Review: VA - The Original Sound of Mali 2 (Mr Bongo)

Thinking about a Mr Bongo Record Club compilation that focuses on the original sounds of Mali, this new compilation adds to 2017's Vol. 1 digging deeper into incredible sounds from the 70s and 80s.

French journalist and African music expert, Florent Mazzoleni joined forces with Mr Bongo's David Buttle to bring you this amazing, if not magnificent dozen of tracks by such household names as Ousmane Kouyaté & Ambassadeurs Internationaux, Rail Band, Les Messagers du Mali, Mystère Jazz de Tombouctou and many more.

Drawn from the 70/80s post-independent Mali, the freedom of traditional musicians with modern instruments went to their heads and ended up in the melting pot: none more so than Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako with 'Get Up James' - this is not a one track album, I repeat, definitely NOT as one track album, but if you love James Brown, this is one to get up to - it's 'James NOT James' to mis-quote.

Hotels in Bamako were the place to party back in the day and now it's a hot bed of recording studios due to the Tinariwen effect and those Ambassador's know how to switch to that camel jazz walk 'n' blues ballad ('Matou Kagni').  Of course there's lots on international visitors to the Hotels bringing western music and it's possibly best asseminated in the opening tracks 'Kefimba' and Bouba et Sakona Sacko's 'Mamaniya'. 

'Yayoraba' and 'Moussokéléyato' by Allata Broulaye are marvellously 'rock-guitar' based mixed with wailing vocals  you can see why Robert "I'm a Brummie" Plant is such a fan of Malian music.

And not to be outdone, there's a couple of jazz bands, Malian style of course; Mystère Jazz de Tombouctou and Tentemba Jazz du Mali and possibly our favourite, the Rail Band ('Massaré Mousso') as Bamako would be for the rail terminous and all the hotels; that's how it all works.

And if there's any mod-revivalists still tuned in, the cover version of 'Midnight Hour' by Tjiwara Band de Kati to end on is pretty sharp in its own way; great guitar and drum solos which just about excuses the vocals not being up to Mr. Pickett soul quality. 

So whilst Vol. 2. still has the Mali/desert blues feel of Vol.1 . Zani Diabaté et Le Super Djata Band, Alou Fané & Daouda Sangaré et al, but if you do get it only for 'Get Up James', you won't be sorry.  And if you get the album for the other tracks, you won't be sorry either: Win - Win! And get on up and add this album to the collection. 

BUY LINK: https://www.mrbongo.com/products/the-original-sound-of-mali-2-vinyl-2lp-cd

Artist: Various Artists 

Title: The Original Sound of Mali 2

Release date: 7th February 2025

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP278

Format :  2xLP Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review - Dora Morelenbaum - Pique (Mr Bongo)

Dora Morelenbaum is the superstar from Brazil with a debut album on Mr Bongo - you must here it.

How do we know she's a superstar? Well, she part of Bala Desejo (see review HERE) along with her bestie, Ana Frango Elétrico who had her album out last year (se review HERE) we've been getting itchy for more Dora Morelenbaum since the 'Vento De Beirada EP' last year as her debut album has 11 new tracks.

And who can not love the sunny feel-good of this album, especially 'Venha Comigo', the jazz-funky 'Sim, Não' and the odd-ball kooky extremees  of 'Caco' and 'VW Blue'.

But not only that, there's a string drenched ballad 'Essa Confusão' that'll knock you out with its understated jazz ballady along with the jazz pop of 'Petricor' and the thrilling 'Nem te procurar' that ties all these various strings together that makes this album so good?  

Dora has said, “'Pique' was an album made in motion and ended up being about just that. From the beginning, it was an album that sought to build new textures that are part of the sound landscape I envision ahead. And from these colours and textures, it builds bridges between a more traditional universe, sonically and poetically speaking, and a new perspective on songs.”

And you can't argue with that.  Any fans of Brazillian culture and its musical heritage from MPB, bossa nova, samba to tropicália will love this.

