No Use (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)

Order the album via iTunes here: geni.us/20YearsHenryStreet
Incredible as it seems, this year marks twenty years since the launch of Johnny D’Mairo’s Henry Street Music label. To celebrate, BBE is marking the occasion with a sumptuous five- disc CD retrospective, a fitting tribute to one of the most important of all house labels. This is one of the most extensive grand summations yet done of a dance label.
Henry Street Music exemplified its era as much as Trax and Nu-Groove had theirs. Come the mid-‘90s, the disco cut-up became ubiquitous, as thousands tried to emulate the success of Henry Street’s first big killer, The Bucketheads’ Tha Bomb –still a dancefloor staple two decades on.
Many of the movers and shakers of the day had their best moments on Henry Street, and they’re all here: Johnnick, Armand Van Helden, DJ Duke, DJ Sneak, Dirty Harry, Davidson Ospina, Todd Terry, Mateo and Matos, Brutal Bill, Josh Wink, even the UK’s own Ashley Beedle, and many more –a veritable roll-call of the premiere-league of dance at the time, an era when dance music still seemed incredibly fertile and the link with its own past was still vital. 
Some of the American originals can struggle to get props among the countless mutations of house out there vying for attention in today’s digitalized dance scene, but the real house-heads always knew to check them, and will recognize this as quality product, through and through.

Henry Street (named after Brooklyn homeboy Johnny’s neighbourhood) always had a ‘New York’ vibe, and even when drawing its producers from further afield, the label encapsulated the city’s melting-pot of talent and raw, bristling energy... energy captured here, and exploding off these remastered tracks like it’s 1999 all over again! 

Alongside the massive dancefloor anthems from the likes of Kenny Dope and Armand Van Helden are some real gems that got away, some exclusive mixes, and the thoughts of Johnny D, one of the prime-movers of the New York dance scene even before he came up with his own label, responsible for countless hits as promotions man and as dance A&R at Atlantic. Never one for the limelight, Johnny’s own story is nonetheless inextricably bound up with the transition from disco through house to the ubiquity of dance music today. 
So... dust off those dancing shoes, and get ready to feel the heat, it’s one more time for the Henry Street Hustle!


Paul Simpson presents 1st Take Sessions - Keep Dancin'

n an ever-expanding musical universe, Azymuth have long existed as a celestial giant, drawing countless artists, musicians and followers into their orbit. Marking fifty years since their 1975 debut album Azimuth, their new album Marca Passo proves that the band’s alchemic brew of Brazilian jazz-funk and cosmic samba soul remains as vital as ever, as the group honours the profound legacy of their departed founders.

Recorded in Rio de Janeiro, Marca Passo is the first full-length release since the passing of founding drummer Ivan "Mamão" Conti in 2023, following the earlier loss of keyboardist José Roberto Bertrami in 2012. Alex Malheiros, the sole remaining original member, sees his stewardship of the band’s musical legacy as his spiritual duty. He is joined by the equally devoted Kiko Continentino (Milton Nascimento, Djavan) on keyboards, who has been with the group since 2016, and new recruit Renato Massa (Marcos Valle, Ed Motta) on drums.

Yet since their earliest recorded music, Azymuth have always been far greater than the sum of their parts. The "three-man orchestra’s" unmistakable sound is rooted in Brazil's MPB studio scene of the 1970s and early 1980s—a time when artists blended traditional Brazilian rhythms with global jazz, rock, and emerging psychedelic and progressive elements. Marca Passo continues this legacy, seamlessly fusing Brazilian musical traditions with global influences while showcasing the exceptional musicianship that powers Azymuth's distinctive, multi-dimensional sound.

The album is produced by studio mastermind Daniel Maunick, responsible for Azymuth’s two previous studio albums, Fênix in 2016 and Aurora in 2011. Daniel’s credits also include albums by Marcos Valle, Sabrina Malheiros and Terry Callier. Azymuth also invited Daniel’s father, British jazz-funk royalty Jean Paul “Bluey” Maunick, of Incognito, to play guitar on a new version of Azymuth’s eighties classic “Last Summer In Rio”, in tribute to the song’s composer, José Roberto Bertrami. Equally, “Samba Pro Mamao” is a new composition dedicated to Azymuth’s beloved original drummer, Ivan “Mamão” Conti.

Marca Passo releases on limited edition blue, red & black vinyl LP editions, CD and digitally on the 6th June 2025, via Far Out Recordings, supported by European and North American tours.

