Mr Bongo レコード& CD

Review: Mr Bongo continue their Classic African series with a trip to late 60s Ghana. Having re-released CK Mann & His Carousel 7's album Funky Highlife late last year, the label have now given their in-house editor (Brighton's Gareth Stephens) the honour of dicing and splicing the 14 minute original. Naturally he's done with punchy aplomb. As a result there's not a dull moment in sight as we switch and sway from swooping harmonic chorus to jaunty organ stabs with undiluted Afrobeat glee. Jump on this now... it's highly limited!

Review: Over the years, Cesar Mariano and Cia's 1977 set "Sao Paolo Brasil" has achieved cult status, with dusty-fingered diggers regularly proclaiming it one of the finest jazz-funk/fusion albums of the period (a fact confirmed by the high prices that original vinyl copies often change hands for online). Remarkably, this timely Mr Bongo reissue marks the first time the set has been released outside of its native South America. Rich in glistening jazz guitars, fizzing, Azymuth-style organ riffs, spacey synths, warm bass and skittish drums, the album's eight tracks bristle with breeziness, subtle samba motifs, sumptuous dancefloor grooves, sunny downtempo workouts and effervescent arrangements. In a word: essential.

Review: Since the autumn of 2014, the Mr Bongo Record Club radio show has been essential listening for those interested in killer music from around the World (and, in particular, Africa and South America). This is the first compilation of the same name, was put together by the same crew of crate digging hosts, and showcases a wealth of what they describe as "favourites, recent discoveries and sought-after obscurities". It's packed with sizzling samba, soaring classic soul, dub-wise reggae, sweltering afro-soul, funk-fuelled Afrobeat, and even a spot of Sitar-laden rhythm & blues mysticism (Dave Pike Set's "Mathar"). Basically, it's a collection of killer tracks, most of which you'll fall head over heels in love with. What's not to like?