'Hayat’, the new single from the illustrious Kit Sebastian, finds the band delving into their Turkish and Azerbaijan influences. Having spent much of the past year touring and writing, ‘Hayat’ is the first original composition the band has released since their October 2021 album, ‘Melodi’. Here we see the London-based duo (aka Kit Martin and Merve Erdem) weaving a psychedelic tapestry of Mugham melodies, organ-driven grooves and jazz-pop harmonies in classic Kit Sebastian fashion. Recorded to Fostex 1/4” tape, the essence of the production is perfectly balanced between being brand new and retro, which is a feat very hard to pull off. 

‘Hayat’ is sung in Turkish and the title translates as ‘Life’ in English. The song examines our desire to find one's place in the world and the provisionality of existence. Merve's searching lyrics ask “Where are you? Where is the universe?”. Her vocal delivery perfectly reflects the lyrical focus, its texture is probing and ethereal, almost as if sung from looking above us.

Kit Sebastian - Hayat

Number 9 in our Brazil 45’s series.

Famous 'Sambista' and actress Doris Monteiro born in Rio in 1934 and had a career spanning over 60 years. This Samba Rock classic was penned by Jorge Ben Jr. Another find at the legendary Tony's Hits in Sao Paulo, one of Mr Bongo's all time favourite digging spots. Taken from her self-titled 1970 LP on Odeon Brazil. Previosuly unreleased on 7".

'Quarteto Em Cy', were a prolific and very popular Samba/MPB group comprising four sisters hailing from Ibirataia in Bahia. 'Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser' is one of our all time favourite Brazilian songs, originally written by Milton Nascimento & Lo Borges that appears on their seminal Clube da Esquina LP. 

This version is taken from Quarteto's 1972 LP on Odeon. It was also released on a 7" in 1972, in a unique Brazilian style 4-track EP, cut at 33rpm. A lovely idea but not so good for sound quality!

BRAZIL 45 #9 - Quarteto Em Cy - Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser

The tenth record in our Brazil 45s series - http://www.mrbongo.com/products/jorge-ben-joao-donato-7

A. Jorge Ben & Toquinho - Carolina, Carol Bela
AA. Joao Donato - Ara

Jorge Ben & Toquinho - Carolina, Carol Bela 

Jorge Ben is a name that any lover of Brazilian music will be very familiar with. He is widely regarded as the James Brown of Brazilian music and is famed for writing the Brazilian anthem ‘Mas Que Nada'. For the duet ‘Carolina, Carol Bela' he teamed up with the singer & guitarist Toquinho. Toquinho is best known for his collaborations, as composer and performer, with Bossa Nova poet Vinicius de Moraes.

'Carolina, Carol Bela' featured on the album ’Toquinho’ by Toquinho. It was originally released in 1970 on the small independent Brazilian label, RGE. This version is the first time it has been reissued as a 45.  

The song was sampled by DJ Marky and XRS for their Drum & Bass track ‘LK’ (V Recordings, 2002). This went on to be a huge chart hit across the world, and a number one hit in the UK.

Joao Donato - Ara

Joao Donato is a Brazilian Jazz and Bossa Nova Pianist. He has collaborated with many of the greats of Brazilian Music, including Tom Jobim, Astrud Gilberto and Gilberto Gil. He was one of the few Brazilian artists who went over to perform in the States during the Bossa Nova boom of the late 60’s. The song ‘Ara’ was originally released on his seminal album Quem é quem”, (EMI, 1973), an album that is full of great tracks and was considered as one of the 100 best albums in all times by the Rolling Stone magazine. 

See more of our Brazilian 45 series here.

Jorge Ben & Toquinho - Carolina Carol Bela

Transmission Towers are operational, broadcasts have been received across the globe. Transmission One is inbound and ‘Sparse’ is the second oscillation from Mark Kyriacou and Eleanor Mante’s highly anticipated debut album, on Luke Una’s E Soul Cultura label. A stripped back, slo-mo cut of heads down, Detroit-flavoured deep house merged with futuristic machine soul.

The foundations for ‘Sparse’, laid with a pulsating kick and echoing rimshot, are simple, raw and immediately effective. Claps and clicks interject like strikes of light through the darkness. Channelling sonic architects such as Theo Parrish and Ron Trent, sounds with signatures bring an emotional presence. Pensive chords and deft piano keys sweep you up, with that subwoofer shaking bassline, rattling across the cosmos. Anchoring the track, Eleanor’s vocals entice from the depths with a soulfulness that is threaded through all of what Transmissions Towers do. 

Late-night reflections, cross-temporal reverberations, ‘Sparse’ is a timeless slice of emotive brilliance.

Transmission Towers - Sparse

The next single from New Regency Orchestra’s self-titled forthcoming album comes in form of Manuel Sánchez Acosta’s salsa sensation, ‘Papa Boco’. Originally written by the Dominican physician and composer, the band took inspiration from a different 1962 arrangement, made by bandleader and timbales maestro, Orlando Marin. 