Azymuth - Arabutã

Presenting the third single ‘Ron Song’ taken from Melbourne/Naarm multi-instrumentalist Don Glori’s forthcoming third album, Paper Can’t Wrap Fire. An ode to Brazil’s musical heritage, it’s Don’s nod to icons and influences including João Donato and Seu George. Samba-flecked, yet with a distinctive Don Glori groove, it’s doused in buttery Rhodes, hazy vocal harmonies and acoustic guitar riffs. Combine that with a serving of long majestic horn lines and the instantly recognisable cuíca and it’s a one-way ticket to Rio’s sunshine-soaked shores. 
 
Speaking about the track, Don mentions, “The thing I love about ‘Ron Song’ is all the ear candy. The Rhodes was routed through the preamp of an original suitcase Rhodes to give it the proper stereo trem it needed. The guitar just breaking through the ribbon mic contrasts against the very digital chorus on the bass. The bass is pushed out to the sides, using every dial tone sample at once. Texturally it feels like an ear massage. 
 
Alcides Neto laid down cuíca throughout the track and fans of Azymuth/Brazilian music in general will appreciate the partido alto underneath the trumpet solo. It’s as if the cuíca and Rhodes are having a conversation in the outro.”


Don Glori - Ron Song

ALL IN

This one was an unexpected treat. Two of our favourite contemporary musicians, Finn Rees & Sholto coming together and collaborating on a double dose of celestial, cinematic alchemy.

At Mr Bongo we are massive admirers of drummer, musician, and producer Sholto (Oscar Robertson). His two albums on Funk Night Records and DeepMatter Records, had both been highlights of their respective years. We’d gotten to know Oscar and sent him a few records. Included in the package was Australian pianist-composer Finn Rees’ debut album, Dawn Is A Melody, which was one of our favourite releases on Mr Bongo in 2024.

In Oscar's words 'For me it was a standout modern jazz record - encapsulating a spiritual / hazy dreamy soundscape which hugely resonated with me. Glissando keys and harp with lush melodies, I was instantly intrigued.”  

The pair started following each other online and as luck would have it, Finn was staying in London for the summer season, so they arranged to meet. The pair instantly clicked and said it felt like they'd known each other for years. After 40 minutes of chatting, they started to jam. 

'Love In Memory' and 'Bluebell' were recorded over two days - a track a day in Oscar's SFJ studios. Laid down on mostly analogue equipment, the pair utilised Wurlitzer’s, mellotrons, and ribbon mics through Oscar’s ‘70s Studer desk. Composed and crafted without any real intentions, other than a shared appreciation for the same style of music and approach, the tracks started to take shape. The results were as lush, nostalgic and textured as you’d expect from these two brilliant musicians, with a classical feel inspired by artists such as Piero Piccioni, Piero Umiliani, and Henry Mancini. 

For the beautiful string arrangements, the pair recruited the talents of Sholto's long-time friend and collaborator Clementine Brown (Penguin Cafe Orchestra) and Matthew Hayes of 30/70, Allysha Joy, Xpress Point, Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange fame, was brought in to play bass on 'Bluebell'.

So here we have it, a chance collaborative project built on two musicians' mutual respect for each other's outputs. The result is truly breathtaking.


Finn Rees & Sholto - Love In Memory

Tracklist and download available here: http://blrrm.tv/2TxE4U

Henry Wu Trio Boiler Room London Live Set

Joe Armon-Jones & Maxwell Owin are forces to be
reckoned with. Both integral parts of the burgeoning South
London jazz scene, these young musicians contribute to numerous
outfits including Ata Kak, Jamie Isaac, MC Pinty, Moses
Boyd Exodus and Ezra Collective, as well as pushing their
own solo projects.

This is their first combined effort.

'Idiom' is the result of multiple collaborations under the
direction of Joe and Maxwell. Featuring Nubya Garcia, Oscar
Jerome and Jake Long, it is heavily influenced by the hardcore
continuum and covers everything from 2-step, broken-beat and
house to jazz and dub.

Having been compared to artists like 4hero, Floating
Points, Harvey Sutherland and Moodymann all in the
same breath, Joe & Maxwell are already garnering support
from Radio 6 Music's Gilles Peterson, Musica Maconda's
Tim Garcia and Jazz FM's Chris Philips. This is an
accomplished body of work by some of the most exciting
young talent in London right now.

A3 - Joe Armon - Jones & Maxwell Owin - Mind's Eye

Australian talent @setwunsound steps up for our Dominica Compilation. Sublime stuff.

