Review: A vault of formerly unreleased Don Blackman material recently surfaced via the Chicago DJ/producer/digger Marc Davis, who in recent years struck up a relationship with the children of the mysterious New York pianist and songwriter. Now this wealth of jams finally gets released: 40 years' worth of unheard Blackman - cassettes, CDs, discs, reel-to-reels, paperwork, even VHS tapes - inevitably once more reignites the obsessive fan interest in his music, which sprang from its already-mystical cult status in the rare funk and soul-digging world.
Review: We'll never tire of the incredible Brazil45 series on Mr Bongo, which has provided an authoritative window into the rich history of 60s and 70s grooves from South America. Here's a missing joint from the series which took some time to come to fruition - a split release featuring Brazilian Boys on the A side and Rubinho E Mauro Assumpcao on the B. 'Super Herois' is an obscure slice of off-kilter, psych tinged funk from 1975 that has the kind of individual sound which could find favour with a lot of different DJs. 'Tudo Ai' has a more recognisable samba shuffle, but much like the A side there's a subtle twist in the sound which leans towards blues rock and jazz, locking down on the rhythm and creating a low-key party starter in its own unique way.
Golden Boys - "Segura Na Cintura Dela (O Gaviao)" (2:38)
Silvio Cesar - "Beco Sem Saida" (2:21)
Review: Mr Bongo's essential Brazil 45s series notches up release number 89 via a blast of heavy dancefloor pressure that touches on both Brazilian funk and samba-rock. On the A-side you'll find Golden Boys' 1975 gem 'Segura Na Cintura Dela (O Gaviao)', an irresistible slab of full-throttle, orchestra-sporting, Hammond-heavy samba-funk marked out by strong group vocals and some superb musical arrangements. Over on the flip you'll find another classic from the same producer (Milton Miranda), Silvio Cesar's 1971 carnival masterpiece 'Beco Sem Saida' - an infectious excursion that found fame in the 2000s when Drumagick sampled it on 'Sambarock'.
Review: Mr Bongo's authoritative Brazilian 7" series continues apace with this delightful gem, featuring the magical talents of Guto on the A-side and Tony Nunes on the flip. Guto's 'Transito Livre' is a sweet slice of MPB (musica popular brasileira) which switches time signatures with flair from verse to chorus. Tony Nunes turns the heat up with 'Por Favor', a 1973 cut which sounds like it could jump right off the turntable with its fiery, funky urgency. Another essential purchase for all those who love hidden nuggets from Brazil's abundant musical history.
Review: The Incredible Bongo Band were a loose studio collective interpreting classics of the day in their own inimitable percussive fashion .They are of course most famous for their ultimate b-boy classic version of "Apache". This particular 7" however features two Incredible Bongo Band cuts that have not previously featured on any albums. "The Riot" is a frenetic drum workout and has been championed by the likes of the Chemical Brothers. "Ohkey Dokey (Part 2)" takes on a somewhat more subdued hue in comparison, but has some dope funky clavinet in the mix. Well worth checking.
Review: You might well have caught wind of Kenny Dope's exhaustive Wild Style Breakbeats box set which came out in 2014. It found the New York legend offering up six 7"s carrying iconic breaks used in seminal hip hop movie Wild Style. Well now you can cop something from that highly sought after box and enjoy it for yourself as the first disc gets its own individual release. On the A side we've got the low slung bass and dusty groove of 'Down By Law', and on the flip it's 'Subway Beat' with a sweet low funk groove. Both should evoke strong memories for anyone versed in the roots of hip hop culture, but regardless they're just kick ass beats you could have a lot fun juggling and blending into other people's music.
Review: The charming 'Xango' by Magalhaes from his 1986 album E Sua Guitarra on Gravasom Records is an electrifying Lambada track with haunting vocals and infectious energy that now gets reissued as part of the superb series from Mr Bongo. It is a guaranteed dancefloor rescuer for DJs worldwide and has in fact been building momentum in recent years. It remains a favourite for its driving rhythm and captivating intensity and on the B-side is 'Lambada Pauleira' by Os Panteras, which was released in 1987 on Gravasom. Known for Joutro Mundo's popular re-edit, this original version stands out with its quirky charm and undeniable appeal and is a staple for renowned Brazilian DJs, including Augusto Olivani (aka Trepanado).
