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Funk Reaction
For The Love Of It
Babbitt's Other Song
It's Changed
When The Night Is Right
All In My Mind
Review: Revered for its infectious grooves and innovative approach, this album embodies the spirit of its era while maintaining a fresh and contemporary appeal. The vinyl reissue of Lonnie Smith's Funk Reaction in 1977 offers a timeless snapshot of jazz-funk, funk, and disco fusion. Lonnie Smith, with his masterful Hammond organ playing and soulful arrangements, leads listeners on a funky journey filled with irresistible rhythms and dynamic melodies. From the infectious title track to the laid-back vibes of For the Love of It, each composition on Funk Reaction showcases Smith's versatility and creativity as a musician. The album's seamless blend of jazz improvisation, funky rhythms, and disco-infused beats creates an irresistible sonic experience that captivates listeners from start to finish. Funk Reaction is a record that every music lover should have in their collection.
… Read morePre-orders at Juno
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Review: Paul Osborne, the mastermind behind Project Gemini, delivers a majestic body of work that seamlessly blends folk rock, psych soundtracks, and hazy cinematic funk. Colours & Light exudes a growing confidence and ease, reflecting Osborne's maturation as an artist. With a more layered and diverse sound, the album shines brightly with Osborne's global influences and collaborations with other musicians. The album's theme, developed through introspective lyrics inspired by insomnia, relationships, and the human condition, is expertly woven into a mesmerizing soundscape. From acid folk to psych-funk, the album incorporates elements from various cultures and scenes, resulting in a kaleidoscopic sonic experience. Overall, Colours & Light is a testament to Project Gemini's artistic growth and ability to create a rich and immersive musical journey that resonates deeply with audiences.
… Read more in stock $21.78
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Review: Mr Bongo continues to take us deep into the recorded work of Lonnie Smith with the reissue of this 1975 LP from the legendary jazz organist. It's an expansive, daring soul-jazz excursion which embellishes the heavyweight grooves with experimental, discordant tones which reach extraterrestrial heights, not least on the eyes-closed escapism of 'Spirits Free'. While Smith may have turned his hand to smoother sounds at certain points in his career, this is testament to the impact free jazz had on his development through the 70s. Crucially though, the music never derails into pure chaos, and the soulful sentiment of the music shines through even in its wildest stretches.
… Read more in stock $23.35
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Cat: MRBLP 273B. Rel: 22 Mar 24
Jazz
Review: Mr. Bongo presents the very latest album from Ana Frango Eletrico, one of the most exciting voices to emerge from Brazil's contemporary new wave. With two critically acclaimed albums and a swathe of award-winning production turns already under their belt, Me Chama De Gato Que Eu Sou Sua promises to follow in very much the same wake, a ten-track delight of sophisti-disco productions and nimble, fey vocal performances from Eletrico themselves, this LP explores the depths of queer love and romance via some slick and snappy productions.
… Read more in stock $20.24
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Review: O'Donel Levy's sublime Simba album from back in 1974 gets reissued by Mr Bongo and rightly so, beck are it is a masterful fusion of jazz, funk, and soul, that showcases the guitarist's virtuosity and creativity. The whole thing exudes energy and groove from start to finish, with infectious rhythms and tight arrangements and of course Levy's guitar work is mesmerizing, blending intricate melodies with soulful improvisations that captivate the listener. Tracks like 'Bad, Bad Simba' and 'Kilimanjaro Cookout' showcase his ability to blend genres seamlessly, creating a unique sonic landscape that transports the listener to another realm and makes this a timeless classic in the realm of jazz-funk.
… Read more in stock $21.78
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Review: This official reissue of Arthur Verocai's classic self-titled album from 1972 sounds very much like the epitome of a labour of love for Mr Bongo. The press release states the Brighton-based jazz funk archivalists have had this album on top of their reissue hitlist and with the permission of Sir Arthur himself have come through with this official vinyl reissue in newly remastered form from the original Continental master tapes. Do we need to set the scene for this masterclass in long players from Verocai? The ten tracks bristle with sonic fusion, transcending genre to become something more than Brazilian jazz funk across its sublime 29 minutes. Alongside contributing musicians, Verocai invites the listener on a journey through Bossa nova, samba, jazz, MPB, psychedelics and funk. Tip!
