Mr Bongo HHV Records 407 Items

Release: 1985 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Hip Hop

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Seminal electro-fusion / machine-funk classic. Includes previously unreleased radio edit. The genre, electro (or electro-funk), is sometimes perceived to have a separate identity to hip-hop; however, this electronic cousin was integral to the early development of the hip-hop sound. Drawing on drum machines, such as the Roland Tr-808, and influenced by funk, these two genres were intertwined and rode a parallel axis for a while, with rap, breakdance, and graffiti as pillars of the culture and community. The mechanical sound of electro would later go on to inspire a different set of producers and played its part in influencing contemporary electronic dance music. For this 7" release we are taking things back to 1984 and 1985 with a split single from The Egyptian Lover and Jamie Jupitor. First up is a track from The Egyptian Lover, AKA Greg J. Broussard, the cult Los Angeles-based producer, vocalist and DJ, who is a true hip-hop / electro-fusion pioneer. 'Computer Love (Sweet Dreams)' is a seminal electro-fusion / machine-funk classic that saw a release on the iconic label Freak Beat Records (owned by Greg himself). The original 7" release is now very sought-after by collectors. On the flip we have another electro jam from The Egyptian Lover disciple, Jamie Jupitor. 'Computer Power’ was additionally produced and arranged by The Egyptian Lover, and was released on Egyptian Empire Records (the label that evolved from Freak Beat Records). For this release we have opted for a special 7" unreleased radio edit, that has Greg kindly provided us with, which differs slightly in composition from the previously released versions. One for fans of Dãm Funk, electro and 80s funk.

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LP | 2020 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

12th January

Computer Love Black Vinyl Edition

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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January 12th, 2020, a Sunday night in Toronto - Matthew Tavares and Leland Whitty (of Badbadnotgood fame) are reunited at Burdock for a live improvised Jazz session. The pair are joined on stage by bassist Julian Anderson-Bowes and drummer Matt Chalmers as part of Burdock’s Piano Fest, an annual event at the city's brewery and music hall. Two days later an email from Matthew hits Mr Bongo's inbox... "I think it turned out amazing, brought some really nice recording gear and it sounds almost like a studio record, thought I'd share. Moments definitely get to the jazzier side but there is some spiritual moments that are so far out". The Bongo office were all blown away by this free-flowing session, one which sounded like a well-rehearsed set at the end of a long tour, rather than a one-take improvised assembly. The chemistry between the musicians is magical. The tight friendship and musical connection between Tavares and Whitty are self-evident, however, Chalmers and Anderson-Bowes have a great contribution to make too. They act as the solid foundation that leaves Tavares and Whitty free to roam and explore moments of darkness and light, intensity and beauty. From the first time of hearing this intimate session, we knew this had to be shared. The same quartet feature on Matthew Tavares & Leland Whitty's 2020 album 'Visions'. The plan to promote 'Visions' was to tour, with each night comprising a uniquely improvised set. Sadly due to world events, this couldn't happen, but for now 'January 12th' is a snapshot of the wizardry that would have been from four amazing musicians at the top of their game.

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Egyptian Lover

7" | 1985 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Idrissa Soumaoro Et L´Eclipse De L´Ija

Release: 1985 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Hip Hop

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Nissodia Mike D Edit Orange Vinyl Edition

12" | 2020 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

18,99 €*

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Legend' is lofty praise that is often used lightly, however, Mike D from the Beastie Boys certainly is one in the truest of spirits. We are delighted after over 30 years of being involved in music to finally release a project involving such a hip-hop pioneer and icon as Mike. In keeping with the maverick attitude of the Beastie Boys, you don't always get what you expect. For this release there isn't a hip-hop beat, instrumental-funk or hardcore-punk joint in sight, rather an electronic-African club banger. Mike took it upon himself to rework Malian artists Idrissa Soumaoro and L'Eclipse De L'I.J.A. and their track ’Nissodia', which is taken from the 'Le Tioko-Tioko' album originally released in 1978 on the German Democratic Republic (gdr) label Eterna. The song was also featured on 'The Original Sound Of Mali' compilation released on Mr Bongo back in 2017. It was November 2019 and the day before a Mr Bongo 30 years celebration event in Paris at the Pedro party in the 'New Morning' club, when out of the blue the remix landed in Dave Mr Bongo's inbox. We loved it straight away and decided to road test it the next night in the club. Whether it be a remix/re-edit/rework, it doesn't matter, what does matter is that it works spectacularly in the club and had people jumping on the stage to dance at the party. A sensational track and one which leaves a beautiful memory of good-times from a night out in Paris (and one which is in retrospect is even more poignant as the late-great maestro Tony Allen was in the club that night), and we are sure it will light up many more dancefloors to come.

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12th January Orange Black Friday Record Store Day 2020 Edition

LP | 2020 | US | Original (Mr Bongo)

Think / Atom Black Vinyl Edition

Release: 2020 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Black Friday Record Store Day 2020 Release. "January 12th, 2020, a Sunday night in Toronto - Matthew Tavares and Leland Whitty (of Badbadnotgood fame) are reunited at Burdock for a live improvised Jazz session. The pair are joined on stage by bassist Julian Anderson-Bowes and drummer Matt Chalmers as part of Burdock’s Piano Fest, an annual event at the city's brewery and music hall. Two days later an email from Matthew hits Mr Bongo's inbox... ""I think it turned out amazing, brought some really nice recording gear and it sounds almost like a studio record, thought I'd share. Moments definitely get to the jazzier side but there is some spiritual moments that are so far out"". The Bongo office were all blown away by this free-flowing session, one which sounded like a well-rehearsed set at the end of a long tour, rather than a one-take improvised assembly. The chemistry between the musicians is magical. The tight friendship and musical connection between Tavares and Whitty are self-evident, however, Chalmers and Anderson-Bowes have a great contribution to make too. They act as the solid foundation that leaves Tavares and Whitty free to roam and explore moments of darkness and light, intensity and beauty. From the first time of hearing this intimate session, we knew this had to be shared. The same quartet feature on Matthew Tavares & Leland Whitty's 2020 album 'Visions'. The plan to promote 'Visions' was to tour, with each night comprising a uniquely improvised set. Sadly due to world events, this couldn't happen, but for now 'January 12th' is a snapshot of the wizardry that would have been from four amazing musicians at the top of their game. "

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Main Source

7" | 1989 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

7" | 1991 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 1989 / EU – Original

Genre: Hip Hop

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A year before Wild Pitch Records properly introduced us to the trio of Queens native Large Professor and Toronto’s Sir Scratch and K-Cut, the soon-to-be-legendary group self-released their own debut single. Dropping on Actual Records, the 12” of ‘Think’ and ‘Atom’ was soon a sought after rarity, with scarce originals still fetching upwards of three figures. On it, they only hint at the greatness to come, while simultaneously showing that they’d already mastered the three-minute rap single – this is concise brilliance with no flab whatsoever. Engineered by the late, esteemed Paul C, ‘Think’ is a study in how to turn well-worn samples into something new. The combination of several James Brown snatches, along with bits lifted from Lyn Collins and Jimmy Castor Bunch, could have been tired and almost parodic by 1989, but instead the group weave something interesting from old fabric. ‘Atom’ is arguably even better, built around a brace of elements from Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s 1967 duet ‘Little Ole Boy, Little Ole Girl’. On it, Large Pro gives the first real hints that he’ll not just be a super-producer, but a committed MC to watch. Mixing threats with humour, positivity with braggadocio, it’s a calling card performance on a track that could have still sat comfortably on 1991’s ‘Breaking Atoms’ album.

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Black Sheep

Try Counting Sheep

14,39 €* 15,99 € -10%

Release: 1991 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Hip Hop

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‘Try Counting Sheep’ was always a bit of a curio. For reasons best left in the dark, distant days of record label meetings of the early 1990’s, it only ever saw a UK and Europe release, our US cousins having to do without it. A strange decision because, while it doesn’t have the headnod hummability of ‘The Choice is Yours’, the group’s biggest hit, it perfectly captures their ramshackle charm coupled with a catchy hook. While Dres was a characterful and idiosyncratic MC, one thing that often goes uncelebrated about Black Sheep was their production nous. As on their other singles, they mine some familiar tracks but use the samples in original and creative ways. The Original Sheep LP Mix is a likeably meandering track that borrows bass from Jimi Hendrix and different bits of Rare Earth’s ‘(I Know) I’m Losing You’, with a real lightness of touch. As this was a UK release – the original 7” of which now fetches around three figures – the label rafted in UK producer The Principle for a remix. Best known for his work with Profile Records crew Caveman, he brings the same kind of propulsive organ track to the remix that underpins much of their best work. He adds in an instantly familiar drum break from ‘Impeach the President’ to drive a fine re-imagining that is very much of its time. It’s a record that can still summon the fun of a hip-hop club in 1991, and one that’s no longer impossible to find on 7”.

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Kit Sebastian

Ennui / Abandoned

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves, Rock & Indie

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Kit Sebastian are back with a special stand-alone alone 7” release that presents an appetising taster of what is to follow from their much-anticipated second album. After losing themselves in the magic of the French countryside to record, the band have delivered two gems that we initially thought were a soupçon of the said new album. In fact, though recorded during the same sessions, they felt these tracks were best served up as an aperitif to the album. Francis Lai, Vladimir Cosma, Fikret Kızılok, Jane Birkin, and Selda Bağcan all served as inspirations during the recording sessions. Though their idols can be heard in ‘Ennui’ & ‘Abandoned’, the fusion of Anatolian Psychedelia, Brazilian Tropicalia, 60’s European pop and psych-folk vibes results in a sound that is drenched in their unique signature style and can only come from Kit Sebastian. The beautiful, heartfelt, longing vocals on both ‘Ennui’ & ‘Abandoned’’, makes it hard for the listener to resist falling in love with the world of Kit Sebastian, and they leave the heart longing even more for their next long player to drop.

