Absolute banger - does the original justice!!

masters at work

► Download audio on our app: http://blrrm.tv/BR_APP ► Watch here: http://blrrm.tv/masters
► New York's mighty house music pioneers Maters at Work gracing the Boiler Room stage in London.

Masters At Work Boiler Room London DJ Set

In 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 - Fantasy '82

Could Heaven Ever Be Like This (Instrumental)

Indonesian Classic Selection by Thee Marloes

A mixtape full of rhythm, nostalgia, and funk. 100% Indonesian jams!

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BCR Radio Episode 045 - Thee Marloes - Nada Indonesia

Brazilian 7" singles (compactos) are often the source of hidden treasures. Those special obscure nuggets that tend to be overlooked and flicked past in shops and flea markets. Carlos Bivar's 'Amargo Amar' is one such find, nestled as a B2 on the end of a four-track 7" EP on Esquema Records from 1978. This seldom-seen slice of Brazilian sunshine is the second single taken from miche’s third With Love compilation on Mr Bongo.

The ZBETO EP is one of only two 7” singles that we are aware of, released by the pianist, singer, and songwriter Carlos Bivar. 'Amargo Amar' starts with the swagger of a ‘70s Blaxploitation soundtrack, transitioning into a loose Brazilian MPB-funk. Floaty keys, uplifting horns, and backing vocals elevate the energy, as Carlos' lyrics ride the groove. This song is a sheer delight and an example of the talented output of independent Brazilian musicians, as equally great and bold as their major label contemporaries.


Amargo Amar

Ruby Rushton return with cinematic new single “Walk to Regio's”, the lead single from the London UK jazz quartet’s highly anticipated 'Legacy!' album on 22a Records.

As a bandleader, flautist, saxophonist, producer, DJ and label boss, Tenderlonious has earned his polymath stripes. On "Walk to Regio's", Ed takes inspiration from multi-talented legend Isaac Hayes, in particular his ‘Shaft’ soundtrack. 

“I’ve always been obsessed with film music and it’s played a key role in my approach to composition. Issac Hayes’s ‘Shaft’ soundtrack is one of my favourites and has had a big influence on my music over the years. “Walk to Regio’s” is my salute to Issac Hayes and is a nod to one of the coolest films ever made!”

Ruby Rushton trade the hustle and bustle of 1970s Harlem for the restless, ever-shifting energy of contemporary South London. A hypnotic piano motif sets the tone, locking into a deep groove laced with crisp horns and percussive layers. The rhythm section stays tight and purposeful, giving space for quick bursts of improvisation - each solo a snapshot of raw, soulful musicianship. It all circles back to that familiar refrain, closing with a flourish that feels both grounded and soaring.

'Legacy!' marks the fifth full length outing from the Ed ‘Tenderlonious’ Cawthorne led group who helped pave the way for the recent wave of jazz that has ignited the capital and enchanted the world. 

“Walk to Regio's” is released across all digital platforms on 31st July and you can pre-order ‘Legacy!’ on LP / CD / download on this day as well.

Pre-Save

Exclusive Premiere: Ruby Rushton "Walk to Regio's" (22a Records)

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

A Milan-born multi-instrumentalist of Venetian heritage, Alberto Baldan Bembo was a gifted vibraphonist, organist, pianist, arranger, and composer whose work bridged jazz, pop, and film music. By the early 1960s, he was performing with Italy’s leading ensembles, including I Menestrelli del Jazz and Bruno De Filippi’s group, and soon became an in-demand session musician. For several years, he toured with the legendary Mina, providing the piano and organ backbone to her live shows—a role that sharpened the cinematic sensibility and refined musicianship that would later define his soundtrack work. In the years to come, he would be celebrated for his scores to films such as L’Amica Di Mia Madre (1975) and Lingua Argento (1976), earning a place alongside Piero Umiliani, Alessandro Alessandroni, Berto Pisano, and other luminaries of Italy’s golden age of soundtrack and library music.

Io E Mara is the soundtrack to a film that was never made. Originally released on the CGD label in 1969, this debut album from the brilliant Maestro Baldan Bembo is a sophisticated concept-album tracing 24 hours in the life of two young lovers. Told entirely through music, the record unfolds as a continuous suite of ten tracks, where cinematic lounge, bossa, and jazz flavors mingle to create a dreamlike atmosphere. Baldan Bembo’s signature piano and organ are masterfully complemented by Mara’s ethereal vocals, while immersive soundscapes of crashing waves, seagulls, and rain showers enhance the feeling of a deeply personal and intimate journey.

