Nacional US Vinyl & CDs

Review: LA 12-piece Jungle Fire live up to their name, being dedicated to the roots. The band's fusion of firesome Afrobeat and blisteringly tight traditional funk is wholly authentic, fully physical and ultimately arresting. From the gradual development and cinematic narrative of the title track to heavier, sweaty jams such as their Fela cover "Comencemos" via more laid back introspective funk such as "Chalupa" and "Snake Pit", this is what a band who know exactly what they're doing sounds like. And it sounds amazing.

Review: Los Angeles 12-piece Jungle Fire rarely fails to deliver the goods, offering a heatwave-hot fusion of Latin and African rhythms, rousing horns and infectious instrumentation. This was evident from their earliest releases, particularly debut album Tropicoso, which has now been given the reissue treatment (on pink vinyl, no less) after being out of print for the best part of eight years. It's packed to the rafters with inspired workouts, with our highlights including the glistening guitars and punchy horns of Afrobeat workout 'Comencemos (Let's Start)', the Fela Kuti-esque brilliance of 'Firewalker', the pitched-down dancefloor tropicala of the superb title track, and the toe-tapping, sweat-soaked heat of Afro-funk bomb 'Village Hustle'. In a word: essential!

Review: Since first pricking the collective consciousness at the dawn of the decade, 12-piece ensemble Jungle Fire has released some killer fusions of funk, Afrobeat, and more tropical dancefloor flavours. Jambu is their second full-length, following the release of acclaimed debut album Tropicoso in 2014. As vibrant, colourful and hedonistic as you'd expect, it sees the Los Angeles' band lay down a series of scorching original compositions built around heavy funk grooves, bold Afrobeat horns, and the kind of intricate, layered percussion more often found in vintage Cuban dance music. As usual, you'll find nods to numerous South American styles amongst the Afro-funk throw-downs, ensuring a set that doesn't settle on one sound for any significant length of time.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Los Angeles 12-piece Jungle Fire rarely fails to deliver the goods, offering a heatwave-hot fusion of Latin and African rhythms, rousing horns and infectious instrumentation. This was evident from their earliest releases, particularly debut album Tropicoso, which has now been given the reissue treatment (on pink vinyl, no less) after being out of print for the best part of eight years. It's packed to the rafters with inspired workouts, with our highlights including the glistening guitars and punchy horns of Afrobeat workout 'Comencemos (Let's Start)', the Fela Kuti-esque brilliance of 'Firewalker', the pitched-down dancefloor tropicala of the superb title track, and the toe-tapping, sweat-soaked heat of Afro-funk bomb 'Village Hustle'. In a word: essential!