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CD | 2020 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Record Club Volume 4

Idrissa Soumaoro Et L´Eclipse De L´Ija

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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The latest release in the much loved Mr Bongo Record Club Series, Available on CD, 2LP Standard Vinyl & Special Edition 2LP Pink Translucent Vinyl. Curating the tracks for a Mr Bongo Record Club compilation is always such a pleasure. At a time when the expression "Music is My Sanctuary" has an even greater cathartic impact for many people, we set out to make this volume an extra special one - like an old favourite mixtape or playlist. For Volume 4 in this series we continue in the same mould as with previous editions, selecting current favorites and rare lost gems from the Brazilian, African, soul, funk, and disco genres. We present tracks from artists such as Azwon, Cindy & The Playmates, and Zé Roberto to name just a few. However, one main departure and progression to this edition is the first time inclusion of recordings by contemporary artists. These come from Matthew Tavares (of Badbadnotgood fame), Wax Machine, and DJ Format & The Simonsound, which were originally featured on either limited private press vinyl releases or were previously only available digitally. We felt their inclusion was important and wanted to share these wonderful discoveries with a wider audience. They also complement, enrich, and fit perfectly with the flow and journey of the compilation. Here at Mr Bongo we hope you will enjoy this selection of seventeen eclectic songs (in tempo and style) as much as we do, whether they make you move your feet, take you on a trip somewhere, or trigger a happy memory.

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Nissodia Mike D Edit Black Vinyl Edition

12" | 2020 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

15,29 €* 16,99 € -10%

Déjàvu Black Vinyl Edition

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Matty

LP | 2020 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

7" | 1993 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Rock & Indie, Pop

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Déjàvu' is the debut solo album from Matthew Tavares, aka Matty. Originally released in 2018 as a digital only release, it now sees the physical release it rightly deserves. Produced by his good friend, the acclaimed producer / songwriter Frank Dukes, ' Déjàvu' emerged during a period of rest for Matthew after heavy touring schedules with his former band Badbadnotgood. As with many of the most fertile creative minds, continual reinvention leads to exploration of new sounds and styles. ' Déjàvu' sees a departure from the jazz of Badbadnotgood and a move into a more song-based storybook, with Matthew stepping up to the plate as lead-vocalist. As Matthew explains "I’ve always worked on my own stuff outside of Badbad, and I’ve made music that sounds like this since I was 16. But when Badbad started taking off, it was like “Ok, I can’t really make rock-y songwriter music anymore”. The inspiration for the album came after revisiting old favourites and classics such as The Zombies, The Beatles, shoegaze, and Krautrock records. It was also made in a difficult and reflective period in Matthew's life, with each song being a vignette to an individual. "I wrote each song about someone specifically, but then I realised very quickly afterwards that every song is about myself". Even though on the surface the record could be loosely categorized in the rock / indie camp, its dreamy psych-pop vibe evokes much richer musical inspirations. Elements of jazz, AOR, and the compositions of 'golden-era' Brazilian arrangers such as Arthur Verocai enrich the songs. For the Mr Bongo release of ‘Déjàvu' we have included the beautiful bonus track 'Verocai Pt. II’ which was a product of the same recording sessions and rounds off the record. Though a 'solo’ release, with its songwriting, content, and themes being very personal to Matthew, the record is backed by a cast of friends, family, including Badbadnotgood members.

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Positive K

I Got A Man

Magnolia / Tulip Green Vinyl Edition

Release: 1993 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Hip Hop

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Positive K was no stranger to unrequited love. A few years before this, his biggest hit, dropped, he’d tried to ply his labelmate MC Lyte with chat-up lines on the First Priority gem ‘I’m Not Havin’ It’ – with little luck. Fast forward to the 1990’s and he’s at it again. Whether up in the club or in the street, ‘I Got a Man’ sees him chancing his arm and getting the cold shoulder from women who are already spoken for. The difference this time is that it’s actually Positive K delivering the brush-offs to himself, his voice changed with studio trickery to mimic a female’s. What propelled this to over 500,000 US sales? Perhaps it’s the light touch, the sense of humour that doesn’t cross the line and the insistently funky loop lifted from A Taste of Honey’s ‘Rescue Me’ (1980). Not forgetting the sprinkle of Take 6’s infectious ‘Spread Love’, which has improved every record it has ever been used on. Produced by the unsung LG, as was the harder-edged flip ‘Shakin’, this is the perfect pop hip-hop record, showcasing Positive K’s flamboyance. Fitting for a man who started out on First Priority Records, with its roster of characterful MC’s. This is the first ever reissue of this sought after 7”, previously only available as a UK pressing from 1993.

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Sven Wunder

7" | 2020 | US | Original (Mr Bongo)

25,99 €*

Release: 2020 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Mr Bongo is delighted to present a new and exciting collaborative project with Swedish label Piano Piano Records. Hearing the Swedish outfit Sven Wunder for the first time is as refreshing as an ice-cold Limoncello after an Italian meal. One of those bands that feel instantly familiar like an old friend, yet simultaneously fresh and new. Straight away we fell in love with their sound and knew we had to work with them. The first fruits of our partnership is a collector's edition 7.

We have selected two tracks of Turkish inspired funk goodness taken from their already cult-classic 2019 album, 'Do?u Çiçekleri (Eastern Flowers )'. Both instrumentals, 'Tulip' and 'Magnolia' could easily have come from a lost soundtrack to a psychedelic movie. With their beautiful, yet raw aesthetic, they will enthrall funk, B-Boy / Girls, and psychedelia fans alike.

Cut at the Timmion Records Cutting Lab in Finland.

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Sven Wunder

Hanami / Shinrinyoku

LP | 1982 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Mr Bongo presents a new and exciting collaborative project with Swedish label Piano Piano Records. Hearing the Swedish outfit Sven Wunder for the first time is as refreshing as an ice-cold Limoncello after an Italian meal. One of those bands that feel instantly familiar like an old friend, yet simultaneously fresh and new. Straight away we fell in love with their sound and knew we had to work with them. The Sven Wunder 'Wabi Sabi' 7" is the second collaborative release between Mr Bongo and Piano Piano Records. 'Wabi Sabi' is Sven Wunder’s follow up to the already contemporary cult-classic album 'Doğu Çiçekleri (Eastern Flowers) from 2019. Not one to be complacent and recreate a carbon copy of their previous works, Sven Wunder switched from the psychedelic-Turkish-funk sounds of 'Doğu Çiçekleri' to the Japanese inspired ethereal funk of 'Wabi Sabi'. We have selected the tracks ‘Hanami’ and ‘Shinrinyoko’ for this collector’s edition 7’. Japanese artists such as Hozan Yamamoto, Tadao Sawai, Kazue Sawai, spring to mind, but also David Axelrod and Dorothy Ashby on the beautiful string-led 'Hanami' with it's laid-back funk breaks. 'Shinrinyoku' has a slightly more raw cinematic-funk sound, yet is cushioned with warm strings and tripped-out keys - pure, rare-library music vibes. We are delighted to be able to release these amazing tracks, cut at the Timmion Records Cutting Lab in Finland.

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Marumo

Modiehi

Release: 1982 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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CD | 2020 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

The Star Beams

Play Disco Specials

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Change The World/Try, Try

Solat

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Jorge Ben

Waimea 55.000

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Sonia Santos

Marraio

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Ego Tripping / Funky Potion

Ultramagnetic MC's

7" | 1986 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Travelling At The Speed Of Thought / M.C.'s Ultra (Part II Edit)

Release: 1986 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Hip Hop

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Melvin Bliss’ iconic ‘Synthetic Substitution’ (1973) has been sampled hundreds of times. Gracing records from Naughty by Nature’s ‘O.P.P’ to Public Enemy’s ‘Don’t Believe the Hype’, it’s one of the foundations of hip-hop. However, there’s a school of thought that says the sample could have been retired forever after Ced Gee used it for ‘Ego Tripping’. It was the first song to use those wonderful Bernard Purdie drums, and arguably the best.
Their first release on Next Plateau Records, this instant 1986 classic slams from the first bar, that hard-as-hell beat underpinned by stabs and the breathy ‘ultra-magnetic-magnetic’ chant beneath. Meanwhile, Ced and future legend Kool Keith go to town with pseudo-science and a thinly veiled diss of Run DMC – ‘Say what, Peter Piper, to hell with childish rhymes’. It’s a song shot through with promise they’d more than fulfil on their debut album, 1988’s landmark ‘Critical Beatdown’.
The flip, ‘Funky Potion’, doesn’t coalesce with quite the same genius but is still more than a curio, with the MC’s doubling down on their futuristic nonsense approach to lyricism. Rufus Thomas’ ‘Do the Funky Penguin’ is the base for yet more stabs, discordant scratches and a kitchen-sink approach that shows just innovative the group were prepared to be.
Never before released before on 7”, this undeniable hip-hop classic comes complete with bespoke hype stickers incorporating one of the great rap logos of all time.

