Latin | Brazil Vinyl 155 Items

Two brothers, two guitars, two distinct identities, who become one soul when they compose music. Stephan and Alejandro, are the Hermanos Gutierrez, an instrumental music band with an unmistakable genre that is rooted in Western and Latin American sound. Born from an Ecuadorian mother and a Swiss father they grew up being forged by both cultures, bridging between two worlds, both of which are home.

Their mix of identities, that constant search across different countries clearly emerges in their songs. Their music takes the audience on an intimate journey through time evoking remote spaces. A magical sound that touches the heart, that sparks passion and nostalgia. An open invitation to a constant dialogue of melodies and instruments.

Playing together since their early childhood, a profound musical and interpersonal symbiosis ties the two brothers. If one of them has a melody, the other one completes it with harmony. There is a deep understanding between the two of them, without any need for words.

Active as a band since 2015, they have recorded four albums: “8 Años” (2017), “El Camino De Mi Alma” (2018), “Hoy Como Ayer” (2019), and the newly released LP “Hijos Del Sol” (Children Of The Sun). A body of work that has been inspired by their journey through the vast natural landscapes of Mexico, the silence of the desert, the sun, and their love for this country that made them feel “like going home”, as they affirm. Out came a soundtrack of the sceneries they’ve been exploring.

Two brothers, two guitars, two distinct identities, who become one soul when they compose music. Stephan and Alejandro, are the Hermanos Gutierrez, an instrumental music band with an unmistakable genre that is rooted in Western and Latin American sound. Born from an Ecuadorian mother and a Swiss father they grew up being forged by both cultures, bridging between two worlds, both of which are home.

Their mix of identities, that constant search across different countries clearly emerges in their songs. Their music takes the audience on an intimate journey through time evoking remote spaces. A magical sound that touches the heart, that sparks passion and nostalgia. An open invitation to a constant dialogue of melodies and instruments.

Playing together since their early childhood, a profound musical and interpersonal symbiosis ties the two brothers. If one of them has a melody, the other one completes it with harmony. There is a deep understanding between the two of them, without any need for words.

Active as a band since 2015, they have recorded four albums: “8 Años” (2017), “El Camino De Mi Alma” (2018), “Hoy Como Ayer” (2019), and the newly released LP “Hijos Del Sol” (Children Of The Sun). A body of work that has been inspired by their journey through the vast natural landscapes of Mexico, the silence of the desert, the sun, and their love for this country that made them feel “like going home”, as they affirm. Out came a soundtrack of the sceneries they’ve been exploring.

We’ve taken a selection of the most in-demand and asked-for titles in our Brazil 45’s catalogue and given them a loving remaster and repress.

This edition takes two hugely sought-after tracks from Quinteto Ternura, and their original outfit Trio Ternura, and cuts them loud and proud on either side of a seven inch.

First up, a hit of pure sunshine from Quinteto Ternura. Trio Ternura, who were made up of two sisters, Jussara, Jurema and their brother Robson, also formed Quinteto Ternura by joining forces with Léo and Zé Roberto. ‘Baby’ is an absolutely killer, blissful Brazilian modern soul jam written by Caetano Veloso, arranged by Arthur Verocai, covering Gal Costa. Once a real rarity in Brazil, this beauty is now accessible for all to enjoy and is one that rarely leaves our record bags. Taken from the Quinteto Ternura self-titled LP from 1974.

On the flip side, ‘Filhos De Zambi’ is an exquisite, uptempo samba-funk cut from the same year, but released as the siblings original Trio Ternura lineup. Infectious, feel-good fire from the trio, co-written by their father Umberto Silva and José Ribamar. Contains a brilliant, harmonised chorus and wondrous key change that is sure to light up any dancefloor.

Two 1980s Brazilian boogie bombs from Sandra de Sá and Equipe Rádio Cidade get a remastered reissue as part of Mr Bongo Brazil 45’s series.

Sandra de Sá’s ‘Olhos Coloridos’ is an ‘80s MPB/boogie jam, taken from her self-titled 1982 LP on RGE Brazil, that sits perfectly alongside the likes of Tim Maia, Marcos Valle, Robson Jorge and Lincoln Olivetti. No surprise then that Lincoln Olivetti and Robson Jorge feature on the track, backed by some of the members from Banda Black Rio. A joyous combination of funk basslines and dreamy Rhodes that marry with jubilant horns and Sá’s incredible vocal tones.

On the B side, Equipe Rádio Cidade ‘Bons Tempo Sao Paulo (Good Times)’ was originally released on a rare promo only 7 inch from 1980. Giving a Brazilian boogie makeover to Good Times by Chic / Rapper’s Delight by Sugarhill Gang, the track is voiced by radio DJs from Sao Paulo wishing their listeners a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

This replayed version, heavy on the clavinet with a samba-infused, cuica-laced percussion breakdown, gives a true Brazilian spin on one of the most distinctive melodies out there.

Remastered with refreshed artwork.

One per customer only!

The fourth release of Selva Discos is one that has been bursting audiences into flames for a good while. Barbatuques, a well-known Brazilian group of body percussionists, adapted "Baianá" back in 2005 (first released on the "O Seguinte É Esse" album) and since then it became a staple of their concerts, getting crazy reactions from the children to the elder, being featured on soundtracks and sampled by trap duo Tropkillaz.

Brazilian funk-soul at it’s finest. Both tracks taken from the increasing more expensive and sought after ‘Cartão Postal’ LP, originally released on Odeon Brazil from 1971.

Both tracks are heavy on the drums, bass and horns, with Evinha’s lead to top them off. ‘Esperar Pra Ver’ is a mid tempo funk soul jam, and ‘Que Bandeira’ moves between funk/soul and bossa/MPB grooves.