Dominica is a small island in the caribbean destroyed by Hurricane Maria and left in ruins with little infrastructure or resources. With both Bradley & Mali being of Dominican heritage, this is a cause especially close to our hearts. Please PAY WHAT YOU CAN + share the info.
👉🏾 Head to the release page to cop the comp and peep the tracklist 👀 : bit.ly/comp4dominica

Compilation For Dominica

Donate Here!

Setwun - Inner West Wind Up

The rising mega talent, multi-instrumentalist, striking bandleader and *actually* ambidextrous musician and producer returns to deliver Ley Lines – a true showcase of her talents. From the horns, to the choir, to the drums, to the rest, everything was written, produced, laid down and mixed by Emma-Jean.

“I wanted to step away from my work as a band leader and do something self-contained. I love improvising in the moment with a band, but wanted to take the chance to create at my own pace and be true to my own vision,” she says.

As a producer and musician, Emma-Jean’s work defies genre boundaries yet still holds deep roots in jazz. As well as being tipped “one of the UK’s most exciting new jazz artists” by Red Bull Music Academy, the one-woman-band production style of Ley Lines has been compared to Stones-Throw heavyweight Madlib.

Just as at home working with the London Symphony Orchestra as she is tearing it down at Total Refreshment Centre, Ley Lines follows Emma-Jean’s acclaimed Walrus EP and maintains her trajectory as one of the most talented young musicians in the business.

Ley Lines EP

Red Bush

Emma-Jean Thackray - Red Bush

Gin Tonic Orchestra, a brand new band out of St. Etienne (France), deliver the second release on Mother Tongue records.

The brainchild of keyboard player and producer Victor Dijoud - also known as Kaffe Crème - and drummer Leo Puccio, alongside multiple collaborators both in their studio and stage incarnations, Gin Tonic Orchestra is a collective of young talents, gathering their musical inspiration from future jazz, broken beat and latin vibes.

The Stefania EP - a tribute to their native city - is the band’s debut recording showcasing compositions such as “Hands On The Drums”, a driven yet subtle soulful track coloured with jazzy cymbals and lush harmonies and “Get A Umbaye”, where Afro-latin grooves are juxtaposed against elements of funk and ethereal flute solos, reminiscent of the London and New York acid jazz era.

UK legendary keyboard player and producer Kaidi Tatham appears on track two of side A with a stunning remix of “Hands On The Drums” mixed by none other than Eric Lau, giving the track a new life with a heavy broken beat feel, filled with syncopated riffs and intricate synth solos.

Vinyl pre-orders for Stefania will be available exclusively from mothertonguerecords.com from August 27, with the release date set for September 4 2019.

Pre-Order Vinyl

Exclusive Premiere: Gin Tonic Orchestra "Hands On The Drums" (Kaidi Tatham Remix)

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Founded in 1996 by Peter Adarkwah, Barely Breaking Even (BBE Music) started life as a London club night, taking its name from the eponymous Disco record by the Universal Robot Band.

The label grew from the vibrant early 90's club scene with its first release, Stop & Listen compiled by Dr Bob Jones in 1996, opening the door to iconic series' such as All Back To Mine & Late Nite Tales.

A tonne of releases followed, ranging from Disco to Funk, Jazz to House. In the year 2000, the label celebrated Masters at Work's 10th Anniversary with a mighty box set that featured near 80 tracks.

A year later BBE Music spawned the Beat Generation Series of artist albums, notably introducing J Dilla (Welcome 2 Detroit) & a young Will.I.Am's first solo outing, alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, Madlib & DJ Spinna, all of whom contributed to this seminal set of long players.

A quarter of a century and well over 500 titles later, having worked with Mark Ronson, Roy Ayers, Questlove, Hugh Masekela, DJ Premier, Dimitri from Paris, Joey Negro, Kon, RZA, Laurent Garnier, Black Coffee, DJ Shadow, David Rodigan and John Morales among many others, BBE Music looks to the future, celebrating its rich heritage while continuing to release a bounty of fresh titles.

The label’s most recent projects include an expansive reissue series from pioneering Nigerian label Tabansi, new imprint ‘Batakari’ in association with Boddhi Satva and the critically acclaimed ‘J Jazz’ Japanese Jazz multi-album project, not to mention the recent landmark 500th label release: a brand new version of 'Barely Breaking Even', featuring Leroy Burgess, Patrick Adams and Louie Vega.

In 2021 BBE Music is celebrating its 25th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the label is offering up some special projects, from the 20th Anniversary edition of J Dilla’s ‘Welcome 2 Detroit’, through David Bowie tribute album ‘Modern Love’, to a special new ‘Worldwide’ compilation from old friend Gilles Peterson. BBE Music will also be looking to the future with more exciting original artist projects, plus merch collaborations events and more...