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Ultramagnetic MC's

7" | 1987 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

7" | 1991 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 1987 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Hip Hop

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Let’s be honest – the first time many of us heard the otherworldly talents of the Ultramagnetic MC’s was on a compilation. A smattering of singles in 1986 had barely registered beyond a small circle in New York, but the inclusion of the 1987 single ‘Travelling at the Speed of Thought’ on Street Sounds’ ‘Hip Hop Electro 16’ set, sandwiched between classics from MC Shy D and Just-Ice, was a watershed moment.
In a way, it’s their most atypical release. The deceptively simple combination of drums ‘borrowed’ from The Rolling Stones and a scratched hook from The Kingsmen’s definitive version of Richard Berry’s ‘Louie Louie’ is one thing. The simple by their standards vocals, however, render it into a loveable pastiche of rock-rap, a more esoteric equivalent of Run DMC’s ‘Walk This Way’.
The flip is more in keeping with their style both on their earlier ‘Ego Tripping’ single and the soon-to-arrive landmark classic album ‘Critical Beatdown’. Over some heavily chopped drums from erstwhile breakbeat classic ‘Apache’ by the Incredible Bongo Band, Ced Gee and Kool Keith showcase flows that were different from anything out there at the time.
‘M.C.’s Ultra (Part II Edit)’ is part brag-rap, part baffling science lecture. Leaning heavily on the thesaurus, it’s a slang heavy manifesto that elevated the boast rap to the next level. While Kool Keith would go on to be the group’s breakout star, this is a showcase for the whole collective, right down to DJ Moe Love’s slithery scratching sliding from one channel to the next.
Only previously released in the UK as a 7” that’s now very hard to source, this is a chance to re-embrace this breakthrough from a legendary group.

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Black Sheep

Stobelite Honey

LP | 1976 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 1991 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Hip Hop

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Black Sheep – and their 1991 ‘A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing’ album - were definitely an outlier in the Native Tongues fold. They were raunchier and more playful than their peers which, given that those peers were A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and Jungle Brothers, is really saying something.
‘Strobelite Honey’ catches that difference perfectly, leaning heavily on a pair of 1980 disco samples rather than the jazz of their brethren, and taking a somewhat less chivalrous approach to women. ‘Strobelite’s slender but fun narrative sees rapper Dres up in the club and fooled by the lights – approaching a girl he likes the look off but backing off when they reveal she’s not what he expected. Charmed, we’re sure.
Dres and his partner Mr. Lawnge were always willing to push boundaries, and that extends to the often confusing labelling of the various remixes of this choice single. 12”s dropped with the ‘No We Didn’t Mix’, ‘Yes We Did Mix’ and ‘Maybe We Did Mix’ (not to mention a separate 12” of House mixes).
The last and best of these accompanied the original version on the now-rare 1991 7”, as it does here. The ‘Maybe We Did Mix’ adds urgent horns - almost like the buzzing of a bee - and a new beat to completely reconfigure the sound into something much more of its era. It’s a reminder of when remixes were about much more than the same beat with different rappers.

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Star Beams

Play Disco Specials

I Ain't No Joke / Eric B. Is On The Cut

Release: 1976 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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The Star Beams album is a bit of an enigma. When we first came across their epic dance-floor monster 'Disco Stomp’ it was on a Disco Calypso compilation, so we assumed it originated from the Caribbean. Years later we worked out how wrong we were and that this nugget was actually from South Africa and taken off an ultra scarce album on JAS Pride records from 1976. The next problem was tracking down an original copy and we don’t think we’ve ever seen our Bongo team member Gary Johnson as happy as the day he turned up clutching a copy under his arm.
'Play Disco Specials' was produced by Ray Nkwe who also worked with Mankunku Quartet and The Soul Jazzmen, with all writing credits on the album going to Ray, the recording credited to engineer Robin Ritchie and the artwork to Carol Knowles. Other than this, the personnel of the record remains a mystery, but sometimes a bit of mystery is a good thing.
Aside from the disco-jazz-funk of 'Disco Stomp’, which has found it’s way into the DJ sets of Theo Parrish, 'Play Disco Specials’ will appeal to fans of The Star Beams South African contemporaries The Drive, Batsumi and Pacific Express.

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Eric B. & Rakim

LP | 1974 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Hip Hop

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Craft a record iconic enough and, no matter what you’ve sampled to make it, you’re destined to be sampled more yourself.
It helps if you’ve got Rakim’s voice, of course. When he and Eric B went into Power Play Studios in New York in 1987 to record ‘I Ain’t No Joke’, their next move was highly anticipated due to the critical success of the duo’s first record, ‘Eric B. Is President’. Rakim was already seen as a masterful MC with a distinctive slow, baritone flow and seamless access to a rich vein of words not often heard in hip-hop.
People’s first exposure to this track was on the landmark ‘Paid in Full’ album, and it was clear this had the potential to jump off as a single. The repetitive, simply scratched sample of ‘Pass the Peas’ by the JB’s was an infectious ear worm that needed a truly strong MC to stand up to it. He did more than that – here Rakim spun timeless lyrics and lines that would go on to be sampled and referred to dozens of times down through hip-hop history. He took one of rap’s great instrumentals and wrestled it to the floor.
Of course, you can’t have Eric B & Rakim without Eric B. The DJ gets his time to shine on the flip, and while he isn’t a man renowned for his dexterity and turntablist skills, the track still knocks. Maybe it’s because Eric B has already realised what many would come to work out later: If you haven’t got Rakim on your record, at least scratch his vocals. This re-release comes with a brand new cover utilising some of Dan Lish’s trademark artwork.

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Dee Dee Bridgewater

Afro Blue

Release: 1974 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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If you collect vintage 70's soul-jazz vinyl, there is a good chance that you already own a record that features the amazing vocal talents of Dee Dee Bridgewater. Whether it be Roy Ayers, Norman Connors, Billy Parker or Carlos Garnett - Dee Dee is the glue that fuses these artists together. Although best known for her jazz work, Dee Dee has had a wonderfully rich and varied career encompassing soul, musicals, gospel, and underground disco from the 70's to the present day. She is still active as a vocalist, composer, and producer and remains one of our favourite vocalists at Mr Bongo HQ. We take things back to the early years of Dee Dee's career with her debut album 'Afro Blue'. Recorded in Tokyo in 1974, the album was released exclusively in Japan via two different Japanese labels (Trio Records in 1974 and All Art in 1985 respectively). Each release had unique cover art and we have opted to present the album in its original 1974 form.
'Afro Blue' features an exquisite collaboration of American and Japanese musicians, such as Cecil & Ron Bridgewater, Motohiko Hino and producer Takao Ishizuka. The result is a sublime deep soul-jazz masterpiece with timeless versions of 'People Make The World Go Round', 'Love From The Sun', and 'Afro Blue'. It is arguably one of the finest albums in its genre. This record has long been a sought-after item for DJs and collectors alike, so we are delighted to finally make this wonderful music from an understated great available to all.

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Visions Red Vinyl Edition

2LP | 2020 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Germany exclusive Edition on Red Vinyl. ‘Visions’ is a new collaborative album from BADBADNOTGOOD co-founders, Matthew Tavares and Leland Whitty. The Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum producers have been performing and writing music together for 10 years. They have achieved international acclaim with BADBADNOTGOOD and Tavares’ recent solo single ’Self-Portrait’ has been championed by tastemakers such as Gilles Peterson and Benji B. ‘Visions’ is the latest upshot of their incredibly fruitful partnership.
Recorded in Toronto, it was produced by Tavares and Whitty - with Tavares also mixing the album and arranging strings. After a three-week writing period it was played in its entirety in one continuous studio session; almost all the tracks on the album are the first take. Tavares is on piano and guitar, Whitty on saxophone and flute. The rhythm section of Julian Anderson-Bowes on bass and Matthew Chalmers on drums completes the players. They make an impressive collective and are performing at the peak of their powers.

Conceptually the album is a canvas for a combination of composition and group free-form improvisation. Tavares and Whitty are the sole composers, but with some tracks collectively improvised, there is also a group dynamic running through the album. The outcome is a sublime melting pot of modern jazz, impressionist classical music and Arthur Verocai-esque arrangements. It is a sound that is hard to date; it is certainly of the now but is also reminiscent of a lost classic. Similar to the process of its creation, the optimal listening experience for ‘Visions’ is in its entirety. As a coherent body of work it draws the listener in with waves of intensity and crescendos that release back into tranquility - there is both darkness and light in the album’s narrative arc. There is also rawness and honesty to the music, which makes it feel like an intensely personal and intimate offering.

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2LP | 2020 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Visions

23,99 €*

12" | 2020 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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‘Visions’ is a new collaborative album from BADBADNOTGOOD co-founders, Matthew Tavares and Leland Whitty. The Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum producers have been performing and writing music together for 10 years. They have achieved international acclaim with BADBADNOTGOOD and Tavares’ recent solo single ’Self-Portrait’ has been championed by tastemakers such as Gilles Peterson and Benji B. ‘Visions’ is the latest upshot of their incredibly fruitful partnership.

Recorded in Toronto, it was produced by Tavares and Whitty - with Tavares also mixing the album and arranging strings. After a three-week writing period it was played in its entirety in one continuous studio session; almost all the tracks on the album are the first take. Tavares is on piano and guitar, Whitty on saxophone and flute. The rhythm section of Julian Anderson-Bowes on bass and Matthew Chalmers on drums completes the players. They make an impressive collective and are performing at the peak of their powers.

Conceptually the album is a canvas for a combination of composition and group free-form improvisation. Tavares and Whitty are the sole composers, but with some tracks collectively improvised, there is also a group dynamic running through the album. The outcome is a sublime melting pot of modern jazz, impressionist classical music and Arthur Verocai-esque arrangements. It is a sound that is hard to date; it is certainly of the now but is also reminiscent of a lost classic. Similar to the process of its creation, the optimal listening experience for ‘Visions’ is in its entirety. As a coherent body of work it draws the listener in with waves of intensity and crescendos that release back into tranquility - there is both darkness and light in the album’s narrative arc. There is also rawness and honesty to the music, which makes it feel like an intensely personal and intimate offering.

