Mr Bongo Record Club - Volume 2

Mr Bongo Record Club - Volume 2

Mr Bongo

As far as feverishly anticipated follow ups go, Mr Bongo's sophomore Record Club release is up there with Stranger Things, Blade Runner and the next round of charges to be levelled at the Drumpf administration.

Speaking of feverish, what better word to describe Elbernita 'Zwinkie' Star's Awake O Zion, an Afro-tinged Disco juggernaut that sets the tone for a right old party. That's just what is in store here, 14 tracks (or 18 if you cop the CD version) of infectious African and Latin grooves and rump-rattling rumpus, all influenced by the global Disco phenomenon that swept the globe around the time of these recordings.

Volume One sold out in minutes and was picked by Lauren Laverne as her album of the day on 6 Music. This time round, we've got even more Disco and Soul in favour of a few more traditional sounds, which is marvellous news for anyone throwing a dancing party. 

Highlights are many but Kiru Stars (Julius Kang’ethe) by Family Planning is sublime, while Dee Edwards' Put Your Love On the Line stands out, not only as the only American track featured, but as a bona fide stomper. Elias Rahbani And His Orchestra's Liza… Liza is also particularly curious - is it Bollywood? Genuinely not sure. Anyway, it's all bloody brilliant, go buy.

TRACKLIST (VINYL 2-LP): A1. Elbernita ‘twinkie’ Clark – Awake O Zion (full length, original version) / A2. Dee Edwards – Put Your Love On The Line / A3. Anubis – Ecology / B1. Guy Cuevas – Ebony Game / B2. Kiru Stars (Julius Kang’ethe) – Family Planning / B3. Teaspoon & The Waves – Oh Yeh Soweto / C1. Leny Andrade – Não Adianta / C2. Rosa Maria – Samba Maneiro / C3. Tom & Dito – Obrigado Corcovado / C4. Inezita Barroso – Maracatu Elegante / C5. Joao Diaz – Capoeira / C6. The Equatics – Merry Go Round / D1. Elias Rahbani And His Orchestra – Liza… Liza / D2. The Beaters – Harari

TRACKLIST, (CD): 1. Luiz Henrique – Mas Que Nada / 2. Elbernita ‘twinkie’ Clark – Awake O Zion / 3. Guy Cuevas – Ebony Game / 4. Kiru Stars (Julius Kang’ethe) – Family Planning / 5. Kelenkye Band – Jungle Music / 6. Effi Duke & The Love Family – The Time Is Come / 7. Anubis – Ecology / 8. Dee Edwards – Put Your Love On The Line / 9. Teaspoon & The Waves – Oh Yeh Soweto / 10. Oby Onyioha – Enjoy Your Life / 11. Leny Andrade – Não Adianta / 12. Rosa Maria – Samba Maneiro / 13. Tom & Dito – Obrigado Corcovado / 14. Inezita Barroso – Maracatu Elegante / 15. Joao Diaz – Capoeira / 16. Elias Rahbani And His Orchestra – Liza… Liza / 17. The Beaters – Harari / 18. The Equatics – Merry Go Round

Jazzman presents Jukebox Mambo

Jazzman presents: Jukebox Mambo
Jazzman Records

Since the release of their first Jukebox Mambo compilation album in 2012, Jazzman Records, with the curatorial expertise of DJ Liam Large, have been opening ears and minds to the delights of Latin-tinged Rhythm & Blues. This, the third release in the series, sticks squarely to the tried and tested formula of its predecessors; combining a crate-digger’s passion for the obscure with an ear for instant dancefloor crowd pleasers.

In a congested field of R&B comps, Jukebox Mambo stands out uniquely in shedding light on the era of Latin American and Caribbean influence, a sensual rhythmic shift which continues to be felt in modern music today.

The compilation comes with in-depth track notes and photographs, is available as a deluxe double vinyl tip on gatefold as well as a super limited edition vintage style 6 x 10" book set - with unique artwork and four exclusive bonus tracks.

Out now through all good stores including Rough Trade or you can even get a 4 x 10 inch version with extra tracks through Jazzman from November

Feature - Cultures of Soul Records

I'm delighted to have grabbed a few words with Deano Sounds, head honcho at one of my favourite repress labels, Cultures of Soul. CoS seek out fantasticmusic from across the world that always manages to be both unusual and yet dancefloor-friendly. I don't think I've played a vinyl set in the last few years that hasn't included at least one CoS record!

 OK let's start with the basics... I note from your website that you started in 2008, born out of a radio show on Viva Radio, but there's obviously a lot of behind the scenes action required to turn that idea into reality. Did you have any prior experience? And what can you tell us about the first steps of the Cultures of Soul imprint? 

