Latin | Brazil Vinyl 393 Items

1979. The suburbs of Paris. Five friends, whose origins stem from the West Indies and North Africa, came together to form Trenchtown Meditation, a “creole-speaking” French reggae band.
Heavily inspired by the seminal sound of Bob Marley, Trenchtown Meditation was one of the pioneering bands of the burgeoning French reggae scene. It was also at this time that France saw the explosion of pirate radio stations; like many other bands of the era, Trenchtown Meditation would play live sets on-air in these small radio shacks in between gigs on the various scenes of Paris and its vicinity.
The band also got their 15 seconds of fame in 1983 when they appeared on the French TV show “Aujourd’hui La Vie- ‘Spécial Exotisme’”.
It was during this busy period that the band recorded an 8 track reggae album (which to this day remains unreleased).
But in spite of their record and strong desire to make a living from music, the daily grind caught up with the band; in 1984 the guitar player quit the band.
Subsequently, the four members decided to rename the band ‘Cap’tain Créole’ with the aim – while remaining true to its reggae roots – of exploring new musical horizons, driven by the will to go beyond all that they’d done up to that moment.
The group had access to a professional recording studio and quickly decided to cut a new project. With the help of 3 new members – among them a sax player and a trumpet player, both coming from the jazz scene, who helped define the new sound of Cap’tain Créole – they recorded their unique outing called Ni Bel Jounin. It’s a single composed of 2 titles Fré Moin / Ni Bel Jounin, both sung in créole, which was clearly unusual for the time.
Both tracks are at the crossroads of many universes: Afro, Rock, Funk, Reggae and the result is quite unique! The band also used with great impact some subtle electronic elements.
Fré Moin catches you instantly while Ni Bel Jounin strikes the listener with its beauty. The spiritual vibe that oozes from the record is an obvious marker of their reggae roots.
Privately pressed and self-distributed in small quantities at the time, BeauMonde is proud to make the one and only record of Cap’tain Créole available again.

291out ensemble return on Fly By Night with another well orchestrated project by Riccio.
The latest release on FBNM, 291out - Habbanera is thematically inspired by the 1982 Italian film score, "No Grazie il Caffè Mi Rende Nervoso" "No Thanks, Coffee Makes Me Nervous".
It was originally composed by James Senese and directed by Lodovico Gasparini, "Habbanera" has only previously been released on Senese's self titled LP in 1983.
This four tracker includes two new versions of the main title theme "Habbanera" and two remixes by the two Italian pioneers of house music and the balearic sound; Leo Mas and Fabrice.
291out "Original Version" is a cover of the main score theme, which also features on Senese's 1983 LP; the "Alternate Version" is also taken from the movie, but from a different scene, which has the same melody of the opening theme but with a different rhythm, never having been released before and completely reassembled by 291out.
Leo Mas & Fabrice provide two different cuts, one pitched-down boogie slow jam and one 4/4 dance-floor banger.

Fémina channels blissed out, harmony-soaked soul music with a purpose. Lyrically poignant with hip hop and Latin influences, 'Perlas & Conchas' is the group's third album proper and unlike previous long players, is primarily an electronic statement, recorded and produced by British producer and musician Quantic - the first ever creation at his Selva Studios in New York – and features Iggy Pop.
Made up of Clara Miglioli and the two Trucco sisters, Sofia and Clara, the group’s roots are in San Martín de los Andes in the Patagonian mountains, where they grew up together sharing a love of ‘90s hip-hop imported from the US – as well as the occasional Spanish-speaking rapper from Mexico or Spain. They took a musical side-step when Clara Trucco joined, and began drawing more from vocal harmonies and playing live instruments - a process that led them toward their unique style: a combination of soul, hip-hop and traditional Latin American music.
The title “Perlas & Conchas” translates to 'Pearls and Shells', a reference to the process through which a pearl is created: a speck of dirt, encased in a shell, turned into an object of wonder. They want to do the same thing with their music: to take dark, difficult situations and turn them into positivity.

Mar & Sol presents the new album of the legendary band África Negra,"Alia cu Omali". New songs and some popular classics recorded between Lisbon and S.Tomé.
This album Its a reflection of the old rumba and soukous music that this epic band of São Tomé e Príncipe got us used to. They are an icon and one of the main bands of this island, representing in their music the authenticity and culture of the former Portuguese colony on the equatorial meridian.
It is our mission to expand this culture and here it is the testimony in our series of Luso Afro music which could best represent São Tomé.

