Good friends and Record Mission co-captains, Dan Tyler (one half of the Idjut Boys) and Nick The Record, take the reins for the third volume of the Mr Bongo Edits 12" series. With previous editions coming courtesy of Danny Krivit and Luke Una, Dan and Nick set their sights on a hand-picked selection of iconic ‘70s Cuban recordings for this three-track cosmic whirlwind. Across the A side, Dan picks out two Juan Pablo Torres tracks, with Nick taking on Grupo Los Yoyi on the B. Tweaking, extending and reworking the recordings with a dose of extra magic they remould the tracks to fit the sounds and structure of today’s dancefloors. 

Having formed the Idjut Boys in the early ‘90s, Dan and Conrad McDonnell have crafted a dubbed-out, disco-tinged style that permeates their countless productions, remixes and DJ sets. Speaking of the two tracks Dan has chosen to rework for this EP he mentions, “Having been caught under an avalanche of good music from Mr Bongo, I took it upon myself to extend and add effects to a couple of the fantastic tracks from the Juan Pablo Torres LPs they recently re-issued. Just for disco jockey and barn dance use.”

First, Dan looks to Cuban maestro Juan Pablo Torres’ 1978 album 'Algo Nuevo', taking one of the standout tracks ‘Cacao’ and giving it more space to breathe. Teasing out the scatting vocal line and percussive climax that nods to George Kranz's ’83 electronic disco anthem 'Din Daa Daa', whilst adding more cosmic tripped-out synths and space echoed dubs, Dan builds the tension to fine effect. This track sounds immense on a big club system and the swirling synths felt like they were lifting the ceiling off when we played it at the amazing La Paloma ballroom in Barcelona. 

Dan then turns his attention to Torres’ 1977 'Super Son' album, giving the psych-Latin-funk track 'Pastel En Descarga' a dub makeover. Rich in delay and drama, whilst maintaining and extending the breakers funk intro, he juices it up into a punchy, no-nonsense, cosmic-funk delight. 

On the B side, Tangent co-founder, long-standing Life Force resident and seasoned rework master, Nick The Record, revisits an edit that he originally constructed in 2009. Clocking in at over double the length of the original cut, Nick’s edit of Grupo Los Yoyi’s 1977 cut 'Paco La Calle', is made with dancers firmly in mind. This secret weapon builds and simmers, with the drums and percussion pushing and pulling before the psychedelic synth lines return in a sweltering fashion. In this new 2025 version, Dan is drafted in to work some brilliant new synth lines into the mix.


Juan Pablo Torres - Cacao (Dan Tyler NAD Bulto Versión)

Juan Pablo Torres Y Algo Nuevo - Pastel En Descarga (Dan Tyler NAD Pepino Versión)

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

Putting a fresh spin on two tracks from New Regency Orchestra’s standout debut album, Momoko Gill and Samtheman, step up to the plate on remix duties. Two exciting and innovative names rising out of London’s next generation of artists they’ve reimagined NRO’s Afro-Cuban jazz vibrancy in their own personal and distinctive way. Blurring the lines between remix and new production, Momoko turns ‘Para Los Papines’ into a meditative, transportive, percussive cut laced with her ethereal vocals, as Sam flips ‘Sambaroco’ into an Afro house styled groover with Caique and P Wavey on the mic.

London-based drummer/producer/songwriter and vocalist, Momoko Gill, provides the first of the remixes. With an explorative ear and a rejection for imitation, her unique style has seen her collaborating with artists including Matthew Herbert, Coby Sey, Tirzah and Alabaster DePlume. Nourished by elements of NRO’s take on David Amram’s ‘Para Los Papines’, Momoko’s clever sampling of the bass, percussion and horns melds this track into a new dimension. Drawing from a Buddhist myth, her lyrics and intimate voice provide a celestial, mythological touch to the remix.