… Read more in stock $21.78
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Review: It's no mean feat to win awards with your debut album, but Bala Desejo did just that when they scored big at the Latin Grammys. As soon as you hit play on Sim Sim Sim you'll understand why, as the Rio de Janeiro band demonstrate their canny blend of 60s tropicalia, 70s psychedelia and MPB. It's pure pleasure music, full of wistful escapism and aching beauty, and in drawing so naturally on the best of Brazilian music culture through the ages, they've made something truly woven into the fabric of their home country. Spearheading a new wave of music and art from Rio de Janeiro, Bala Desejo have everything you could possibly want from a new Brazilian project, and more besides.
… Read morePlayed by: Charlie bucket/ dancing in space
in stock $22.58
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Review: This is a black vinyl version of a reissue that we also have on gold vinyl of Soyuz's '2' album. Originally released in 2019, this album marks a significant phase in the band's evolution, offering a glimpse into the sound that would define their later work while retaining traces of avant-psychedelic-pop influences. Produced during bandleader Alex Chumak's transition from Minsk to Kyiv, the LP reflects the tension between exploration and homesickness. Drawing from influences like Mikita Arlou, Ethiopian jazz, and Italian library music, the album eloquently captures the melancholy of long-distance travel and transience, creating a sonic narrative of emotional flux.
… Read morePlayed by: Charlie bucket/ dancing in space
in stock $20.24
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VARIOUS
Hidden Waters: Strange & Sublime Sounds Of Rio De Janeiro (gatefold 2xLP + insert)
Cat: MRBLP 271. Rel: 12 May 23
International
Review: Mr Bongo's latest must-check compilation doesn't mine Brazil's musical heritage, but rather shines a light on what's happening in Rio de Janeiro right now. Hidden Waters was compiled and curated by two Brazilian music specialists - Joe Osborne (founder of the Brazilian Wax website) and Russ Slater (Editor at Large of Sounds and Colors) - and offers up a blend of scene stalwarts and exciting starlets. Musically it's varied, but largely rooted in samba, MPB and other classic Brazilian styles. So, while sun-soaked sounds (sorry) are the order of the day, Osborne and Slater also find room for the fuzzy psychedelia of Ava Rocha, the Stereolab-goes-samba flex of Exercito de Bebes, the low-slung, synth-sporting mutant funk of Thiago Nassif, the spiritual, pastoral-sounding afternoon warmth of Mari Romano and the lilting vocal jazz of Troa. An impeccable, eye-opening collection of quality cuts.'
… Read more in stock $24.14
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Review: Many will know Teaspoon & The Waves' incredible 'Oh Yeh Soweto' - a brilliant Afro-disco riff on Lamont Dozier's 'Going Back To My Roots' that has appeared on countless compilations and re-edit releases over the years - but fewer have heard the rest of the tracks on the South African band's incredible 1977 debut album (in part because original copies are rather hard to find). To those people, we'll say this: check out this Mr Bongo reissue right now! Blending Afro-jazz with jazz-funk, soul, deep funk and disco, every single track is a winner, with highlights including the celebratory 'Friday Night', the dazzling, duelling solos and heavy percussion of 'Saturday Express' and the life-affirming brilliance of 'Got Me Tight'.
… Read more in stock $20.75
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Review: Considered one of the essential Brazilian funk records of an era, Sandra Sa's Vale Tudo receives a much deserved reissue here on Mr. Bongo. Originally released in 1983, it was produced by Lincoln Olivetti alongside a who's who of musicians that were central figures on the scene at the time. From the disco boogie of 'Trem Da Central' featuring one amazing brass section, the heartfelt and romantic ballad 'Onda Negra' and the late night boogie-down vibe of 'Guarde Minha Voz' - they are the perfect backdrop for Sa's unique voice which really shines throughout. Although most prolific in the early '80s, Sa continues to work in the music industry to this day.
… Read more in stock $21.78
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Review: Before she made a name for herself with a string of killer disco, jazz-funk and fusion records in the late '70s and early '80s, Dee Dee Bridgewater was a rising star on the global jazz underground. This period of her career is best exemplified by 1974 debut album "Afro Blue", a fine vocal jazz album recorded in Tokyo with a backing band made up of husband Cecil (a top trumpeter) and high-quality Japanese session musicians. As this reissue proves, the album has lost none of its allure. There's much to set the pulse racing throughout, from the breezy soul-jazz shuffle of opener "Afro Blue" and the emotive "Blues Medley", to the superb slowed-down jazz cover of "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" and blissful "People Make The World Go Round".
