★Mr. Bongo
Flor Lilás
As long - time fans of this sublime four-track compacto 7" by the illustrious Brazilian duo Luli Lucinha e O Bando, we have floated the idea of reissuing this beauty for several years now. So finally, the time feels right to release this beloved gem back into the world. Originally issued on Som Livre Records in Brazil in 1972, this rarity has long been lost to only but the most hardened Brazilian record collectors and those lucky few who own an original copy. The four genre-defying compositions …
Beautiful Bamboo-Flute
** In process of stocking ** Seminal Japanese jazz album from 1971. Journeys through jazz fusion, soul and big band moods. Impossible to obtain in its original format, these days. Hozan Yamamoto was recognised as a "living national treasure" by the Japanese government in 2002. This highly sought-after album from the Japanese wood flute player is more upbeat and swinging than some of his other records. The big band he recorded this album with (Sharps & Flats) played a big part in the genesis of t…
Belladonna
Official half-speed mastered re-issue of British trumpeter and bandleader Ian Carr's iconic jazz-fusion-rock hybrid ‘Belladonna’ from 1972 Originally released on the Vertigo label, complete with collectable ‘swirl' record centre design, this sought-after jazz-rock-fusion rarity features some of the cream of the UK jazz musicians of the 70’s. Comprised from groups such as Nucleus, Brian Auger's band, Soft Machine, Stan Tracy group, the players included Brian Smith (tenor and soprano saxophones, a…
Ennui / Abandoned
Kit Sebastian are back with a special stand-alone 7” release that presents an appetising taster of what is to follow from their much-anticipated sophomore album. After losing themselves in the magic of the French countryside to record, the band have delivered two gems that we initially thought were a soupçon of the said new album. In fact, though recorded during the same sessions, they felt these tracks were best served up as an aperitif to the album.
Francis Lai, Vladimir Cosma, Fikret Kızıl…
Satwa
Written, recorded and released just as Brazil’s military dictatorship reached the climax of its long black arc, the one and only album by Satwa is a divinely subtle protest, often cited as Brazil’s first independent record. Formed after the return of Lula Côrtes and Lailson from their respective foreign excursions – the ‘Satwa’ project lasted only a year, perhaps due to their differing stripes. Lailson was from the verdant former Dutch colony of Pernambuco, while Côrtes hailed from the wild badl…
Attica Blues / Quiet Dawn
Previously Japan-only 7” featuring two tracks originally released on Archie Shepp's 1972 classic soul-jazz LP, Attica Blues. A powerful mix of psychedelic soul and jazz that retains Shepp’s political sentiment of his earlier works. Attica Blues is a huge funk-soul composition, referring to a mass shooting of inmates at Attica Prison. Henry Hull's vocal sits on top of bass, layered percussion, wah-wah guitars, plus large horn and string sections to create a massive sound. The big band, almost sou…
Bamboo
Fantastic high quality Mr Bongo reissue of Japanese Jazz holy grail. Japanese bamboo flute genius Minoru Muroka's holy grail masterpiece -- a unique mixture of traditional Japanese folk and heavy hip-hoppy jazz as played by DJ Shadow and Egon! Combining japanese instruments itaiko, shamishen and koto with conventional drums and synths.
