Latin | Brazil 409 Items

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 80 in our Brazil.45 series, aptly sees a double-sider focusing on the awesome 80's recordings by one of the giants of Brazilian music, Jorge Ben. First up is the addictive, building groove of 'Curumin Chama Cunhãtã Que Eu Vou Contar (Todo Dia Era Dia De Índio)’. Taken from the 'Dádiva' album from 1981, and originally released on Som Livre Records. A homage to the indigenous people and tribes of Brazil. The flip features one of Jorge's most beloved Brazilian-Boogie joints, 'Rio Babilônia’, which celebrates life in Rio, partying, the beach, and the city’s iconic monuments. The song was originally released on a compacto and taken from the 'Dádiva' album from 1983, it features arrangements by the late-great, Lincoln Olivetti.

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of seeing Koko-Jean and The Tonics featuring Dani Nel·lo, you are in for a treat! For the first time they join forces with this debut single to pay tribute to one of the greatest 60s rhythm and blues icon, Little Milton. 3 elegant yet greasy tunes that are sure to explode in your ear and make your body swing and shake. pop in this new single and let it roll!!

Neno Exporta Som’s super-rare compacto 'Deixa A Tristeza’ from 1971, has been high on the want-lists of Brazilian record collectors and DJs for years. This was intensified, along with a wider cult-following, following Floating Points dropping the gem on his amazing 'BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix’ back in 2015. Mr Bongo included 'Deixa A Tristeza’ on our Record Club Vol 1 compilation. Following that came many requests to release it back on its original ‘compacto’ 7” format. So finally, here it is for all to enjoy.
By sheer coincidence, also released in 1971 on Copacabana Records is Agnaldo Rayol's ‘Sumaúma’. A fairly un-known record which has the potential to become an underground classic. This epic track has a psyche break-beat drum and bass groove intro - just asking to be sampled! Along with lush string and horn arrangements and a soaring female/male vocal duet. This beauty has been a firm favourite in the Bongo office since we came across it and hopefully you dig it as much as we do.

"Created by Marc Brown and Chris Franck, this track marks the first release from their forthcoming album. You may know them from their Smoke City days or from Marc's KV5 releases and Chris as Da Lata.
This limited release seven inch represents a rebirth of the Humble label, an imprint Marc began in the 90's through the broken beat specialists Goya distribution.

The track is a mid tempo electronic Afro-Brazilian song which features the vocals of Sérgio Pererê, an artist hailing from Belo Horizonte, Brasil. The vocals were recorded in Brasil and the link was forged through Chris's Brasilian music connections.

The B side sees London based Reggae supremo Gil Cang dub out the rhythm in a heavy manner, Gil is in house producer at Tuff Scout and long time Mannaseh collaborator."

Double sider of uptempo vintage MPB samba jazz from Carlos Sodré, originally released as a 33rpm ‘compacto’ 7” single on Copacabana in 1965.

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 and DJ Nuts. These days, originals change hands for thousands of dollars.

Pedro dos Santos, born in Rio in 1919, was a percussionist virtuoso, composer and inventor of instruments that apparently included oddities such as the ‘Tamba’ (electrified bamboo drum) and the mouth berimbau whistle. Nicknamed Perdo ‘Sorongo’ after the rhythm he invented, that features throughout ‘Krishnanda’. A highly spiritual man who was regarded as a philosopher by many.

He worked with greats including Baden Powell, Elis Regina, Maria Bethany, Elza Soares, Sebastião Tapajós, Roberto Ribeiro, Milton Nascimento, Clara Nunes, Paul Simon and Arthur Verocai, playing on his legendary self-titled LP. In the same vein as Verocai and his self-titled LP, ‘Krishnanda’ was Pedro’s chance to shine with his own, and only, solo recording.

Krishnanda was produced by Hélcio Milito, the drummer of Tamba Trio, and arranged by conductor Joppa Lins, and originally released in 1968 on CBS (Brasil). Musically, the album touches folk, samba, afro-brazilian and psychedelia plus added effects, with a lyrical depth and diversity to match; themes including morality, perception, existence and ego.

Despite the genius of the record and the influence that it had on musicians at the time of release, it disappeared into obscurity. We first discovered the record around 2003, through a friend Julio Dui. Around that time Brazilian funk and bossa was the flavour of the day, so didn’t catch our ear immediately, however it continued improve with age and now we consider it to be one of the best albums ever made, regardless of genre or origin.

