Vente Pa Ca (feat Jimena Angel, Jah Sazzah & Poirier) (4:34)
Vente Pa Ca (feat Jimena Angel, Jah Sazzah & Poirier - Poirier remix) (3:47)
Review: This is a global single with a great story that starts with an afro-funk groove made by Italian Jah Sazzah. He wanted a vocal for it so turned to Nickodemus who handed his own touches and then sent it Grammy-nominated Colombian vocalist Jimena Angel. The result is a vibrant Afro tune with vivid melodies. Remixer Poirier is a legend in Latin music circles. The Montreal man has formerly been associated with Ninja Tune and is synonymous with lots of classy remixes and fresh takes on a modern Afro-Caribbean sound. This is another one that reworks the ring into a more bouncy and infectious sound with gorgeous vocals and a clean arrangement that allows the drums and perc to shine.
Review: Izumi Kobayashi's Coconuts High is a vibrant testament to her evolution as an artist. Reissued on vinyl, this album showcases Izumi's mastery in blending funk, Latin, and tropical influences into a cohesive and electrifying album. This piece features heavy hitters like Pecker, Freddie Washington, and the legendary Tower of Power horns, along with contributions from The Waters and guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka. Tracks like 'Palm St.' and 'Small Dynamite' pulsate with energy, while 'Lazy Love,' a reggae-infused reinterpretation of 'Crazy Love,' highlights her innovative spirit. Recorded in Los Angeles with a top-notch roster of musicians, Coconuts High encapsulates the essence of summer with its infectious grooves and tropical vibes. Each of the eight tracks is meticulously crafted, reflecting Izumi's growth as both a singer and composer. This reissue invites a new generation of listeners to fall in love with the sun-soaked rhythms and catchy melodies that make Coconuts High a timeless gem in Japanese funk and soul music.
Lex, Dennis Liber, Rosa - "Una Sera D'Estate" (feat Max Giovara) (7:02)
Lex, Dennis Liber - "End Of The Line" (5:56)
Dennis Liber - "Playa Eden" (feat Sariela Camargo) (8:32)
Dennis Liber - "Hidden Island" (feat Ricardo Benitez) (4:17)
Review: Rocksteady Disco welcomes Dennis Liber & Lex for a standout debut here. Their four-tracker captures the magic of musical nights spent down in Mexican hotspot Tulum with organic and airy grooves aplenty. 'Una Sera D'Estate' (feat Max Giovara) exodus late-night warmth and loved-up vibes with its melodic bassline and disco-tinged house drums. 'End Of The Line' is more lively but is no less direct with its big drums and pointed bass phrasings. Liber then goes solo for the dreamy, Italo-tinged yet tropical 'Playa Eden' and wonderfully escapist closer 'Hidden Island' complete with Balearic beats and the sound of singing dolphins.
Review: Electro-disco bordering on future funk from Kokoro Disco San, the Barcelona trio behind the excellent 'Isla Fantasia' released a few years back. On the A-side comes 'The Brightest Light', corralling enchanting female vocals (those of Brigitte Emaga) on a driving, French-house reminiscent accompaniment, amount to a watery poolside bounce. The B-side's 'Mistura Magica', meanwhile, is skewed to be more organic and comes as an impactful but relaxed foray through tropical futurisms and technicolour flute soarings by Irene Reig.
Review: Candido Camero is credited by the label Real Gone as the man "who basically brought the conga into the modern age", with his "innovative multi-percussion setups and tunable congas" raising the bar for those seeking an example of international music done right. Widely known for his elaborate one-man band apparatus - a combination of his own patented tunable conga with bongos, guiro, and foot-operated cowbell - Candido is unsurprisingly candid about his pioneering invention of the multi-percussion setup. 'Dancin' And Prancin'' hails from Camero's disco spate - a long time after which he'd already established a foothold in the contemporary jazz and soul worlds as a player in the bands of Dizzy Gillespie and Billy Taylor, to name a few. Well into his career, at the age of 58, 'Dancin' And Prancin'' nonetheless refuses to forgo the raw, easygoing follies of youth, with authentic and raw rhythms brought to a no less sprightly, spritzy vocal number.
Review: Diogo Strausz has previously released on Razor-N-Tape as part of the duo Balako but now steps up as a solo artist to kick off the label's 2021. A Sao Paulista now living in Paris, he brings plenty of musicality to the slick 7", firstly with 'Emancipacao,' which is awash with melancholic keys and rich bass but also plenty of fantastic leads from both synths and sax. It's splashy and splashy and colourful disco. '50 Anos Em 5' then gets playful and funky with a Latin twist as the salsa beats an squelchy bass all make you want to spin on your heels.
