TURNTABLE LAB

Astrud Gilberto
Now LP

1972 samba-soul with female vocals

Beautiful 1972 album from Astrud, and the first of her career made up predominantly of her own compositions. (She was also the producer, while Deodato contributed the arrangements.) The sharp samba-funk of tracks like "Take It Easy My Brother Charlie(1)," "Zigy Zigy Za(2)" and "Gingele(3)" showed that Gilberto was much more than a novelty, with instrumentation and arrangements on par with Brazil's much more respected songwriters of the time such as Jorge Ben. The non-Astrud composed tracks like "General Da Banda(4)" and "Make Love To Me(5)" aren't too shabby either. Comes in a glossy reproduction sleeve. 10 tracks total.
reviewed by Larri Byrd

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latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - albums

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Chancha Via Circuito
Calzada Riddim (Cumbia) EP

Nice little vinyl sampler from Rodante, the ZZK debut from neo-cumbia standout Chancha Via Circuito (aka Argentina's Pedro Canale) who you may know from the mega Bersa Discos series. The A-side has a trio of rhythms: "Calzada(1)" is a super clean, heavy Latin percussion workout, then Canale gets deep and dubby with slow-motion, almost housey synths on "Varela(2)" and the equally dense "Selva(3)." The flip has an exclusivo "Chancha Via Circuito vs. Lil Mama(4)" blend from fellow ZZK'er Villa Diamante, plus album standouts "Dancehall(5)" and the "Zorzal(6)" instumental. Recommended.
reviewed by Van Hammersly

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / downtempo + electronic - recommended / baile + cumbia - vinyl / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / and more

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Gerry Lyseight
Latin Spectrum 2LP

From the linear notes: "Latin Spectrum" is not latin music for salsa clubs, it's latin music for jazz and funk heads emphasizing grooves and solos in contrast to a lot of today's vocal fed candy floss." Although most of these tracks go deeper than my Latin record knowledge, with these BBE comps, you can be assured you are always getting the best. Double vinyl, 14 tracks. Again, these copies (originally released in 1999) are not reissues, so they probably won't be around for long.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps

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Jackson Conti
Sujinho (Madlib) 2LP

latin jazz vibes

When it comes to producing music, Madlib's been there done that. In fact, I don't know any other producer with such an insatiable appetite for musical exploration. Whether he's working with MCs, producers, musicians, or hitting the mic / playing music himself, it's safe to say he graduated "making beats" a long time ago and is on to bigger things. Jackson Conti is his newest project, which combines the efforts of himself (Otis Jackson Jr.) and Mamao Conti, drummer of the legendary Brazilian group Azymuth. The result is an epic full length Latin jazz album as real as they come. Mamao and Madlib hooked up when the Keepintime crew visited Brazil. Mamao layed down an hour and a half of drums and after Mad had flipped them, his hero proceeded to vibe and form the potential of the songs. The result is this 13 track album beautifully pressed on double vinyl. The music is bright like bottled sunshine and feels like a vacation waiting to happen. Check the signature Madlib swing on instrumentation "Berumba(1)," the breezy jazz sounds on "Papaya(2)," the warm vibes on "Brasilian Sugar(3)," the insane drum patterns and piano on "Upa Neguinho(4)," samba on "Casa Forte(5)," and Mamao's singing on "Segura Esta Onda(6)." To the average western ear, these won't be very recognizable, but many are re-interpreted covers of artists such as Chico Buarque, Joao Donato, Marcos Valle, Dom Um Romao, even George Duke. Truly a future classic. Note: I can't find any credits for musicians on the back of this, which makes me assume it's all Madlib. If it is, why isn't he playing at Yoshi's? Highly recommended.
reviewed by C'mish

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / stones throw - vinyl / latin + brazilian + afrobeat

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Joe Bataan
Gypsy Woman LP

Debut Fania release from Joe Bataan circa 1967. Some huge songs here including the title track(1), a cover of the Curtis Mayfield original, and the all-time gut-wrencher "Ordinary Guy(2)." Also checkout burners like "Fuego(3), Campesino(4)," and "Too Much Lovin(5)." Feelgood shit.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - albums