… Read more in stock $21.78
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Review: Jazz Rock doesn't quite do exactly what it says on the cover - jazz features heavily on this gorgeous record, but of the spiritual kind, and often driven by lush, funky drum playing. It is also a record defined by the distinctive sound of the koto - a traditional Japanese string instrument that lends the record a delicate and beautiful feel. It was recorded in 1973 and sounds both perfectly aged yet utterly fresh and also features bamboo flute playing by Hozan Yamamoto. It's a laidback record, one filled with the joys of spring, but also one that doesn't take itself too seriously and gets upbeat and funky as often as it does tender and pensive.
… Read morePlayed by: Juno Records Staff Picks
in stock $20.75
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Review: Initially released in South Africa in 1982, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley's sophomore set is now regarded as a boogie-era Highlife classic. Here issued on CD for the very first time via Mr Bongo, the album features the Ghanaian star brilliantly joining the dots between driving disco-funk, jazz-funk, intoxicating slow jams, calypso, dub reggae and his beloved highlife. Highlights come thick and fast throughout, with standouts including heavy percussion jam "Simigwa", the boogie-dub skank of "Adwoa", the down-low grooves of "Walking Down The Street" and the killer disco highlife anthem "It's High Life". Simply essential.
… Read more in stock $21.78
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VARIOUS
Luke Una Presents E Soul Cultura (gatefold 2xLP + insert with obi-strip)
Cat: MRBLP 244. Rel: 06 May 22
Soul
Review: A welcome return to the compilation arena from Luke Una, whose deep record collection and pleasingly open-minded record collection make him a perfect curator. E Soul Cultura has a concept of sorts - the kind of vaguely Balearic but not genre-bound jams that the Sheffield-born, Manchester-based DJ would play to fellow E'd-up party survivors at 5am - but it's the quality of the music on offer that makes the compilation so essential. For proof, check the spiritual space disco shuffle of King Errison's 'Space Queen', the deliciously sub-heavy, post-bleep deep house soul of Sheffield outfit On's cover of 'Southern Freeez', the bruk-up soul of Type Sun's 'The PL', the Brazilian sunshine of Robson Jorge and Lincoln Olivetti's 'Eva' and the deliciously percussive, intergalactic jazz-funk vibes of 'Every Time I See Him' by Metropolis.
… Read more in stock $23.35
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Review: Eight years on from its previous reissue (that time courtesy of Analog Africa's "Limited Dance Edition" series), Mr Bongo is offering up a fresh, licensed re-press of Rob's eponymous 1977 Afro-funk masterpiece. If you missed out in 2011, the set is definitely worth picking up because it's rock solid heat from start to finish. Check, for example, the heavily percussive Afro-beat/Afro-funk fusion of "Funky Rob Way", the flanged funk guitars and heavy brass action of "Boogie On", the jazz guitars and loved-up vocals of "Your Kiss Stole Me Away" and the William Onyeabor-does-James-Brown heaviness of closing cut "More".
… Read more in stock $21.78
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LUKE UNA / VARIOUS
E Soul Cultura Volume 2 (gatefold 2xLP + zine + insert with obi-strip)
Cat: MRBLP 268. Rel: 09 Jun 23
Soul
Review: With some of the best DJs and selectors, there is a certain mysterious sound or underlying feeling which unites the music they play, regardless of genre, year or tempo. British DJ, producer and music maestro Luke Una is a master of telling a story through music and this compilation is a perfect example of his musical alchemy in action. The second volume in his E Soul Cultura series, Una's intriguingly woven pattern of new, old, rare and under-discovered music from around the world became the soundtrack to rejuvenated positivity and won him favour with record outlets.
The compilation isn't just peacocking his crate diving ability, but it's a sonical narrative that engages the ebbs and flows of salsa, nu-disco, psych rock and Balearic. It's a grab bag of sounds, and each one is as intriguing and groovy as the last. Here's to a hopeful trilogy.
