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This is an undisputed gem of the diggers' variety. In terms of beginning-to-end quality, lead heavy soul, and delicious loops... this is firmly implanted on the upper echelon. It's definitely hard to think of a better overall record. If it were five...
expand review years ago, this is where I would bust into some thought-out mini-essay about the tracks, but I'll let the MP3 samples do the talking. The pressing is a tad bit noisy (nothing too bad), but it gives it that og pressing character (which of course are dumb raer). Highly recommended. -the mgmnt
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Great sounding heavy duty repress of Jobim & Bonfa's landmark 1956 record, the A-side of which doubled as the score for the equally important Black Orpheus. Though Jobim and Bonfa would shortly become Brazilian music legends, this was recorded when both were...
expand review complete unknowns; it doesn't take more than one listen to understand why Orfeu da Conceicao brought them into the (inter)national conscious. Songs like "Um Nome de Mulher(1)" and "Mulher, Sempre Mulher(2)" predate the Bossa Nova explosion which Bonfa would later be credited as helping start, and Bonfa's rhythmic guitar sounds just as lush on "Eu e O Meu Amor(3)" and "Lamento No Morro(4)." The B-side of the record features songs unrelated to the soundtrack, but no less appealing: "Luar e Batucada(5)" and "Passeio No Rio(6)" feature appearances from vocalist Sylvia Telles and bassist Ed Lincoln, respectively, both future legends in their own rights. Essential listening for those interested in Brazilian music. 13 tracks total. Recommended. -Larri Byrd
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Full disclosure: I used to DJ with Daniel Collas, one of the fellows behind this project– a new album by one of Rio De Janeiro's nastiest bands of the '70s, recorded in Brazil with the original members. One thing that...
expand review I, and anyone who was at one of our parties could verify, is that the guy is a master of the terrain that lies between rock, latin and soul, and he loooves some handclaps. Sean Marquand, the other producer here, is one of the soulful saints behind the Baile Funk comps and DJs at the legendary Sunday Brazilian parties at Black Betty in B'burg. So, adding all these pieces together, what we have right here a goddamned funky, handclappin', soulful, Rio Black Power record. Check "Yeah Yeah Yeah(1)," or the album opener "Everyone's a Winner(2)" and see what I mean. The DJ sensibility is much appreciated, as many of the tunes have the little intro/break touches that make songs jump into the mix ("Africa Hot Band(3)," "Na Palma Da Mao(4)" and the "Spinning Wheel"-esque lead single "Been So Long(5)"). The changeup tracks are classy ("Astral(6)," "Tudo Azul(7)" and "Melo Do Luia(8)"), the band sounds good, and the post-production is minimal and unobtrusive. If this record had sucked I wouldn't have mentioned that I know Sean and Daniel, but since it is an undisputable asskicker I am proud to let everybody know we go waaay back. You did good, homeys. -monk
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You don't really know about "Rapture" until you own this 10 minute 12" version(1). Nothing more really needs to be said. Standard 5 minute version on the flip. Recommended. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 1234
For the latest release in their Asterisk series, the Numero Group went digging in their own backyard and came up with this fantastic missing piece to Chicago's jazz/funk jigsaw. Originally sporting the name Womb To The Tomb, Boscoe came up backing a...
expand review number of local soul vocalists in early 70s Chi-Town, eventually making fans of folks like Garland Green and Syl Johnson. In '72, the sextet recorded these eight fierce tracks which would become their lone album. Much like the Art Ensembles and Arkestras around them, Boscoe wouldn't dilute their songs in order to make their intensely political lyrics easier to swallow - in fact, tracks like "We Ain't Free(1)" and the floating, almost spoken word "Writin' On The Wall(2)" seem to be much more about the message than the music (if one can even make that distinction). Of course, Boscoe were still self-produced musicians and therefore had to at least attempt to pay the bills with more straightforward soul sounds of the day on joints like "If I Had My Way(3)" and "I'm What You Need(4)." FYI, these sound clips don't really do the album justice - some of the better tracks run over 8-10 minutes. Anyway: the band eventually self-released this in 1973, a private pressing of about 500 copies on their Kingdom Of Chad label. They imploded the same year, "in such a hurry that equipment was left behind in the rehearsal space. It was never retrieved." Comes in a heavyweight reproduction jacket with extensive notes from the Numero crew. 8 tracks; 47 minutes. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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A pair of essential breaks from the Bozo Meko catalog, available for the first time ever on 45. "Spread Love(1)" is a simple, straightforward and totally useful edit of the Take 6 classic - what more could you need than those sweet...
expand review harmonies and staunch drums keepin time? On the flip, it's Earth Wind & Fire's summer feel-good anthem getting the chop for "Gazillian Rhyme(2)." Both cuts supposedly remixed by Mark the 45 King. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Greg Caz and Sean Marquand gone legit! After years of holding down the "vintage Brazilian" flag at their weekly Brazilian Beat party in Brooklyn, hustling their excelsior Brazilian mix cds and all sorts of other cool stuff, Mr Bongo has given them...