Guadeloupe 1986. The football World Cup has all the Islanders' eyes riveted to their TV sets. At every half time breaks, local TV channel RFO broadcasts a music video on repeat: ‘’Tou’t Jou Pa Min’m". Max Rambhojan, the local singer responsible for this monster tune, has arrived.
In the video, he effortlessly sings and kickstarts a joyous street party with his band, Show Man, his dancers, kids, friends, family and what seems like the whole neighbourhood. The song will gain cult status from then on, cementing the power of the 'Zouk Chiré' sound, a high tempo version of Zouk, highly influenced by Guadeloupe's Carnival mass drum bands. Max self-releases his first solo album on vinyl in 1985, enrolling some of the best musicians the scene has to offer: his band leader King Klero, Guy Jacquet of les Vikings de la Guadeloupe fame on production duties, Ramon Pyrmée on synths, Claude Vamur, Meliza… In 1992 a new solo album follows. By then the artists have familiarized themselves with computers and the sound has gone full-on digital. In that album Max records an updated version of his “Tou’t Jou Pa Min’m” anthem to great effect.
Reducing Max Rambhojan to a zouk artist would be a mistake. He’s first and foremost a master of Gwo-Ka, a musical practice born during the transatlantic slave trade and performed by all ethnic and religious groups of Guadeloupe. It has never ceased to exist and has become a major part of the Island folk music culture. Max Rambhojan was schooled as a kid by Gwo-Ka pioneer Guy Conquette, and quickly joined the backing band of another legend, Ti-Sélès. That sound is the root of his particular style, especially vibrant on two tracks in his repertoire: “Cecilia” and “On Jou Matin”, both featured on this release's b-side. A touch of Spiritual Jazz is also palpable, allowing a magical vibe to spread, giving birth to some of the deepest music from this era.
In 2019, Max still performs Gwo-Ka every week-end in Guadeloupe and also hosts a show on local radio Media Tropical, 88.1FM. Secousse and Hot Mule are proud to present those 4 lost gems on wax and digital, carefully restored and remastered.

Second elease on newly minted Souk Records (Discrepant), coming swiftly after the mind blowing Palestinian beat LP Muqata'a Inkanakuntu (SOUK01). For the second release we chose someone who is already part of our Discrepant family - the Colombian tropical masters Romperayo aka Pedro Ojeda.

Official Mr Bongo reissue. Replica original artwork, including the insert with listening instructions, in Spanish and English. Luis Pérez was born in Mexico City on July 11, 1951. From 1971 onwards he dedicated much of his time to the research of pre-Columbian instrumentation.
This research that allowed him to travel the Mexican territory and study musical traditions of the native peoples of Mexico. He learned directly from the living sources of the music and collected samples of musical instruments and the songs of different native speakers including Maya, Nahuatl, Mazateco, Yoemem, Comcaac, Raramuri, Wixarika and more. His personal collection of native Mexican instruments includes ethnographic instruments still in use by ethnic groups, along with archaeological artifacts some of which are more than 2,000 years old. He continuously utilises these instruments in performances, concerts, lectures, exhibitions and recordings, in a sense, keeping them alive.
Following a decade playing in Mexico City’s psychedelic rock scene, his early solo work was a mixture of sounds derived from his vast array of pre-Hispanic and ethnographic wind and percussions which he managed to blend with electronic devices including tape delay units, electric guitars and synthesisers. During this time, he was given the name ‘Ixoneztli’ (or “one who makes music”) by the legendary ‘curandera’ Pachita and her son Enrique, to whom, like Alejandro Jodorowsky before him, Luis served as assistant.
In 1981, the Mexican government became very interested Pérez work and sponsored the production of what became the first recording of the fusion of native mexican instruments with electronics – entitled ‘Ipan In Xiktli Metztli,’ in the Nahuatl language, or ‘En el Ombligo de la Luna’ in Spanish… ‘In the Navel of the Moon.’ The impact of this recording and subsequent performances among media, ethnomusicologists and audiences alike established Luis Perez ‘Ixoneztli’ as a precursor to a new musical genre followed by a generation of young Mexican musicians – Ethno-Rock, Ethno-Jazz, Ethno-Experimental and the like. ‘El Ombligo de la Luna’ reaches us from deep in the past but it also exists entirely outside of time, as Luis Pérez ‘Ixoneztli’’s offering to the world – the soul of Mexico channeled through the hands of a master musician.
Huge thanks to Carlos Nino for his assistance on this very special project.
Copy adapted from original copy written and supplied by Jesse Peterson (2017), used with thanks. Licensed direct from Luis Pérez.

From the archives of the legendary BELTER and DISCOPHON labels, essential to understand the birth of the Catalan Rumba and Flamenco-Pop genre in Spain, we’ve selected 14 dance-friendly tracks taken from overlooked LPs and 45s.
This is the real gipsy–funk sound, full of screaming flamenco vocals, funk drums, electric guitars, wah–wah, organ, electric bass, exotic percussions, soulish horns, latin and even oriental touches...
Featuring folkloric ye-yé singers, gipsy princes, teen rumba stars and groovy rumba–pop bands: DOLORES VARGAS “La Terremoto”, CHANGO, ROSA MORENA, RUMBA 3, EL PRÍNCIPE GITANO, EL NOI...