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Kit Sebastian

Remixes

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Electronic & Dance

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Mr Bongo is proud to present three unique reworks of Kit Sebastian. Each of the producers featured in this package created their own interpretation of the 'lo-fi-hi-fi’ originals and have taken the duo’s sound into bold new directions. When it came to choosing who should remix Kit Sebastian, Natureboy Flako (Flako / Dario Rojo Guerra) was a producer at the top of our list. Keeping true to the original, whilst leaving his own stamp on the track, his mix adds break-beat drums and middle-Eastern guitar riffs that transform the track into a more cinematic piece. It sounds to us like the music from an exotica dive-bar scene in a David Lynch film - which of course, is a very good thing.
Producer and DJ Baris K, who was behind the awesome 'İstanbul 70' series (re-edits of classic Turkish gems), takes ‘Durma’ in a very different direction. Totally reconstructing the track, his remix has flipped the original and totally run wild. The results are an epic left-field electronic workout. By bringing the spoken-word vocals to the forefront and giving the track a darker industrial vibe, it wouldn't sound out of place bouncing around the walls of a Berlin basement club at 5am on a Sunday morning. The pairing of Kit Sebastian and Halal Cool J grew after DJing together at the alternative Great Escape party at the Mr Bongo HQ in May 2019. They share a love for dusty old psychedelic Turkish records. Halal Cool J (aka Aly Jamal / Don Leisure) has released records on First World and is a co-member of Darkhouse Family with Earl Jeffers. For his interpretation he has delivered a mix-tape-collage with a hip-hop aesthetic, and rather than focusing on remixing a specific song, he has cut and paste his favourite elements of tracks taken off the band’s 'Mantra Moderne’ album. Available in 2 limited-edition, hand-numbered sleeve designs.

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The Skints

Armageddon Remix

13,99 €*

Walking In The Sand / Shadow Kissing

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Reggae & Dancehall

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London “tropical punk” four-piece The Skints drop the second limited-edition 45 to accompany their hit new album ‘Swimming Lessons’.
Off the back of sold-out shows across the UK, Europe and US, it was clear that ‘Armageddon’ was becoming a firm fan favourite and needed to have a dedicated vinyl press. It sees the band compose a prescient commentary on the stress of watching the most powerful people in the world exchange fighting talk. The end is nigh when the red buttons get pushed and nothing will save us!
Jamaica’s rising star Runkus comes through with a killer feature where he too lays down a blistering take on the topical subject matter. The chorus owes a nod to the legendary Sister Nancy for the original lyric and for being a career-long inspiration to the band. The original is backed by a sound system shaking dub version provided courtesy of Gentleman’s Dub Club. It completes a package that will become an essential collectable for Skints’ fans, as well as a must-have for in-the-know reggae devotees.
Limited to just 500 copies worldwide.

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Hollie Cook

7" | 2011 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2011 / EU – Original

Genre: Reggae & Dancehall

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Mass Pink Transparent Vinyl Edition

Bedouin Soundclash

LP | 2019 | UK | Original (Mr Bongo)

17,99 €*

LP | 2019 | UK | Original (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2019 / UK – Original

Genre: Reggae & Dancehall

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Nearly a decade since their last record, Jay Malinowski and Eon Sinclair better known as duo Bedouin Soundclash, return with their fifth studio album ‘MASS’ to be released Oct. 4th via Mr Bongo.
While pulling from their old catalogue of eclectic post-punk world-beat tendencies, the band journeys further into New Orleans jazz, afro-pop, electronic and gospel on their latest offering, reflecting a creative rebirth influenced by the cities and musicians that surrounded them. Co-produced by Bedouin Soundclash and legendary Philadelphia House DJ King Britt, along with musical direction from Ben Jaffe of Preservation Hall, ‘MASS’ spans two communities, recorded at Marigny Studio’s in New Orleans with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and in Vancouver at St. James Church with the children of the St. James Music Academy.
Mirroring the magnetic energy of New Orleans, ‘MASS’ is a dense sonic journey that incorporates an impressive array of musical influences including Big Band swing to New Orleans jazz, pop, electronica, and more. From the post-punk-soca of album opener ‘Salt Water’, the jangling Big Band swing-pop of recent single ‘Clockwork’, to the Talking Heads-channelling ‘When We’re Gone’, and the dubbing afro-pop gospel of ‘Holy’ that features Mike Dillon distorting his marimbas into another sonic dimension, ‘MASS’ is jam-packed with infectious melodies and summery feel-good vibes.

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Bedouin Soundclash

Mass Black Vinyl Edition

17,99 €*

Hozan Yamamoto With Sharps & Flats

Release: 2019 / UK – Original

Genre: Reggae & Dancehall

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Beautiful Bamboo-Flute

CD | 1971 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Gyedu Blay Ambolley & Zantoda Mark III

Release: 1971 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Seminal Japanese jazz album from 1971. Journeys through jazz fusion, soul and big band moods. Impossible to obtain in its original format these days. Official Mr Bongo reissue.

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Control

LP | 1980 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 1980 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Ebo Taylor Jnr & Wuta Wazutu

Gotta Take It Cool

CD | 1978 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Ebo Taylor Jnr & Wuta Wazutu

Release: 1978 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Tough, mid-tempo Ghanaian funk & Highlife grooves from Ebo Taylor Junior, son of the mighty Ebo Taylor.
Originally released in 1978; now extremely difficult and expensive to find in its original form.
Today Ebo Taylor Jnr plays keys in his fathers band that continues to tour when he is able to.
Official Mr Bongo reissue. Licensed from Ebo Taylor Jnr.

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Gotta Take It Cool

LP | 1978 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

LP | 2019 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Release: 1978 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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The Skints

Swimming Lessons

Release: 2019 / EU – Original

Genre: Reggae & Dancehall

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7" | 2019 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Kit Sebastian

Mantra Moderne

Attica Blues / Quiet Dawn

Release: 2019 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves, Rock & Indie

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Mantra Moderne' is a stunning, contemporary masterpiece that fuses Anatolian Psychedelia, Brazilian Tropicalia, 60’s European pop and American jazz. A must for fans of Khruangbin, Portishead, Arthur Verocai, Goat, Caetano Veloso, Tom Zé, Os Mutantes, Cortex and co.
The duo is formed of Kit Martin, who lives between London and France and plays all instruments on the album, and Merve Erdem, vocalist and multi-disciplinary artist from Istanbul, now based in London. This is their debut album.
The album explores universal themes such as love, loss, decay, language and ideology, mixing three different languages: English, Turkish and French. Written and recorded by the duo - Kit composed all the songs and Merve wrote the lyrics - in rural France during 2018, each song was completed within a 12-hour window, pawning contemplation for spontaneity.
Dubbed by Kit and Merve as ‘lo-fi-hi-fi’ in reference to the high-end tube equipment that helped it find its way to 8-track cassette tape. The style owes its sound to narrow tape width, valve distortion, spring reverb, the mixture of high end gear with lo-fi equipment as well as a disregard to the norms of hi-fi studio techniques. All instruments were analogue and no samples were used. The instruments that are used range from tablas to darbukas, balalaikas to ouds, MS20 synths to Farfisa organs and a lot of cuica. The mixing techniques were done on-the-fly, tracking immediately to tape: compression, EQ, delay and reverb; meaning mixing could not be revisited!

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Archie Shepp

7" | 2019 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Ebo Taylor, Pat Thomas & Uhuru Yenzu

Release: 2019 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Previously Japan-only 7” /// Features two tracks originally released on Shepp's 1972 classic soul-jazz LP, 'Attica Blues' /// A powerful mix of psychedelic soul & jazz that retains Shepp's political sentiment of his earlier works.

'Attic Blues' is a huge funk-soul composition, referring to a mass shooting of inmates at Attica Prison. Henry Hull's vocal sits on top of bass, layered percussion, wah-wah guitars, plus large horn and string sections to create a massive sound.

The big band, almost soundtrack-esque, 'Quiet Dawn’, is sung by the composer's 7-year old daughter. She floats on top of piano, strings, drums and rich layers of percussion.

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Hitsville Re-Visited

LP | 1982 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

12" | 2019 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Release: 1982 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Hard-to-obtain, vintage highlife from three true giants of the sound; Ebo Taylor, Pat Thomas & Uhuru Yenzu. Originally released in 1982.
In 'Hitsville Re-Visited', the mighty trio add a dose of uptempo funk into traditional highlife grooves.
The legendary Ebo Taylor was involved in many funk and highlife records to emerge from Ghana in the 70's and 80's. He worked with bands such as Apagya Show Band, C.K. Mann as well as Pat Thomas, on this, and several other records.
Taylor recorded another album with Uhuru Yenzu in 1980 – 'Conflict' – which is also available on Mr Bongo.
Pat Thomas career began in 1969 with the ‘Broadway Dance Band’, leaving a year later to join the ‘Uhuru Dance Band’. He then played with Ebo Taylor’s ‘Blue Monks’ and finally formed the ‘Sweet Beans’ in 1973 where he really made his name.
Thomas and Taylor's careers span more than 50 years now and they both still tour to play around the world.
Licensed from Essiebons. Official Mr Bongo reissue.

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Atmosfear

Motivation

The Gospel According To Zeus

Release: 2019 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Classic jazz/funk/disco cut that became an instant anthem on all discerning dance floors when it was originally released, and for decades to follow. Includes the previously commercially unreleased Sax Mix of ‘Journey’, cut loud at 45rpm.
Championed by DJs including Francois Kevorkian, David Mancuso, Larry Levan and more, it’s a record that, alongside tracks like Atmosfear’s ‘Dancing In Outer Space’, become synonymous with the UK influence on US club music at the time. A sound that many forward thinking DJs in New York, Chicago etc. embraced to stand out from the crowd and bring depth to the dance floor.
Driving jazz/funk, legato bass, grooving beats, subtle keys, dubbed out percussion and guitar licks that bring you to a simple but infectious piano melody.
A collaboration between Andy Sodjka and Jerry Pike, mastered by Herb Powers.
Licensed from Chemical Discs.

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Power Of Zeus

LP | 1970 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

LP | 1976 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 1970 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Rock & Indie

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* Record Store Day Europe / UK 2019 Exclusive Release!
* Transferred from 2 x 1/4"" analog reels at 192kHz/24-bit.
* Half-speed cut at Abbey Road Studios.
* One of the most sampled breaks in hip hop history - including KRS-One, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Cyprus Hill, Tribe Called Quest and Eminem to name a few.
* 180gm vinyl

Seminal funk-rock album originally released on Rare Earth in 1970. Featuring the monster breakbeat on 'The Sorcerer Of Isis’.

