Second volume of our survey of the fascinating music variety of Puerto Rico during the 50s and 60s, which would lead the way to the subsequent salsa scene worldwide.

As well as bomba and plena, the main genres featured on volume one, the orchestras here display their masterful craft at playing guaracha, rumba, mambo, merengue and traditional rural music.

Extensive liner notes by compiler Yannis Ruel illustrated with original artwork and memorabilia.

The selection of this second ¡Saoco! expands its repertoire to emphasize the variety of rhythms and styles that characterized many of the groups included in the first volume.

It reveals a Puerto Rican production influenced by the sounds of Cuba and New York, but which also preserved its own character and in which the island genres of bomba, plena, and música campesina enjoyed their golden age.

2 rare Elvis tracks, both taken from movie soundtracks!

Reggaefied version of the Barbara Acklin classic!

Two cool dance floor packers from the early 60s back to back.

This super rare sister funk oddity burst onto the collector scene when Ian Wright dropped it as part of a 45s battle at the Texas Funk launch back in 2002, sending other deep funk collectors scrambling to obtain their copy. It had in actual fact been semi-known by ‘the’ northern soul scene hardcore for its tricky soul flip, but plays had been sparse due to rarity and it not fitting the exacting parameters of a classic soul spin. But times move on and now both sides are spun regularly on both scenes and demand is higher than ever, so time to fix that with a 45 that sounds better than the original - SOUL7 never disappoints.

Two savage Rock & Roll instrumentals from the Coffeyville, Kansas based combo, Rodney & The Blazers. 'Warpaint' hints at a loose native American theme with its rolling, stomping drum intro before giving away to straight-shooting, sleazy sax-led R&R mayhem. The rather more languid 'Oriental Nightmare' is perhaps the titty-shakin' pick of the pair though, with its exotica feel and sloppy riff conjuring all manner of unwholesome imagery!

Two irresistible, finger-snapping numbers from one of the finest R&B singers to ever do it - the one and only Little Willie John. Willie John shot to fame in the mid-50s and became one of King Records best-selling artists for a period. He recorded the first and still definitive version of 'Fever', setting in motion a trend for the kind of laid back but danceable, jazz infused rhythm & blues which would later gain popularity on the Belgian popcorn scene. More recently, his stop start 'I'm Shakin'' has gained popularity on various music and club scenes and was even covered by Jack White. For my money, 'It Only Hurts A Little While' is every bit as good as both that song and indeed 'Fever'.

Omar returns with a brand new album that many say is without doubt the strongest of his entire career.

Tramp Records continues to celebrate its 10th anniversary with another exciting release in the Story of series. Lonnie Lester is one of those unsung heroes of 1960s Rhythm & Blues who has gained little recognition for his talents. Although his songs are current dance floor favourites in soul clubs all over Europe, this is the first-ever compilation of his 1960s material.

Tramp Records continues to celebrate its 10th anniversary with another exciting release in the Story of series. Lonnie Lester is one of those unsung heroes of 1960s Rhythm & Blues who has gained little recognition for his talents. Although his songs are current dance floor favourites in soul clubs all over Europe, this is the first-ever compilation of his 1960s material.

Bosq Y Orquesta De Madera is the much anticipated full-length debut album by Bosq from Whiskey Barons.
On the heels of his three well-received 12” singles, the album delivers on the promise of a well-rounded and killer collection of Afro, House, Latin, Soul and Disco tracks with the intention of keeping bodies moving on the dancefloor.

Bosq Y Orquesta De Madera is the much anticipated full-length debut album by Bosq from Whiskey Barons.
On the heels of his three well-received 12” singles, the album delivers on the promise of a well-rounded and killer collection of Afro, House, Latin, Soul and Disco tracks with the intention of keeping bodies moving on the dancefloor.

Limited edition of 300 copies!

Primarily known as a conductor and composer than a performer, Vic Lewis was an important figure in British jazz from the early 1940's onwards. Born in North London July 29th, 1919, he started out as a rhythm guitarist (playing at three years old!) and also held the occasional cornet and trombone. His debut recording was in 1938 on a New York session featuring Eddie Condon, Pee Wee Russell and Bobby Hackett. During World War Two Lewis served in the Royal Air force and formed a band with drummer Jack Parnell - The Lewis-Parnell Jazzmen. They were a popular group who often topped music polls and recorded for Parlophone. Lewis also made a number of recordings with the Buddy Featherstonehaugh Sextet on HMV and formed his first professional band with Carlo Krahmer as co-leader featuring George shearing on piano. Shearing wasn't the only international name to have an association with Lewis - a seven year old Victor Feldman made his recording debut alongside Lewis. Between 1944-1945, Lewis worked with Stephane Grappelli & Ted Heath before starting his own band in 1947.