expand review carte blanche to put together this compilation. Whereas most of these Mr Bongo's "Brazilian Beats" comps pride themselves on representing all aspects of Brazilian music, this one is focused razor sharp on the sounds that rock their party. That means strictly vintage tropicalia, samba, baile funk, and whatever other categories define that 60s and 70s sound. And being the ultra discerning music collectors & djs that they are, Greg & Sean's selection is amazing- every single track on here offers something new, ear popping and best of all, dancefloor approved. Here's some of my favorites: Os Oncriveis' "Uma Rosa Pra Dita(1)," which I've been digging ever since I heard it on one of their mix tapes, the Willy Wonka influenced Noriel Viela's "16 Toneladas (Sixteen Tons)(2)," drum crazy "Beija Flor Suite(3)" by Chalo Eduardo, Ely Camargo's girl power "Taieras(4)," and Os Novos Crioulos' "Mar Afunda(5)." Also check Rita Lee (original Os Mutantes member) on "Agora E Moda(6)" and let it play for a while. Starts out sounding like some simple kitsch Brazilian disco (which, let it be clear, I would be perfectly fine with at this point), but it evolves into something that reminds me of Debbie Harry, Diana Ross and Gary Numan all at the same time. Considering Greg & Sean's track record, I'm not surprised at how good this compilation is, but dudes, I am impressed. Recommended. -the mgmnt
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What do you get when you mix a gang of Truth & Soul All-Stars (like El Michels Affair's Leon Michels, Quincy Bright, Jeff Silverman) with a group of Candela All-Stars and put them to work in San Juan, PR, for eight days?...
expand review The result is on this album, which has mercifully hit vinyl after about a year of clamoring from the people. With the musicians involved, you probably don't even need to be told that this is one amazing slab of Latin funk glory, essential for fans of old skool Candela and new fandangled Truth & Soul alike. Alongside the previously released known heaters "Agua Con Sal(1)" and "La Valla(2)," I recommend scoping the title track(3), "Nora Se Va(4)," "Mi Corazon(5)" y "Donde(6)." Recomendado. 10 tracks. -Van Hammersly
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The first Bronx River Parkway 7" has always been one of my favorite aberrations in the deep Truth & Soul catalogue, three tracks of latin soul funk boogie that helped break the mold of all the cookie cutter gutbucket stuff that was...
expand review being produced at that time. So it's great to see them resurrect the outfit and give us another couple tracks of sticky rhythm for summer. A-side "La Valla(1)" is the one with the party vibe, opening drum break, and chatter from the band, but I always find myself more drawn to the T&S b-sides. "Nora Se Va(2)" is the kind of shit that gets me where I want to go (a scorching hot screened-in porch on the beach with all the accoutrements). Outstanding vocal harmonies and somebody playing the hell out of that cheese grater thing. -the mgmnt
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Synthesizer funk for the people! Peoples Potential Unlimited does it again reissuing two unknown and impossible to find heaters filled with tough drums, squiggle synths, incredibly fonky bass AND soul. Satellite Band's aptly titled "Rejuvenate The Fonk(1)" is one of the best...
expand review things I've heard in awhile with a huge dose of that undiluted 80's funk and soul straight from B-more! They sure don't make tracks like this anymore. Check Kabb's "By My Side(2)" doesn't disappoint either - I can already see C'mish poppin' and lockin' in his seat to this. Can you believe this funk came from Tulsa Oklahoma? Craziness. Limited pressing on blue marbled vinyl. Recommended. -snackmaster
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Yes! Chromatics first 12" single from Italians Do It Better. We got our first taste of the label just over a month ago with their tasty After Dark CD, which featured Chromatics' spacey Italo tracks "Hands in The Dark," "Killing Spree -...
expand review Suite 304 Demo," and this single, "In The City(1)"(also featured on DJ Dixon's Body Language 4). I loved it, it flew off the shelves, and I caught some collectors here in the lab picking up two copies. Here, they continue to hook you up with exclusive joints by giving you the extended version, a small ambient track(not mentioned), the dangerously sweet "Zombie Vocal Acapella", plus two tracks I've never heard. "In The Headlites(2)" continues their fascination with ultra-sparse minimal italo, with Ruth Radelet once again laying down the alluring ghostly vocals. Pretty awesome, but "I'm On Fire(3)" is the surprise track on this. It reminds me of a short rock inspired lullaby that takes it back to the soft pop sounds of the 80's - effortless and awesome! Also great for a romantic rendezvous, so now you can nookie to something else besides Mazzy Star. Recommended. -C'mish
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A lost Brazilian glam/psych curiosity from '73, the one and only album from this side project of Os Mutantes' Rita Lee and friend Lucia Turnbull. Originally recorded for Philips (and never officially released), these tunes were recently unearthed by some expat Brazilians...
expand review in Europa, professionally remastered and issued in a strictly limited edition (500 hand-numbered copies each for CD and vinyl). Early tracks like "Festival Divino(1)" have a sweet acid/folk boogie feel, buoyed (or maybe lifted) by Rita e Lucia's breathy dual vocals. Meanwhile the latter part of the record lets loose a bit with Cilibrinas' rock tendencies - check the rollicking garage glam sound on "Nessas Alturas Dos Acontecimentos(2)," zippy girl group vibes with "Minha Fama De Mau(3)," and "Gente Fina E Outra Colsa(4)." And for Mutantes fans, there's a nice treat in the form of two unreleased bonus outtakes, "Hoje E O Primero Dia Do Resto...(5)" and "Mande Um Abraco Para A Velha(6)." 12 tracks. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Duh. Do you really need us to convince you on the merits of this single? Cymande is like your magical elf friend: there when you want it, gone when you don't. It's music that you'll constantly grabbing for when you need that...
expand review jolt of vinyl-induced endorphins. "Bra(1)" and its awesome breakdown on one side and the timeless chugga-chugga "Message(2)" on the flip. Recommended. -the mgmnt
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When it comes to 80s electrofunk and boogie cuts, there's no one repping it as hard as Dam Funk. With full backing from PB Wolf, Wax Poetics and U-Tern, there's no argument that he is the realness. Don't know any other DJ...
expand review that spins only rare vinyl (absolutely no MP3s), shouts out every playlist with label and year included, and MCs the entire affair with finesse. This may be impressive for the beginner just getting used to the boogie sound, but to a collector (like myself) it's even more insane! Most of the tracks h
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