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: Aderemi Kabaka - Roots Funkadelia (BBE Music)

If you don't know already, this is an incredible record and a truely rare Afro-funk monster with 5 all-killer tracks.

We know that Remi's album, 'Son of Africa' (see review HERE) was fetching over £700 for originals before BBE re-issued it and 'Roots Funkadelia' recorded four years later in 1980 is even more sort after.

Why is that? Because this album had no international deal at the time of its release in Nigeria which is amazing as it was recorded and mixed in LA at Motown with The Commordores brass section!

They certainly give it that Motown/70s/Stevie sharpness with the funk of a brick house Afro-Parliament inspiration.

'Afro Beat' and 'Ikaope' are worth the price of this album alone but you get LKJ walkin' rap on 'Togetherness' in a War-style reggae, 'Festival' is a wah-wah joy and 'Funky Lagos' is the roots that he's sitting on with respect to 'Funky Kingston'.

If you come to hear me DJ at Chilled Cider Festival later this month, you will definitely hear one of these tracks - and none of them are chilled!  Totally hot - no idea why this wasn't a major hit.

Artist: Aderemi Kabaka 

Title: Roots Funkadelia

Release date: 7th June, 2024

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE768

Format: Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Michael Reinboth - Let The Spirit / RS6 Avant (Compost Records)

There's no no weeds growing up to his knees but this is a rare one, a release by Michael Reinboth! 

Fresh from the Anna Schreit 12"/DNLD, 'Duck EP' (see review HERE), he's another waddle on the pond with the head honcho of Compost Records.

Having been such an ever present on the German/European/World scene and releasing so many tracks by so many artists, it's interesting to find that Michael is loving instrumental spacey synth house as he team up with his mate, Jan Krause (also of Beanfield) on 'Let The Spirit'.  

On the flip there's a avant-house mix of percussive goth bells (al la 'Blood Red Hands') in Cosmic and Club versions that's not just for fans of Audi cars or Hamburg's Mojo Club where he's DJ'd at recently. The club version isn't an old banger - it's proper bangin'.

Beanfield were at their zenith 20 years ago with 'Tides' with Ripperton and Carl Craig remixes so it's great to have a 'revival' of sorts and hopefully an album to follow.

Artist: Michael Reinboth

Title: Let The Spirit / RS6 Avant 

Release date: 7th June, 2024

Label: Compost Records

Cat. No: CPT 631-1/-3

Format:Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: David Ol - I Need Your Love (Be Adult Music)

Did you really think Be Adult Music's release following Baron Ashler's 'The End Of Pangea' would be just as good? Well, it is and you'll love it!

You may have spotted David with a couple of tracks on their sister label, Be Adult Weapons, but this is he first 2-track EP release.  

Both tracks are dreamy rollers; 'I Need Your Love' and 'Thinking About' are quite dubby.

The artwork deserves a 12" sleeve and don't  forget to get 'The End Of Pangea' (see review HERE) which is a great companion release too.

I will need your love is Pangea is close to the end.

Artist: David Ol

Title: I Need Your Love

Release date: 6th June, 2024

Label: Be Adult Music

Catalog Number: BAM365

Review: K.O.G - Odo Sronko feat. Pat Thomas (Pura Vida Sounds / Heavenly Sweetness)

K.O.G is back with a monster track, 'Odo Sronko' featuring Pat Thomas!

When K.O.G have been on YATM, it's been as a featured artist like La Yegros featuring K.O.G (see review HERE) or David Walters featuring K.O.G (see review HERE) but at last, there's the follow-up to Zone 6 (see review HERE) and this time the featuring artist is Pat Thomas!  

Yes, it's Pat Thomas (aka Kwabena Nyamekye Amoo-Mensah) of Pat Thomas and the Kwashibu Area Band and best mates with Ebo Taylor who between them are the best of Ghanian Highlife and Afrobeat for years.

Produced by Pura Vida's main man Guts and recorded in Ghana and Sheffield, this is a single from the forthcoming album, 'Don't Take My Soul' that's due out in September.

Artist: K.O.G feat. Pat Thomas

Title: Odo Sronko

Release Date : 6th June, 2024

Catalog Number : -

Label : Pura Vida Sounds / Heavenly Sweetness

Format:  Digital

Review: Ishmael Ensemble - Madrid / Dust (Severn Songs)

Possibly the musical tribute to St. Jude and the crew on Saturday we get the Ishmael Ensemble releasing a glorious double header on Severn Songs.

As you probably know, Real's Jude Bellingham was born in Stourbridge (not Madrid or on the River Serven) but this 'Madrid' packs a Cinematic Orchestra style rave of celebration with deep whirling synths that fit for any party.

Apparently the track was un-earthed from a forgotten hard-drive from 10 years ago and after a quick make-over, it's now ready for any beach party this summer.

'Dust' features Holysseus Fly on vocals (she of 'Out Of The World' - see review HERE) and is more Indie-dance festival hit as it buids to it's peak.

These track find the band building up to the release of thier second album, 'Rituals' that's coming out soon.

Artist: Ishmael Ensemble

Title: Madrid / Dust

Release date: 5th June, 2024

Label: Severn Songs

Catalog Number: SEVS30B

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: David Lyn – The World I Hear (Essence of Life) (MWL Productions)

Music Without Labels are on the edge with David Lyn's new album, 'The World I Hear (Essence of Life)' and it won't take long to go over and fall in love with this album.