Often billed as "The Music Of Tomorrow By the Band Of Today," his sound was regarded as 'progressive' for the times, frequently featuring the arrangements and compositions of pianist Ken Thorne. Many comparisons were made with Stan Kenton at the time and there's no doubt that Lewis had a healthy regard for Kenton's sound.
Indeed, Kenton would give Lewis charts for music by the likes of Bill Holman and Pete
Rugolo (including Rugolo's 'Hammersmith Riff', performed at the inauguration of a twenty piece orchestra at the Hammersmith Palais). Lewis visited the US with his band during a tour in 1956-57 and again during 1958-59 and was one of the most respected British jazzers of the era, recording with the likes of Nelson Riddle on the July 1962 recording 'Vic Lewis Swings Nelson Riddle'.

As the 60s moved on, Lewis set himself up as a booking agent and his first client was jazz pianist/comedian Dudley. In 1965 he sold his agency to Brian Epstein, The Beatles' manager, and gained a seat on the board of NEMS, Epstein’s company. When Epstein died in 1967, Lewis became managing director, overseeing the careers of stars such as Elton John and Cilla Black. Lewis went on to represent many other pop stars, including Robin Gibb and produced tracks on Gibb’s 1970 solo album ‘Robin’s Reign’ during Robin’s brief split from his brothers. Lewis was an avid cricketer and established his own cricket club. Between 1976 and 2001, he also served as a General Committee Member of Middlesex County Cricket Club. In 1987 Lewis published an autobiography, Music and Maiden Overs and collaborated with Robert Feather on a collection of photographs, My Life in Jazz, published in 2007.


Vic Lewis was appointed MBE in 2007 and died 9th February 2009.
This album was recorded half away in California, using a selection of top American jazz musicians, and the other half at home in London featuring some of the finest jazzmen in England. Most of the musicians in both the American and the English sessions have played under Vic’s baton before. The American musicians played with Vic when the guest conducted the Stan Kenton Orchestra at Carnegie Hall in 1950, and several of the British musicians have played with the Lewis band at one time or another.

Co-written by Dan Auerback of The Black Keys!

Soundway Records present Kenya Special: Selected East African Recordings from the 1970s & ‘80s - a treasure-trove of rare and unusual recordings from East Africa. Spread out over two CDs and one triple LP, Kenya Special is accompanied by detailed liner notes, original artwork and photographs.

It follows on from Soundway’s much acclaimed African ‘Special’ series that to date has focused on the highlife and afrobeat output from 1970s Nigeria and Ghana. Kenya Special is a collection of 32 recordings (most of which were only ever released on small-run 45rpm 7" singles) that stand out as being different or unique as well as some classic genre standards. From Kikuyu language ‘liquid soul’, Luo benga and Swahili afrobeat to genre-bending Congolese and Tanzanian tracks recorded in Nairobi, Kenya Special sees Soundway yet again taking the less trodden path. Many of the tracks featured here are peppered with innovation and experimentation highlighting how diverse the music scene in Kenya was at the time.

In 1970s Kenya the two threads of rumba and benga loosely dominated the music scene. Benga quickly became Kenya’s unique contribution to afro-pop; spreading like wildfire through the interior countryside with it’s fast, 4/4 machine-gun beat and intricate electric guitar layers. The Congolese take on Afro-Cuban rumba was introduced by touring bands many of whom settled in East Africa - influencing bands from Kenya and Tanzania to come up with their own take on this popular style. Alongside these styles were small ensembles and hotel-sponsored bands, playing a blend of music that often included rock ‘n’ roll riffs, elements of ‘afro’ music (influenced by West African musicians like Fela Kuti), and multiple other combinations from South African and Zambian guitar styles to disco, funk and Swahili coastal rhythms like chakacha.

Painstakingly compiled, assembled and researched over two years by a team of five people from five countries (Kenya included), Kenya Special is a collection that looks beyond the mainstream and brings new life and recognition to some little known gems and forgotten classics of Kenya’s past.

Kon is about to blow the dancefloor with funky sweet tunes on his new album "On My Way", out on Pete Adarkwah' almighty BBE imprint!

EU version includes a bonus track!

Give The People What They Want is the band's fifth album, recorded at home in Bushwick's Daptone House of Soul Studios after two years of touring behind 2010's lauded I Learned The Hard Way. These ten songs are seasoned with the classic Soul sound one might expect.

EU version includes a bonus track!

Give The People What They Want is the band's fifth album, recorded at home in Bushwick's Daptone House of Soul Studios after two years of touring behind 2010's lauded I Learned The Hard Way. These ten songs are seasoned with the classic Soul sound one might expect. Downloadcode is included!

Since the true identity of this sinister masked electronic
keyboard villain was revealed in Jean-Jacques Perrey’s
recent autobiography the Mr. Ondioline EP has become
one of the most wanted records amongst collectors of
early electronics. As a controversial figure amongst the
early musique concrete pioneers due to his painstaking
ambition to put popular melody into edited tape music
this debut release from 1960 hears Mr. Ondioline showcasing
Perrey's Ondioline electronic keyboard (and synth
precursor) while proudly celebrating the dawn of multitrack
recording and tape editing. Pioneering, eerily nostalgic
and creatively fearless this record brings electric
melodies to your shining barstools and haunted ballrooms.