I was DJing and collecting records and had also wanted to start a music label at some point.   I guess the first steps would be that my friend had some contact info for Bili Sparrow who turned out to be our first release. And then it went on from there.

   

What's the line up at CoS? 

We've got two ambitious projects coming out now and coming out soon. First a box set of 7 x 7inches of Brazilian Funk and Soul and then out in January the Boston Creative Jazz Scene which is an album compilation with an 80 page book about the underground Jazz scene in Boston in the 70s..

How many releases have you out out so far?  

Too many to count! 

Do you try and do a certain number a year, or is it more a case of 'it's ready when it's ready? 

It's really a case of when releases are ready. There's really no master marketing plan other than to put out the most interesting high quality product that we can.

You've developed a reputation as a purveyor of a more international brand of funk, soul, disco and jazz... you've unearthed some astonishing music from Bollywood, Brazil and the Caribbean, to name but a few unusual sources. How do you find the music, and what criteria do you use to choose which tracks to release? 

I usually start a project by looking for interesting music or an interesting theme and then I try to fill the compilation with the best material that fits together in that particular cultural lens. 

I think our readers would be interested in the process of getting a record out on your business model... talk us through the basic process, from sourcing and selecting tracks to designing and distributing. 

That is quite a long answer and one I feel your readers might finding boring. It's like sauuges the process is not pretty and sometimes you don't want to know what you have to go through to get to the other end!

You're clearly a busy working DJ in your own right - has the label opened doors for you to perform at more illustrious or far-flung venues? 

It has to a certain extent. It's still tough to find great venues willing to host DJings playing eclectic vintage music. But I did recently play a gig at a night in Montreal called the Goods that was amazing!

There's an evident growth in the reissues vinyl market - do you see that as a positive thing? Have you worked with any other labels or collaborated with any? Do you find there's a sense of community between independent reissue labels? 

Well it's great that the younger generation is buying vinyl. The only problem is in my opinion so much wasted vinyl releases are coming out i.e. dollar bin fodder like Fleetwood Mac - Rumors type stuff. I don't believe in pressing vinyl in massive quantities or unneccesarily.I worked with Frank Gossner Voodoo Funk. I think there is definitely a community among the older more established reissues like Numero, Strut, and Soul Jazz. Those are the labels we look up to.

What are the future plans for Cultures of Soul? 

We're actually working with a lot of interesting remixers and producers at the moment including Ruf Dug, Africaine 808, Alma Negra, and Names You Can Trust on a project of unreleased material from the leader of the Kelenkye Band - Jagger Botchway. And I'm also working with Rahaan and Gerd Janson on a few companion 12"s to go with some of our upcoming compilations.

We're putting out a compilation of rare Gospel Disco compiled by Greg Belson and a compilation of South African Disco/Boogie as well as the unreleased material from Jagger Botchway with the remixes. And also some new music produced in 2015 so stay tuned!

The Brasileiro Treasure Box of Funk and Soul 7inch Box Set (Cultures of Soul)

I'm having a massive case of Deja vu right now. I feel like I'm in the car trying to leave that town in The Returned but every time I turn the corner I'm right back where I started. Or I'm Bill Murray's news anchor in Groundhog Day. Either way, I have fucking blogged this already! I swear it... am i going mad? Have I lost my mind and started fabricating memories of inconsequential activities?

Maybe GCHQ snooped on me and deleted it in the night for inciting booty-shaking. Maybe the CIA are planting memories in my mind as part of a wider experiment on unsuspecting proles. Someone call Mulder and Scully!

Since the only record of my blog post exists in my mind, let's try again.

I want to tell you about a wonderfully tempting box set of Brazilian funk from those good folks at Cultures of Soul. If the CIA let it past, maybe this time my post will stick.

To my shame, I've run out of enthusiasm for writing a dedicated piece (and it's nearly home time) so here's what they have to say about it:

Greg Caz and Deano Sounds have teamed up once again to bring you another fine package of vintage Brazilian music. This one stretches across the scope of funk, soul, and psychedelic music from Brazil. Some highlights include: the extremely rare and funky "Labirinto" by 2001 & Beto, the blistering psychedelic funk of Antônio Carlos & Jocafi's "Quem Vem Lá," the essential rare groove track "Bananeira" by Emilio Santiago, Osmar Milito E Quarteto Forma's rare "América Latina" sampled by Madlib, Tom Zé’s unstoppable riff on “Jimmy, Renda-Se,” and many others. Here are some words on the project from co-compiler and Brazilian music aficionado, Greg Caz:

"Without necessarily having a central theme other than funky nuggets from the first half of the 70s, we believe this compilation displays its own particular sense of logic, and that these songs ultimately all sound fantastic together. Regardless of one's familiarity, or lack thereof, with artists like Antonio Carlos & Jocafi, Os Incríveis, Toni Tornado or Celia, the material on these 45s speaks its own truth and justifies their inclusion here. Many of these were originally available as singles, while others were taken from albums, but all are guaranteed to find their way into many DJ boxes and playlists."