… Read moreThe compilation isn't just peacocking his crate diving ability, but it's a sonical narrative that engages the ebbs and flows of salsa, nu-disco, psych rock and Balearic. It's a grab bag of sounds, and each one is as intriguing and groovy as the last. Here's to a hopeful trilogy.
in stock $25.69
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Review: Mr Bongo's launch their new Cuban Classic Series with this reissue of a sought-after, psychedelic funk masterpiece: Yoyi. A fusion of traditional Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms meets disco, jazz, and funk, with hints of 70s soundtrack productions, this much-loved cult album by Grupo Los Yoyi hears nine predominantly instrumental tracks. Together, they were originally released in 1977 on Areito Records, a sublabel of the state-owned label Egrem, it has become one of the rarest (even in Cuba) yet in-demand albums to be procured by the label. It is the sole album from Grupo Los Yoyi and was composed, orchestrated, and produced by the mysterious, Jorge Soler Leo.
… Read more in stock $24.14
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Review: Soyuz follows up their 2022 debut Force Of The Wind with a stark but subdued reissue of their second album, Ii, released three years earlier in 2019. The album captures a pivotal evolution in the band's career, the recordings giving a snapshot of what would become their sound on Force Of The Wind, yet with echoes of avant-psychedelic-pop footprints from yester years. Produced at a time when bandleader Alex Chumak had moved from Minsk to Kyiv, torn between the need to try something new and the homesickness it brought about, Ii nicely captures the slow burn of homesickness extended across a long bouts of travel and transience, through stylistic recollections of Mikita Arlou, Ethiopian jazz and Italian library music.
… Read more in stock $23.35
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Cat: MRBLP 281. Rel: 13 Oct 23
International
Review: The Brazilian composer, pianist and producer, Mario Castro Neves, and his group Samba S. A.'s self-titled album from 1967 oozes with class. It possesses that archetypal 60s bossa nova, jazz, samba sound; up there with Sergio Mendes at his finest, Tambo Trio or Milton Banana - a breezy ride that touches on easy listening at times, but still held together with a cool swagger. Biba and Thais Do Amaral's vocals are on point, with a relaxed delivery that compliments the tracks with the sublime beauty a la vocal groups such as Quarteto Em Cy. Also appearing on the record is bassist extraordinaire Novelli, who worked with Milton Nascimento, Nelson Angelo E Joyce, Airto and many of the greats of Brazilian music of the time.
… Read morePlayed by: Juno Recommends International
in stock $22.58
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Review: Late, great Japanese guitarist Ryo Kawasaki is behind this classic bit of jazz-funk fusion from 1976. It was recorded originally in New York and now gets a reissue form the hard working Mr Bongo crew. It is a record that has picked dup cult status over the years for those looking for samples and has been pillaged by everyone from Diamond D, Puff Daddy, and Kool G Rap. Playing on the sessions were drummer Jimmy Young as well as rhythm guitarist Hugh McCracken and bassist Stu Woods who all help bring every track to life.
… Read more in stock $24.14
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Review: British trumpeter and bandleader Ian Carr put out his most revered album in 1972. Its iconic fusion of jazz and rock has become a sought after rarity. Featured musicians include members of bands like Nucleus, Brian Auger's band, Soft Machine and Stan Tracy Group, and they all help lend the record a psychedelic, proggy aesthetic, with swirling melodies making for moody but funky tunes. Tracks like 'Mayday' put expressive solos and complex arrangements front and centre, while 'Suspension' is a more laidback joint for sinking into. The gorgeous meandering lilt of 'Summer Rain' is our personal favourite.
… Read morePlayed by: Juno Recommends Jazz
in stock $21.78
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Review: Minas' 'Num Dia Azul' is a sublime slice of private-press bossa nova meets jazzy MPB perfection. Warm and bubbling with youthful spirit, the music is simultaneously loose in swagger, yet slick and tight. The album was originally released in 1983 and reflects the great music coming out of Rio at the time, yet 'Num Dia Azul' wasn't recorded in Rio, but actually in the USA. Adding to its later obscurity, hundreds of copies were also destroyed in a house fire. They say cream always rises to the top; later in the 2010s, the word amongst collectors and DJs was spreading about this mythical under-the-radar recording.