Formed in Detroit in 1968, Power of Zeus became the first rock band to be signed by Motown subsidiary label, Rare Earth. The group drew inspiration from British hard rock and heavy metal giants like Cream, Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin when they created this well-produced, seminal post-hard rock album. After ‘The Gospel According to Zeus’, the group never made another album and the band slipped into obscurity, until it was discovered by the hip hop diggers. The drum beat from "Sorcerer of Isis" has been one of the most sampled in hip-hop music, including KRS-One, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Cyprus Hill, Tribe Called Quest and Eminem to name a few.

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Spaceark

Spaceark Is

Release: 1976 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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The second album from SpaceArk. More brilliant self-released, private-press jazz/soul from 1976 Los Angeles. ‘SpaceArk Is’ came out on Color World records in 1976, on a limited run of about 5,000 copies. It followed their self-titled debut (also available now on Mr Bongo) on the same original label, the year before.
For a handful of years in the Seventies, SpaceArk was one of the most promising and electrifying bands in Southern California. Although their music was far greater than the sum of its parts, those parts made for a very original style. R&b, soul, rock, pop, jazz, classical … it all came together in blissful stream of intricate compositions that swept up crowds from US military bases to Northern Soul clubs around the UK.
SpaceArk wrote and performed more than 100 songs during their time together. Most of them were not recorded and are now either lost or forgotten.
Official Mr Bongo reissue with liner notes by Amar Patel. Licensed direct from Peter Silberg.

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LP | 1970 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

What You Want To Bet? / These Are The Songs

Release: 1970 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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MRBLP188 Beautiful debut album from the incredible, Célia. Conducted & arranged by Arthur Verocai and Rogério Duprat; featuring songs by Lo Borges, Antonio Adolfo and Joyce amongst others. Célia recorded four self-titled albums for Continental between 1971 and 1977, ‘Amor’ in 1982 plus several more before she sadly passed away late in 2017, aged 70. This is her debut album from 1970. Célia was a Brazilian vocalist who worked frequently with master arranger-composer Arthur Verocai in her early years and many other heavyweights over the course of her extensive career. Joyce was particularly supportive in the making of this album, writing the beautiful “Abrace Paul McCartney” and her husband at the time, Nelson Ângelo, recorded some of the songs.
Features an exclusive insert of a translated interview with Celia, completed in 2011 in her hometown of São Paulo. Focusing, in particular on her recording work with Arthur Verocai, it showcases her wonderful sense of humour and how she was embracing her new legion of fans, particularly in the world of hip hop. Official Mr Bongo reissue. Licensed from Warner Music.

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Tim Maia

7" | 1968 | UK | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Dancing In Outer Space / Outer Space

Release: 1968 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Debut single from the mighty Tim Maia! Released upon his return from the USA in the late 60’s. Highly sought after and prized in its original form, we are very proud to reissue this record. Maia sings in English here – influenced by his time spend travelling and working in the USA. Both songs are very soulful, reminiscent of the great soul singers of 1960’s USA, who were clearly a powerful inspiration to him. Official Mr Bongo reissue. Licensed from Som Livre.

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Atmosfear

12" | 2018 | UK | Original (Mr Bongo)

LP | 1977 | UK | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2018 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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‘Dancing In Outer Space’ is a certified jazz-funk classic from a legendary band! 12" vinyl, cut loud at 45rpm.It sits at the pinnacle of the underground UK dance scene that went on to have a global influence. Stateside, the track had big support in clubs such as the mythic ‘Paradise Garage’ and 'The Loft' by the likes of Larry Levan and David Mancuso. An instantly recognisable anthem that is just as fresh today as it was when it was first released.Official Mr Bongo reissue. Licensed from Chemical Discs.

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Cesar Mariano & Cia.

Sao Paulo Brasil

LP | 2018 | UK | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 1977 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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One of the finest Brazilian jazz funk fusion albums ever recorded; thoroughly deserving of its cult status. First official reissue outside of Brazil. Cesar Camargo Mariano is a celebrated Brazilian jazz pianist, composer and producer, born in Sao Paulo in the 1940’s. He has played and worked with the likes of Elis Regina (to whom he was married at one point), Som Tres and Sambalanco Trio and still plays very regularly today. ‘Sao Paulo Brasil’ saw Mariano and co. step deep into jazz funk/fusion territory – and nail it. Tight, tough drum grooves, intricate arrangements, layers of synthesisers, percussion and FX transport and tell a story from the first beat.

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Gyedu Blay Ambolley

Simigwa

Ciumeira / Rasga Teu Verso

Release: 2018 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Legendary Ghanain album – with one of the music iconic covers ever! – that fuses Highlife, afrobeat, folk and funk. Ambolleys debut solo album originally released in 1975, written and produced with Ebo Taylor. Ambolley grew up during the peak of Highlife in Ghana and was a key figure in its fusion with soul and funk influences from the USA. He played in many bands including Houghas Extraordinaires, Meridians Of Tema, Ghana Broadcasting Band and the Uhuru Dance Band, for which he was recruited by his friend, Ebo Taylor. The group went to Nigeria in 1973 to play with Fela at his legendary Shrine spot. ‘Simigwa’ was a chance for Ambolley to release his own productions and to experiment to a certain extent. A main inspiration for this album was the work of the mighty Mr. James Brown, something that is evident from the rhythm section, horns, vocal stabs and percussion breaks throughout the record. Official Mr Bongo reissue, replica original artwork. Licensed from Essiebons.

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Carlos Sodré

7" | 2018 | UK | Original (Mr Bongo)

LP | 1975 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2018 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Double sider of uptempo vintage MPB samba jazz from Carlos Sodré, originally released as a 33rpm ‘compacto’ 7” single on Copacabana in 1965.

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Spaceark

Billy Butler & Infinity / Lady Lee

Release: 1975 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Brilliant self-released, private-press jazz/soul LP from 1975, recorded at Sunset Sound studios in LA.

This is the super-rare debut album from SpaceArk, a band of brothers on an interstellar voyage to discover “electrifying new sounds”.

It’s another one of those private press treasures – a dynamic group of talents seizing the moment and making magic in an astounding 12-hour turnaround at the legendary Sunset Sound studios.

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Whatever's Fair / Simple Things

I Know Myself / Wish That I Could Talk To You

Release: 2018 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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‘Whatever’s Fair’ is a storming Northern Soul cut of the highest order, with a very catchy chorus hook, surprisingly not very well known it seems. Taken from Billy Butler & Infinity’s ‘Hung Up On You’ LP from 1973.

‘Simple Things’ is an awesome midtempo soul/rare groove jam, originally released on a 45 in 1972, by Pride. Lush instrumentation and soaring vocals from start to finish, reminiscent of Denise Williams ‘Free’ in places.

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The Sylvers

Fathili & The Yahoos / The Wings

Release: 2018 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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SOLID GOLD SOUL-FUNK FROM THE SYLVERS, TAKEN FROM THEIR DEBUT SELF-TITLED ALBUM. CUT LOUD AT 45RPM.
Two more of our favourite cuts from The Sylvers first album, produced by Jerry Butler, Keg Johnson and Michael Viner, written by the hugely talented Leon Sylvers III.
‘I Know Myself’ was sampled by 9th Wonder for his ‘Easy’ track.

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Mabala Part 1 / Gone With The Sun

Togetherness Is Always A Good Venture - Tambourine Party Volume 2

Release: 2018 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Fathili & The Yahoos came from Kenya. Soulful but raw, mid-tempo afro-funk. Licensed from Melodica music stores courtesy of our great friend Abdul Karim. The Wings were a Nigerian band. 'Gone With the Sun' featured on their 1974 album 'Kissing You So Hard' and fuses bluesy disco, funk and soul moods with quirky synths and effects!

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Super Elcados

LP | 1976 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Pat Thomas Introduces Marijata

Release: 1976 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Official Mr Bongo reissue of the ultra-rare album by ‘Super Elcados’. A fusion of heavyweight Nigerian funk, soul & disco, originally released by EMI Nigeria in 1976.
The ‘Super Elcados’ (and ’Elcados’ on other recordings) recorded three albums in the mid and late-70’s, this is their first. It was followed by ‘This World Is Full Of Injustice’ and ‘What Ever You Need’.
Licensed from Geoffrey Johnson (Elcados), courtesy of PMG, with special thanks to Dave Hill for his help!

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Marijata

LP | 2018 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2018 / EU – Original

Genre: Rock & Indie

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Limited Edition for Record Store Day 2018! ‘Pat Thomas Introduces Marijata’ is a seminal Ghanian album that fuses highlife, reggae, folk, funk and soul, from legendary vocalist Pat Thomas. Originally released in 1976 on Gapophone Records.
‘Marijata’ was a group made up of three members – Kofi ‘Electric’ Addison on drums, Bob Fischlan on organ and Nat Osmanu on guitar, hailing from Ghana. Pat Thomas career began in 1969 with the ‘Broadway Dance Band’, leaving a year later to join the ‘Uhuru Dance Band’. He then played with Ebo Taylor’s ‘Blue Monks’ and finally formed the ‘Sweet Beans’ in 1973 where he really made his name. The group released ‘False Lover’ in 1974, split and then reformed as Marijata, releasing ‘Marijata’ (also available on Mr Bongo) and this album, ‘Pat Thomas Introduces Marijata’. Thomas career spans more than 50 years and he still tours regularly across the world. Replica original artwork, official Mr Bongo reissue. Licensed from Gapophone Records courtesy of George Prah.