Talking on the remix Momoko says: “I wanted to make something that feels more like a recontextualization of the original and a continuation of the conversation. Unlike the original which sounds looser and starts with the more jazzy orchestration, NRO’s version kicks straight into the vamp and has a more linear structure, where the orchestrated bits serve as a release of tension as well as a destination. I enhanced that by making a new line through sampling the double bass which, in retrospect, sounds almost like a line you’d hear in grime and used vocal sampling to drive the groove.”

Next up, Samtheman, co-founder of the label/collective Brighter Days Family, takes on ‘Sambaroco’. Sam’s genre-bending productions are both inspired by, and experimenting with, sounds from around the globe. Reworking the groove into an Afro house rhythm, Sam invites two emerging young artists with ties to Brighter Days Family, Caique and P Wavey, to take to the mic and add a new, vocal-led flavour to the remix. 

Sam mentions, “Together in the studio, we listened to the original version by Tito Puente, Caique came up with a phrase inspired by the name of the tune. “Ela me faz samba roco, Ela me faz samba loco…” Then the rest of the vocal parts started flowing. Continuing to use the name of the original for inspiration, P Wavey begins his verse with, “Sambaroco-ni, now everybody just follow me…” In my mind, the original is a salsa song that is about carnival, or a salsa interpretation of carnival, in particular Brazilian carnival hence the title of the song.”

More than just reworks, these tracks are conversations, between continents, cultures, and genres, through the forward-thinking lens of two of London’s rising stars.


New Regency Orchestra - Para Los Papines (Momoko Gill Remix)

Presenting the second single taken from Gabriele Poso’s forthcoming compilation on Mr Bongo, Ritmo Italiano ‘Unspoken Sounds of Italian Tamburo’. This original composition from Sardinian multi-instrumentalist, percussionist and producer, Gabriele Poso, is the track that gives the album its title, ‘Ritmo Italiano’. It pays homage to the Italian masters of percussion and drumming and was recorded to emulate the classics of their era. Using drum machines and tape recordings to provide the necessary warmth, the track is driven by funky bass and equally funky synths. As you would expect from Gabriele and a track on this compilation, masterful percussion is demonstrated throughout. A central element of the song, the many percussive layers combine and are played with a swing that gives maximum dancefloor energy. Add to that an undeniable ear-worm of a chorus, and there you have the sound of ‘Ritmo Italiano’.

Ritmo Italiano

Mr Bongo proudly presents Ritmo Italiano ‘Unspoken Sounds of Italian Tamburo’ a captivating compilation of percussive-driven, Italian gems curated by Sardinian multi-instrumentalist, percussionist and producer, Gabriele Poso. A journey into the heart of Italian musical history, it celebrates Italy’s rich rhythmic traditions, showcasing a selection of genre-traversing, Italian treasures from the ‘60s to the early ‘90s. Honouring the timeless rhythms of Italian percussion masters, alongside a brand-new exclusive composition by Gabriele, ‘Ritmo Italiano’ shines a light on the universal, primal language of the drum. 

A connection sparked from an early age; percussion has always deeply resonated with Gabriele. It led to years of studying percussion traditions across Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Brazil, crafting his own songwriting skills in the process. An acclaimed producer and compiler, his releases on Yoruba Records, BBE and Soundway Records have garnered global support. Yet a growing need to rediscover the essence of his country’s cultural heritage laid the foundations for this new compilation.

In Gabriele’s own words, “Italy has always been a crossroads of civilizations, with influences from the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe converging over centuries. Ports like Naples, Genoa, and Venice played a crucial role as gateways for musical exchange, a melting pot of sounds and cultures brought by sailors, merchants and travellers. These influences blended with Italy’s own folk and religious traditions, creating Italy’s unique and emotionally resonant rhythms.”