Review: The new album by Quantic - aka. multi instrumentalist, DJ, composer and producer Will Holland - is in many ways an evolution. Now twenty years into his career, Dancing While Falling is the British-born, New York-based artist's most live sounding, euphoric and, in his own words, grown-up release to date. Capturing the beginnings of every good person's revelatory movement from an individual to a collective spirit, Holland originally began the album in his Brooklyn studio, before realising that he didn't just want to make a record that reflected his 'singular pandemic wormhole', but rather one that tapped into the essential togetherness of the human condition. So too does this record explore themes of connection felt through, and made more intense by, the antagonistic bouts of loneliness that characterised COVID-19. Influenced by legendary artists in the scene like Bohannon and Larry Levan, Quantic wanted to make a disco -eaning album at first; "I'm really interested in Latin music and Afro Caribbean rhythms and I think there's a really amazing point in history where the emergence of those rhythms and its combination with American soul sparked what we now know as disco," he says. This PIAS extended edition comes one year on from its initial 2023 release, Quantic here expands on his work by adding a ream of extended versions.
Review: After a string of sought-after releases on labels like Barefoot Beats, Cocada Music, Bongo Synth and Too Slow To Disco, Bernardo Pinheiro brings his seasoned production skills to Onda Boa. It's nothing short of miraculous that this release is considered an effort in 'production' over composition, as these tracks could fool anyone into thinking they were recorded by a live band. That's part of the art, though: with Pinheiro described as a "man at home working in a myriad of styles", we truly do have a jazzdance production master on our hands, and this time he covers from scratch Marcos Valle and Azymuth's classic 'Virabrequim'. On the B, there's also an organic broken beat remix by fellow producer Voilaaa, who demonstrates an equal taste for retraining a live feel in their productions.
Elia Y Elizabeth - "Fue Una Lagrima" (Phenomenal Handclap Band 7" edit remix) (4:54)
Elia Y Elizabeth - "Descripcion" (Buscabulla Beatless remix) (3:23)
Review: The Phenomenal Handclap Band combine forces with Buscabulla on this new split 7" for the new Relatin project, a New York-based initiative to reimagine Latin music for a new generation of music listeners. Touted as "sweet sixties soft pop meets funk and club culture", this three tracker comes to us with all the style of a low key Americana acetate found in a thrift store, but surreptitiously works modern sonics into the mix; 'Descripcion' is a beatless meander through mellow Latin vocals and whistles, while more energetic cuts adorn the A.
Review: Mushroom Pillow is on a proud and so far successful mission to bring back Latin American music from the 60s-80s via its Relatin project. it's all about mixing up the traditional and the modern and putting fresh spins on what went before. Many of the originals they look to have gone unnoticed the first time round and that's the case here as Franc Moody adds his own twist to Elia & Elizabeth's 'Alegria.' His remix is a sympathetic one that gets the hips swinging over fat and funky disco bass and beneath the sunny Latin vocals. He strips them away on the instrumental version on the flip.
Review: The vibrant Cuban music scene of the 1970s thrived with creativity, and FA-5's self-titled 1976 album perfectly captures that energy. Part of Mr Bongo's Cuban Classics series, the record blends Latin rock, funk, soul, disco, and Afro-Cuban rhythms into an eclectic and captivating sound. The funk-heavy opener, 'Muevete Con Las Fuerzas Del Corazon' features an infectious bassline, lively horns and drum breaks, setting the tone for a genre-hopping journey. With standout tracks like the Latin disco-funk 'Casa De Ladrillo' and a cover of Commodores' 'Brick House' this hidden gem, which was produced by Tony TaNo, is a must-have for both fans and collectors.
Review: Curated by David 'Mr Bongo' Buttle and Gareth Stephens, with additional picks from Gary Johnson, Ville Marttila, and Graham Luckhurst, Volume Two of this much loved Mr Bongo series finally gets a reissue after proving so popular first time round. It continues the vibe of its predecessor by offering a deeper selection of soul and disco tracks that Mr Bongo associates have been spinning in their DJ sets and radio show. Standout tracks from artists like Dee Edwards, Leny Andrade, Rosa Maria, The Equatics, Elbernita 'Twinkie' Clark and The Beaters make this a real must have.