The Mr Bongo reissue is produced as a replica original LP / audio master by Ricardo Garcier at Magic Master (Rio de Janeiro) / artwork restored by Andrew Edwards, from the original copy borrowed from Julio Dui – thank you, sir!

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.

Edson Frederico double featuring tracks from his sought after and VERY pricey ‘Edson Frederico E A Transa’ LP.

‘Tava Mas Nao Tava’ is a psychedelic boogie-samba fusion with 4/4 drums and traditional rhythms alternating throughout.

‘Bobeira’ is a jazzy samba-MPB workout, with bubbling rhodes, layered backing vocals, horns, percussion and whistles.

Previously unreleased on 7”.

The next release in the Mr Bongo Cuban Classics series, is one of Juan Pablo Torres' most-known and loved albums, the iconic Super Son from 1977. A wonderful record of tripped-out rumbas, psych-Afro-Latin funk and quirky orchestrated tracks with a big band horn section courtesy of Torres’ band, Algo Nuevo.

As well as being the director of Algo Nuevo and Cuban all-star ensemble Estrellas De Areito, the trombonist, bandleader, arranger and producer also released a wealth of albums under his own name predominately on the state-owned imprint Areito/EGREM.

Post-revolution, there was a contrast in Cuba’s musical world. State censorship was at play, but professional musicians were on the government payroll which gave them an artistic freedom. Experimentation emanated in the ‘70s and ‘80s and Super Son is a prime example of that. ‘Y Que Bien' kicks off the album taking you down a tripped-out, cosmic rabbithole, psych guitars and skat vocals opening up into a joyful funk groove laced with jazzy Afro-Cuban horns stabs. Tracks such as 'Pastel En Descarga' seem to come out of nowhere and are completely unique. Fuzzed-up guitar lines and percussion lay the groundwork, with those jubilant horns adding to the energy of this forever building track.

Elsewhere, there’s the ‘70s TV theme-tune feeling of 'Con Aji Guaguao', a playful funk number that boils and bubbles with blistering trombone playing by Torres. Or ‘Son A Propulsión' and ‘Son Riendo’, two more brilliant examples of psychedelic funk, wrapped up in a blanket of Afro-Cuban rhythms. The former sweeping you up in rushes of wind as trumpets, trombones and distorted guitars trade off, the latter, an intergalactic fiesta of tradition and exploration.

Super Son is up there as one of the funkiest Cuban records around, a playful fusion of ideas from a producer, player and group on fine form and, for us, one of our favourite gems to come out of Cuba in this period. A sheer masterpiece.

Next up in the Mr Bongo Cuban Classics series is an outing by the mighty Juan Pablo Torres from 1978. Released on Cuba’s state-owned Areito imprint, Algo Nuevo showcases trombonist, bandleader, arranger and producer Juan Pablo Torres' unique scope of sound. A melting pot of an album that weaves together jazz-funk and traditional Afro-Cuban genres with tripped-out synth touches and dancefloor grooves.

The opener 'Pan Caliente' is a fiery celebration, combining a driving groove with Latin percussion, feverish horns and infectious “la-la-la” vocals. The wild, squelching cosmic synthlines give an otherworldly touch to proceedings that sit nicely on a modern dancefloor. 'Guajira 2001' is perhaps Juan's future-focussed take on the vibrant style of Cuban dance-led music called guajira. Blistering bongos, congas and claves moving together with trumpets, trombones and twanging acoustic guitars that you can’t help but bounce to.

Other highlights include, 'Cacao', a Cuban cosmic funk strutter that places the claves upfront, with a scatting vocal line and percussive climax reminiscent of George Kranz electronic disco anthem 'Din Daa Daa' from 1983. Elsewhere, 'Elvira' further showcases the psychedelic essence of many of the album’s tracks. A deep Latin workout where tasty percussive breaks and scorching keys blend with trippy vocals and rumbling synths.

A varied album encompassing a variety of Afro-Cuban genres and rhythms entwined with flashes of mind-bending cosmic influence. Algo Nuevo is a further jewel in Cuba’s musical crown of riches, with plenty of dancefloor treats and downtempo numbers held within.