‘Que Bandeira’ was released on a 7” EP, featuring tracks from ’Cartão Postal’ LP, on Odeon under the artist name ‘Eva’, in 1972… Ridiculously expensive now, as you have no doubt come to expect – so, released here for your affordable pleasure!

Mr Bongo’s Brazil 45’s series serves up another pair of Brazilian classics in the form of Rita Lee & Tutti Frutti ‘Agora É Moda’ and Pete Dunaway ‘Supermarket’.

'Agora É Moda' is a psychedelic, disco-boogie-groove monster brought to our attention by Greg Caz and Sean Marquand aka Brazilian Beats Brooklyn. Originally released on Rita Lee’s 1978 album Babilônia LP on Som Livre, this sublime track is drenched in squelching guitar licks, funk drums and sensuous cosmic vocal flavours.

Lee was the lead singer of Brazilian psychedelic rock band Os Mutantes and a hugely important figure in the Tropicalia movement. She sadly passed away in 2023 but her legacy well and truly lives on, loved both in and out of the music world.

On the flip side, Pete Dunaway’s ‘Supermarket’ is a rare groove/AOR masterpiece with a killer bassline, swaggering guitar and luscious string section layered with a perfectly delivered English vocal.

Pete Dunaway, real name Otavio Cardosa was a singer, composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist from Sao Paulo, who spent the majority of his time composing for TV themes and library instrumentals.

Remastered with refreshed artwork.

Wilson Simonal and Trio Mocotó provide a double dose of Brazilian classics for this Brazil 45’s 7 inch.

First up, an infectious, samba-MPB hit from one of Brazil’s most popular artists of the ‘60s and early ’70s, Wilson Simonal. Originally released on 7 inch by Odeon in 1967 and landing on Simonal’s Alegria, Alegria !!! album in the same year, ‘Nem Vem Que Nao Tem’s fame had a new lease of life in 2002 when it was used as part of the soundtrack to the critically acclaimed film, ‘City Of God’.

On the B side, one of Jorge Ben’s main backing bands and a group that was highly influential to his sound, Trio Mocotó. Alongside recording with Ben on the seminal Força Bruta, Negro É Lindo and Tábua de Esmeralda LPs, they were also key figures in the development of the samba rock sound – a fusion of samba, soul and rock influenced by music from the USA.

First appearing on Trio Mocotó’s self-titled 1977 Arlequim LP, ‘Nao Adianta’ is a dynamic orchestral-infused gem, laced with that sun-kissed, samba flavour.

Remastered with refreshed artwork.

Two classic cuts from Jorge Ben and Miriam Makeba take either side of this Mr Bongo Brazil 45 reissue.

’Xica Da Silva’ is one of Jorge Ben’s most well-known and well-loved cuts, housed on the legendary Africa Brazil LP that deserves a place in every collection. A magical MPB cut, it instantly transports you to the shores of Rio de Janeiro. With a low-slung funky samba flavour, Ben’s absorbing vocal recounts the legend of one of Brazil's oldest black icons.

On the flip side, Miriam Makeba serves up an entrancing, slowed-down, grooved-out version of ‘Xica da Silva’. A highly influential singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist from South Africa, this low and slow interpretation is doused in strutting guitar, off-beat piano stabs and hypnotic drums providing the perfect platform to let Miriam’s vocal shine through.

Remastered with refreshed artwork.

As the album title suggests, this work represents a big step forward for Gerardo Frisina, an artist that has always been open to any influence and whose unstoppable creativity has given birth to a 2-LP’s worth of new material! Nu-latin, Afro and electronic beats merge with Afro-Cuban rhythm into a massive dancefloor groove!

The first instalment in our new ‘Mr Bongo Record Club’ compilation series – a
selection of favourites, recent discoveries and sought after obscurities, which
form the basis of our DJ sets and our radio show of the same name. Including
cuts by Claudia, Cortex, Dave Pike Set, Fruko, Neno Exporta Som, Connie
Laverne, Barbosa and more.
The original concept for ‘Mr Bongo Record Club’ was a radio show that allowed
us to air our treasured record collections, recorded and broadcast once a
month. We wanted to create an outlet free from any genre or BPM restrictions,
not constrained by the need to beat-mix every record, a space where we could
play latest finds alongside favourites. The only self-imposed rule being that
it had to be played from vinyl.
We have always DJ’d across-the-board, but playing in an eclectic way hasn’t
always been easy. Recently DJ’s such as MCDE, Floating Points, Nick The Record,
Leon Vynehall, Four Tet, Jeremy Underground, Antal (Rush Hour), Sassy J and
Young Marco – to name a few – have opened things up with very diverse sets to
younger audiences; Brazilian samba-rock, next to modern soul, highlife, disco,
boogie, jazz, house, techno and beyond.
We’re seeing a rare groove like sensibility. A shift towards the attitude of
legendary club nights hosted by the likes of Mr Scruff and Gilles Peterson,
where you could hear house, hip hop, Turkish funk, boogie, jazz, dub and Latin
back to back. At the same time it isn't a nostalgic or retro movement, people
have a progressive attitude and a thirst for new-old music. It is a vibrant and
exciting time – we are proud to be a part of it.

The b-side wins again! Sampled to fame by Madlib for the mighty Madvillain album!