The Talbots were one of the first notable vocal groups from Bermuda to gain international acclaim. The group frequently performed for television in the 1950s, appearing on Ed Sullivan's variety shows and other programs. The Talbots performed Trinidadian calypso in a smooth melodic style, influenced by popular music. Notable in the group's instrumentation was Roy Talbot's home-made upright bass, created out of a large meat-packing crate and a single fishing line. This LP, presented here as a splendid vinyl reissue, was originally released in 1958 by ABC-Paramount.

The second volume of this amazing series with classic tunes from Caribbean music that became great successes of salsa. Compiled by Pablo Yglesias aka DJ Bongohead.

Rough, tough, tumping, bumping soundboy breakbeat from the Caribbean coast of Colombia.

Forty brand new buckaroos, tooled and primed by Jeanpi Perreo, Edwin Producciones and DJ Ander — all from local sound-systems — careering guarapo-style out of punches of vintage Nigerian highlife, waka and co, by legends like Steven Amechi, Sagbeni Aragbada and Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson.

Edited and mastered by CGB at D&M for maximum oomph and worries, and presented in a gatefold sleeve with cool and deadly varnishing. Plus a full-size booklet detailing the fascinating history of this music, seamed into the strange, tentacular byways of hand-to-hand vinyl distribution, record collecting and musical connoisseurship, and the soundclash traditions of the region, suffused with the politics and culture of the Black Atlantic, stretching back to the 1950s.

Three major players from the now multi-generational broken beat scene: Henry Wu, Dego (2000black) and IG Culture have assembled for an irresistible late summer bruk-samba trip. Brazilian rhythms have always been foundational influences on the broken-beat and future jazz movements, and this EP continues to explore these connections, a running theme throughout Far Out's 23 year history with Seiji, Mark Pritchard, Afronaught, Domu, Da Lata and Jazzanova being just a few of the names to have contributed to this particular avenue of the label's pantheon of dance music.

One for the heads! A rare female vocal double header, starting with Dalila's 1968 gem 'Canto Chorando' originally released on a sort after 'compacto' 45 on Copacabana.
On the flip – a Copacabana 7” release in the form of Neyde Alexandre’s 1971 song ‘Perplexidade', with a fantastic break intro, horn stabs and lush vocals. One of our favourite Brazil 45’s.

‘Sinal Vermelho’ – midtempo psyche-funk workout tough on the drums. Brilliant vocal from Marilene. Taken from 1973 compacto 7” released on Copacabana.
‘Verão Vermelho’ is taken from Nonato Buzar’s 1970 LP ‘Temas De Novelas’, a collection of songs he wrote for Brazilian soap operas. The song features Pedro Santos on percussion.

Betino's Records proudly presents its third release: an EP by the very sharp collective The Big Hustle. The band founded in 2014 by bass player and composer Sébastien Levanneur, brings together 70's old school funk with the hippest actual sound with influences spanning from Steely Dan to Snarky Puppy, from Mandrill to Lettuce and from Herbie Hancock (Manchild era) to Soulive. With mighty horn players, a rock and funky rhythm section, and percussions added to it, The Big Hustle’s music has a very large variety of sound landscapes. Still, the music never loses the groove and always stays close to the funk.
The A side opens with "Afrorever", a tribute to African culture and music. The guest of honor on this song is legendary Malian musician Cheick Tidiane Seck, longtime partner of Salif Keita, and collaborator of Joe Zawinul, Carlos Santana and Damon Albarn to name a few. After Cheick’s introduction, the songs jumps into a typical afrobeat vibe featuring a tight and powerful horn section, suddenly breaks into an electro funk groove and ends in a furious percussive party.
Second track on the A side is "Faure is the Magic Number". It is dedicated to Thomas Faure (co-composer of the track) and François Faure (both featured on this song on tenor sax and keyboards respectively). This piece displays the band’s ability to blend jazz-funk groove with a heavy hip-hop beat. Kind of DJ Premier meets Steely Dan.
The B side starts with "Afrorever (Sun's Up Mix)". Through this mix, one can acknowledge instantly Olivier Portal's touch. From the very first chords, he conveys us into his realm blending warm and melancholy keyboards with an old school deep-house rhythm pattern.
The fourth track is called “1, 2, 1, 2”. It is a purely improvised moment in the studio while the band was sound checking before recording with special guest rapper Raashan Ahmad. Nicolas Gueguen had the good idea to press the R button and what you hear is basically what happened afterwards.
Enjoy!

This cool release
compiles some of the best tunes in Creole boogaloo. The charm
of the restored sound of these old 7-inches is only matched by
the ardor of the interpretations. Like no music genre ever
before, boogaloo brought together African Americans and
Latinos, who already attended the same parties, but danced to
different tunes. Indeed, boogaloo overtook the West Indies with
amplified keyboards and electrified guitars, and this new wave
knocked out hierarchy and habits.