Aguia Nao Come Mosca
Golden-era, 1977, Brazilian jazz-funk-fusion album from the legendary, Azymuth. Lush Rhodes, soaring synths and fusion guitars from Malheiros and Bertrami combine with the inimitable drum grooves from Ivan “Mamao” Conti that create the signature Azymuth sound.The album moves from mellow soulful moods, into screaming disco-jazz-fusion, samba funk, synth boogie and ends with a tough 160bpm Batucada workout. This is actually the first Azymuth album that we have released on Mr Bongo, which came as a…
Estudando O Samba
Incredibly unique concept album from the one and only, Tom Zé. As featured in Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Brazilian Albums of all-time list (2007). One of Ze’s finest albums in our opinion, originally released by Continental Brazil in 1976 – a tough one to find at a good price in its original form now. ‘Estudando do Samba’ (or ‘Studying The Samba’) is a post-Tropicalia studio experimentation laiden with layers of hypnotic percussion, effects & samples that deconstructs the ‘samba’ for…
The Return Of The Incredible Bongo Band
Re-released for the first time since 1974, this is the sequel to the classic 1973 ‘Bongo Rock’, which became a foundation of rap and popular music, up to the present day. Reproduced on heavyweight 180g vinyl and in top-quality Japanese sleeves. The Incredible Bongo Band is a blend of many multi-talented people. Jim Gordon is one of the featured musicians. Ringo Starr has said "Jim is one of the finest drummers in the world". Gordon composed 'Layla' in association with Eric Clapton. King Errisso…
Mexico Magico Cosmico, en el ombligo de la Luna
**CD Version. Official audiophile reissue. Replica original artwork, including the insert with listening instructions, in Spanish and English** Originally recorded in Mexico, 1981, it offers a mescaline-sharp vision of deep grooving "cosmic ethnography" combining pre-Colombian percussion and wind instruments with electric guitar, tape delay and synths in free-roaming and extended suites. Luis Pérez was born in Mexico City on July 11, 1951. From 1971 onwards he dedicated much of his time to the r…
Krishnanda
The official Mr Bongo reissue. Krishnanda is an album in the truest sense of the word – a spiritual, psychedelic Brazilian masterpiece from start to finish – celebrated by everyone from Seu Jorge and Kassin to Floating Points, Madlib, Quantic, Gilles Peterson and DJ Nuts. These days, originals change hands for thousands of dollars.The sound diversity of the album is very large, there are many types of percursivos instruments, horn arrangements from samba rhythms and Latin and Eastern almost the …
Burnier & Cartier
Sought-after Brazilian LP from 1974 that touches on MPB, soul, jazz, disco and boogie, reminiscent of Steely Dan in places. Deep guitar arrangements intertwine with layered vocals creating an airy, floating vibe. Extremely expensive theses days, this one has been on our list for a while. As sampled by Andres on his ‘Sing About It’ collaboration with Kenny Dixon Junior aka Moodymann and on Kaytranada’s Janet Jackson flip, ‘Alright’. Championed by the likes of Jazzanova, Floating Points, Dego 2000…
Pat Thomas Introduces Marijata
Pat Thomas career began in 1969 with the Broadway Dance Band, leaving a year later to join the Uhuru Dance Band. He then played with Ebo Taylor’s Blue Monks and finally formed the Sweet Beans in 1973 where he really made his name. The group released False Lover in 1974, split and then reformed as Marijata, releasing Marijata (also available on Mr Bongo) and this album, Pat Thomas Introduces Marijata. Thomas career spans more than 50 years and he still tours regularly across the world.
Célia
Célia Regina Cruz recorded four self-titled albums for Continental between 1971 and 1977, Amor in 1982 plus several more before she sadly passed away late in 2017. Célia was a Brazilian vocalist who worked frequently with master arranger-composer Arthur Verocai in her early years and many other heavyweights over the course of her extensive career.This, her second self-titled LP from 1972, features an all-star line up including Arthur Verocai, Erasmo Carlos, Roberto Carlos, Marcos Valle, Antonio …
Grande Liquidacao
Quite incredibly, this is the first vinyl reissue of the earliest and best work by legendary Brazilian musician, Tom Zé. 'Grande Liquidação' was originally released in 1968, the same year Zé contributed to the Tropicália blueprint 'Tropicália: ou Panis et Circenses' alongside the perhaps better known Caetano Veloso, Os Mutantes, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa and Nara Leão. His first LP was recorded shortly after moving to Sao Paulo from the regional capital Salvador, Bahia, and features a shocking wea…