The latest release in the much loved Mr Bongo Record Club Series, Available on CD, 2LP Standard Vinyl & Special Edition 2LP Pink Translucent Vinyl. Curating the tracks for a Mr Bongo Record Club compilation is always such a pleasure. At a time when the expression "Music is My Sanctuary" has an even greater cathartic impact for many people, we set out to make this volume an extra special one - like an old favourite mixtape or playlist. For Volume 4 in this series we continue in the same mould as with previous editions, selecting current favorites and rare lost gems from the Brazilian, African, soul, funk, and disco genres. We present tracks from artists such as Azwon, Cindy & The Playmates, and Zé Roberto to name just a few. However, one main departure and progression to this edition is the first time inclusion of recordings by contemporary artists. These come from Matthew Tavares (of Badbadnotgood fame), Wax Machine, and DJ Format & The Simonsound, which were originally featured on either limited private press vinyl releases or were previously only available digitally. We felt their inclusion was important and wanted to share these wonderful discoveries with a wider audience. They also complement, enrich, and fit perfectly with the flow and journey of the compilation. Here at Mr Bongo we hope you will enjoy this selection of seventeen eclectic songs (in tempo and style) as much as we do, whether they make you move your feet, take you on a trip somewhere, or trigger a happy memory.

Some crate-digging compilations are often the result of someone hand-picking their choice favourites from another country’s musical history, perhaps unaware or uninvolved with its cultural lineage in the process. On Soundway’s latest release - a treasure trove of synth jams, pop, samba boogie, balearic and electro from 1980 & ‘90s Brazil - the tracks are picked by Millos Kaiser, one half of the Brazilian duo Selvagem, who are at the helm of throwing some of the country’s best dance parties. It’s a rare compilation that offers Brazilian music actually picked by a Brazilian.
Whilst names such as Ricardo Bomba, Villa Box, Fogo Baiano, Electric Boogies and Batista Junior may not be household names, they tell an untold, yet rich and important part of musical history in Brazil. The release also covers a decade that has been intentionally forgotten and brushed aside by many in the country.
Onda De Amor is a release that is loaded with smooth grooves, bubbling bass, glistening synthesisers, funk strutting guitar lines and sheen of production that undeniably marks it of its time. For Kaiser this compilation is about reintroducing music during a period of reappraisal, catching a new wave and hoping contemporary listeners will ride it with him. “The idea is to do justice to these songs. Songs that combine all the right ingredients that should have put them on radio playlists when I was growing up or at least in the cases of more adventurous DJs”.
Millos Kaiser is a DJ, digger, vinyl junkie/dealer born in Rio de Janeiro and living in São Paulo for the past 8 years. He launched the dance party/club night Selvagem with partner Trepanado in 2010, bringing thousands of dancers one Sunday a month to a public square in the heart of São Paulo.

Straddling the line between new and old, Meridian Brothers’ mischievous blend of Latin rhythms and psychedelic grooves is the creation of Eblis Álvarez, one of the key figures of the experimental music scene in Bogota. As with all of the Meridian Brother’s releases, every instrument on ‘Deseperanza’ was played and recorded by Eblis himself.

A true avant-garde guitar player and composer, Eblis also plays in Mario Galeano’s band Frente Cumbiero and was one of the 42 musicians involved in the recording of Ondatrópica.

Meridian Brothers are at the core of a burgeoning music scene with cumbia, salsa and currulao all being explored by a new generation of Colombian musicians. Last year’s "Meridian Brothers VII" received key recognition from New York’s Names You Can Trust, who combined two of its tracks on a highly collectible special edition 7”.

‘Desesperanza’, Meridian Brothers first fully-fledged worldwide release, is dedicated exclusively to salsa and tropical music, twisting it through a dark and theatrical psychedelic soundscape but never abandoning the traditional aesthetics.

Following the success of the Retro-Zouk mixtapes series (4 volumes / 15k plays on Soundcloud), Secousse Radio proudly presents its first official vinyl reissue of a long lost Zouk banger.
Originally released in 1993-1994, those two tracks have been road-tested in various clubs and parties for months and the feedback is clear: it’s dancefloor devastation business.
Their author is Jules Henri Malaki, an established and self-produced artist from Guadeloupe, a French overseas island in the Southern Caribbean Sea.
As the popularity of Zouk music keeps growing every day in Europe, America and Asia, just whisper the name “Makiyaj” to any of the best DJs from the current tropical diggers scene and watch their eyes scintillate… This secret weapon shall not remain secret very long.

The Bongo Hop is the new afro Caribbean project presented by french trumpetist Etienne Sevet. On Satingarona Pt.1, friends from his Colombian years, like vocalist Nidia Gongora (Ondatropica, Quantic) rapper Maikcel (Zalama crew), but also famous producer multinstrumentalist Patchworks (Voilaaa, Dynamics, Taggy Matcher, Uptown Funk Empire,…) among others, join in for his first musical travel diary, inspired by 8 years as a Cali resident. In this first project, you can hear his personal take on tropical tempos, as he launches a storm of infectious grooves – ranging from highlife, to vallenato-meets-dub, dance hall, afrobeat, or kompa, combined with warm horns.

Marketed as “workout music" at the time, ‘Estrelar’ was his best-selling record with a total of around 90,000 sales.
‘Alleluia’ is a mid tempo groover, with rich horns, guitar, synth and vocal lines. An end of the night jam if ever there was one.

Never been released on a 7” before!

Music With Soul returns with another genre-defying instant classic, expanding the limits of the Tropical Dance music universe.
Staying true to the label's essence, founder Alex Figueira places a high bet with this new release, introducing a brand new breed of traditional “Hindoestan” (Indian diaspora in Surinam) music and Cumbia. Taking the music of underground Surinam musician and empresario A. Bechan for an explorative excursion into the depths of the Colombian caribbean coast, this explosive combination raises the bar unquestionably. Equally weird, groovy and trippy, this 45 will turn any party upside down, regardless of any factors. The only problem you will encounter is what to play after. The solution is right on the other side. Just flip the record and give them the Instrumental version, featuring electric guitar, an alternative percussion set up and the beloved classic Juno-60 synthesizer in the leading role for another 4 minutes of dancefloor catharsis.