Across the 12 absorbing tracks, there’s jazz influences, Italian library music aesthetics and experimental beats mixing with Afro-Cuban and Mediterranean rhythms. It’s a broad selection anchored by the drums. The synth-heavy, ‘80s jazz funk flavours of Gegè Munari's ‘Police Man’, sit side-by-side with the samba-infused ‘Napulitano D' 'O Brasil’ by Don Marino Barreto Jr. Tribal, earthly energy radiates from Naco’s ‘Volando Con Milton’, with Tullio De Piscopo serving up cosmic disco brilliance, and blistering jazz funk mastery coming courtesy of Agostino Marangolo. Taking the name of the compilation, a new original track by Gabriele, ‘Ritmo Italiano’, blends traditional rhythms with contemporary energy, Afro-Latin influences with Italian jazz essence. Recorded live in one take, it captures a raw, unfiltered vibe. 

“Each track tells a story, connecting the past with the present, and highlighting the deep-rooted traditions that shape Italy’s rhythms. The collection also offers a glimpse into the diversity of Italian music with a variety of styles from the organic, earthy beats to the more experimental and modern takes on traditional rhythms. It’s a reflection of how these rhythms have not only shaped Italian culture but also influenced global music.”


Puccio Roelens E La Sua Grande Orchestra TV - Caravan

Tony Esposito - Pagaia

I was lucky to be invited by Radio Nova to play at the NOVA MIX CLUB to present KOUTÉ JAZZ and play some records from the West Indies. You can hear the quick mix here 

 

KOUTÉ JAZZ for NOVA MIX CLUB Live DJ set by DIGGER'S DIGEST @Badaboum

cut out the horrible part and strech the rest for your next very long 'Zugfahrt'

http://frequencywithoutcontrol.blogspot.com

Veronika Fischer - He, Wir Fahr'n Mit Dem Zug (frwctrl edit)

New Zealander Julien Dyne is a multi-instrumentalist with a long and impressive history of collaborative, live and solo musicianship. Best known for his solo work as BBE and having worked with the likes of Theo Parrish, Steve Spacek, Andreya Triana and Lord Echo - one of Soundway's most successful artists.

To be released on digital and double vinyl on 19 October 2018 on Soundway Records

Teal

Buy or Stream

Julien Dyne - Copernicus

Order here:
https://www.juno.co.uk/products/rare-silk-storm/721537-01/

Be With Records and Emotional Rescue team up to present a special release of US jazz vocal group Rare Silk and their cult song, Storm. 

A diggers cut for many years, more recently it's become an algorithm "hit". Presented here as a stand-alone limited 10" release, the song is backed by a spellbinding echo-drenched remix by New York's exemplary electronic sonic explorer, Arp. 

Originally formed when sisters MaryLynn and Gaile Gillaspie met Marquerite Juenemann in southern California in the late '70s, with the arrival of Todd Buffa the trio quickly expanded to a four-part harmony vocal group. Signed to Polydor, they rose to prominence over the ensuing decade with the release of three albums that gained them multiple Grammy nominations. 

Taken from their 1985 album American Eyes, Storm is based on a Stanley Turrentine song of the same name, from his 1971 album Salt Song. With additional vocals written by MaryLynn, as with much of their music -underpinned as it is by an otherworldly exotica - the artisanal, crafted care of the instrumental and vocal arrangements, featuring lush, rich phrasing, is evident in their exquisite reading of the song. 

When deciding how best of present the song it seemed right to ask a favourite of both labels. Having appeared on Emotional Response in 2017/18, Alexis Georgopoulos returned to his Arp project with last years' much-heralded Zebra album on Mexican Summer. Stripping out the vocals, the remaining instrumental is rearranged, rebuilt and then soaked in heavy tape echo. The result is a discerning dub to act as the perfect accompaniment.

A. Rare Silk - Smooth

For DJ booking : diggersdigest@gmail.com

Rare records store / Label / DJ & Curator  

www.diggersdigest.com
https://www.facebook.com/diggersdigest

KOUTÉ JAZZ for NOVA MIX CLUB Live DJ set by DIGGER'S DIGEST @Badaboum

Digger's Digest