Review: ,Joe Bataan has been busy in East L.A. with Orquesta Rene for this new Latin jazz double 7" courtesy of Steady Beat. It features four all new pieces drenched in soul and percussion, starting with 'So Fine' (feat Big Sandy), a mid tempo groove with vocal longing and languid horns. 'Mestizo' is a more steamy and intimate piece with sung-spoken lyrics and glowing, golden chords. 'Mom & Dad' (feat Claudia Lennear) has s steamy shuffle to its rhythms and classic Latin percussive sounds next to a call and response vocal and 'Time After Time' closes with a sentimental feel.
Review: Admittedly, we're as in the dark now about Cheeba's Prestige Allstars as we were when it first dropped last year, but it sold out so has done well. This reissue of the limited 7" release is a steamy blend of Afro and Latin funk. 'Dig This!' (vocal version) delivers a raw, energetic cut with punchy drums and lively James Brown samples, complemented by bold saxophone riffs. On the flip side, the instrumental version retains the groove, albeit slightly stripped back, maintaining the essence of James Brown's mic presence. While details about the band remain elusive, their music speaks volumes, offering a vibrant fusion of sounds that captivate dancefloors.
Nico Gomez & His Afro Percussion Inc - "Lupita" (7:16)
Review: Mr Bongo continue to churn out top-quality re-edits and here they enlist Danny Krivit aka. Mr. K, the New York producer who has longstandingly helped prop up the dance scene there since the early 1960s. Krivit is responsible for perhaps some of the earliest and most significant disco and funk edits on Earth, so we're more than happy to hear these new ones out, in which he lends his ear to two mambi from Latin extraordinaires Sabu Martinez and Nico Gomez. Percussive clanks and boxy slaps abound on this audiophiles' charm.
Review: Esperanto is widely heralded as a Venezuelan jazz-Ffsion masterpiece. It was first released in 1980 and is a real collector's item that is hard to find an expensive. French label Favourite now presents a first ever reissue of the eponymous LP that was recorded in Caracas by a number of talented musicians. It has strong Latin and funk overtones. Squelchy synth sounds and is a must-have for anyone interested in this fine fusion sound. The band started off playing jam sessions that grew ever more refined to the point that they eventually lay down this enduring masterclass.
Review: Choice Cuts 1978-1983 gathers eight tracks from four of Mimi's early albums-Sea Flight (1978), Coconuts High (1981), Nuts Nuts Nuts (1982), and Tropicana (1983). Opening with a funky, syncopated take on Sergio Mendes' 'Mas Que Nada' and the crisp techno-pop of 'Coffee Rumba,' all of which mean the compilation showcases Mimi's eclectic style. It also features the synth jam 'Quiet Explosion' and the piano samba 'Espresso.' Two standout tracks from Coconuts High-the sultry 'Crazy Love' and the lively 'Palm Sr'-highlight her playful Latin-tinged jazz fusion. Released on Takanaka's Kitty Records, this collection reveals Mimi's vibrant and innovative artistry.
Review: La Clave's self-titled album from 1973 is a refreshing mix of Latin rhythms and the vibrant sounds of the city of San Francisco. Formed by nine musicians from Mexico, Panama, Cuba and Puerto Rico with Benny Velarde at the helm, the group blended their rich cultural backgrounds with the soulful and experimental music scene of the Bay Area during that period. This unique mix created a joyful, energetic sound that still lures you in to this day, which is why this mini-classic gets reissued as part of the Verve By Request series.
Tambores De Enrique Bonne - "Como Arrullos De Palma"
Ricardo Eddy Martinez - "Expresso Ritmico"
Los Papines - "Solo De Tumba Y Bongo"
Grupo Sintesis - "Aqui Estamos"
Los Van Van - "Llegada"
Grupo Raices Nuevas - "Baila Mi Guaguanco"
Luis Carbonell - "La Rumba"
Orquesta Riverside - "En Casa Del Trompo No Bailes"
Juan Formel & Los Van Van - "Llegue, Llegue"
Grupo Los Yoyi - "Tu No Me Puedes Conquistar"
Los Papines - "Para Que Niegas?"
Grupo De Experimentacion Sonora Del ICAIC - "Cuba Va!"
Raul Gomez - "Luces En La Pista"
Los Brito - "El 4-5-6"
Leo Brouwer - "Tema De El Rancheador De La Naturaleza"
Ricardo Eddy Martinez - "La 132"
Los Reyes 73 - "Finalizo Un Amor"
Review: Given that Gilles Peterson and Stuart Baker's Cuba: Music and Revolution - Culture Clash in Havana is one of the standout compilations of 2021, hopes are naturally sky-high for this speedy sequel. Like its predecessor, volume 2 focuses on music and made and released on the Caribbean island between 1975 and '85, this time round largely focusing on rare fusions of salsa, Latin jazz, disco, soul and funk, mostly licensed from records that have never been available outside Cuba. It's another stunning selection all told, with highlights including the heady Cuban disco/salsa fusion of Orquesta Los Van Van, the fiery disco-funk of FA 5, the heavily percussive hedonism of Luis Carobonell and the fuzzy psychedelic rock of Grupo De Experimentacion Sonora Del ICAIC. In a word: essential.
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