New single by legendary Brazilian singer DI MELO, 40 years after his classic self-titled Samba-Soul LP. Performed and produced by French brilliant combo COTONETE, this single and collaboration will be followed by a full album early 2019.
Florian Pelissier speaks about the project: “On tour in Brazil with Cotonete, we had a few days off in Sao Paulo and I really hoped to make a collaboration with an important artist or band from the Brazilian funk scene. We had thought of Marcos Valle, Meta Meta or Ed Motta... but Rafaela Prestes our Brazilian "sound ingineer/genious" told me: "I worked for the return of Di Melo in Rio 2 years ago. He rocks, he’s adorable and he lives in Sao Paulo, here’s his number, he would be perfect for Cotonete."
No sooner said than done. I'm a huge fan of Di Melo and had already tried to contact him for Cotonete 6 years ago. The next day, on a Sunday, he arrives at our house with Jo, his wife, and Gabi, his daughter. He takes the guitar in front of us in the kitchen, and gives us a private show of 3 hours… we cried the tears of joy.
He had 400 original songs never recorded, a gold mine. On the same night, we started working the arrangements for 2 days, followed by a rehearsal and two small gigs in Sao Paulo. Immediately after, we recorded in the magical Epsilon B studio. All with the participation of Gabi, his 10-year-old daughter, and future star.
This album is the summary of this moment, of these 5 days of madness spent together between “the best band in the world” and the legend Roberto Di Melo… Simple, beautiful, Brazilian-French, human music…”

This release comes on heavy-weight 180g vinyl. With all the cosmic energy and masterful musicianship you'd expect from the three-man orchestra, Azymuth rise from the ashes.

This LP comes on 180g vinyl. Far Out Recordings presents the peerless and criminally undervalued Quartin catalogue, beginning with the reissue of Jose Mauro’s forgotten masterpiece ‘Obnoxious’.

Arthur Verocai’s first appearance in the series – a double A-side featuring
tracks from his incredible self-titled LP, soon to be reissued on Mr Bongo.
Sylvia is a warm guitar-led instrumental orchestral samba, laced with
percussion and woodwind.
Na Boca do Sol is a firm favourite from the LP – a perfect mix of drums,
rhodes, vocals and strings.

Lucas Arruda’s born in 1983, in a Brazilian state called Espírito Santo, near Rio de Janeiro. Coming from a musical family (his dad and older brother are musicians) he started playing and listening to music very young. At the age of 13, he was also playing professionally already. After studying electric guitar and playing in various bands, Lucas passion quickly turned into Rhodes and keyboards, expanding his musical range of skills. At the same time he started a project called Du Black, with his older brother Thiago, quickly receiving various local support from people like Ed Motta, William Magalhães (Banda Black Rio), Robert Lamm (Chicago) or Hyldon (Brazilian soul legend). From the growing notoriety obtained, the band began to work with various other artists and singers such as Tamy Macedo, or Bossa Nova’s legend, Leila Pinheiro, leading Lucas to build a recording studio with Thiago in 2011. Now 2 years after he launched this home-studio, here comes “Sambadi”, first solo album by Lucas Arruda! On this recording he also started to team up with Fabricio di Monaco (Modo Solar), who clearly became a fundamental piece, as Lucas relates: “Fabricio introduced me to Pascal Rioux at Favorite Recordings, as they released his EP few years ago. He’s a brilliant musician and a great human being.” In Lucas’ words, Sambadi is highly inspired by Rio de Janeiro. As for the musical side, the album almost sounds like a tribute to his longtime heroes like Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, Marcos Valle, Azymuth, or Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti. And Lucas also humbly concludes: “I really hope to honor all the guys who influenced me.”

Our much in-demand series of classic Brazilian 45s are back! Featuring a vibrant new design, we’ve curated yet more wants-list regulars and unearthed fresh finds from Brazil that are destined to become collector’s items in their own right. Number 81 is our Brazil.45 series sees further digging into the magical world of Jorge Ben's lesser-explored 1980's productions. 'Ma Ma Ma Ma Maé (A Lingua Dos Anjos)' is taken from his 'Alô Alô, Como Vai?' album from 1980, which is arranged, produced, and features keys by the don, Lincoln Olivetti. The song contains trippy lyrics singing about flying saucers and angels. 'Dona Culpa' finds Jorge featuring on a cool mid-tempo groove track taken from Cauby Peixoto's 'Cauby! Cauby!’ album (also from 1980). Singer Cauby Peixoto had a long and stellar career, recording and releasing music from the mid-1950's all the way up until his passing in 2016

The time has come again: Another edition of the much-loved and highly praised by critics from all around the globe compilation «Paz E Futebol» will be released on Sonar Kollektiv. After 2006 and 2016 this is already the third sequel of this terrific series of light-footed Brazilian gems and other rarities transporting the Brazilian feel for the ball musically.

Two times Jazzanova took care of the collection, now Junior Santos is responsible for digging up the tunes. The Brazilian drummer and producer is a true expert when it comes to Brazilian music. He already caught the attention of Jazzanova’s Jürgen von Knoblauch with the 2014 released compilation «Brazilian Disco Boogie Sounds (1978-1982)» on Favorite Recordings. Together the two diggers selected eight songs that fit simply perfectly. Due to licensing reasons, the digital compilation features 2 additional songs. Chico de Abreu and an unreleased track by Beto Luiz called "Uma Canção Que Fale” chosen by Juergen von Knoblauch.. Although the contributions originate from three different decades (1979 - 1992) they all have the discoid and boogiesque vibe in common mainly to come alive in productions from Maranhão, Rio and Bahia.

