30 Groove St.

With two critically acclaimed compilations already under his belt, DJ / collector miche returns to Mr Bongo with the third instalment of his With Love series. Testament to his ever-expanding taste, Volume 3 casts the net deeper and wider than before. The first single from the compilation comes courtesy of John Simmons with his feel-good modern soul anthem, ‘Ain’t Nothing Like The Love’.

A sought-after 1981 rarity, this nugget of modern soul stepper gold, was the only release on Michigan’s Sabrina Records. Originally written by Simmons, Phillip Ballou and David Nathan in 1978, the song was supposed to be part of Ballou’s a proposed solo record deal that never materialised. Simmons, who was a member of The Reflections and later went on to become musical director for Stephanie Mills and Whitney Houston, then recorded his own version for the tiny independent label Sabrina in ’81.  

Subsequent versions of the song by Philip Ballou and David Nathan have been released digitally; Simmons’ original recording is making its debut appearance with this compilation. It’s a deep cut dripping in early boogie, synthesised swagger, gospel-tinged soul vocals and a heavy dose of uplifting energy.

As miche mentions, “This is pure hands-in-the-air business that’s guaranteed to make the dancefloor smile. I’ve adored this track ever since Zaf Love Vinyl played it about 6 or 7 years ago. Big love to Russell Paine for helping me get this one over the line.”

With original’s trading hands for £1000+, this remastered reissue as part of With Love 3 will be a welcome sight to many.


Ain't Nothing Like the Love

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

The second single from Brooklyn producer Bad Colours’ upcoming album, “Speed” features rapper and longtime collaborator KAS, whose slick, confident bars glide over an uptempo, filtered house groove. It’s rap with polish, presence, and undeniable momentum.

Speed ft. KAS

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

Desmond Dekker – It Is Not Easy 
Derrick and Patsy – Let The Good Times Roll 
Claudette Thomas – Roses Are Red My Love 
Derrick Harriott – The Loser 
Mighty Vikings – Love Me Forever 
Della Humphrey – Dream Land 
Blues Busters - Little Vilma 
Jackie Opel - You Send Me 
The Heptones - I Shall Be Released

Rock Steadily #5 :: You Send Me

Sunday Sessions Nº454

Luisa (Feat. Azymuth) - Romantica

Luisa (Feat. Azymuth) - Lenha Na Fogueira

Almost fifteen years since the release of her self-titled debut LP on Mr Bongo, reggae’s orator of love Hollie Cook is returning to the label for Shy Girl, her fifth studio album and her most authentic yet. Woven with tight grooves, beautiful vocals and catchy melodies, Shy Girl hears singer and songwriter Hollie Cook revel in her contemporary lovers rock sound, more confident and open to vulnerability than ever before.
 
A sun-drenched exploration of love in all its guises, Shy Girl tells stories of the magical and the melancholy, the heart-lifting and heart-breaking, across 12 luscious, analogue reggae compositions - the culmination of a soft-hued and instantly recognisable “tropical pop” sound that Cook has made her own.
 
Put together across three years and four cities – from LA and NYC, to Vejer de la Frontera in Spain and Cook’s hometown London – Shy Girl was written with long-time collaborators, The General Roots Band, and features a contribution from legendary dub MC Horseman, who lends his voice to the album’s first single ‘Night Night’.
 
The album opens with the title track ‘Shy Girl’, a buoyant and elastic slice of lovers rock that was written in a moment of spontaneous intuition, and bubbles with a charisma and positivity that Cook radiates. “I’m not a natural show-off,” Cook explains. “The Shy Girl theme is me. It’s just about being my most vulnerable self and being as true to the music that Iove as possible.” It is this honesty which shines throughout, from the chugging deep dub of ‘Frontline’, complete with raking electric guitar lines, to the bittersweet roots ballad ‘We Share Love’, which closes out the album.

It's clear to see that Cook’s songwriting draws on a lifetime of musical influences and inspirations. From her father, Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook’s record collection and touring with post-punk icon Ari Up’s The Slits, to her love for strong female-led pop music and the bassweight of London’s sound system culture. Enamoured with the music of Janet Kay and Phyllis Dillon, Shy Girl represents a homecoming and a coming-of-age for Hollie Cook, distilling and refining a shimmering reggae sound that will capture your heart, as it first captured hers. 


Hollie Cook - Rockaway

Out now on Mr Bongo

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Atmosfear - Disorient Express

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