Juan Pablo Torres - "Cacao" (Dan Tyler NAD Bulto version) (7:54)
Juan Pablo Torres Y Algo Nuevo - "Pastel En Descarga" (Dan Tyler NAD) (3:39)
Grupo Los Yoyi - "Paco La Calle" (Nick The Record re-edit) (8:11)
Review: Dan Tyler and Nick The Record's third installment in the Mr Bongo Edits series brings a bold twist to Cuban classics with three tracks that are equal parts cosmic and dancefloor-ready. On the A-side, Tyler extends two Juan Pablo Torres tracks from his reissued 1978 'Algo Nuevo' and 1977's 'Super Son.' First, Tyler reimagines 'Cacao,' a standout track from Torres' LP, giving it room to breathe and intensifying the percussive climax with swirling synths and spacey dub effects. It's a track that thrives on a big system, building tension as it goes, and works wonders in the right environmentijust ask anyone who caught it at La Paloma in Barcelona. Next, Tyler dials into 'Pastel En Descarga,' turning the Latin-funk fusion into a punchy, trippy dub with delay and drama, keeping the track's energy while taking it further into spacey, cosmic territory. On the flip, Nick The Record tackles Grupo Los Yoyi's 1977 'Paco La Calle,' taking a 2009 edit and expanding it into a longer, more hypnotic piece. The percussion pushes and pulls as the psychedelic synths swirl, creating a dynamic and ever-building groove. The 2025 version is elevated with new synth lines courtesy of Tyler, deepening the track's psychedelic richness. A cosmic whirlwind of reworks that bridges the gap between '70s Cuban innovation and modern dancefloor sensibilities.
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.
Review: Detroit's John Beltran can do no wrong if you ask us, and what he does do is always famously varied, from sound design for TV to melodic techno excellence via ambient beauty. Here for MotorCity Wine he revisits his Back To Bahia series with a third volume that finds him flexing his Afro-Brazilian deep house chops. The 7" opens up with the jazzy boogie of Lsaura' which is steeped in Minneapolis funk and will get cultured dancefloors in a spin. 'As The Sunsets' that appears on the flip and is a superbly emotive sound with wispy late night melodies and glowing harmonies and shuffling Latin grooves. Essential.
Cerebro Orgasmo Envidia & Sofia (Bosq remix) (4:40)
Review: Martin Buscaglia's riotous, psychedelic Latin funk anthem from his 2006 classic album El evangelio segun mi jardinero finally makes its much-requested debut on a 7". This release features a stunning remix by Bosq. The original track is a wild, high-energy ride through vibrant Latin funk landscapes, bursting with infectious rhythms and lively instrumentation. Bosq's remix adds a touch of his signature magic, infusing the track with a subtle cumbia feel while maintaining its midtempo groove. Resisting the urge to speed it up, Bosq crafts a remix that's perfect for the dance floor, offering a joyful, everyone-smiling experience. The result is a delightful, midtempo dancefloor treat that celebrates the original's wild spirit while adding a fresh, irresistible twist.
For All The Side Chicos & Chicas (feat Coco Maria) (3:44)
Maybe Man (feat Silvia Machete) (1:13)
Hay Esperanza (feat Coco Maria) (2:42)
She's In LA (feat Young Gun Silver Fox) (1:27)
Todo Chvere (feat Don Leisure & Coco Maria) (3:12)
Review: Rio 18's Radio Chevere is a vibrant, genre-defying musical experience that resists being neatly boxed in. Part mixtape, part radio show, it's a sprawling tribute to Tropical Music, bursting with energy, sincerity, and groove.
Guided by guest DJ Coco Maria, Radio Chevere embarks on a sonic journey across multiple continents. From the samba rhythms of Brazil to Venezuelan salsa and even Californian psychedelic disco, the album becomes a musical metaphor for migrationicelebrating the movement of people, sounds, and stories.Collaboration lies at the heart of this record. Brazilian legends the +2's appear on the soft samba ballad 'Oh Minha Querida', while transatlantic Yacht Rockers Young Gun Silver Fox bring laid-back charm to 'She's In LA'. Silvia Machete from Sao Paulo adds an infectious funk vibe to 'Maybe Man', and Venezuelan icon Luzmira Zerpa delivers rhythmic intensity on 'Padre Tiempo'. The album's linguistic variety is equally impressive, blending Spanish, Portuguese, Welsh, and English into one rich tapestry. Founder Carwyn Ellis, having explored Latin music since Rio 18's 2018 inception, takes a step back from singing on Radio Chevere, focusing instead on songwriting and production. With bold cover art by Colombian artist Yoda, Radio Chevere is a lively and heartfelt celebration of the diverse influences that make up its unique sound.