For a start off, you may not know the name David Lyn but he's attracted a wide range of people that you will know like Elbert Philips (a Frankie Knuckles protoge and he of A.MA records remixes - see review HERE), Andy Compton (amazingly prolific deep house/Balearic with The Rurals), Arema Arega (Gilles Peterson's Havana Cultura), Born74 (who with Arema have been on Ramrock Red - loads of reviews on YATM) and even DJ legend Dr. Bob Jones has contributed!

So with this talent together with Lyn's own contribution on flute, clarinet, saxophone and piano we've got an album to champion.

With the title that sounds like it's deeply mediative, wellness focused like the amazing openers with vocals by Vuyelwa Mgatyelwa who sings on 'Bayede (Hail The King)' which connects effortlesly with 'Hamba Manzi (Water Flows)' and the last track, 'Let It Flow' (this last one is a monster that's already featured on the Illicit Grooves Radio show with DJ Bob Hill).

There's a rumour that Gilles Peterson is going to feature one of these tracks on his BBC 6 Music show but it's equally as likely he (and anyone else for that matter) will pick the Afro-house inspired 'Connections', the Latin-jazz dance focused 'Maria Juana' (the one that features Arema Arega and Born74) or 'Drum Connection' (the one with the Elbert Phillps remix) are all set for future dancefloors and festivals this year?

And here's a new name to us, King Stuff on 'I Need A Melody' which morphs into 'Ingoma Yakudala (An Old Song)' which sounds a bit like TY(RIP) in South Africa which would be/and is great.  There's also more than a leaning into gospel/soul/house 'You Told Me This' and 'Hey Lord'; if there's going to be a remix album, it's going to be a stunner, calling all Osunlades and Joe Clausells out there!

Prepare to hear this throughout the summer; and did someone say, "Sète" (Gilles Peterson's festival in the South of France in July), Dingwalls Reunions (check out Mark Murphy's "latest" single - see review HERE) or even Dorset's "We Out Here Festival" in August?

There's a bonus with the digital release of continuous 45 minute mix and it's hard to believe this is a debut album as it's so complete and polished but it's no surprised that more are planned: but for now, don't stop dancing to 'Maria Juana' and  'Drum Connection'.

Artist: David Lyn 

Title: The World I Hear (Essence of Life)

Release date: 1st June, 2024

Label: MWL Productions

Catalog Number: MWL LPDD124

Format: Vinyl / digital / Bandcamp

Review: Anthony Nicholson - You feat. Brandon Markell Holmes & Chris Rob (Toucan Sounds)

We have been singing and dancing the praises of the Toucan Sounds crew outta "fashionable Williamsberg" for some time now but it's now all about 'You'  by Anthony Nicholson featuring Brandon Markell Holmes and Chris Rob.

We know that these New York based hipsters are big from Brandon's 'Fuller' (see review HERE) and 'Go Ahead' (see review HERE), Dee Diggs, Brolorizo (see review HERE) and the superstars that are muscelcars (album coming soon on BBE).

We don't normally go nuts about a track that's got a Carlos Santana guitar solo but 'You' is a exception so it's a brilliant fusion with some deep house and jazzy synths and keys (provided by Chris Rob) that'll just keep you groovin' in bar and dancefloor.

Little wonder as Anthony Nicholson has been at this a very long time after meeting Ron Trent in 90s (I wish I could find, Nicolson's 'Dance Anthology' from 1999; on Peacefrog, who remembers them?) and whilst I'm no Ron Trent, both the vocal and instrumental versions are over 12 minutes long and I get more excited each time they are played (note: there is a shorter but perfectly formed radio edit also).

Nicholson is originally from Chicago and this release is full of his home town and it's set to be YATM's 2024 theme! Check out Colour & Pitch Sessions this month from Will Sumsuch.

Artist: Anthony Nicholson

Title: You ft. Brandon Markell Holmes & Chris Rob

Release date: 31st May, 2023

Label: Toucan Sounds

Cat. No: YTCW114

Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Soledrifter feat. Alexandra Morrison – Too Loud (Papa Records)

When came too loud not be loud enough?  When you need to keep 'Too Loud' by Soledrifter (featuring Alexandra Morrision) on repeat... all day!

This is so 'UP' and bouncey you really do want to keep it on all day and it's been so worth the wait since this equally enjoyable 'The Sound Of Life' by Sebb Junior from Papa Records (see review HERE).

I'm not particular well travelled but I did spend a few hours in Halifax (that's the airport in Canada not Yorkshire although I have been there on a wet Tuesday night) and I just find it hard to imagine Soledrifter (Russian born Dmitry Meshcheryakov) pumping out such a knock-out house track (aided by fellow Canadian Alexandra Morrison's low key vocals).  This is so hypnotic, at one stage I thought she was singing "Tim Flowers" instead of "Too Loud" (Ed. what are you on?) and hoping her acid reflux gets better; now there's a thought - acid remix?

This is going to be so big; sorry BIG! Love it.

Artist: Soledrifter feat. Alexandra Morrison 

Title: Too Loud

Release date: 31st May, 2024

Label : Papa Records

Catalog Number : PAPA154 

Format : 12" / Digital / Bandcamp 

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