Artist: Dora Morelenbaum
Title: Pique 
Release date: 18th October, 2024

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP275,

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - Mr Bongo Record Club Vol.7 (Mr Bongo)

How do Mr Bongo keep releasing such fantastic tracks?  We don't know but it's a good job their Record Club releases the annual compilation (now on Vol. 7) so we've got all the top tracks all in one place.

We've already had a sneak peek at this with SOYUZ featuring Asha Puthli & Sven Wunder and 'Spring Has Sprung' (see review HERE) so now Autumn has arrived you even more summery Latin love from Mr Bongo and from further a-field on this 21 track compilation.

Not only is there chilled out Latin jazzdance classics, some stormin' U.S. disco funk (particularly The Duncan's 'Too Damn Hot' and 'Love Games' by Thandi Zulu & The Young Five) and the best disco track you've always wanted to get your hands on, 'Come Inside' by The Shades Of Love.

I like this Latin/disco-funk 2-genre theme that's a little reflective of other recent Mr Bongo comps like the John G​ó​mez and Nick The Record Present TANGENT (see review HERE - these two DJs were really good a the recent WOH Festival even though the clouds were gathering at the time) and the 'With Love' series by Miche (see review HERE - who was at many stages at WOH but I saw him mostly at the Near Mint record fair). 

Not so keen on the 'Between The Sheets' cover version but as to endorse and merge the themes, the closing track is a rare one, classic and BIG all at the same time- a Studio Rio version of 'Lovely Day' with Bill Withers himself!  You'll all have a lovely day listening to this from beginning to end and back again - highly recommended.

PS. also worth revisiting, Mr Bongo Record Club Vol 6. (see review HERE).

Artist: Various Artists 

Title: Mr Bongo Record Club Vol.7

Release date: 4th October, 2024

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP304

Format :  2xLP Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: SOYUZ featuring Asha Puthli & Sven Wunder - 'Spring Has Sprung' (Mr Bongo)

You need this!

Of course we've been looking forward to Mr Bongo's Record Club Vol 7 ever since Vol. 6 came out (see reveiw HERE) but when you have a track that features Asha Puthli (Asian space disco queen) and king of a modern dancefloor, Stockholm's Sven Wunder on a track by fan of both SOYUZ, you know 'Spring Has Sprung'.

Lush spiritual disco Swedish OST and you've got the idea.

Asha has been giging all over Europe and you may have seen her at Glastonbury and there's We Out Here Festival to come soon (can't wait).  And not only that, Mr Bongo are re-issuing her 'The Devil Is Loose' LP on gold vinyl no less later in the year!

Full album release in October.

Artist: SOYUZ featuring Asha Puthli & Sven Wunder 

Title: Spring Has Sprung 

Release date: 2nd August, 2024 

Label : Mr Bongo 

Catalog Number : MRB304BTI19

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: VA - John G​ó​mez and Nick The Record Present TANGENT (Mr Bongo)

Known as a record dealer's digger, Nick The Record has been after the rarest and the best disco/soul/jazz and other dancefloor gold for over 30 years and can you imagine the team up with John G​ó​mez, another DJ with links to Music From Memory, Rush Hour and shows on NTS Radio as they joined forces for the club night they called, Tangent.

After 10 years of Tangent, is it time for the residents sit down and pick the best tracks for a  compilation to celebrate?  Too right it is, even if there's less tracks than the number of balloons in the cover photograph.  Even so, it'd still an impressive 18 tracks, many of which are probably going to be new to you as they find themselves a newer and wider audience.

The single, 'Tet Chajé' by Kajou is a bit of a relevation as it must be pretty rare as a Haitian disco hit from 1985 (a real mix of influences to say the least).  Backed with Miguel Perikás' 'Laberinto' that throws some Italo-jazzy keys on the Balearics with some warped synth combined it's like a Shalamar meets a disco Quincy Jones with Bob James and Shakatak.