… Read more in stock $22.58
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Dora Morelenbaum - "Japao"
New York Community Choir - "I'll Keep My Light In My Window" (12" mix)
General Lee - "Pleasure"
The Drive - "Africa Bossa"
Chiemi Eri - "Okosa-Bushi"
Manny Corchado & His Orchestra - "Pow-Wow"
Sven Wunder - "Easy Going"
Dina Ogon - "Bakom Glaset"
Vee Gees - "Talkin"
Mave & Dave - "Do You Really Want My Love"
Hazel Scott & The Braza Brasi - "Ye-Me-Le"
Inês Soares - "Um Amor Para Toda A Vida"
Haréton Salvanini - "Estrada"
Copa 7 - "Copa Sete No Samba"
Mirna - "A Volta"
Dina Ogon - "Tombola 94"
Unknown Artists - "I Do You Love"
Ash Soul, Inc - "I Do Love You"
Ponderosa Twins Plus One - "Bound"
Matty - "Blood"
Shira Small - "Eternal Life"
Review: Those tireless diggers at Mr Bongo have been at it again and now return with Record Club Volume Six, another selection driven by the love of "hearing old tracks for the first time or diving into the most upfront selections keeps the fires burning and passions alight." This collection is another treasure trove of superb sounds that takes in all manner of much loved classics from across the world and places like Canada, Sweden, Brazil, Japan, Portugal and Trinidad and Tobago. Everything from psych-pop songs to spine tinging gospel features, some of it on vinyl for the first time ever.
… Read more in stock $24.14
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Review: For their latest deep dive into forgotten and sought-after African music, Mr Bongo has secured the rights to reissue Togolese singer Akofa Akoussah's eponymous 1976 debut album. Akoussah was already something of a scene veteran when she recorded the set for Paris-based Sonafric, having made her vinyl debut in Togo 11 years earlier. The set remains something of a classic, with Akoussah variously delivering sweet vocals over local rhythms and guitars, bass, horns and Moog synth parts that showcase her Western funk and soul influences. There are some suitably heavy dancefloor workouts throughout (not least superb opener "Tango") as well as more laidback and stripped-back cuts. Curiously, the echo-laden production makes it sound like it was recorded in the mid '60s rather than the 1970s, but that's no criticism; it just adds an extra edge of intoxicating fuzziness.
… Read more in stock $21.78
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Review: First released back in 1977, Trio Mocoto's second eponymous album has long been a favorite with collectors of "MPB" - the most Brazilian of popular music styles. Thanks to the dusty-fingered diggers at Mr Bongo, the album is now available again on wax for the first time since 1980 (and, of course, for a fraction of the cost of an original copy). Like many of the greatest MPB albums of the period, the album's ten tracks brilliantly blend elements of samba, string-laden easy listening, soul, jazz-funk and fusion, with the band's strong group vocals and luscious instrumentation guaranteeing a warm, sun-kissed vibe throughout.
… Read more in stock $21.78
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Review: 1975's "Simigwa" album not only launched the career of Afro-funk fusionist and eventual Highlife great Gyedu Blay Ambolley, but also inspired a Ghanaian dance craze. The album was co-produced by another Highlife great, Ebo Taylor, and has long been exceptionally hard to find on vinyl. For this official vinyl reissue on Mr Bongo, Ambolley's landmark set has been fully re-mastered for the very first time. It sounds spectacular, with great clarity on the ear-catching brass solos, serious weight to the bass and superb stereo separation. Highlights include - but certainly aren't limited to - the Afro-blues brilliance of "Toffie", the jaunty dancefloor fuzziness of "This Hustling World" and the heavyweight swing of ear-catching opener "Kwaakwaa".
… Read more in stock $19.21
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Review: Skull Snaps' eponymous 1973 debut album has long been regarded as one of funk's greatest albums, not to mention one of the most sampled of all time. Many of the set's killer drum breaks have been recycled on hip-hop and dance records over the years, including those by the Prodigy, the Pharcyde, Gang Starr, DJ Shadow, Pete Rock and CL Smooth. Thanks to a fresh studio remaster, the album sounds heavier than ever on this licensed Mr Bongo reissue. Highlights include opening stomper "My Hang Up Is You", the sweet and relaxed "Didn't I Do It To You", the head nodding "Bus Stop" bounce of "It's A New Day" and the driving soul brilliance of "I'm Your Pimp".
… Read more in stock $21.78
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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.
… Read more in stock $21.78
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Review: Originally released in 1975, "Back To Rhythm" is one of the crowning glories of Akira Ishikawa's glittering career. The Japanese drummer turned his hand to countless wonderful records over his career, but this one was surely one of the best. Mr Bongo seem to think so, and they're giving it a proper reissue treatment. There are funk breaks galore embedded in this joyously upbeat, irresistibly groovy sound, where the horns parp with clarity and the guitar licks cartwheel through airy mixes. Managing to be both fulsome and loud without coming over too heavy, Ishikawa's sprightly take on instrumental funk has never sounded better than on this release.
