Mr Bongo Weekly Selections

I Can't Believe I Loved Her

I Can't Believe I Loved Her (Main Mix)

Nem Paletó, Nem Gravata

Morre o Burro, Fica o Homem

Tuff Times Never Last

Together We Are

Da Du Dah

Over / Reprise

Just Can't Wait

Love Made Trees

In Your Arms

Bullet

You're Gonna Win

My Best Step

I'd Be Lost

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 - Bluebell

Watch Me - Boudoir dance mix

Tell me why (Tell me why)
Is it so (Is it so)
Don't wanna let you go
I never can say goodbye girl (never can say goodbye girl)
Ooh ooh baby (don't wanna let you go girl)
I never can say goodbye, no no no, no no no...

Michael Jackson - Never Can Say Goodbye (re disco ver ''No No" Ja'zz'Pan Ooh Girl reMix) back to 71

Stoned Soul Picnic

A Rose For Cindy

Samba Esquema Novo

Chove Chuva

Da Du Dah

KOKOROKO

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