Whilst they do love a 80s disco, 'No Way To Control It' (very 'Automatic') you don't last 10 year in London clubland on this alone.  And with this wealth of diging connections, you'll find a best mate like Dany Tyler (50% of edit experts, Idjut Boys) ready to enjoy a tour de force de Disco with a Nick the Record & Dan Tyler Re-Edit, 'Quelle Drôle De Vie'.

So you'd expect disco, house, Afro-Français, edits, remixes but these DJ's are no limited to these comparisions as the album itself kicks off with some reggae sound system riddems from... Thailand; of course!  And includes 80s hip-hop rap with King B's 'Love Is Crazy' from, Cameroon.

'Amek, Amek' is mad African soukous so is going for silly prices for original copies on t'internet and everything else on the album so get the double vinyl whilst you can. And where would you even start to look for Pellegrin El Kady's 'Sevia de Carnaval'?

It's like a wierd world cup of dancefloor! And you'll find this pair going head to head at WeOutHere Festival in August when The Bowl stage in Dorset will be turned into a little bit of trendy London for TANGENT on the Thursday afternoon.  You never know, you might find some of the regulars and early fans like DJ Andy Smith, OOFT!, Daddy Bones, DJ Tom B. (Avenida Brasil / Bongo Joe Rec), T Bird, Jim Lister (1BTN), Stu Patterson (Faith, etc), Timo Maas, Tim 'Love' Lee - you get the vibe.

Artist: Various Artists

Title: John G​ó​mez and Nick the Record Present TANGENT

Release date: 12th July, 2024 

Label : Mr Bongo 

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP303

Format : 2XLP (Limited Edition - Cream) / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: New Regency Orchestra - New Regency Orchestra (Mr Bongo)

Mr. Bongo can't be acussed of living in the past as they champion both old and new music equally: but here's a masterstoke with the New Regency Orchestra as they present a dozen hot Latin tracks as their debut album, 'New Regency Orchestra'.

 

The Guardian (Ed. who?) have apparently got their knickers twisted about the new nostalgia in music (e.g. Northern Soul revivals in Bristol and Deptford, Streaming services and even 80s band superfan cruise ships!).

But this is not a new thing (remember DJ Chris Hill's Glenn Miller Big Band revival in Canvey?) but when there's a new 18-piece Afro-Cuban big band that's re-livng 1950s NYC salsa, mambo and all things Latin, it's time to get ya dance shoes on, hot and sweaty .    

This is not half-baked Kid Creole & The Coconuts tribute but a full on Tito 'The High Preist Of Salsa' Puente BIG band/Fania Allstars comprising some of the London's best jazz musicans envisaged by Lex Blondin (Total Refreshment Centre, Church of Sound) and the mostly instrumental tracks are a proper homage to the period/now and echos the Latin jazzdance scene (Gilles Peterson, Paul Murphy etc) that re-discovered Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker's foresight of hooking up with Machito and Chano Pozo; who were still.colamborating in the 70s.

Whilst there's a heavy dance background to this, it's taken to a modern level with the beautiful feel of 'Scarlet Mambo Hour' and the near modal, 'Sahib & Tito' in contrast to the very busy vocal tracks, 'Papa Boco' and 'Labasta Leigo' and the "Cuban in New York", 'Harlem Jamboree'.

Apparently there are plans for live appearances at festivals this summer which will be totally mad, especially the Blondin re-work of 'Mambo Rama' which reminds me of what Jerry Dammer's was doing with his Spatial AKA Orchestra almost exactly 10 years ago.

Old or new, this is a fantastic album and, for some, a fantastic future journey into some of the best music ever recorded anytime/anywhere.

P.S. In the future, get anything you see by Sahib Shihab - or stream it/him. 

