Land Band, “Angela Davis,” Liberation Music 10”, US, 1971
7. Tania Castellanos and Pedro Coto, “Por Angela Davis,” Libertad Por Angela Davis 7”, Cuba, 1971.
8. The Lumpen, “Free Bobby Now,” 7”, US, 1970
9. Colette Magny, “Babylone/U.S.A.,” Répression LP, France, 1972.
10. Fran Ferrer and Puerto Rico 2010, “Camillo Torres,” Puerto Rico 2010 LP, Puerto Rico, 1972.
11. Franklin Boukaka, “Les Immortals” 7”, DR Congo, 1972.
12. Voz de Cabo Verde, “Viva Liberdade,” Viva Liberdade LP, Cape Verde, 1975.
13. Knutna Nävar, “Richard Dollarhjärta,” Vi Slåss För Vår Framtid 2×7”, Norway, 1972.
14. Röda Ropet, “Ge Mig Sanningen,” Spänn Bågen LP, Sweden, 1975.
15. Soul Service w/Røde Klaus, “EEC’s ABC,” Superfaellesmarkedet 7”, Denmark, 1972.
16. Henry Flynt and Nova’ Billy, “The International,” Nova’Billy LP, US, 1975.
17. Cem Karaca & Dervişan, “1 Mayis,” 7”, Turkey, 1977.
18. Sedition Ensemble, “Inside/Outside,” Regeneration Report LP, US, 1981.
19. Cornelius Cardew, “Smash the Social Contract,” 1936–82 LP, UK, 1982.
20. Funkionaries, “Replacable Parts,” 7”, US, 1979.
21. Perplex, “Wahltag,” 7”, West Germany, 1981.
22. Talking Reds, “The Programme,” The Workers United 7”, UK, 1980.
23. Red Crayola, “Born In Flames,” Born In Flames 7”, UK, 1980.
24. May Day Singers, “In the 80’s,” 7”, US, 1980.
25. Are & Be, “If There is No Struggle,” 12”, US, 1982.
26. Kohl and the Gang, “Äh Mama Fix,” flexi-disc, West Germany, 1983
27. Saal 2, “Die Internationale,” Angst Vorm Tanzen 7”, West Germany, 1980.