Foundation. Incredible Bongo Band's highly influential 1973 album, reissued as a genuine reproduction of the original pressing for its 40th anniversary, down to the reflective silver cover. Bongo Rock is the epitome of a classic record, an essential building block for hip-hop and popular music, as sampled by everyone from Nas, Kanye West, Sugar Hill Gang, Aphex Twin, DJ Shadow, Goldie, Diamond D... the list goes on (I guess the real question is who didn't sample this?). Key cuts here don't really need my introduction, but you get essential b-boy anthem "Apache," the cover of Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Vida," 7" staples "Bongolia and "Bongo Rock," and famous break track "Last Bongo In Belgium." But listening to this album all the way through, it mad me realize what a freak of nature the IBB was. It was if Michael Viner foresaw the future beat digger taste set and created this album to fit that profile, but with bongos! For the less obvious stuff, check "Let There Be Drums," a dark wicked version of break-infused rock. This is the kind of record that will never fade.

• 40th anniversary reissue
• reflective silver cover
• printed insert
• music label: Mr Bongo 2014

reviewed by the mgmnt 10/2018