Artist: New Regency Orchestra
Title: New Regency Orchestra
Release date : 14th June, 2024
Label : Mr Bongo
Catalog Number : MRBCDLP307
Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Reeview: V/A - I Like It Like That (A Collection Of The Sought Ater And Sold Out Fania 12 Inch Singles) (Mr Bongo)

I was reminded this week that Fania Records are cellebrating their 60th year and before we hear much more of that, time to dig out a much loved Mr Bongo CD from 2008!

Apart from the CD, I seem to recall that there was some companion 12" to go along with this set: 14 tracks remixed by so of the big names at the time including Aaron Jerome (now better known as Sbtrakt), Quantic, 4 Hero, Bugz In The Attic and some big names then and now, Louie Vega (of course), DJ Andy Smith, Ashley Beadle and Gilles Peterson.

The remix CD seems to have "disappeared" (we used to have so much fun with this back in the day when the Salsa Class from up the road came down to our Wednesday night session in Bournemouth) but CD2 is still with me with 14 tracks of originals featuring legendary music from Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Tito Puente, Ray Barretto and Rubén Blades among many others.

Expect to hear Robero Roena's 'Take Five', 'Saona' by Nora Morales and, of course, 'I Like It Like That' by Peter Rodriquez throughout the summer.

This is not currently available on Mr Bongo's Bandcamp site so the campaign starts here for the re-issue; in the meantime, check out the new Mr. Bongo album, 'New Regency Orchestra' that's packed with Fania flavas (see review HERE). 

Happy birthday Fania.

"Kicking off the year-long celebration and available now is a newly remastered reissue for La Gran Fuga (The Big Break), the 1970 masterpiece from the magnificent salsa duo Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe. The Gold-certified sixth collaboration has been newly remastered, featuring (AAA) lacquers cut from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and pressed on 180-gram vinyl, with a classic tip-on jacket and, as an added bonus, an 11” x 22” insert featuring Izzy Sanabria’s famous cover art—an FBI wanted poster with the bandleader’s mugshot—which took inspiration from Colón’s “Malo” alter-ego. La Gran Fuga is also finally available in 192/24 hi-res digital audio on all major music platforms"

Original review 18th July 2008 - FlyGlobalMusic.

Review: Finn Rees - Dawn Is A Melody (Mr Bongo)

Mr Bongo's art department have got their finger on the button as the image perfectly reflects the debut album by Finn Rees, 'Dawn Is A Melody'.

You might think that this the natural 'jazzy' follow up to Rubel's album 'Palavras, Vol. 1 & 2' (see review HERE) as it comes from the hot-bed of Australian jazz-soul-hip-hop, Melbourne where Finn Rees in based.

The opener, 'Looking Up' is like a lush mix of Cinematic Orchestra and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson's 'Suite For Ma Dukes' which is more than a recommendation in itself.

And this quality continues throughout 'Lagoon', 'Expansions' (like a modern Lonnie Liston Smith). 'It's Behind Me Know' and 'Crossing' all stand-out but it's all in a deep spiritual envelope of the Coltrane's, Funky Herbie and all of Mr. Bongo's back catalogue of sunrise/sunset Brazilian classics (check out 'Between Spaces' - one of ENO's 'Nature' project?).

And then, at the  same time, this has an Aussie bravado; Rees' keyboard skills are joined by Cheryl Durongpitikul (tenor sax), Siwei Wong (harp), Audrey Powne (trumpet and recent album, 'From The Fire', see review HERE), and Allysha Joy on vocals - sounds like a 'Brownswood' super group! 

This is going to crop up on many a 'Best Of 2024' list to come.

Artist: Finn Rees 

Title: Dawn Is A Melody 

Release date: 31st May, 2024 

Label : Mr Bongo 

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP305

Format : LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Rubel - As Palavras, Vol. 1 & 2 (Mr Bongo)

This new album by has already been heralded as sophisticated Latin soul-folk-jazz beach-pop - this years' Seu Jorge! But can it be that good?

