Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Over the years, Cesar Mariano and Cia's 1977 set "Sao Paolo Brasil" has achieved cult status, with dusty-fingered diggers regularly proclaiming it one of the finest jazz-funk/fusion albums of the period (a fact confirmed by the high prices that original vinyl copies often change hands for online). Remarkably, this timely Mr Bongo reissue marks the first time the set has been released outside of its native South America. Rich in glistening jazz guitars, fizzing, Azymuth-style organ riffs, spacey synths, warm bass and skittish drums, the album's eight tracks bristle with breeziness, subtle samba motifs, sumptuous dancefloor grooves, sunny downtempo workouts and effervescent arrangements. In a word: essential.

Review: Back in 1976, legendary highlife artist Pat Thomas decided to throw his weight behind Ghanian three-piece Marjarita. Thanks to his patronage, they made quite an impact with their debut album (Pat Thomas Introduces Marjita), before striking gold with their killer follow-up, This is Marjita. Since then, the album has become something of a "holy grail" for Afro-funk collectors, with copies changing hands for astonishing sums of money. Happily, Mr Bongo has decided to license and reissue it. The album contains four superb workouts: the hard funk brilliance of "Break Through", the organ-heavy Afrobeat fuzziness of "No Condition is Permanent", the reggae-influenced wonder of "I Walk Alone" and the superior highlife of "We Live in Peace".

Review: Mr. Bongo continues in their mission to peddle the feel-good, compiling rare Brazilian, gospel, modern soul and jazz fusion music, all with a bent towards ecstatic dance. Not taking itself too seriously yet still dipping one toe in the mystical and romantic, our favorites from the comp include 'Don't Need No Fortune Teller' and the patient 'Waiting For Love', all compiled by Mr. Bongo director and former Spiritland programmer Miche.

Review: Mr Bongo mint a new compilation series, With Love, by welcoming Miche into the fold. This dynamic force within the diggers landscape certainly has some authority in pulling a compilation together, being the music programmer for London's Spiritland venues and spending an unreasonable amount of time around learned folk and the deepest cuts in their bags. Embarking on a personal quest to contact all concerned artists and clear licensing for some truly forgotten, hidden gems, Miche poured his heart and soul into this compilation spanning gospel, jazz-fusion, Brazilian grooves and much more besides.

Review: If you know what's good for you, you will have picked up the first volume of this new With Love series from Mr Bongo. It was a red-hot soul selection that was packed with gold and now Miche is back with another. He is the man in charge of the musical programming at London's Spiritland venues and has now been digging deep once more to come up with 15 more soul nuggets. From raw to deep, lush and danceable to more emotive and vulnerable, it's a heart warming selection. Do not sleep on this one, which is a pink vinyl version.

Review: Pique is the remarkable debut solo album from Dora Morelenbaum, a key figure in Brazil's burgeoning music scene and a member of the talented band Bala Desejo. Following her initial EP Vento de Beirada, Pique marks Dora's ascent as a significant solo artist, blending boldness with grace, bridging Brazil's musical heritage with contemporary grooves, incorporating funk, MPB, disco, soul, r&b and jazz, all infused with an indie pop sensibility thanks to co-producer Ana Frango Eletrico. Opening with the sun-kissed 'Nao Vou Te Esquecer,' Pique transitions into the infectious funk of 'Venha Comigo' and 'Sim, Nao.' Tracks like 'A Melhor Saida' and 'Petricor' offer a more relaxed, introspective vibe, while 'VW Blue' showcases virtuosic jazz-funk, and the title track delivers radiant MPB. The drumming is crisp and swung, the horns and strings are meticulously arranged, and the basslines groove with a funky energy, complemented by strutting guitars and vibrant production flourishes. Dora's hands-on approach to the albumifrom songwriting to arranging and producingiensures a cohesive vision. Supported by a talented ensemble, including her Bala Desejo bandmates and her renowned parents, Paula and Jaques Morelenbaum, Pique merges tradition with modernity. An endlessly listenable album, poised to become a future Brazilian classic, blending the spirit of legends like Gal Costa with a fresh, innovative edge.

Review: Brighton based record label, publishers, cinematographers and legendary former London record store Mr Bongo present the first installment in their new 'Mr Bongo Record Club' compilation series. It features, in their words "a selection of favourites, recent discoveries and sought after obscurities, which form the basis of our DJ sets and our radio show of the same name." There really is some great music on here that has been sourced from all corners of the globe and as much as they're oldies: they certainly are goodies. Our favourites weren't limited to: Brazilian duo Lemos E Debetio's charming "Morro Do Barraco Sem Agua", the African funk explosion of Lantei's "Fish & Funjee (Komi Ke Kenam)" and some truly hot reggae vibes in the form of Big Youth's 1977 unclassic "Mammy Hot Daddy Cool" among many others on this fine compilation.