Since the release of his 2 first albums on Favorite Recordings, Lucas Arruda has quickly established himself as one of the most talented young artist and composer from Brazil. His music is filled with fusion style, mixing influences and elements from his Latin musical background, with his genuine admiration for Jazz, Soul and Funk music.

In spring 2015, it was also not surprising to find Lucas Arruda back with a new LP called SOLAR, receiving great supports and feedbacks from international media and tastemakers. One of the highlight of the album was the song “Melt the Night”, on which Lucas asked legendary producer Leon Ware for his help, reminding his collaborations in the 80s with Marcos Valle, when they perfectly merged together the sophisticated Boogie and AOR touch from California, with the blazing sense of rhythm from Brazil.

Today, Lucas Arruda and Favorite Recordings proudly present a brand new single, announcing the release of Lucas’ third efforts later this year. This new opus is pursuing the music direction set with SOLAR, mixing touch of Blue-Eyed-Soul, Pop, Soul and Brazilian styles together, and influenced by the path of legendary Brazilian producer Lincoln Olivetti, who recorded some of the biggest stars of Brazilian music (Marcos Valle, Jorge Ben, Tim Maia…).

In Lucas words: “These two tracks represent the whole spirit of the new album. In this record I really wanted to honor Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti. They are the main influence on this record. We recorded the basic tracks for the album in the same studio that Lincoln Olivetti did his last works. So, this was very important to capture the true essence of Brazilian Funk/AOR tradition. Hope you guys enjoy it!”

More Afro-Cuban Roots Of Boogaloo' - The third release in the series that collects music by Latin bands that were based in New York between the '40s and '60s, expanded with recordings done in Cuba by orquestas or conjuntos such as Félix Chappotín, José Curbelo or La Playa Sextet, all of whom had a big influence on the Latinos in New York.

Soul Jazz Records’ new album features the truly intense, hypnotic and fascinating Vodou drums of Haiti, a stunning collection of trance-like rhythms and beats traditionally used to induce spirit possession in the Vodou religion.
Soul Jazz Records first journeyed to Haiti in 1996 to record a series of three albums about Haitian Vodou music and culture. One of these, ‘Voodoo Drums’, featuring the drum rhythms used to bring about spirit possession, struck a striking chord with listeners and amazingly went on to become one of their best-selling albums.
"I haven't heard anything quite like this; the rhythms are very deeply orchestrated yet it also sounds like improvisation. There are tonalities and textures coming from this album like I've never heard. A great album by Soul Jazz, very well recorded. Some of the sounds I have no idea how they are getting them! This album is bending my ear and setting off the dancing devils in my soul!! Unreal!" Guardian
In 2016 Soul Jazz Records returned to Haiti once more to record a new second volume of the same intense Vodou drumming. Recorded in the capital of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, some 20 years after their first visit, this album also features the very same musicians, the Drummers of the Société Absolument Guinin.

Limited to 300 copies. West African and Venezuelan inspired dance floor 45 from Cyril Diaz the 1950's Trinidadian bandleader playing the roots music of his Afro-Venezuelan parentage. His father Gordon Diaz migrated to Trinidad sometime in the early 1900's. Throughout the 1950's Cyril Diaz and his big band calypso orchestra toured the Caribbean and South America recording culturally inspired hybrid calypsos with an African and Latin tinge. Showcased here is his fascination with West African shango on "Mme Killio" Mme Killio is a famous beauty contest in Africa, Diaz’s version being recorded by Emory Cook in November 1957.

Limited to 500 copies.

Deep', also known as 'Oh Poor Me' is a mid-tempo latin soul/boogaloo from singer Quetchy Alma aka La Lloroncita. Taken from the very rare LP ‘El Sol Brilla Para Todos’ on Tico.

'Identify Yourself' is a stone cold Nu Yorican funk/soul hit. Drum heavy, huge horns and punchy Rhodes lines. Taken from their self-titled LP on Vaya, released in 1974.

‘Os Orixas’ is rich in layered percussion, horns and guitars. Singer Eloah’s lead vocals are reminiscent of the likes of Ellen McIlwaine, Elza Soares and Joyce. Samba, funk, folk, jazz and MPB over ijexa and African grooves, that combine beautifully across the moods. Os Orixas refers to one of the manifestations of the ’supreme God’ in the Yoruba faith.

The songs were written by Luis Berimbau, assisted by Ildásio Tavares. Berimbau was a very influential multi instrumentalist, poet, writer and composer from Bahia, Brazil. He produced the wonderful folk/psychedelic rock group Perfume Azul Do Sol’s ‘Nascimento’ LP amongst many others.