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Mulatu
Ethiopian Modern Instrumentals Hits LP

This record holds 10 instrumentals culled from the Ethiopiques compilations, a series of CDs essential for any deep digging fan of Afro groove. This collection was never available on vinyl and the African originals are obviously next to impossible, so any appearance of this material on wax is cause for commotion. A solid and mesmerizing set featuring Mulatu Astatke and cohorts circa 1970, it has plenty of snap. These are Ethiopian takes of some of the same cuts Mulatu recorded in the US for his Mulatu of Ethiopia LP, including "Kasalefkut Hulu(1)" (a faster, sax-led take sans drum break) and "Munaye(2)." Other points of reference are "Yegelle Tezeta(3)," where Mulatu busts some organ over textbook one-drop funk drums, and "Yetesfa Tezeta(4)," a instrumental raveup over James Brown's "I Feel Good" changes. The intense exoticism of "Yekermo Sew(5)"evolves into a wicked jazzy backbeat, a trancelike backdrop for the incredible musicians who invigorate the whole LP (guitarists check Huket Adhanom). Be aware that the labels are reversed (the a-side is stickered with the b-side's label, and vice versa) on this otherwise high quality pressing.
reviewed by Monk

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latin + brazilian + afrobeat / shota's jazz section

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Os Fantasmas
Uma Gelada / Suspiro 7"

A new pair of retro-sounding tropical cuts from Sean Marquand and Daniel Collas' Embassy Sound Productions (of Banda Uniáo Black fame). The Tim Maia-fronted Os Fantasmas set it off with some fuzzed-out Mutantes-esque funk-rock on "Uma Gelada(1)," then chill it out with the absolutely stunning flute-laced blurry downtempo of "Suspiro(2)." Highly, highly recommended.
reviewed by Van Hammersly

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - 7" / 45s

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Os Mutantes
Mutantes (180g) LP

If Mutantes' first album sounded like a bunch of Brazilian teenagers mashing up the Beatles and Marcos Valle while tripping on acid, their second LP sounds like the band falling completely over the edge. While the Baptistas didn't abandon their pop sensibilities altogether with Mutantes, the structure and bubblegum feel of their debut feels largely stripped away. Instead, songs like the spacey and vocodered "Dia 36(1)" and the layered "Dois Mil e Um(2)" feel like mini-suites, compact rock operas where Mutantes could accomplish in 3 or 4 minutes what took other bands 10. Of course, there's still the light-hearted "Rita Lee" and fuzzed-out "Magica(3)," not to mention the short and sweet "Algo Mais(4)" which probably could have been a hit in the US… if it weren't in Portuguese. In my humble opinion, this record comes in a close second to the debut record, but at the same time I can't deny the stoned beauty of the pair of closing tracks, "Qualquer Bobagem(5)" and "Caminhante Noturno." Nevermind the fact that the Omplatten reissue of this CD has been fetching major bucks on eBay – if you haven't heard Mutantes' first three albums, you owe it to yourself! 11 tracks, 42+ minutes.
reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red

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latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - albums

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Soul Fantastics / Los Silvertones
El Mismo / El Baile De La Arana 7"

exclusive Panamanian funk tracks

Limited edition 7" taken in support of the excellent Panama! 2 compilation on Soundway. Both tracks here ARE NOT featured on compilation and are exclusive to this format. A testament to the richness of the source material, the songs are both four star heaters. "El Mismo(1)" is uptempo, flute funk fire; while "El Baile De La Arana(2)" is a wicked swirling mixture of latin and funk sounds. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - 7" / 45s

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Tlahoun Gessesse
Ethiopian Urban Modern Music, Vol.4 LP

ethio-jazz from one of the 70s biggest stars

2009 release from L'Arome Productions. The fourth volume of the Ethiopian Modern Music Series introduces us to Tlahoun Gessesse, aka "The Voice", the first ever pan-Ethiopian star. This posthumous release compiles 10 of his finest moments from 1970 - 1975. This needs to be heard, so much pain and joy in those vocals. As with all L'Arome releases, this has pristine sound quality. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps / shota's jazz section