… Read more in stock $21.78
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Review: Beautiful Brazilian soul from 1978, timely reissued by Mr Bongo: Eloah comprises something of an all-star cast of musicians and poets who have worked with the likes of Perfume Azul Do Sol, Vinicius de Moraes, Alcyone and Nelson Goncalves. Their work is soft-focused, folky and charming with a timeless spirit that, if anything, has matured to sound even better almost 40 years later. From the soul-stirring percussion and flute ballad of "Nanan" to the much more upbeat dusky post carnival sound of "Xango" or the ballroom swoons of "Logun Ede", the album offers something fresh on every listen as layers of percussion and instrumentation are weaved delicately with soul and dreamy detail.
… Read morePlayed by: Afro Beat Foundation, Juno Recommends International
in stock $17.64
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MICHE / VARIOUS
With Love: Volume 1 Compiled By Miche (limited gatefold transparent yellow vinyl 2xLP)
Cat: MRBLP 260TY. Rel: 23 Sep 22
Soul
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.
… Read more in stock $27.50
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Review: Mr Bongo's crate-digging compilation series - described by the imprint as a "chance to champion tracks we've been playing in our sets" - returns and, predictably, this second volume is every bit as good as its predecessor. Naturally, there's a fair amount of Brazilian and African gems present, as well as a wealth of little-known disco, soul and funk cuts that will have DJs scrambling to find copies of the original 12" or 7" singles. Highlights are plentiful and include - but are not limited to - the punchy disco-funk of Dee Edwards' "Put Your Funk on the Line", the South African bubblegum brilliance of Kiru Stars, the sun-soaked peak-time samba of Tomu Dito and the Meters-go-to-Nigeria vibes of "Harari" by the Beaters. And that's just for starters.
… Read more in stock $21.78
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Review: When Atmosfear released "En Trance" in 1981, jazz-funk ruled UK dancefloors. The British outfit's lauded debut album reflected this fact, brilliantly joining the dots between jazz-funk, soul, disco, jazz-dance and the soundsystem dub influences that were becoming increasingly prevalent in British music at the time. As this re-mastered Mr Bongo reissue proves, it remains a potent and hugely enjoyable album all these years on. Check, for example, the dub effects, sweet vocals and punchy sax riffs of "Free Tonight", the rubbery dub disco/jazz funk fusion of "Creator's Dream", the Azymuth-esque antics of "Interplay" and the synth-laden former single "Invasion".
… Read more in stock $17.64
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Review: Belarus collective Soyuz grace Mr Bongo with their third album, building on a formidable background in lush orchestral jazz to deliver an album of astonishing beauty. Their music draws on 70s Brazilian MPB as a major source of inspiration, but everything has a twist which feels unique to composer and arranger Alex Chumak's location in modern day Belarus. As a result, the album sounds comfortingly familiar but strangely new in the same breath, and oh so very easy on the ears. The sound is light and airy, with space to soar through liberal reverb, while the rhythm section gently buffets rather than slamming. You won't hear another record as sweet and sincere as this all year, we promise.
… Read more in stock $22.58
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LUKE UNA / VARIOUS
Luke Una Presents E Soul Cultura (limited gatefold orange vinyl 2xLP + insert)
Cat: MRBLP 244SP. Rel: 26 Jul 23
Disco/Nu-Disco
Daniel Humair, Francois Jeanneau & Henri Texier - "Le Cyclope"
Airto Moreira - "O Galho Da Roseira (The Branches Of The Rose Tree)"
Francisco - "Wache"
Review: As part of a new glut of music from Mr. Bongo comes this new curator's compilation from Luke Una. Featuring tracks from Yusef Lateef, Airto Moreira, Crooked Man, Henri Texier and many more, Una collates these tracks under the umbrella of 'E-Soul Cultura' - a kind of nocturnal underground soul, disco and funk (both new and old) that the disenfranchised inheritors of the Earth prefer to play in their sleepy, tucked away home kitchens and lofts. A blend of Latinxfuturism, space-age jazz and all manner of folk exquisites appear - not to mention a slew of infectious house detours on the latter half.