The record label think that this debut album by Rubel is up there with the game changer albums like the debut album's by The Ramones or The Damned.  That said, Antônio Carlos Jobim might call this album nu-waveand as Rubel has gathered together the best of Brazil's musicians like Gabriel do Borel, Liniker, Luedji Luna, Tim Bernardes Ana Caetano and Mr. Bongo's own Bala Desejo (see review HERE) plus legend, Milton Nascimento.

And this talent is spread over a full 19 tracks, none longer than 4:07 ('Torto Arado' featuring Liniker & Luedji Luna) and mostly compact nuggets like the early punk singles, old wave Brazilian 'prog' of MPB has been replaced with Rubel's fusionistic take of MPB, samba, tradition folk and capoeira, baile funk, hip-hop and pop.

But don't worry about the short track length as the whole set is worth the instrumental opener (and later vocal version) of 'Forró Violento' and then it's not a two track album. Everything is a-wash with Brasilian sun. 'Na Mão do Palhaço' (produced by the Ana Frango Elétrico- see review HERE) has the Sgt. Pepper samba-psych of it and whilst Nascimento contribution is perhaps not his very best work ever, his seal of approval is proof that Rubel is one very big talent due for all the things said of this album already. 

Totally different to the Mr Bongo's last album release, Project Gemini's 'Colours & Light' (see review HERE) and their Record Store Day Brazil 45s Mix set from DJ KOCO (check out Gilles Peterson's show with a DJ KOCO mix and Mr Bongo himself, Dave Buttle, at 1hr 45mins in HERE) but as we know, they are the one of the most important purveyors of Latin American music, jazz, world and hip-hop and Rubel is too important not to get.

Artist: Rubel

Title: As Palavras, Vol. 1 & 2

Release date: 3rd May, 2024 

Label : Mr Bongo 

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP306

Format : 2XLP (at 45rpm) / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: V/A - Mr Bongo Edits Volume 2 : Luke Una (Mr Bongo)

 "Like getting your money's worth?" you've heard on the adverts. Mr Bongo is thinking the same way in this days of austerity by getting Luke Una on the edit for 24 minutes of funky fun on the dancefloor. 

We know Luke from this legendary DJ status and his compilations, Luke Una Presents É Soul Cultura (see review HERE) and more recently, Transmission Towers (see review HERE) but this is a bit different as he's let us into his world of 'secret weapons' with a  longer and tweaked version of 'Love Games' (Thandi Zulu & The Young Five) and rare jazz dancer, 'Plum' by Lionel Pillay. 

The A-side is typical of Luke as it's an odd mix of 80s disco boogie (Pure Energy) done in heavy South African style whilst the B-side, South African again, that starts all heavy organ jazz-soul al a Lonnie Smith and then mutates into this piano house banger that's really hot jam - would love to have a Brian Auger mix. The orignal of 'Love Games' is only 40 years old and 'Plum' is even older which goes to testifies to Luke's knowledge/digging abilities. 

Both tracks are stunners and a fitting follow-up to Vol. 1 by Danny Krivit from a couple of years ago which is already a collector's item so don't hang around on Vol. 2 is our advice. 

Artist: Thandi Zulu & The Young Five / Lionel Pillay 

Title: Mr Bongo Edits Volume 2 : Luke Una 

Release date: 29th March, 2024 

Label : Mr Bongo 

Catalog Number : MRB12061 

Format : 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various - With Love: Volume 2 - Compiled by miche (Mr Bongo)

Down in deepest Dorset, well Bournemouth anyway, we like to thing that superstar DJ miche is our very own; but it's not been that way for a while as he puts together another 'original' compilation that's done 'With Love' and has taken him all over the globe.

Miche has definitely found a niche in soul, funk, jazz, Latin, disco deep diggin' fraternity following in the footsteps of Peterson/Charles/Scruff/Luke Una and particularly his mentor,  Mr. Glücklich himself, Rainer Trüby (see review HERE).