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Triorganico
Convivencia 2LP

raw brasilian-flavored latin jazz

Listening to Convivencia you might think you are listening to rare vintage Brazilian instrumentals or some lost bossa jazz album from the 60s or 70s. But the record is neither - it is modern music made in 2009 from a garage band out of Southern California! Triorganico is comprised of Pablo Calogero on saxophones and woodwinds, Ricardo "Tiki" Pasillas on percussion and Fabiano do Nascimento on guitar, and though the acoustic trio's debut LP is heavily influenced by the Brazilian grooves of the past, there is a genuine quality about the music that definitely gives it its own unique feel... and that feeling is refreshingly warm and organic as heard on any of the albums 18 tracks. Very impressive stuff for fans of tropicalia, bossa-nova, latin jazz, etc. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / stones throw - vinyl / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / now again + soul cal (stones throw) / and more

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V/A
African Scream Contest: Raw & Psychedelic Afro Sounds 2LP

Upstart German label Analog Africa brings us this lavishly packaged collection documenting the fusion of rock, psych, funk, soul and even Latin sounds to the music of 1970s Benin and Togo. The comp's title stems from the fact that bands from the two small African countries took to screaming on their tracks, James Brown style, but don't let that fool you - this is no group of half-assed JB impersonators. Check the dense grooves of Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou's "Gbeti Madjiro(1)" or Le Super Borgou De Parakou's soulful shuffle "Congolaise Benin Ye(2)," with chunky funk drums and multiple slinking guitars that sound descended from highlife. More to check: Picoby Band D'Abomey - "Mi Ma Kpe Dji(3)," Napo De Mi Amor Et Ses Black Devils - "Leki Santchi(4)," Orchestre Super Jheevs Des Paillotes - "Ye Nan Lon An(5)." CD comes in a digipak, housed in an oversized slipcase which also holds a ridiculously meaty 44-page booklet of photos and liners. 14 tracks; 74 minutes.
reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red

file under:
latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps / funk + soul + latin + disco / vinyl new arrivals / and more

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V/A
Afrobaby: The Evolution of the Afro-Sound in Nigeria 1970-79 2LP

jazz, disco and funk from 1970s Nigeria

Soundway's African compilations are always no joke, providing a detailed window in to African music from decades past. Afrobaby focuses on Nigerian funk, jazz, soul and fusion that was made in the 1970s (apparently, an era when Nigeria had one of the largest recording industries on the planet). Features music from Afro-Beat legend Fela Kuti(1) as well as tracks from Victor Olaiya(2), The Sahara All Stars(3), The Mebusas(4), Orlando Julius(5) and Thony Shorby Nyenwi(6). As always, the packing is top notch, this one is in a gatefold sleeve that features extensive liner notes about each performer and song. 12 tracks total.
reviewed by Hires

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latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps / funk + soul + latin + disco / vinyl new arrivals / and more

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V/A
Bersa Discos #2 EP

More of that cumbia heat from our favorite new label. Their debut release having quickly evaporated, Cali's Bersa Discos is back for round two with another limited single (1,000 copies, no repress-o). This time they've got Buenos Aires young gunna DJ Negro at the fore, putting a new spin on some true Colombian classics. Negro is a regular at the notorious club Zizek (recently spotted killing it with DJ/rupture and others) but this 12" represents his "official" debut. On the A-side, he sets things off with "Andres Landero vs. The Roockie(1)," a tuff mash featuring Screwed vocals from the cumbia legend and Luny beats. "Lluvia(2)" keeps more of traditional cumbia sound, dubbed out in all the right places, while "Mundo Querido(3)" comes with hard raps over a dark and stormy beat that brings to mind "This Is Why I'm Hot." Meanwhile on the flip, Bersa label head Oro11's "Pibes Walk Out(4)" injects some Dirty South into the proceedings, dusting a little of Unk's "Walk It Out" over "Que Calor" by Pibes Chorros (arguably the biggest 'cumbia villera' - gangster cumbia - band ever). Alex Pasternak of much hyped SF band Lemonade seals the deal with the midtempo bumper "Pajariton(5)." Definitely recommended.
reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / downtempo + electronic - recommended / baile + cumbia - vinyl / dubstep + grime - vinyl / and more