The release is accompanied by extensive liner notes by Junior Santos (in Portuguese and English). Just now in the colder and greyer season this compilation is great fun and radiates so much joy like only Brazilian music can.

Brownout’s legendary status as a “Funk Powerhouse” (Stereogum) is a reputation well deserved. The band of musicians have an impressive resume performing with Prince (RIP), GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan, Bernie Worrell (RIP), and accolades from Ozzy Osbourne for their Brownout Presents: Brown Sabbath project. The latter helped grab the attention of Fat Beats Records, who worked with the band to release the critically acclaimed Public Enemy instrumentals project Fear of A Brown Planet in 2018. The Austin 9-piece is back with their first full length album of original music in over 8 years. The album, aptly titled, Berlin Sessions (out March 6, 2020 on Fat Beats) was produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos and is the first with lead singer Alex Marrero, whom they originally collaborated with on their wildly successful Brown Sabbath records. Berlin Sessions finds the group merging a multitude of styles, from rock to psych and of course the Latin Funk and Breakbeat on which they have built their sixteen-year career and reputation as Austin's premier party-starters. NPR recently featured the band on their heralded “Tiny Desk Concert” series, performing songs off the new album. NPR described the diversity of the band, stating, “One of the things you need to know about this band is that they can change traditions or genres almost on a dime. The core members dip into soul, Latin funk, a form of Peruvian cumbia called chicha, and funk covers of both Black Sabbath and Public Enemy. What each configuration has in common is the almost telepathic bond the band has developed after 15 years of working stages across the country. As you can see on the video, it's so infectious that Prince once used them for a while as a back-up band.”

A limited edition 7” release by Francisco Aguabella, both tracks taken from the rare Hard Hitting album released 1970 on EPSILON records. These two have never been on 7” before, includes wonderful re-production cover of the original sleeve.

‘Mais Kriola’ first appeared on Brazilian Beats Brooklyn compilation put together by Greg Caz and Sean Marquand for us in 2006. It’s a lovely laid back mid tempo boogie/soul/fusion jam. Originally appeared on Matheus self-titled LP from 1975.
‘Maita’ is a wonderful piece of warm, upbeat MPB from Doris Monteiro. Originally appeared on her ‘Agora’ LP from 1976, released by Odeon.

Soundway Records delivers a beautifully remastered reissue of Brazilian duo Grupo Controle Digital’s only album, “A Festa É Nossa”. First released in 1988, the album is now housed in a tip-on heavyweight sleeve and restored artwork.
With the title track “A Festa É Nossa” having circulated the last few years in the DJ sets of influential tastemakers, the album has become highly sought after by electronic fans and collectors alike. Lo-fi synths and cruising bass lines permeate the record, influenced by the group’s Brazilian contemporaries at the time such as Tim Maia, Cláudio Zoli, Secos E Molhados, and rock outfit Made In Brazil.
Band members Billy Jaguar and Gel Valiery regularly performed in various groups in São Paulo throughout the 80s and 90s, but after Gel passed away, Grupo Controle Digital was no more - the band and the album faded into obscurity and Billy became a priest, working with gospel music. It remained that way until Brazilian DJ Millos Kaiser (from label Selva Discos, and one half of Brazilian street party organisers Selvagem) tracked down the remaining member of the group to be able to include one of their tracks on the highly anticipated Soundway compilation “Onda De Amor: Synthesized Brazilian Hits That Never Were (1984-94)”, released in July 2018.
Audio restored by Neal Birnie and re-mastered by Frank Merritt at The Carvery, London. Artwork restored by Lewis Heriz.

Soundway Records presents the debut EP from The Mauskovic Dance Band – a heady, tropical blend of cumbia, Afro-Caribbean rhythms and space disco, resulting in a vibrant hypnotic groove destined for bustling dancefloors.
The Mauskovic Dance Band is the brainchild of the Amsterdam-based producer and musician, Nicola Mauskovic. A seasoned drummer, he finds himself constantly in demand – as part of Turkish psychedelic outfit Altin Gün, a recent tour with the revival of Zambian legends W.I.T.C.H., and a worldwide tour with psych-pop artist Jacco Gardner, with whom he then went on to form the dance-oriented duo Bruxas (released on Dekmantel). Throughout this hectic schedule Nic still found time to begin studio experiments that would eventually lead to several 7” singles, released on Swiss label Bongo Joe Records in 2017 under the name “The Mauskovic Dance Band”.
Following this, he tapped long-time collaborators Donnie Mauskovic (vocals, keys, effects), Em Nix Mauskovic (guitar, synth, percussion), and Mano Mauskovic (bass) to make the jump from record to stage. Soon they caught the ear of fabled underground Cumbia producer Juan Hundred, who left his home on a Caribbean island to join the band on drums.
With each band member of varying heritage, the group draws inspiration from diverse genres: primarily Afro-Colombian styles such as champeta, palenque, cumbia and the picó soundsystem culture, as well as the Afro-Disco and No-Wave scenes in their current base of Amsterdam. The city’s hotbed of underground producers has also brought an electronic edge to the band, with vintage drum machines and synthesisers effortlessly melding with Afro-Latin rhythms and slick guitar riffs to create a contemporary sound rich with cultural influence.
Having toured extensively through Europe in 2017 as a staple of festival stages and clubs, The Mauskovic Dance Band continues to build exciting momentum – with appearances at Eurosonic Noorderslag 2018 and an extensive tour of the Netherlands coinciding with the launch of the EP.

Limited to 500 copies.

Brazilian arranger and composer Hareton Salvanini was born in Bauru and grew up in Campinas. S.P 73 is his first LP – he worked tirelessly with his right man and brother, Ayrton, was a theatre director. The 'Hareton + Meta' EP was written and recorded for one of Ayrton’s productions – Hareton wrote the music, Ayrton the lyrics – which was given out at performances.