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LP | 1972 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

21,84 €* 22,99 € -5%

Blood Money Dub Red Vinyl Edition

Release: 1972 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Célia Regina Cruz recorded four self-titled albums for Continental between 1971 and 1977, ‘Amor’ in 1982 plus several more before she sadly passed away late in 2017. Célia was a Brazilian vocalist who worked frequently with master arranger-composer Arthur Verocai in her early years and many other heavyweights over the course of her extensive career.
This, her second self-titled LP from 1972, features an all-star line up including Arthur Verocai, Erasmo Carlos, Roberto Carlos, Marcos Valle, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Nonato Buzar and Vinicius de Moraes amongst others. Célia’s version of ‘Na Boca do Sol’ – taken from this album – is arguably her most well-known and well-loved song. An incredible take on Verocai’s original, featuring waling fuzz guitars, strings, piano, horns and drums. Needless to say clean, original versions of this record now change hands for silly money! We are very proud to be able to reissue it officially, at long last. Official Mr Bongo reissue. Replica original gatefold artwork. Licensed from Warner Music.

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Protoje

16,99 €*

Ipan In Xiktli Metztli / Mexico Magico Cosmico / El Ombligo de la Luna

Release: 2018 / EU – Original

Genre: Reggae & Dancehall

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The special edition 7” release of Protoje's hit single ‘Blood Money’ features the original track, an exclusive Gregory Morris’ dub mix, and is pressed on blood red vinyl.
The song lyrics provide hard-hitting, raw and unapologetic commentary on the current state of Jamaica, touching on several recent grievances and social injustices that have afflicted Jamaican society.
Protoje masterfully describes the air of discrimination, classism, and oppression prevalent in the Jamaican political landscape, calling out corrupt practices, and conveys the meaningful message to his audience of awareness, activism and the need to call for change and accountability.
This message has been championed across the world, with ‘Blood Money’ becoming a firm favourite with both reggae fans, as well as those outside of the scene.

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Luis Perez

LP | 2017 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

23,99 €*

LP | 1974 | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Official Mr Bongo reissue. Replica original artwork, including the insert with listening instructions, in Spanish and English. Luis Pérez was born in Mexico City on July 11, 1951. From 1971 onwards he dedicated much of his time to the research of pre-Columbian instrumentation.
This research that allowed him to travel the Mexican territory and study musical traditions of the native peoples of Mexico. He learned directly from the living sources of the music and collected samples of musical instruments and the songs of different native speakers including Maya, Nahuatl, Mazateco, Yoemem, Comcaac, Raramuri, Wixarika and more. His personal collection of native Mexican instruments includes ethnographic instruments still in use by ethnic groups, along with archaeological artifacts some of which are more than 2,000 years old. He continuously utilises these instruments in performances, concerts, lectures, exhibitions and recordings, in a sense, keeping them alive.
Following a decade playing in Mexico City’s psychedelic rock scene, his early solo work was a mixture of sounds derived from his vast array of pre-Hispanic and ethnographic wind and percussions which he managed to blend with electronic devices including tape delay units, electric guitars and synthesisers. During this time, he was given the name ‘Ixoneztli’ (or “one who makes music”) by the legendary ‘curandera’ Pachita and her son Enrique, to whom, like Alejandro Jodorowsky before him, Luis served as assistant.
In 1981, the Mexican government became very interested Pérez work and sponsored the production of what became the first recording of the fusion of native mexican instruments with electronics – entitled ‘Ipan In Xiktli Metztli,’ in the Nahuatl language, or ‘En el Ombligo de la Luna’ in Spanish… ‘In the Navel of the Moon.’ The impact of this recording and subsequent performances among media, ethnomusicologists and audiences alike established Luis Perez ‘Ixoneztli’ as a precursor to a new musical genre followed by a generation of young Mexican musicians – Ethno-Rock, Ethno-Jazz, Ethno-Experimental and the like. ‘El Ombligo de la Luna’ reaches us from deep in the past but it also exists entirely outside of time, as Luis Pérez ‘Ixoneztli’’s offering to the world – the soul of Mexico channeled through the hands of a master musician.
Huge thanks to Carlos Nino for his assistance on this very special project.
Copy adapted from original copy written and supplied by Jesse Peterson (2017), used with thanks. Licensed direct from Luis Pérez.

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Burnier & Cartier

Release: 1974 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Sought-after Brazilian LP from 1974 that touches on MPB, soul, jazz, disco and boogie. Official Mr Bongo reissue. Replica original artwork. Extremely expensive theses days, this one has been on our list for a while. As
sampled by Andres on his ‘Sing About It’ collaboration with Kenny Dixon Junior aka Moodymann and on Kaytranada’s Janet Jackson flip, ‘Alright’. Championed by the likes of Jazzanova, Floating Points, Hunnee and co.
The record features Arthur Verocai and Luis Bonfa (composer Octavio Burnier’s uncle) on production/arrangement.

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The Original Sound Of Burkina Faso

2LP | 2017 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Sinal Vermelho / Verao Vermelho

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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‘The Original Sound of Burkina Faso’ follows the hugely successful ‘The Original Sound of Mali’ compilation released in March this year, also on Mr Bongo. Here we have a collection of songs that pay tribute to a truly golden age of music; touching on folk, funk, blues, highlife, disco, psyche, latin, rock and soul.
Burkina Faso may be one of the least well-known parts of West Africa but it has a deep history and musical pedigree. A few years before President Thomas Sankara changed his country’s name from Upper Volta to its current one, a new sound emerged to soundtrack a cultural revolution.
Featuring music by Abdoulaye Cissé, Amadou Balaké, Pierre Sandwidi & Super Volta, Tidiani Coulibaly & Dafra Star, Bozambo, Youssouf Diarra and more. Including a booklet with extensive liner notes and photography.
Compiled by David ‘Mr Bongo’ Buttle and Florent Mazzoleni.

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Marilene / Nonato Buzar

7" | 2017 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

LP | EU | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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‘Sinal Vermelho’ – midtempo psyche-funk workout tough on the drums. Brilliant vocal from Marilene. Taken from 1973 compacto 7” released on Copacabana.
‘Verão Vermelho’ is taken from Nonato Buzar’s 1970 LP ‘Temas De Novelas’, a collection of songs he wrote for Brazilian soap operas. The song features Pedro Santos on percussion.

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Marijata

This Is Marijata

Jose Prates / Wroblewski Jazz Quintet

Release: EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Marijata was a group made up of three members – Kofi 'Electric' Addison on drums, Bob Fischlan on organ and Nat Osmanu on guitar, hailing from Ghana.
‘This Is Marijata’ is the groups first LP; released originally on the Gapophone label – it is pure, rootsy, raw, driving African funk music of the highest order, now highly sought-after in both its original and previously reissued forms.
Addison, Osmanu and Fischlan formed a band called the Sweet Beans with a young singer and guitarist, namely the legendary Pat Thomas. They released ‘False Lover’ [GAPO LP 02] in 1974 on Gapophone Records before recording ‘This Is Marijata’ [GAPO LP 012] and then ‘Pat Thomas Introduces Marijata’ [GAPO LP 013] shortly afterwards.
‘This Is Marijata’ is summed up perfectly by the text on the back cover: “Three young musicians of the Sweet Beans believe that in music and entertainment business, there is no room for mediocrity if one’s music is to win over a bigger audience and fame.
How could they give the public a taste of the talent they had so meticulously nurtured since they began their musical careers without upsetting the current musical inclination in the country?
Simple, Gapahone Records, quick to spot talent listened to the music of Kofi “Electric” Addison (Drummer) Bob Fischlan (Organist) and Nat Osmanu (Guitarist), liked it and the result, after month of hard work is what you have on this album – THIS IS MARIJATA.

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Nana Imboro

7" | 2017 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

A Paraiba Nao E Chicago / Nao Quero Mais

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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‘Nãnã Imborô’ is a deep rootsy samba masterpiece that may have influenced Jorge Ben’s ‘Mas Que Nada. The song appears on the much-revered and highly influential ‘Tam... Tam... Tam…!’ LP originally released way back in 1958.
Gilles Peterson spent many years trying to track down an original and recently reinterpreted it with remixed and reworks.
Wróblewski Jazz Quintet’s version from 1960’s Poland is a wonderful mellow, atmospheric jazz version. A soaring main brass line with vibes and drums bubbling underneath. Originally released on a 4-track EP, we thought it needed a full side!

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Marcos Valle / Don Beto

7" | 2017 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Anamaria & Mauricio / Os Novos Baianos

Release: 2017 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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‘A Paraiba Não É Chicago’ is a smasher from the very first beat! Golden era Brazilian boogie by Marcos Valle from 1981, with a brilliantly hooky chorus section. Originally released on his ‘Vontade De Rever Voce’ LP.
‘Não Quero Mais’ is VERY reminiscent of The Doobie Brothers ‘Long Train Running’, delivered in a Brazilian style – vintage disco-boogie vibes but with a more soulful chorus section. Originally appeared on Don Beto’s ‘Nossa Imaginação’ LP from 1978.

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Figa de Guiné / Alibabá Alibabou

7" | 2016 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2016 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Zozoi / Para Lennon E McCartney

7" | 2016 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2016 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Because Of Money / Obi Ye Saa Wui

3rd Generation Band

7" | 1973 | UK | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

LP | 2016 | UK | Original (Mr Bongo)

Release: 1973 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Two tasty tunes from Ghana in the seventies! Worth every single penny!

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Antonio Carlos e Jocafi

Mudei de Ideia

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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A truly fantastic record that sounds the way it looks – psychedelic rock, samba-funk and tripped out MPB. Features ‘Kabaluerê’ as sampled by Marcelo D2 on his hit ‘Qual e?’. Arranged by Rogerio Duprat, featuring legendary guitarist Lanny Gordin. Antonio Carlos & Jocafi were a very successful and famous Brazilian writing duo, born in Bahia. They worked with the likes of Wilson Simonal, Rosinha De Valença, Trio Mocotó, Milton Banana, Toquinho and more. Originally released on RCA Brazil in 1971, this was the duo’s debut LP. Two versions of the album cover exist in Brazil – this, the psyched-out, burnt out version, and a much less exciting photograph of the chaps, pressed to include the single ‘Desacato’ which became a popular hit in Brazil and several European countries.