The 45 box set version comes in a durable glossy case with 7 x 45s, a poster containing the original artwork for the album, and a booklet printed on thick paper. 

All I will say is that it's beautifully packaged and ultra-funky...

Have a good old listen below or buy it here (UK) or here (worldwide)

Peru Boom: Bass, Bleeps & Bumps From Peru's Electronic Underground

Well, here's a rarity... No, not an ultra-sought-after 1st press of Tangerine Dream's debut album Phaedra (although that would be nice). Even rarer, a record that excites both your Curious Music correspondents in equal measure! As I'm writing this, I realise that we were both slobbering over the Kung Fury record from a few weeks back, but let's not let the truth get in the way of hyperbole...

"I'm going to get this" said Dann, emailing me a link to a new record. Usually, it's some difficult jazz or ultra-minimal drone music so I agree it's a cool record, but not one for me. This time, however, the title alone piqued my interest.

But before I investigate the record in question; an aside. I hate the term 'World' music. It's so patronising, like calling non-white people 'coloured'. At the risk of sounding trite, we're all in our own little patches of planet Earth, and using that term to describe music that's not British/American immediately puts it in the category of 'Other' - you might as well call it 'Funny Foreign Music'.
But I digress. My point is I really like discovering the sounds from far-flung nations, whether old or new, traditional or modern. Some of the most interesting and amazing music I've ever heard has been created when two cultures meet - Indigenous music influenced by a disparate sound, usually British/American music. There are countless examples throughout music history, from Jap-rock to Afro-disco. It's a trend that, with the information-sharing capabilities of the internet, has become even more prevalent in the modern age.

Nowhere is this better showcased than on Peru Boom: Bass, Bleeps & Bumps From Peru's Electronic Underground

At CMFCP we can't often be accused of being at the forefront of the hippest new global club music, but thanks to the aforementioned record, it seems we are! Dance music heavyweights such as Diplo and Major Lazer apparently hoover up the finest South American bass/electronic club music and bring it to mass audiences. We're not too sure how all that sort of thing works but what we hear is some highly unusual and captivating electronic music.
It's been a while since I went to a sweaty rave, which is partly because the music doesn't often appeal. The current crop of celebrated UK Bass artists rarely do it for me - without wishing to sound too much like an overly nostalgic old sod - I remember when club music made you want to dance.
Mount Kimbie would have been in the chillout room back in the 00's. I've nothing against him or his music, but I find it odd that these days he's main room fare.

By contrast, this Peruvian stuff would really get me hyped. (No, not that kind of Peruvian stuff)

2 tunes in and Deltatron's Ego Trip is an absolute banger; with Trap-style hats, 80s throwback synths, heavy 808 bass tones and a steadily ascending lead line that gets into your bones. I would lose my shit to this if I heard it on a big rig.
Qechaboi's Iseecumbiapeopleagain mixes Postal Service style beats with glitchy synths that wouldn't sound out of place on a Game Boy... but wraps it all in a Cumbia shuffle that's kind of the perfect example of what this Peruvian scene has to offer.
Peru Boom: Bass, Bleeps & Bumps From Peru's Electronic Underground has introduced me to new music from an area of the world not famed, traditionally, for pioneering advances in that regard. With acts like Animal Chuki, Tribilin Sound and Pirana Sound System demonstrating this kind of sure touch, it's a scene I will be paying close attention to from now on!

Available on Double-Vinyl with a sweet as fuck cover design, and available direct from Bandcamp or from most good online stores, Peru Boom: Bass, Bleeps & Bumps From Peru's Electronic Underground is highly recommended for anyone interested in electronic music. I can feel a trip to Peru brewing ...

Have a listen here:

Buy direct from Tigers Milk Records here https://tigersmilkrecords.bandcamp.com/album/peru-boom-bass-bleeps-bumps-from-perus-electronic-underground

In addition, there's a fascinating video documentary about the thriving Lima electronic music scene... check it out here!

Tullio De Piscopo - Suonando La Batteria Moderna

I wasn't sure whether to put this in 'Reissue of the Week' but Dan says he's got a jaffer so I'll leave that one to him and stick it here... 

This one is just essential for any producers or percussion enthusiasts... a high quality reissue of a 'holy grail' drum break compilation. I've got a fair few of these Drum Library type records and I've got to be honest, this one is the best by far. The recordings are quality yet rugged and rough, while the rhythms are explosive and super, super funky throughout. It's a touch expensive at £29.99, but I can't wait to get these breaks into the sampler and start enhancing my beats. 

Want it? Buy it from Juno Records here