S.P 73 was recorded with the full Campinas Teatro Municipal Orchestra, the same orchestra that that featured on ‘Hareton + Meta’ EP. It is a wonderful, deep soundscape of filmic MPB melodies, strings, organ, woodwind, drums and vocals. A record that sits alongside Verocai’s self-titled LP perfectly.

‘2 Minutos De Um Novo Dia’ – pacey samba-funk-MPB that originally appeared on a 7” from 1969 released on Odeon Brazil. Soaring vocals, strings and horns over alternating full and half-time funk drum breaks. Very big indeed.

‘Candomble’ has been a resident in our DJ sets for a long, long time. A retrained, deeper opening section drops into drum heavy, rich uptempo jazzy-MPB. Super catchy vocal hooks and piano lines sit over the top from start to finish. Taken from their self titled album from 1975 on RCA.

‘Ye Mele’ double sider, featuring Elis’ version and an incredible Turkish cover by the wonderful ?enay. Luiz Carlos Vinhas ‘Le Mele’ is an all time favourite of ours, and these versions take it in brilliant new directions.

Elis’ starts in a similar vein to LCV, building with huge vocals and soaring synths, before dropping into a latin-esque section. Appeared on 7” in 1968 on Philips Brazil, not easy to find.

?enays psychedelic soul version is a B-side from a rare Turkish 7” released in 1972. Her classic 1980 LP Honki Ponki has just been re-issued too, which is equally as great.

Our leading lady of the series, Claudia, is back once again, this time
with a double A-side.
‘Macumba’ is taken from one of her several self-titled LP’s, the one in
question released in 1970 on Premier, Brazil. Sought after in its
original form.
Psychedelic, orchestral, MPB, exotica with hints of Bollywood! Horns
strings and spaced out male vocals back Claudia’s amazing lead. Highly
unique.
‘Baoba’ is taken from Claudia’s all-killer-no-filler Jesus Cristo LP,
from Odeon released in 1971.
Heavy on the strings and tough on the funk drums, before it breaks into
a vocal jazz section, then back into the groove. Reminiscent of Swedish
folk-funk singer Doris, whose album we reissued in the past.

Claudia - Garra

Rich, sweet, orchestral bossa nova/MPB from the excellent Claudia, another of our favourite artists and featured several times in this series. Taken from her ‘Você, Claúdia, Você’ LP released in 1971 by Odeon Brazil.

Os Tres Morais - Freio Dynamico

Uptempo, cinematic, vocal MPB/Jazz with muted trumpets, pinging bass guitar strings and even a little bit of fuzz for good measure! Os Tres Morais we’re two brothers and a sister; Jane Vincentina, Sidney and Roberto do Espírito Santo. They formed in 1963.

‘Freio Dynamico’ is taken from the groups self-titled LP on Odeon 1971.

‘Ye Mele’ is a very firm Mr Bongo favourite, and always a contender for end/start of the night track. A true classic.

Opens with a distinctive vocal harmony/chant and claps before dropping into bossa piano, organ and drums, which calms for a moment before reaching the chorus… and then building more into a horn section, that plays until the end. Immense.

Taken from Vinhas’ now relatively expensive and very excellent ‘O Som Psicodelico’ LP from 1968.

‘Berimbau’. And again - another favourite. Awe inspiring arrangement, of the highest order.

Opens with what is very reminiscent of a Brazilian Western soundtrack, before soaring into vocals, strings and horns. And then THAT end section…!

Golden Boys were a male vocal group, of brothers. ‘Berimbau’ is taken from their self-titled 1969 LP.

‘Barumba’ is an uptempo funk-jazz monster with heavy drums and piano right from the off. Soaring horns add to the drama. Originally released on his self titled LP on CBS Brazil in 1974. ‘Morre o burro, Fica o Homem’ is the third Osmar Milito track to feature in our Brazil 45’s series. A classic samba-rock track; funk drums fills and punchy horns underpin the MPB vocals, building in tempo slightly over the track. The song was originally written by Jorge Ben. Taken from his expensive and hard to find ‘Nem Paletó, Nem Gravata’ LP released on ATCO Brazil in 1973.

'Eu Bebo Sim' is a samba-rock master class from Elizeth Cardoso originally released on Copacabana in 1973, as featured on her Disco de Ouro in 1974. Another find at Tony’s Hits in Sao Paulo.
She released around 40 albums during her career, most of which appeared under the name Elizete Cardoso.

Elza, Queen of Samba, is one of the most prolific, successful and well-known Brazilian artists of all time.

In 'Deixa A Nega Gingar' she delivers a top 10 Mr Bongo HQ favourite - Bossa nova underpinned with a Montuno-esque piano line, backed with percussion and horns that would rival Tito.
This 7” cut sounds particularly enormous on a sound system.

This wonderful self-titled album by pianist, singer and composer, Johnny Alf, was first released on vinyl in 1966 by Rozenblit. Here the bossa nova pioneer sings beautiful songs, featuring the legendary musicians Hermeto Paschoal (flute) and Airto Moreira (drums).

The Minyo Crusaders' 2017 debut album “Echoes of Japan” LP will be back in stock on vinyl! Purists beware, as these ten Japanese musicians have decided to give a cumbia, reggae, salsa, ethiopian groove and afro-funk twist to min'yo, an ancestral Japanese folk song genre of which they were all fans before they met. Their debut album, the eminently exotic (even zany) Echoes Of Japan, features ten tracks from the min'yo repertoire sung in the grand tradition of the style, to the sound of Afro-Latino brass and percussion. A delightful example of successful fusion, however unlikely it may seem.