A cast of exceptional musicians brings this vision to life, including Bruno De Filippi on electric guitar and sitar, Carlo Milano on electric bass, Rolando Ceragioli on drums, and Pasquale Liguori on sound effects. This singular work not only showcases the burgeoning talent of a future soundtrack master but also features the original pop art front cover by Italian cult illustrator Guido Crepax. 

IO E MARA

Buy Vinyl LP

The first single to be taken from СОЮЗ (SOYUZ)'s enthralling fourth album KROK, sees the release of the emotive and personal title track. “Krok” means “step” in Belarusian - and for Alex Chumak and his band this word comes with a lot of meaning. It’s a theme running throughout the album, reflecting the journeys the band has navigated in recent years. 
 
In early 2022, Chumak and original members, Mikita Arlou and Anton Nemahai, joined tens of thousands of Belarusians seeking safety from the political unrest in their homeland and the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Resettling in Warsaw, the band released Force of the Wind in October 2022, garnering widespread acclaim, a string of major European gigs, and led to Polish musicians Albert Karch and Igor Wiśniewski joining the band.
 
Embracing the uncertainty became both the inspiration and main lyrical theme for Alex Chumak, SOYUZ’ composer and arranger. ‘Krok’ was one of the initial songs written for the new album and was the first to feature lyrics. It paved the way for Chumak to find the new poetic language on the record - for the first time in his native Belarusian language. Chumak demoed the song whilst he was still in Minsk in early 2022, and then, as he and his band moved to Poland, he continued developing it. In September 2024, together with other songs, Alex took it on a trip to São Paulo, where he recorded it with the help of his longtime friend and collaborator Sessa and extraordinary musicians Biel Basile and Marcelo Cabral.
 
It is a song about transition and migration, in which this act is poetically reduced to “a step” – into the unknown and unexplored. While singing about it, Chumak also makes a step forward musically. He delivers his very atypical view on samba, which doesn’t pretend to sound Brazilian. A strict yet loose rhythm section is covered with layers of tense acoustic guitars, aleatoric piano lines, and a lush yet restrained arrangement for strings and flutes.
 
This ethereal opening track is taster of the magic to come from СОЮЗ (SOYUZ) new career-defining album.


Крок / Krok

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Tracklist:
01. Joe McDuphrey Experience - Elegant Soul
02. George Duke - Feel (Spacek Remix)
03. Riz Ortolani - Il Ricordo Di Serena
04. John Kong & Moonstarr - Future Vision
05. Dora Morelenbaum - VW BLUE
06. Mr. Scruff - Chipmunk
07. Joachim Kuhn, Alphonse Mouzon - First Frisco
08. The South Hill Experiment - Little Monk feat. Karriem Riggins
09. Jon Bap - Hella Sessions (bonus instrumental)
10. Shirley Brown - Passion
11. Los Retros - Sweet Honey 
12. J. Ludvig III - see u
13. Chris Keys - Even More
14. Pino Palladino, Blake Mills - Taka
15. Calibro 35 - Nautilus
16. Illnoledge - Everlasting
17. Kazi - Live In Santa Cruz
18. Pale Jay - Shameful Game ft. Conway The Machine
19. Madison Mcferrin - Spent
20. Jyoti, Georgia Anne Muldrow - Sup

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED.
These songs belong to the rightful owners.

Mixino #75 - J. Raise, Jr

Metal

Out now on Mr Bongo 

http://www.mrbongo.com/products/altered-slates

Atmosfear - Dancing in Outer Space (Masters at Work)

BPM EVENT:
Rebel Rave with Masters at Work, Damian Lazarus, Danny Tenaglia, Subb-An, Infinity Ink, Fur Coat, Francesca Lombardo

Saturday, January 12, 2013 : 10:00 pm - 6:00 am

Blue Venado 
Carretera Puerto Juarez Km. 278, Ejido Norte Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

BUY TICKETS: http://bit.ly/REBELRAVE_BPM
MORE INFO: http://www.thebpmfestival.com

Masters At Work Exclusive Mix for Rebel Rave

Masters At Work "LIVE" from Sydney NYE 2013

Record label. Record shop. Film label. Since 1989.

Atmosfear - Dancing in Outer Space (Masters at Work)

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