… Read more in stock $29.06
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Arthur Verocai (half speed remastered) (gatefold gold & black marbled vinyl LP + posters + booklet + photos (indie exclusive))
Cat: MRBLP 251MB. Rel: 08 Sep 22
Jazz
Review: In the 60s and 70s Arthur Verocai arranged for the likes of Jorge Ben, Gal Costa, Marcos Valle and other such legends of Brazilian pop music. However, it was his self-titled debut album in 1972 which now largely defines Vaerocai's reputation, although it was a resounding failure in Brazil upon its release. His sound looked to US jazz, pop and soul as much as bossa nova, and it was only in the 2000s that it started to be picked up on in the US and elsewhere. The passage of time helps place certain records, and that's especially true of this incredible curio from a bygone era, which strikes a mysterious out-of-time-and-place quality as Rodriguez's classic Cold Fact. Here's to the overlooked greats - may they all find their moment in the sun eventually.
… Read more in stock $37.35
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Cat: MRBLP 263. Rel: 16 Jun 23
Jazz
Review: Brazillian music boffins Mr Bongo have pressed up the 1978 self-titled classic from Guilherme Coutinho E O Grupo Stalo so those who want a piece of this mythical classic no longer have to get a mortgage to do so. It's a stunning mix of lo-fi and laidback tropicalia, jazz, funk and MPB with a signature sun-kissed sound that will melt you into your sun lounger on a lazy afternoon. This one is incredibly hard to find even in Brazil and marked a high water mark for band leader and keyboard player Guilherme Coutinho. He was only 41 when he died in 1983 but his legacy lives on with this album which is distinct from many others of the time with its alluring vocal deliveries and charming arrangements.
… Read more in stock $21.78
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Review: Brazilian funk and MPB master Tim Maia was brilliant at making music, but less good at coming up with titles for his many great albums. Plenty of them come under his own name - often suffixed by a year - and in all there were 30 albums right up to the year he died in 1998. This self-titled one Mr Bongo is now reissuing on limited apple red and brown vinyl. It packs a real punch and exudes real heat across 12 tracks that fuse his sung-spoken lyrics and funky rhythms with sunny strings and jazzy melodies. Slower songs like 'Sem Voce' are for the romancing hours while plenty of others are pure dancers.
… Read morePlayed by: Craig Charles Funk And Soul, DJ ROCCA
in stock $24.14
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Review: Vocally-led by child sensation, Foster Sylvers, The Sylvers family grew into their own throughout the 70s, and 1973's The Sylvers II really instilled their sound as the gold standard fo funk music. We're talking about a family of kids who were all incredible musicians, truly offering the world a heartfelt performance, whichever aesthetic they were going for. Mr Bongo has delivered the goods once again with this reissue, and we are totally stoked about the fact that we are receiving the sort of funk and soul which still has not been experienced by everyone. It is about the mystique, it is about the charm, and it's most certainly high time for some soothing soul direct from the source - oh, and check that bassline on the magnetic "Handle It". Recommended.
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Review: Since launching in 2016, Mr Bongo's Record Club compilation series has provided three essential volumes of personal favourites - many obscure and hard-to-find - selected by the label's in-house team of crate-digging DJs. Volume four is naturally every bit as essential as its' predecessors, offering an enticing mixture of Brazilian, African, soul, funk and disco with not a suspect selection in sight. This time round, they've chosen to include contemporary music as well as dusty old gems, with highlights including Kenny Dope's delicious rework of the soul-jazz positivity of 'Throwing Stones' by James Reese and the Progressions, the fast version of Ze Roberto's 1973 MPB classic 'Lotus 72D' and the samba-folk wonder that is Matthew Tavares' 2019 gem 'Self Portrait'.
… Read morePlayed by: DJ Kobayashi, Juno Recommends International
in stock $21.78
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Review: Brighton based record label, publishers, cinematographers and legendary former London record store Mr Bongo reissue the legendary 1968 album by Pedro dos Santos, entitled Krishnada. Born in Rio de Janiero in 1919, Santos was (according to the label) "a percussionist virtuoso, composer and inventor of instruments.. such as the 'Tamba' (electrified bamboo drum) and the mouth berimbau whistle." He was a very spiritual person apparently and regarded by some as a philosopher of sorts. The album was produced by himself at CBS studios with arrangements by Joppa Lins. It features poetic lyrics in a unique linguistic structure, as well as various percussive instruments and horn arrangements with samba rhythms from Latin styles. Despite the originality of his percussive sound and the influence it has had on musicians, it had little impact at the time. The album had a cult revival in the noughties and began circulating the internet in MP3 format, finally giving recognition to this unusual spiritual Bossanova masterpiece.