There's definitely a 70s Disco going on with soulful vocals and a huge horn appreciation as it's like a 'What followed Northern Soul' as all these tracks are super rare.  

And all are great but highlights include the two Billy Boomer tracks, 'Take To The Sky' by Mixed Generaton Enterprize, the 'Solar Radio' styled 'You And Me' (Mark Meadows) and a big 'As' by The Family Tree [stonking cover of the Stevie Wonder classic]: The Family Tree being a side project of Julius Brockington (see more on him HERE).

You might wan't to 'Save The Best 'Til Last' (Alice Cohen & Fun City) or the digs he's found in Brazil; and from Chile, what a closer, 'Te A Mare Mas Asi' (sung in english) by Rogers Mitchell.

Refering to my 'We Out Here' 2023 festival programme, 'Staff Picks' section, Miche played B2B with Rainer on the Grove Stage for nearly 3 hours so here's a chance to see what you missed 'With Love'; well 50% of it anyway.

'With Love' Volume 1 came out this time last year and worth checking it out if you've not done so already. 

Artist : Various Artists

Title : With Love: Volume 2 - Compiled by miche

Release Date : 06th October, 2023

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP280

Label : Mr Bongo

Format : 2XLP (Pink Limited) 2xLP (Black) / CD / Digital

Review: Dora Morelenbaum - Vento De Beirada EP (Mr Bongo)

Dora Morelenbaum doesn't sound like a tradition Brasilian name, but trust me, everyone who hears her says she's the new Joyce; and we agree.

So we first encountered Dora on the compilation 'Hidden Waters: Strange and Sublime Sounds of Rio de Janeiro' (see review HERE) and as one of Bala Desejo (yes, they of the best new Latin/Brazilian album in years, 'Sim, Sim, Sim' - see reveiw HERE).

So it's fantastic, and not very surprising, that her solo works are as about as opposite to  Ana Frango Elétrico (aka 'Ana Electric Chicken') as you can get (see review HERE of her 'Electric Fish EP').

Indeed, the mood is somewhat somber, reflective, sereen but with the voice of an angel (perhaps that should be redeemer?) on 'Avermelhar' and 'Dó a Dó' with the addition of big Hollywood strings (apparently arranged by her Dad); got a touch of Carlos Niño going on about this.

'Japão' falls between these two tracks and it the one destined to get radio airplay as it is influenced by her parents' association with Ryuichi Sakamoto (who sadly passed away earlier this year) in a Brasil meets Japan style whilst the clarinet on 'Vento De Beirada' takes the track to the next level of lovely.

This four track version of the EP is available on 12" and I think they won't hanging around for long and you don't want to end up red faced do you? 

Artist: Dora Morelenbaum

Title: Vento De Beirada EP 

Release date: 29th September, 2023

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRB12058

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Daniel Ögren - Fastingen 92 (Mr Bongo)

Sweden's Daniel Ögren (Swedish guitarist, composer, engineer and producer) was actually born in the late 80s so what's 'Fastingen 92' all about?

Well, the cover looks like Jan Akkerman might look as a young man in a studio of today and that's a bit of a clue as Akkerman is equally adept at jazz, funk and rock, Ögren beguiles us with a range of styles that sound a little synth pop, a little South American folk, Scandinavian folk, OST and a little ambient/Balearic too [Ed. not sure that we can have 'Scando-Balearic']. 

'Idag' is the "obvious" crossover track, but to where - 60s pop or Scando-Young Marble Giants(?)  It's definitely a grower and much the better for the inclusion of a bonus track, 'April' that's ideal for radio plays next spring (great pysch-ish climax). Then, not long 'til 'October (For Lo)', another dreamy won, and if you're not fed up of me mention Belgium's hero Remco Evenepoel at every desparate opportunity, previous Belgium legend get a mention on 'Maj (For TinTin)'; a bit more instrumental post-Joy Div that one.