Review: Esperanto is widely heralded as a Venezuelan jazz-Ffsion masterpiece. It was first released in 1980 and is a real collector's item that is hard to find an expensive. French label Favourite now presents a first ever reissue of the eponymous LP that was recorded in Caracas by a number of talented musicians. It has strong Latin and funk overtones. Squelchy synth sounds and is a must-have for anyone interested in this fine fusion sound. The band started off playing jam sessions that grew ever more refined to the point that they eventually lay down this enduring masterclass.
Review: Hot on the heels of this one first being reissued back in May, it now gets a second run courtesy of Disques Messager out of France. Cristina Camargo's 'Moral Tem Hora' was one of the standouts from the super Brazilian Disco Boogie Sounds (1978 - 1982: selected by Junior Santos) compilation. It's a perfect fusion of Latin flair, Brazilian disco and jazz funk magic that has fat bass riffs and lots of bright chords and busy percussion next to a classic vocal. On the flip things get slower, sentimental and all loved up on 'Minas Do Rei Salomao' which his a perfectly steamy jam for those hot afternoons under the sun.
Review: Buh Records reissues Rollets' classic self-titled album here as it was a key moment in Peruvian disco history that first arrived in 1981. Only emerging themselves a year before, Rollets blended disco, boogie and pop and caught a pivotal moment in Lima's music scene during the democratic transition. Their hit 'Patinando' gave them national recognition, but their album features a range of sophisticated tracks from disco anthems to boogie with soft rock influences. The band was led by Manuel and Saul Cornejo and helped shape the rise of Peruvian disco and influenced later groups like Grupo America and Los Roller's de Tarapoto, so this is a real treasure.
Jeannette Azzouz & Belles Combo - "So Close To Me" (3:11)
Mython - "Arizona" (5:06)
Homar Jackson - "Sea Trip" (3:13)
Harry Panday - "Love Your Mother & Father" (3:12)
Errol Ince - "Sabrosito As" (4:07)
Mameen 3 - "Tropicamellow" (4:35)
Leoparden - "Borster Kapa" (4:49)
Joe (Tempo) Caesar - "Soca Mosa" (8:28)
Zouratie Kone & The Astral Synth Transmitters - "Suba" (3:18)
Jeremy Alonzi - "Friture 4000" (4:59)
Sexo Y Fantasia - "Mangoface" (4:26)
Mayra Fernandes & Carlo Alexandre Teixeira - "Teko Pora" (5:11)
Review: The latest volume in DJ soFa's renowned Elsewhere series is here to celebrate. Elsewhere CC is the ninth installment and is always a jam packed tribute to summer and groove, curated by the Brussels-based DJ and producer known for his eclectic taste and unique musical style. Elsewhere CC is a full of tropical gems spanning from Trinidad to Brazil, Poland, Dominica, and beyond. The compilation features a diverse mix of tropical-wave, Calypso, multi-rhythmic beats, lo-fi disco jams, and more, all curated by DJ soFa. This collection is perfect for setting the mood on a sunny, secluded beach with a cocktail in hand. It includes rare tracks and some of DJ soFa's own productions and collaborations, featuring hard-to-find tunes from the 70s to today, including Jeannette Azzouz's sought-after Calypso record, 'So Close to Me.' DJ soFa, also known as soFa Elsewhere, is celebrated for his boundary-pushing curation and storytelling through music. "Elsewhere CC continues his mission to expand musical horizons and showcase hidden gems from around the world.
Review: Captain Planet is a globe trotting DJ and producer who mixes up worldly roots music with his own fresh take on hip-hop and dancehall. For this one he joined up with Zuzuka Poderosa & Raphael Futura for a brilliant Brazilian disco and funk song that harks back to the 70s and 80s with influences like Tim Maia, Sandra Da Sa & Gilberto Gil. 'Moqueca' though also has some nice dance floor weight to it as well as the richly tropical percussion, steamy horns and seductive chords. On the flip is an instrumental and the good news is this is a taster of a full album to come.
Review: The Barefoot Beats crew return with outing number 14 and once more it is music for sunny climates. Aroop Roy takes care of the A-side of this 10" with 'Fankiando Taniador', the Latin flavoured deep cut disco and funk roller with 80s horn stabs and rumbling bass all topped with a red hot vocal full of flair. It's pure Brazilian heat that is perfect for outdoor dancing and Bernardo Pinheiro's 'Expresso Amor' then brings more sunshine goodness with its slinky disco house beats and swinging hand claps all irresistible to anyone with a heart.
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