Folkloric Brasilian/Afro-Brasilian music taken into the future. Featuring Airto Moreira. Dança dos Tempos is the debut album from thrilling, young Brazilian guitarist Fabiano do
Nascimento, and it features legendary percussionist Airto Moreira in his first album project in
over ten years. Dança dos Tempos follows folkloric Brazilian music as experienced through the
mind and able fingers of an expansive musician, not yet thirty years old, and combines the
heady ‘60s and ‘70s experimentalism of Hermeto Pascoal and Baden Powell with the childlike
elegance of music played and passed down by native Brazilians for generations. It is the
second Brazilian album released on Now-Again, following Seu Jorge and Almaz.
Moreira, the bandleader, songwriter and producer who recorded a bevy of titles under his own
name, with his wife Flora Purim, and whose resume contains the names of - seriously - every
musician worth mentioning from America or Brazil from the past 50 years - plays percussion on
the album and is joined by do Nascimento's long time drummer, Ricardo "Tiki" Pasillas on trap
drums. Do Nascimento and Kana Shimanuki handle vocals on what is otherwise an airy instrumental
album that allows the guitarist's virtuosity to shine through originals, folkloric Brazilian
songs, and select covers by the likes of Pascoal and Powell, both formative influences on the
guitarist.
These duets show the camaraderie that two master Brazilian musicians - of two different
generations, but of the same spirit - share with comrades of ages past as they imagine music
for the years to come. These tracks were recorded live in the studio with no overdubs, straight
to 2” analog-tape, and only sparingly mastered to focus on the subtleties of the performances.

While Chicha Libre's second album, Canibalismo was inspired by the Peruvian Chicha explosion of the 70's, it also looked back to the cultural Cannibalism dear to Os Mutantes and other Brazilian tropicalists, as well as the production values of late 1960’s rock bands. The group still pays homage to amazonian legends Los Wembler's de Iquitos, Los Mirlos and Manzanita, but mixes it up even more by combining mellotron and vintage synths with West African guitars, treated percussion, fuzztone and some R.D Burman-inspired arrangements. Originally released in 2012, this the first european re-release on vinyl.

La Candela del Río is the debut album by Paris-based Venezuelan quartet Insólito UniVerso. In the space of 8 tracks, the band fuses traditional Venezuelan styles, such as joropo, merengue caraqueño, or tambores de San Millán with psych, chanson, and contemporary electronics. Co-produced by The Heliocentrics' Malcolm Catto, the record shows two distinct sides; on the one hand there's euphoric music that begs to be danced to, while on the other there's melancholy, mystery and devotion. Originally released back in 2018, the record's initial run of 500 copies has been long sold out and is presented here in a new edition of 300 including the original artwork and printed lyrics insert

Originally released in 2012, the second album by the São Paulo-born composer Rodrigo Campos marks a turning point in both lyrical and aesthetic inspiration. “Bahia Fantástica” is the result of the absorption of a then recent influence of soul music (especially Curtis Mayfield) and is in the middle of this path marked by an unlikely geography in the lyrical part (São Mateus, Bahia, Japan) and by an expansion of sound ( from samba to the indefinable, with a passage through black American music).

The album turns ten years old in 2022 and exudes vitality. The soul reference takes on a different aroma when it passes through the filter of the composer and his band – formed by Kiko Dinucci on guitar, Marcelo Cabral on bass, Maurício Fleury on keyboards, Maurício Takara on drums and Thiago França on sax: it has Brazilian sauce, hints of afrobeat and a very particular seasoning. The lyrics bear the artist's mark: they project scenes in the listener's imagination and design the characters and environments with their own style of subjective chronicle. Bahia is both imaginary and intimate in Rodrigo Campos’s music.

Original compositions by Gabriel Reyes-Whittaker created with an analogue Oberheim synthesizer, a Midi sequencer, and an effects unit.

The record was produced by the twenty years old Alex Tony Okoroji at the legendary ARC Studios in Lagos, a facility set-up by Ginger Baker. This is the third production for the Alex Tony Okoroji’s fledgling independent label Love Records, the previous record was the pioneering release by Udu - Sound of the People (Love Records, Nigeria 1976) also reissued by Dig This Way in 2020. Musically these two records are poles apart but similar in as much as both the band and producer present a personal musical vision that sounds nothing like their piers’ at the time… The Springs Band formed in Ibadan (Oyo State) which is roughly 130km northeast of Lagos. The seven members met while training to be Reverend Fathers for the Catholic Church and come from both Nigeria and Sierra Leone… in retrospect as unlikely as this sounds (particularly when you hear the record) the band were the Seminaries event house band at the time… Musically, the record consists of five prime time dancefloor gems with two very subtle afterhours numbers to close - not a bad track on here - which at times in itself is unique for records from the region in the late 70s. The first five tracks are complex hypnotic afro funk with an almost mesmerizing organ groove, that is deep and raw at the same time which well represent the time, the place and the people involved in the recording... As odd as it may sound the spiritually of the bands chosen profession is reflected in the fluid deep funk of the groove ... not being there we can only guess how the live performances of this "band in full flight" must have been ... as luck would have it the recording captures all of those elements and that’s what the end result sounds like near unbeatable! Judge for yourself via this enlightening release!!! Reading the original hand written press release for the record it would be fair to say, at the time, the members of the band were potentially not entirely focused on their chosen vocation and, reading between the lines, were mildly concerned what their educators might think… years later it’s pleasing to discover that all of the survivors became as good as it gets in their original career choice… better still… for the Afro-Centric music collector… the very same set of individuals (in their wilder days) recorded one of the most forward thinking and dance floor friendly records of the period… little known until now… “This is our dream world cristalised in vibes. In a world of uniform hate where people experience death in a trance , it is through love's cry that we see through the eyes of wisdom that he needs somebody. Music is the message transmitted in this super disko funk for funky people, to tell the brandifield dad the truth or ask a music-minded-lass, introduce me to your loving. So, if you have anything to say, why not join us and say it...after all it's a happy world... We have a right to the good things of life.”