It's been quite a year for Mr Bongo Records already and this is about as far as you can get from thier last release, Ana Frango Elétrico's 'Electric Fish' (see review HERE) or even fellow Swede (and mate), Sven Wunder (see review HERE).

This album's was original release in limited to 100 copies in 2020 version whilst this version of 'Fastingen 92' comes in both magenta and black vinyl versions, CD and download.

Artist: Daniel Ögren

Title: Fastingen 92 

Release date: 22nd September, 2023

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRBLP277

Format :  Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Ana Frango Elétrico - Electric Fish / Insista em Mim (Mr Bongo)

One of many reasons why I've never wanted to learn Brasilian/Portuguese is that I'm more than willing to accept that Ana Frango Elétrico real name is Ana Frango Elétrico... that is, until you're told that it translates as 'Ana Electric Chicken'!

But all is forgiven for that small 'pop' foopah when you discover that she is one of the leaders of Bala Desejo (yes, they of the best new Latin/Brazilian album in years, 'Sim, Sim, Sim' - see reveiw HERE) and that her new album is coming out soon.

'Electric Fish' (or should that be 'Peixes Elétrico'?) is the lead track and it's full of pop-boogie disco that'd be on the dancefloor of Blackpool Mecca as it's got touches on modern Northern Soul - think of it as Colin Curtis / Patrick Forge love child (if you can).

'Insista em Mim' (no translation available) is like the slowed down version but it's clear that this lady likes her funky soul a la Deodato as does her talented band which includes Alberto Continentino (who plays bass with Caetano Veloso), Sergio Machado (drummer of Negro Leo’s band) and Guilherme Lirio (who plays electric guitar in Gilberto Gil’s band).

The radio edit of 'Electric Fish' is sung in English which is just as good as the original.

Get onboard with this release now as by the time the album comes out in October ('Me Chama de Garo Que Eu Sou Sua') she'll be a big star..erm, should that be a big fish?

Artist: Ana Frango Elétrico

Title: Electric Fish / Insista em Mim

Release date: 13th September, 2023

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRB273R

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - Mr Bongo Record Club Vol.6 (Mr Bongo)

Regulars of all things Mr Bongo will know exactly what to expect on the latest compilaton of their Mr Bongo Record Club series, Vol. 6.

That's not to say that this is even the slightest bit staid as all the track have a Mr Bongo dancefloor vibrancy to them that argueably exceeds Vol. 1 (from 2016) to 5.

Once more, selections of jazz, MPB, Afrobeat, soul, funk, disco that's just in time for festivals and all WOMAD fans from artists from all over the place like Sweden's Sven Wunder and his track of the sumer, 'Easy Going' to the high octaine Jackson 5 impersonators, the Ponderosa Twins Plus One 'Bound' (which is a real grower).

Of course there's quite a lot of Brazilian input (but you'll have to pick up Bala Desejo's essential 'SIM, SIM, SIM -see review HERE) but current favourites are the disco gospel of 'I'll Keep My Light In My Window' (New York Community Choir), two soul tracks called 'I Do Love You' (one by 'Unknown' and another by Ash Soul, Inc) and the monster J-Jazz Big Band Swing of Chiemi Eri's 'Okosa-Bushi' (watch out Higgins/Peden/BBE!)

And if you've still got a hankering for some offbeat Yes/prog, Shira Small's 'Eternal Life' will raise an eyebrow, there's some psych by Matty ('Blood') and some rare soul-jazz instrumental, The Faming Souls' 'Admission' - worth the admission in itself.

Afrobeat, you said? Herbie Hancock's lawyers have been on the headhunt since 1976 for the ever changing disguises of Philip Melala And The Movers; but what a great 12 minute high to end on!

Needless to say that sourcing these tracks individually would cost a fortune so it's brilliant that us Record Club member can just get this as a one stop shop and be totally smug.

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Mr Bongo Record Club Vol.6

Release date: 28th July, 2023

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP270

Format :  2xLP Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp