Mocambo Vinyl & CDs

Review: Carlton Jumel Smith earned himself the title Mr Soul, being one of NYC's foremost exponents of a faithful sound which keeps the Motown flame alive. Having released a couple of singles on Timmion last year as well as linking up with Dojo Cuts on Colemine, now Smith is stepping out on Mocambo with the riotous party starter 'Keep On Swinging', a heated affair with sassy brass, overdriven guitar licks and the man himself holding it down with a killer vocal turn. 'Hope' on the flip is a funkier number which calls to mind classic Curtis Mayfield, not least thanks to that sprightly percussion section. Great modern soul music which knows where it's coming from.

Review: If heavy and fuzzy funk is your bag, we'd heartily recommend checking out this straight-to-tape live session from Bjorn Wagner's long-serving Mighty Mocambos outfit. It was recorded at an in-store live performance at German store Groove City live December and comes complete with atmospheric crowd noise and a raw, heavyweight sound that only enhances the band's live credentials. Vocalist Nicola Richards makes her soulful presence felt on loose-limbed, breakbeat-driven deep funk opener "Something's Missing", before returning to lead the party on the wonderfully fiery and funky flipside "Keep It Movin". Sandwiched in between you'll find the slower, crunchier and more bass-heavy instrumental jam "St Pauli Second Line".

Review: The Mocambo label introduces Turkish artist Peki Momes who began recording music by chance in 2023. Despite no formal music training, she brings a fresh, authentic approach to groove music based largely on intuition. Her first two tracks reflect her versatility and feature here - 'Goc Mevisimi' combines Japanese City Pop with tropical boogie to create a global underground vibe with dirty disco grooves, jazzy flute and Turkish lyrics. 'Ruya' then delivers a gritty psychedelic Anatolian sound with fuzzy guitars and hypnotic energy. Momes is working on a debut album, we hear, and we can't wait.

Review: Ukrainian jazz singer Mona returns with a powerful funk 45 following last year's breakout 'Moya Vode' (or 'Sweet Water'). Fusing ancient folk traditions with modern cypher culture, this one delivers a message of unity and resilience while rolling on tempting grooves. Jazzy breakbeats, soaring horns and relentless clavinet and guitar riffs create the dynamic foundation for Mona's radiant vocals while loose piano and sax add a fresh live-jam feel. The vinyl edition features an exclusive instrumental version, with a Moog stepping into the lead and adding a different vibe.

Review: Mocambo's best resident band Pigalle Connection share 'Flics Sur Peripherique' and 'Transit', two sick 7" funk laydowns best suited for time-travelling back into the 70s and dodging the cops. This twanging, whammied French funk band takes its name from the infamous Place Pigalle square in Paris, in which an infamous pleasure district resides. So too do sultry synths and brazen Barre chords brum in scattershot fashion on this record, representing the transitory allure of illicit downtown business.

Review: Sun Atlas is a mysterious ensemble whose origins remain elusive. Listening to their music, you wonder whether they could have been based in Los Angeles, New York, Marrakesh or somewhere else entirely. Their only tangible existence is found on this 45, but it's a brilliant one which showcases their irresistible sound. Afrobeat, ethiojazz, surf, cinematic soul, crime jazz and funk and hip-hop breaks all colour these tunes as Sun Atlas create a razor-sharp, genre-defying mix that speaks volumes without saying much. Their music is full of drama and tension, narrative and diverse rhythms and it all adds up to an enigmatic vibe. This release proves that sometimes, the sound itself is all that matters.