… Read morePlayed by: Adam isbell -Racubah Sound System, Admin
in stock $21.78
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India (50th Anniversary Edition) (half speed remastered) (gatefold LP + fold-out poster + insert with obi-strip)
Cat: MRBLP 282. Rel: 07 Jul 23
International
Review: Gal Costa is rightly considered one of the leading lights of Brazil's tropicalia scene, not least from her golden period in the late 60s, and the legacy of the late singer lives on with this reissue of one of her finest albums by Mr Bongo. India was Costa's fourth album, originally released in 1973 and instantly courting controversy after the Brazilian military censored the cover due to the shot of Costa's bikini and little else. Of course such imagery is comparatively tame these days, and instead we can focus on the music which is some of the finest MPB and tropicalia you could ever wish to hear, all led by Costa's mesmerising voice and backed by true Brazilian greats including Gilberto Gil.
… Read morePlayed by: Juno Recommends International
in stock $27.25
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Review: Japanese jazz drummer Akira Ishikawa's blistering 'Uganda (Dawn Of Rock)' makes a piognant claim as to the origins of rock n' roll, blending traditional African drumming workouts with the futuristic tropes belonging to psychedelic rock and fourth world music. Consisting of just four movements ranging from formless to the watery and rhythmic, its recording lies in the basis of just one legendary drummer, but in all its sonics sounds as though an enormous ensemble were behind it. A well-sought J-psych rarity.
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Review: Mr Bongo reissues a classic record here from an iconic musical maverick. From her roots in India, to becoming a world famous artist with a celebrated career in music and acting, Asha Puthli forged a career path through '60s psych, free jazz, pop, rock, disco, and more. Her 1976 album The Devil Is Loose is maybe the most well known record, featuring the classic 'Space Talk' which was championed by many DJs, most famously the late David Mancuso at The Loft, in addition to being sampled The Notorious B.I.G., P Diddy and The Pharcyde. In later years, Puhtli went on to collaborate with the likes of Bill Laswell, DJ Spooky and Talvin Singh.
… Read morePlayed by: Dicky Trisco
in stock $22.58
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Review: Tireless diggers and world class reissue merchants Mr Bongo have done it again with this one. They discovered The Star Beams when one of their tracks was on a Disco Calypso compilation, then went on a mission to track down the original anymore material from the band, who turned out to be based in South Africa instead of the Carribean. The resulting record is a real gem - disco, funk and jazz all get chewed up and spat out across four fantastically timeless cuts of dance floor dynamite. "Disco Stomp" in particular you might already know as Theo Parrish has been dropping in his sets for time.
… Read more in stock $17.64
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Review: In 2002, the Japanese government recognized bamboo flute maestro Hozan Yamamoto as a "living national treasure". It was in honor of his lengthy career in music, and in particular the way he championed a traditional Japanese instrument even when he was turning his hand to Western music. "Beautiful Bamboo Flute", an album first released in 1971 and almost impossible to find since, is a superb example of this. It sees him deliver haunting, emotional and life-affirming solos over funky jazz, big band and fusion backing tracks that tend towards the fresh and funky. It's an unusual blend, but also an invigorating and exciting one.
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Review: Mr Bongo are spoiling us right about now. With OG presses of the Compton collective's one-and-only album from 1976 fetching high figures, to say this this reissue is long-awaited is an understatement. A dynamic, energetic and tight body of work, the vibrancy ranges from the epic soaring vocals and doo-wop of "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" (which tips a wry nod at the style of the famous brotherly troupe who share the same name) to the blazing soul funk flames of "Boy You're Dynamite". Complete with the classic sample source for the likes of Public Enemy, Basement Jaxx and many many more. A truly historic record, this has matured impeccable. Thank you Mr Bongo!
… Read more in stock $20.75
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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".
… Read more in stock $18.16
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Review: Last reissued in Brazil over 10 years ago and last reissued on vinyl over 20 years ago, legendary Brazilian singer Gal Costa's sixth album is a tropicalian odyssey. Reflective, soulful, touching and dynamic, Gal guides us through a sunset story of ballads ("Volta"), bossas ("Milho Verde") blues ("De Maior Importance") and beyond with an all-star troupe of musicians including Gilberto Gil, Arthur Verocai and Dominguinhos. Remastered to a touch and complete with the original cover that was banned by the Brazilian dictatorship at the time, this is the first time India has been reissued with care in decades.
… Read more in stock $19.72