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2LP | 2016 | UK | Original (Mr Bongo)

Original Sound Of Mali

Geniva Cassiano / Dom Salvador

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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The Original Sound of Mali’ compiled by David ‘Mr Bongo’ Buttle, Vik Sohonie (Ostinato Records) and  Florent Mazzoleni.

Malian music is a deep, lyrical form of African music. Those of us deeply entranced by Malian culture, and, in particular, the immense hypnotic beauty of Malian music, have put together a selection of songs from across the country.

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Ela Mandou / Uma Vida

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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CD | 2016 | UK | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Pedro Santos

Krishnanda

Release: 2016 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Krishnanda is an album in the truest sense of the word – a spiritual, psychedelic Brazilian masterpiece from start to finish – celebrated by everyone from Seu Jorge and Kassin to Floating Points, Madlib and DJ Nuts. These days, originals change hands for thousands of dollars.

Pedro dos Santos, born in Rio in 1919, was a percussionist virtuoso, composer and inventor of instruments that apparently included oddities such as the ‘Tamba’ (electrified bamboo drum) and the mouth berimbau whistle. Nicknamed Perdo ‘Sorongo’ after the rhythm he invented, that features throughout ‘Krishnanda’. A highly spiritual man who was regarded as a philosopher by many.

He worked with greats including Baden Powell, Elis Regina, Maria Bethany, Elza Soares, Sebastião Tapajós, Roberto Ribeiro, Milton Nascimento, Clara Nunes, Paul Simon and Arthur Verocai, playing on his legendary self-titled LP. In the same vein as Verocai and his self-titled LP, ‘Krishnanda’ was Pedro’s chance to shine with his own, and only, solo recording.

Krishnanda was produced by Hélcio Milito, the drummer of Tamba Trio, and arranged by conductor Joppa Lins, and originally released in 1968 on CBS (Brasil). Musically, the album touches folk, samba, afro-brazilian and psychedelia plus added effects, with a lyrical depth and diversity to match; themes including morality, perception, existence and ego.

Despite the genius of the record and the influence that it had on musicians at the time of release, it disappeared into obscurity. We first discovered the record around 2003, through a friend Julio Dui. Around that time Brazilian funk and bossa was the flavour of the day, so didn’t catch our ear immediately, however it continued improve with age and now we consider it to be one of the best albums ever made, regardless of genre or origin.

The Mr Bongo reissue is produced as a replica original LP / audio master by Ricardo Garcier at Magic Master (Rio de Janeiro) / artwork restored by Andrew Edwards, from the original copy borrowed from Julio Dui – thank you, sir!

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Arthur Verocai

Sylvia / Na Boca Do Sol

Deep (Oh Poor Me) / Identify Yourself

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Arthur Verocai’s first appearance in the series – a double A-side featuring
tracks from his incredible self-titled LP, soon to be reissued on Mr Bongo.
Sylvia is a warm guitar-led instrumental orchestral samba, laced with
percussion and woodwind.
Na Boca do Sol is a firm favourite from the LP – a perfect mix of drums,
rhodes, vocals and strings.

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Quetchy Alma / Cafe

LP | 2016 | UK | Original (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Deep', also known as 'Oh Poor Me' is a mid-tempo latin soul/boogaloo from singer Quetchy Alma aka La Lloroncita. Taken from the very rare LP ‘El Sol Brilla Para Todos’ on Tico.

'Identify Yourself' is a stone cold Nu Yorican funk/soul hit. Drum heavy, huge horns and punchy Rhodes lines. Taken from their self-titled LP on Vaya, released in 1974.

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Eloah

Os Orixas

Mulatu Atsatke / Teshome Meteku

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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‘Os Orixas’ is rich in layered percussion, horns and guitars. Singer Eloah’s lead vocals are reminiscent of the likes of Ellen McIlwaine, Elza Soares and Joyce. Samba, funk, folk, jazz and MPB over ijexa and African grooves, that combine beautifully across the moods. Os Orixas refers to one of the manifestations of the ’supreme God’ in the Yoruba faith.

The songs were written by Luis Berimbau, assisted by Ildásio Tavares. Berimbau was a very influential multi instrumentalist, poet, writer and composer from Bahia, Brazil. He produced the wonderful folk/psychedelic rock group Perfume Azul Do Sol’s ‘Nascimento’ LP amongst many others.

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Assiyo Bellema / Hasabe

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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‘Assiyo Bellema’ – Mulatu goes afro-latin, plus steel drums
courtesy of Frank Holder. Assiyo Bellema was recorded during
Mulatu’s time in London, during which he met Frank, along with
many others including Tubby Hayes and Joe Harriott.
‘Hasabe’ was originally released on Amha in 1969. Soaring
Ethiopian vocals and horns create a classic Ethiopian sound.
Teshome Meteku was leader of Soul Ekos Band - they lived
together! - and were very active in Addis in the 1960’s.

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Claudia / Os Tres Morais

Garra / Freio Dynamico

Release: 2016 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Claudia - Garra

Rich, sweet, orchestral bossa nova/MPB from the excellent Claudia, another of our favourite artists and featured several times in this series. Taken from her ‘Você, Claúdia, Você’ LP released in 1971 by Odeon Brazil.

Os Tres Morais - Freio Dynamico

Uptempo, cinematic, vocal MPB/Jazz with muted trumpets, pinging bass guitar strings and even a little bit of fuzz for good measure! Os Tres Morais we’re two brothers and a sister; Jane Vincentina, Sidney and Roberto do Espírito Santo. They formed in 1963.

‘Freio Dynamico’ is taken from the groups self-titled LP on Odeon 1971.

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The Apagya Showband

Tamfo Nyi Ekyir / Mumude

Luiz Carlos Vinhas / Golden Boys

Release: 2015 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Hailing from Ghana, The Apagya Showband was formed by the legendary Ebo
Taylor and Ambolley after they left ‘Uhuru Dance Band’. The group
produced only a couple of singles.
‘Tamfo’ is a joyous, uptempo Afro-funk groover, laced with horns and
highlife guitar lines.
‘Mumude’ is a fast paced, drum and percussion-heavy, folklore-based
song from 1974. Originally released on Essiebons 7”.

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Ye Me Le / Berimbau

Dom Salvador / Osmar Milito

Release: 2015 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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‘Ye Mele’ is a very firm Mr Bongo favourite, and always a contender for end/start of the night track. A true classic.

Opens with a distinctive vocal harmony/chant and claps before dropping into bossa piano, organ and drums, which calms for a moment before reaching the chorus… and then building more into a horn section, that plays until the end. Immense.

Taken from Vinhas’ now relatively expensive and very excellent ‘O Som Psicodelico’ LP from 1968.

‘Berimbau’. And again - another favourite. Awe inspiring arrangement, of the highest order.

Opens with what is very reminiscent of a Brazilian Western soundtrack, before soaring into vocals, strings and horns. And then THAT end section…!

Golden Boys were a male vocal group, of brothers. ‘Berimbau’ is taken from their self-titled 1969 LP.

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Barumba / Morre O Burro, Fica O Homem

Marcos Valle / Toni Tornado

Release: 2015 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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‘Barumba’ is an uptempo funk-jazz monster with heavy drums and piano right from the off. Soaring horns add to the drama. Originally released on his self titled LP on CBS Brazil in 1974. ‘Morre o burro, Fica o Homem’ is the third Osmar Milito track to feature in our Brazil 45’s series. A classic samba-rock track; funk drums fills and punchy horns underpin the MPB vocals, building in tempo slightly over the track. The song was originally written by Jorge Ben. Taken from his expensive and hard to find ‘Nem Paletó, Nem Gravata’ LP released on ATCO Brazil in 1973.

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Mentira / Me Libertei

O Journaleiro / Homenagem A Mongo

Release: 2015 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Never been released on a 7” before!

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Toni Tornado / Som Tres

7" | 2014 | UK | Original (Mr Bongo)

Joyce / Rosinha Da Valencia

Release: 2014 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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2 more brazilian dancefloor fillers, never before released on 45!

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Aldeia De Ogum

7" | 2014 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

LP | 2012 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Release: 2014 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Rio born Joyce Moreno is one of the most famous names in Brazilian music. Her career has spanned more than 20 albums over 40 years and she continues to record and tour the world.

Aldeia de Ogum is one of her most well known songs. An anthem amongst DJs and dancers in the Acid Jazz days in London, regularly featuring at clubs such as Dingwalls.

Originally features on her sought after 'Feminina' LP from 1980, it also appears on the 'Essential' compilation that we released in 1997. This is the first time the track has been released on 7" however.

Rosinha was a highly acclaimed composer, arranger and guitarist who played with legends including Baden Powell, Sérgio Mendes and Sivuca. Sadly she passed away in 2004.

'Summertime' is taken from her 1975 RCA LP entitled 'Um Violão Em Primeiro Plano'. This is the first time the track has been released on 7".

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Johnny Alf

Rubinho E Mauro Assumpcao

Release: 2012 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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This wonderful self-titled album by pianist, singer and composer, Johnny Alf, was first released on vinyl in 1966 by Rozenblit. Here the bossa nova pioneer sings beautiful songs, featuring the legendary musicians Hermeto Paschoal (flute) and Airto Moreira (drums).

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Perfeitamente, Justamente Quando Cheguei

LP | 1972 | UK | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

LP | 1970 | UK | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 1972 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves, Rock & Indie

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG+, Cover: VG+

2023 reissue.