What You Want To Be? (O Que Voce Que Apostar?) (2:09)
These Are The Songs (Esta E A Cancao) (2:59)
Review: Tim Maia's 1968 debut single, "What You Want To Be", has long been a favourite of dusty-fingered Latin music enthusiasts. Original copies, though, have long been out of the price range of most DJs and collectors. Happily, Mr Bongo has struck a deal to reissue it. The title track is something of a scorching dancefloor-treat - a boogaloo-era slab of Latin funk in which Maia and chums sing in English atop a bustling rhythm track and some seriously heavy horns. B-side "These Are The Songs" is a much more relaxed and laidback, samba-soaked affair, closer in tone to early 1960s U.S soul songs of the sort regularly covered by the Beatles early in the career.
Review: Medium Wave Band's 'So Tender' is a smooth, late-night jazz slow jam with sultry, soulful vocals that feel oddly familiar. The B-side, 'Games (Instrumental)' delivers a perfect example of Britfunk and UK jazz-funk with a bass-driven groove reminiscent of Elite Records releases. Surprisingly, this 7" was a private press by the band and not released on a label. The lineup featured Elliot Browne, Ron Lyseight, Andrew Proverbs, Tony Peart, Paul Snook, Linton Levy, and the stunning vocals of Jaki Graham, best known for her hit 'Could It Be I'm Falling in Love.' Only 200 copies were pressed, mainly sold in Birmingham, and so this is a cult classic for many and a welcome reissue.
Review: Mr Bongo's Brazil45 series continues apace with this 95th entry, which carries two separate sides to keep any Latin-minded DJ very happy indeed. 'Mar Afunda' is a dancefloor delight from Os Novos Crioulos which originally came out on the group's self-titled album on Pirata in 1976. It's shuffling and sublime, sure to get a plethora of ID requests and shimmying moves from the people with their ears tuned in. On the flip we get Supersom TA's 'Brasileira Roxa', a sunny slice of samba fun which originally came out in 1972 and features more cuica flexing than you could ever dream of.
Review: This 7" reissue revives a true funk gem from Miami-based Cuban rock band Pearly Queen. Featuring the infectious 'Quit Jive' In' and a fiery cover of The Rascals' 'Jungle Walk,' this 1974 release on Sound Triangle Records has long been a sought-after rarity. Introduced to collectors by DJs like Keb Darge and Jazzman Gerald, and later immortalised by DJ Shadow in his Brainfreeze mix, the record oozes groove. 'Quit Jive' In,' penned by Ray Fernandez, is a funk powerhouse, while 'Jungle Walk' brings a cinematic rock-funk flair, perfect for a Tarantino soundtrack.
Review: Most experts agree that Archie Shepp's 1972 album "Attica Blues" is one of the finest soul-jazz LPs ever made - a politically-charged affair that just gets better with every listen. This tidy seven-inch single from Mr Bongo offers up two of the album's standout moments. On the A-side you'll find the title track, a swirling, down-low mixture of belted-out female chorus vocals, surging orchestration, Blaxploitation style bottom end and an impassioned lead vocal from Henry Hull. Flipside cut "Quiet Dawn" sees Waheeda Massey take lead vocals over a more obviously jazz-centric backing track rich in wild sax solos from the effervescent Shepp. Like the A-side, it's simply essential.
Review: Smoke Inc are a favourite for soul reissuers and once again they find themselves the subject of a loving repress by the kind folks over at Mr. Bongo. 'Waitin' For Love' remains to be one of their most sought-after songs on wax, flaunting the sweet balladry of the band's brains Roy Schmall and Stanford Terry, and topped off with an ecstatic flute solo. It was originally released on the band's own self-titled imprint, but now it seems destined to transcend its make-do origins; these new, pristine reissues wait avidly for your mitts on 'em.
Review: Briefly active in the late 1970s, Solat was a Dutch funk group made up of musicians from Surinam and the Dutch Antilles. They're undoubtedly best remembered by collectors for their 1977 single "Change The World", original copies of which regularly change hands for hundreds of pounds online. Here it gets the reissue treatment courtesy of Mr Bongo. Rich in crunchy Clavinets, tropical guitars, bold group vocals and a touch of steamy disco flavour, "Change The World" is a genuinely life-affirming affair. "Try, Try" meanwhile is an altogether more bass-heavy affair - a Blaxploitation-era slab of disco-funk reminiscent of Mass Production at their most righteous.
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