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V/A
Bersa Discos #3 EP

Time for numero tres from our cumbia-loving Bay Area homies at Bersa Discos, and this time they've got Texas' DJ Panik and ZZK's Chancha via Circuito on board for the hottest set of tunes yet. (No joke.) Panik comes out guns blazing on lado A with nasty cumbia remixes of El General's "Te Ves Bien Buena(1)," Unk's "2 Step(2)" and Baby C's "Do It Like This(3)." All these are surefire dancefloor detonators - nothing syrupy this time out. No no - that's left to CvC on the flip, who get straight hypnotic with "Cumbia Murguera(4)" and then bring out the crickets for the ultra mellow (and yet strangely gun-clacking) "Damas Gratis Dub(5)." Yes, Bersa Discos is truth. Both sides play at 33. Recommended.
reviewed by Van Hammersly

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / downtempo + electronic - recommended / baile + cumbia - vinyl / dubstep + grime - vinyl / and more

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V/A
Bersa Discos #4 EP

It seems weird to annoint every new Bersa Discos release as "the best Bersa Discos yet," but it's the truth: the Bay Area's fledgling neo-cumbia imprint just keeps getting stronger. For the label's fourth limited press EP, they've enlisted two artists who make their homes far from Buenos Aires, but who've nonetheless got that special touch when it comes to fiery cumbia remixes. Brooklyn's Uproot Andy - an unofficial associate of DJ/rupture and Matt Shadetek's Dutty Artz collective - takes the A-side with three bumping, dubstep-influenced remixes of Afro-Colombian folk songs by Petrona Martinez ("La Vida Vale La Pena(1)"), Toto La Momposina ("El Pescador(2)"), and Grupo Naidy ("El Botellón(3)"). On the flip, it's the Netherlands' Sonido del Principe infusing rave and electro sounds into their trio of tracks - "Cartagena(4)," "El Principe(5)," "Cumbia de la Barranquilla(6)" - which seemingly sample big-band style 50s/60s cumbias. Whatever the sources, it's murderous stuff. Don't sleep - 1,000 copies worldwide. Recommended.
reviewed by Van Hammersly

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / downtempo + electronic - recommended / baile + cumbia - vinyl / dubstep + grime - vinyl / and more

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V/A
Brazil Classics At 20: Anti-Aging Solutions Revealed LP

Limited edition high quality vinyl pressing, collecting up some of the finest tracks from the Brazil Classics series on David Byrne's Luaka Bop label. The title says it all: these are some real classics which never seem to get old, from the likes of Brazilian musical legends like Tom Ze ("Ma(1)"), Gilberto Gil ("Madalena(2)"), Jorge Ben ("Ponta De Lanca Africano(3)") e more. Also check the more recent "Bob(4)" from Otto, Agepe's "Ela Nao Gosta De Mim(5)" and Marisa Monte's "Balanca Pema(6)." 11 tracks total.
reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red

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latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps

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V/A
Samba Rock #1 EP

rare samba classics

The Samba-Rock movement continues to renovate and renew itself after all these decades from its Sao Paulo stronghold. Never a media darling like Tropicalia has been, its basis in time-honored musical traditions also means that it'll never be as fashionable and marketable in the post-hip hop world as Baile Funk. Whatever the case, this highly limited 12" EP series manages to be both enlightening and puzzling simultaneously, and is all the more recommended for it. A newcomer named Angelina does a very decent and party-playable update of the Jorge Ben classic "Ai Ai Caramba(1)" on this first volume and the esteemed "Diva Black" Paula Lima is featured with the deliciously grooving "Tudo Certo, Tudo Errado(2)." This is perhaps the strongest of the three limited-edition EPs of this series. (Sorry, no sales to Brazil).
reviewed by greg caz

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latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps

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V/A
Samba Rock #2 EP

The Samba-Rock movement continues to renovate and renew itself after all these decades from its Sao Paulo stronghold. Never a media darling like Tropicalia has been, its basis in time-honored musical traditions also means that it'll never be as fashionable and marketable in the post-hip hop world as Baile Funk. Whatever the case, this highly limited 12" EP series manages to be both enlightening and puzzling simultaneously, and is all the more recommended for it. Samba-Rock has always been a quirky thing, comparable in many ways to the UK's Northern Soul, and tracks like, say, the Metropolitan Jazz Affair's "Everybody Knows(1)" may cause some to wonder what this has to do with Brazil at all, not knowing that generations down there have partied to tracks that sound just like it going all the way back to Ray Charles' "Hit The Road Jack" or Floyd Cramer's "Let's Go," both of which are Samba-Rock standards. Easier to grasp is the nice re-edit of Tim Maia's "Meu Samba(2)." Another winner on here is a re-assessment of the 80s Gilberto Gil hit "Andar Com Fe(3)" by Brazilian hip-hop veteran Rappin' Hood, and the long-awaited comeback album by early 60s samba-rock/"sambalanao" pioneer Orlandivo appears here in the form of his new re-recording of "Palladium(4)," one of the cornerstone tunes of this whole genre. (Sorry, no sales to Brazil).
reviewed by greg caz

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latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps

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V/A
Samba Rock #3 EP

The Samba-Rock movement continues to renovate and renew itself after all these decades from its Sao Paulo stronghold. Never a media darling like Tropicalia has been, its basis in time-honored musical traditions also means that it'll never be as fashionable and marketable in the post-hip hop world as Baile Funk. Whatever the case, this highly limited 12" EP series manages to be both enlightening and puzzling simultaneously, and is all the more recommended for it. Vol. 3 features an extended Jorge Ben medley(1) from an uncertain source, presumably a live recording of more recent vintage (JB being, of course, the all time God of this particular sub-genre). A band calling themselves Quem Sabe Samba also does a good version of the Os Originais Do Samba classic "Buchicho(2)." And DJ Tadeu (of 50 Cent/samba mashup notoriety) strikes again with a combo(3) of the soul classic "Stay" by the Controllers with Jair Oliveira's 2004 tune "Tiro Onda." Releases like these are usually of a blink-and-you'll-miss-it variety and these are even more so than most, so buy now or curse yourself later. (Sorry, no sales to Brazil).
reviewed by greg caz

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latin + brazilian + afrobeat / funk soul disco - comps

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Wanda de Sah
Softly! LP

Before there was Brazil '66, there was Brasil '65, which featured the early bossa/jazz sounds of a young Sergio Mendes backing the irresistable vocals of Wanda de Sah. During the group's first US tour, the Capitol A&R department took a shine to young Wanda and signed her to a solo deal, and she recorded this album in California with Jack Marshall - an accomplished composer and author of The Munsters theme song(!) - before jetting back home to old Brasil. The result is a beautiful, understated gem of a bossa album that lies somewhere between Wanda's own work with Mendes and Astrud Gilberto's Verve albums of the era. De Sah's sensual vocals are in peak form here, and the source material doesn't hurt either as she burns through tunes by the likes of Jobim ("So Danco Samba(1)"), Bonfa ("Sweet Happy Life(2)") and Joao Gilberto ("Ho Ba La La(3)"). Also check: "Aruanda(4)," "Tem Do(5)," "With Feeling(6)." 11 tracks; 24 minutes. Recommended.
reviewed by Van Hammersly

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / latin + brazilian + afrobeat / shota's jazz section

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Whiskey Barons
The Whiskey Barons EP w/ FREE Bonus CD

latin and tropical edits for the dancefloor

LAB EXCLUSIVO: Get the Whiskey Barons Bonus CD FREE when you buy the EP. Includes all the tracks from the vinyl and 3 exclusive bonus tracks.

Whiskey Barons bringing that heat just in time for summer! Amphibious and the Bogart have been holdin' it down in the Boston area with the Flavorheard crew for a minute now, but with their debut EP as the Whiskey Barons, the two drop cool latin and tropical inspired beats for the dancefloor. Check the sweet latin piano and percussion on "Guajira(1)" with that extra added "thump" to make the booty go bu- bomp. Both "Shake Yuh Waist(2)" and "Badumbadey(3)" take refreshing tropical vibes and add a proper breakbeats and chops inna GAMM stylee. Smiles and good times all around with these jams so be on the lookout for these guys! Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / downtempo + electronic - recommended / midtempo - vinyl / latin + brazilian + afrobeat

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