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Tom Ze

37,99 €*

LP | 1978 | UK | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Release: 1970 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG+, Cover: VG+

Copy closer to NM

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Hozan Yamamoto - Yu Imai

悪魔が来りて笛を吹く

Release: 1978 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves, Soundtracks

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Used Vinyl

Medium: Near Mint, Cover: VG+

With insert. 2021 reissue. OBI is missing.

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Hidden Waters: Strange And Sublime Sounds Of Rio De Janeiro

2LP | 2023 | UK | Original (Mr Bongo)

27,99 €*

Hozan Yamamoto With Nobuo Hara And His Sharps & Flats

Release: 2023 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Used Vinyl

Medium: Near Mint, Cover: VG+

Original inner sleeves.

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Beautiful Bamboo-Flute

LP | 2019 | UK | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

17,99 €*

Release: 2019 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG+, Cover: VG+

The Architecture Of Oppression Part 1 Black Vinyl Edition

The Brkn Record

LP | 2021 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

16,99 €*

Release: 2021 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG, Cover: Near Mint

2LP | 2020 | EU | Original (Mr Bongo)

Visions

21,99 €*

Release: 2020 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Used Vinyl

Medium: Near Mint, Cover: Near Mint

LP | 1970 | UK | Reissue (Mr Bongo)

Célia

18,99 €*

Little Electric Chicken Heart

Release: 1970 / UK – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG+, Cover: VG+

2019 reissue. With insert. close to NM.

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Ana Frango Elétrico

Juan Pablo Torres Y Algo Nuevo

Release: 2024 / WW – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Here at Mr Bongo we have been inundated with people asking us to reissue this release. Ana Frango Elétrico's petit cult classic masterpiece 'Little Electric Chicken Heart' from 2019, which was only ever released on vinyl and CD in Brazil and Japan, has fast become a collector's item.

Well received by fans, DJs, and reviewers on release, The Needle Drop expressed "Ana Frango Elétrico's authentically vintage fusion of chamber pop, rock, samba and jazz is a real blast!" listing it as one of its Top 50 Albums of 2019. The album's reputation has been slowly building ever since, gaining a Latin Grammy nomination in 2020, and now solidly cementing itself as a gem of contemporary Brazilian music.

Across the albums nine tracks, Ana blends elements and influences from MPB, Tropicália, indie rock, punk and pop, forging them together with a sumptuous dose of her signature style. The finesse of 'Saudade' kicks off the LP, one of Ana's most known tracks to a non-Brazilian audience. A sublime opener, beginning with a spellbinding piano solo before transcending into a beautiful dream-laden slice of warmth, complete with luscious jazzy horns and deft vocal delivery. ‘Promessa e previsões’ follows, the only track on the album not to be written by Ana, instead being penned by Chico França. It’s a swelling and sweeping twilight groover, building and breaking across absorbing peaks.

Other highlights on the album include the anthemic 'Chocolate', which was a firm favourite with a packed sing-along crowd when we heard Ana perform it live. Elsewhere, 'Se No Cinema' hits with its quirky allure, charm and catchy melodies before transforming into a carnival spirit.

Tapping into the richness of Brazil’s new wave of musical energy, the album also includes a heavyweight lineup of collaborations with artists such as Dora Morelenbaum (Bala Desejo), Tim Bernardes, Antonio Neves and Guilherme Lirio to name but a few.

A short, sweet and refreshing record, that leaves nothing to waste, marrying playful ideas with poignant themes. 'Little Electric Chicken Heart' is a future classic and will beguile fans of ‘70s Brazilian recordings, Gal Costa, Mac DeMarco, Stereolab, Superorganism, Caetano Veloso and more.

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Super Son

Release: 2024 / WW – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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The next release in the Mr Bongo Cuban Classics series, is one of Juan Pablo Torres' most-known and loved albums, the iconic Super Son from 1977. A wonderful record of tripped-out rumbas, psych-Afro-Latin funk and quirky orchestrated tracks with a big band horn section courtesy of Torres’ band, Algo Nuevo.

As well as being the director of Algo Nuevo and Cuban all-star ensemble Estrellas De Areito, the trombonist, bandleader, arranger and producer also released a wealth of albums under his own name predominately on the state-owned imprint Areito/EGREM.

Post-revolution, there was a contrast in Cuba’s musical world. State censorship was at play, but professional musicians were on the government payroll which gave them an artistic freedom. Experimentation emanated in the ‘70s and ‘80s and Super Son is a prime example of that. ‘Y Que Bien' kicks off the album taking you down a tripped-out, cosmic rabbithole, psych guitars and skat vocals opening up into a joyful funk groove laced with jazzy Afro-Cuban horns stabs. Tracks such as 'Pastel En Descarga' seem to come out of nowhere and are completely unique. Fuzzed-up guitar lines and percussion lay the groundwork, with those jubilant horns adding to the energy of this forever building track.

Elsewhere, there’s the ‘70s TV theme-tune feeling of 'Con Aji Guaguao', a playful funk number that boils and bubbles with blistering trombone playing by Torres. Or ‘Son A Propulsión' and ‘Son Riendo’, two more brilliant examples of psychedelic funk, wrapped up in a blanket of Afro-Cuban rhythms. The former sweeping you up in rushes of wind as trumpets, trombones and distorted guitars trade off, the latter, an intergalactic fiesta of tradition and exploration.

Super Son is up there as one of the funkiest Cuban records around, a playful fusion of ideas from a producer, player and group on fine form and, for us, one of our favourite gems to come out of Cuba in this period. A sheer masterpiece.

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Juan Pablo Torres

Algo Nuevo

Release: 2024 / WW – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Next up in the Mr Bongo Cuban Classics series is an outing by the mighty Juan Pablo Torres from 1978. Released on Cuba’s state-owned Areito imprint, Algo Nuevo showcases trombonist, bandleader, arranger and producer Juan Pablo Torres' unique scope of sound. A melting pot of an album that weaves together jazz-funk and traditional Afro-Cuban genres with tripped-out synth touches and dancefloor grooves.

The opener 'Pan Caliente' is a fiery celebration, combining a driving groove with Latin percussion, feverish horns and infectious “la-la-la” vocals. The wild, squelching cosmic synthlines give an otherworldly touch to proceedings that sit nicely on a modern dancefloor. 'Guajira 2001' is perhaps Juan's future-focussed take on the vibrant style of Cuban dance-led music called guajira. Blistering bongos, congas and claves moving together with trumpets, trombones and twanging acoustic guitars that you can’t help but bounce to.

Other highlights include, 'Cacao', a Cuban cosmic funk strutter that places the claves upfront, with a scatting vocal line and percussive climax reminiscent of George Kranz electronic disco anthem 'Din Daa Daa' from 1983. Elsewhere, 'Elvira' further showcases the psychedelic essence of many of the album’s tracks. A deep Latin workout where tasty percussive breaks and scorching keys blend with trippy vocals and rumbling synths.

A varied album encompassing a variety of Afro-Cuban genres and rhythms entwined with flashes of mind-bending cosmic influence. Algo Nuevo is a further jewel in Cuba’s musical crown of riches, with plenty of dancefloor treats and downtempo numbers held within.

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New Regency Orchestra

Release: 2024 / WW – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Announcing the debut album from one of London’s most electrifying acts, New Regency Orchestra. An 18-piece Afro-Cuban big band, inspired by the musical melting pot of NYC in the 1950s, but with the punch and power of a whole host of London’s best Latin and jazz musicians. Blowing new life into these compositions, the album is a reimagining of some of the finest music from that golden era. From early 1950s René Hernandez and Tito Puente, through to the 1970s salsa of Rafael Labasta and Orlando Marin, produced and performed with fresh fire.

NRO is the brainchild of its artistic director, and the man behind Total Refreshment Centre and Church of Sound, Lex Blondin. Through a long-held passion for jazz, Lex discovered the explosive Afro-Cuban rhythms of mid-1940s NYC via the godfather of Afro-Cuban jazz, Mario Bauzá. A time when two musical worlds collided in a fusion of creativity and energy, jazz luminaries like Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker joining forces with Cuban greats like Machito and Chano Pozo. This vibrant sound was music to dance to and found a home at The New York Palladium, a formative space of freedom and expression that was key to the scene’s development.

Although dance-focussed in their makeup, those early recordings are not often heard in modern club environments and Lex dreamt of retelling their story with a contemporary dynamism. A slice of serendipity followed, as a slot at a new festival opened up and Lex jumped at the chance to make this idea a reality, an 18-piece big band breathing new life into these beloved songs.

Enlisting the expertise of some of the capital’s finest talent, Lex and co-captain Andy Wood, of Como No fame, put together a world-class line-up of talent. Bringing in Eliane Correa as musical director and bandleader, a fluid and interchanging 18-piece band was formed.

The album itself is a hand-picked selection of timeless Afro-Cuban jazz classics, reimagined with NRO’s unbridled energy. It contains ten incredible instrumental tracks including 'Pregon' with its anthemic horn stabs and the addictive head nod bounce of 'Mambo Rama', alongside two scorching vocal numbers in 'Papa Boco' and 'Labasta Llego'. Coupling a heavyweight rhythm section with a wall of horns, they provide a fresh spin on songs from Tito Puente and Chico O'Farrill, René Hernandez through to Rafael Labasta.

“Some of the tunes like Tito Puente’s ‘Mambo Rama’ and ‘Scarlet Mambo’ might sound like they went to a gym as extra drums and bass synth were added to them whilst the tune ‘Sahib & Tito’ is a mix of Tito’s ‘Mambo Buda’ and Sahib Shihab’s ‘Nus’. Our intention is to be both respectful to the innovators and inventors of this incredible music and to pay our dues, but also to add something special from London where the city’s new jazz scene connects with its Latin American musicians and the musical influences around us.”

This pure collective joy, shared experience and music you can’t help but move to.

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Raul Gomez