Color de Trópico is a carefully-compiled work of healing and reconstruction, documenting a special moment in the history of Venezuelan music, when the country’s democracy was just a few years old and the profound impact of the oil industry on society had only just begun. DJ El Palmas and El Dragón Criollo have chosen eight impossibly hard-to-find jewels, originally released between 1966 and 1978, reissued here for the first time on vinyl. In this period, Venezuelan musicians assimilated a wide range of influences and styles, both local and global, to generate something new, a “modern” identity for Venezuelan music; artists who set their eyes on the future without giving up the search for their own sabor (flavour). This is how jazz, rock, salsa, funk, psych, prog and disco, sat next to guajira, cumbia, cha-cha-cha and even the hugely-popular Venezuelan style of joropo. It started a long tradition of Venezuelan musical pioneers, many of whom are still to get the recognition they deserve. Seconds after the needle drops on the vinyl, “El Despertar” (“The Awakening”) kicks off things with a goodbye for it was the last single Los Darts released before their dissolution in 1974. In the 60s they became the youthful face of pop, however, “El Despertar” settles into a later maturity, having digested the tumult of the times. A cha-cha-cha rhythm with bossa nova piano, bluesy stylings and a Caribbean context – a blueprint for tasty miscegenation – with the use of electric guitar, arriving in waves of chords, signalling the onset of modernity. “Guajira con Arpa” by the pioneering Hugo Blanco, who lists the creation of countless rhythms and his early adoption of rhythms like ska amongst his claims to fame, is a fusion that arrives without complexities. It approaches indigenous forms from a multitude of different angles, yet in the middle of its Caribbean approach it creates a melody so close to the pajarillo that the song seems to flip on its head. With “Zambo” the party is on. Here we have an all-star line-up comparable to master Cortijo’s brief project with his Time Machine in Puerto Rico. Alex Rodríguez, one of the most important jazz guitarists in Venezuela and his Retreta Mayor give a twist to the fusion by daring to venture into Latin jazz, funk and salsa. “Gaita Universal” by El Combo Los Capri, gives us a moment of solace, recalling the cultural, rhythmic and even spiritual brotherhood of Venezuela not only with the Caribbean but with the continent, South America and neighbouring Colombia. This cumbia is special, it interweaves musical phrases in the style of a popular party wanting to propose the permanence of culture. Rhythm is the point of union between all human beings and, as its name indicates, its proposal goes beyond the physical and particular. It’s pure tropical hedonism. Nelson y sus Estrellas reminds us once again of the Caribbean wave but here under his “urban” outfit. Nelson plays guaguancó in the style of original salsa, specifically in this version (the theme evolves over time) with a disco-soul twist on “Fantasía Latina”. It takes the sound of early masters like Eddie Palmieri but is developed with eclectic elements, a climatic structure in which a trumpet with vibrato, salsa-rock riffs with acoustic guitars and a flute that, unlike the charangas in those that Johnny Pacheco partook at the same time, rather have a cinematic character. The cosmic “Tu y Yo” from Almendra plots a journey between soul-jazz and psychedelia that sails over a Moog until ending as a P-Funk descarga. Despite the fact that the principal instruments are an organ and a synthesizer, the acoustic guitar provides a unique colour. A tropical psychedelic journey from beginning to end seasoned with congas. The album closes with Tulio Enrique León y Su Organ playing “Bimbom”, a European pop-styled track from 1975. It’s a version of Bimbo Jet’s Eurodisco “El Bimbo” that immediately became famous among popular easy listening orchestras throughout summer in Europe. Tulio Enrique shines by turning it into an enigmatic and spectral cumbia. Tulio was an organist whose blindness did not prevent him from becoming one of the most popular artists in the world, as cited by Billboard in 1965. We have left the politically-incorrect “Socorro, Auxilio” by Germán Fernando for the end. According to music journalist Alfredo Churión “those who saw him attested to having witnessed something indescribable”, a mysterious man who doubted even his sanity and of whom today practically nothing is known. He was someone who dared to show a completely foreign effrontery, signing unintelligibly, moving frantically and throwing himself to the ground before the stunned gaze of his audiences. Venezuelan writer Luis Armando Ugueto states: “his art could go from the sublime to bad taste – and it was craved by the press – when he subjected viewers to strange songs where he pleaded for socorro and auxilio [help].” Germán Fernando had a histrionic proposal that was a thousand times misunderstood and that even popular presenters of the time like Renny Ottolina dubbed “his follies”. A theme close to the jazz orchestra soundtracks of James Bond and Batman accompanies the showman here who comes across like a creole Screaming Jay Hawkins. He creates a whirlwind of sound that, while as agile as a featherweight, is also capable of knocking out all the old ideas we had about Venezuelan music.

Quero Ver Você Dançar is a collaboration between Rome-based DJ/producer The Rebel, Portuguese DJ/producer Dedy Dread, and Brazilian jazz singer Keila Abeid. Other musicians playing on the track – including Neney Santos (percussions), Marco Ravallese (keys), and Fab Samperi (flute) – masterly contribute to its soulful favela vibes. Housed in a single jacket with beautiful artwork by Roman illustrator Federica Fruhwirth, the 12- inch single also features a super groovy remix by Mo’Horizons whi ch, wi t h i t s powe r ful combination of bossa and drum’n’bass rhythms, makes this release a must for tropical-music aficionados. Also available on all major digital outlets, with two additional remixes by young Brazilian producers Afterclapp and Brasila Strut.