For this fresh reimagining of ‘Papa Boco’, the 18-piece big band of New Regency Orchestra keeps the essence of Marin’s arrangement whilst adding their explosive flair to proceedings. An Afro-Cuban-flavoured warmth washes over you from the off, with Latin percussion and a swell of peaking horns kicking the song into gear immediately. Stepping forth, Jose Cesar’s commanding vocals give a distinctive depth to the recording that sets it apart from Marin’s version. 

With bandleader Eliane Correa on the keys and at the helm, the salsa energy is amplified through her scintillating and syncopated chords. As the track peaks, the groove swaps from 4’s to 3’s for the breakdown slipping into sensuous territory before bursting back into the dynamism of the full orchestra’s power.

A respectful yet contemporary take on a salsa gem from one of London’s most electrifying new acts.

New Regency Orchestra - Papa Boco

If 2022’s The Children Of Scorpio was the debut album that turned people onto the world of Project Gemini aka Paul Osborne, Colours & Light is the body of work that will be buried deep into their hearts. It is a majestic album, bringing together the worlds of folk rock, psych soundtracks and hazy cinematic funk.
 
A growing confidence and ease emanate from the writing and production of this sophomore LP, bolstered by the reception to his standout debut. “It’s a more layered and diverse record” Paul mentions, “with a more outward-looking, global sound, born out of the records I was listening to and the musicians I was lucky enough to collaborate with”. It feels relaxed yet self-assured, with a kaleidoscope of sounds that twist together in a mesmerising fashion.
 
The theme of the album developed naturally through the lyrics Paul began writing. A creative process both plagued and fed by insomnia, nourished by relationships, entwined in emotions, nights out, nights in and the after-effects on the human condition. Relatable themes yet seen through the prism of a soundscape that takes in many a different culture and scene. From acid folk to psych-funk, Francophile elements to Anatolian and Eastern inspirations, all interlocking and rotating as one.
 
Drawing inspiration from those he admires, Colours & Light radiates with collaborations. The title track, which tips its hat to a live 1973 TV version of Pentangle’s ‘Wedding Dress’, features the folk rock, guitar brilliance of Jack Sharp from Wolf People/Large Plants.
 
Elsewhere, two tracks are blessed by the sultry, smokey French vocals of Gloria’s Wendy Martinez, ‘Extra Nuit’ and ‘Entre chien et loup’. The former echoes Paul's love of classic French psych-pop from the late ’60s and early ’70s and artists such as Laurance Vanay, Calcium, Leonie, and Serge Gainsbourg. Martinez's sublime vocal work nestles perfectly within Paul's psych-folk-funk productions, as her Gloria partner, Alexis Morel (aka Kid Victrola) sprinkles a dose of entrancing guitar line magic on proceedings.
 
The list of collaborations extends further with Raz and Markey Funk, drummer Tony Coote and percussionist Paul Elliott all featuring. Regular collaborator and underground icon Barrie Cadogan (Little Barrie) returns along with Bert Page from The Cromagnon Band, who between them provide a hit of whacked-out, fuzzed-up country guitar and Moog madness respectively on ‘Lost In The Woods (Bacchanal)’.
 
Rounding off the record Paul’s daughter, Olivia Osborne, supplies the keyboard intro on the penultimate track ‘Twilight’. Dorian Conway from The Soundcarriers (whose bandmate Paul Isherwood returns on mixing duties) then layers echoing heavy flute parts to magically capture the psychedelic sunrise images brought to mind. 
 
Balancing light and shade on this record, there is beauty and tension all wrapped up in Paul’s vivid and visceral, storytelling gift.

Project Gemini - The Sun Devil Coda

Project Gemini - Twilight

Project Gemini - Seven Seconds To Sunrise

Project Gemini - Lost In The Woods (Bacchanal)

Project Gemini - The Sun Devil

Project Gemini - Lost In The Woods (Paranoia)

Project Gemini - The Last Midnight

Project Gemini - Extra Nuit

Project Gemini - The Sun Devil Prelude

‘Expansion’ is the second single from Melbourne-based, Finn Rees’ forthcoming debut album, Dawn Is A Melody. A Brazilian-inspired, spirit-embracing jazz immersion, that nods to greats like Luiz Eça, Dom Salvador and Cesar Camargo Mariano yet showcases the vibrancy of Finn’s contemporary palette. 

Further illuminating the microcosm of colour that is Dawn Is A Melody, ‘Expansion’ explores the connection between the worldly and those cosmic realms that float in between, with the help of some of Melbourne’s finest musicians. Igniting the track, Lucky Pereira’s exquisite drumming marries with Blakely McLean Davies’ strutting double bass playing, as a Latin touch shines through Dom Kirk’s percussion. 

Sitting at the helm, Finn’s signature mastery across the keys from the ‘70s Yamaha grand piano to the warming tones of the Rhodes, elevate your mind to a weightless dimension. Enhancing those earthly measures, he taps into the cosmic-channelling Moog to add an undertone of interstellar electronics.  A foundation that gives ground for the triplet of horns to form a harmonious unison, Audrey Powne on trumpet, Cheryl Durongpisitkul on tenor sax, Josh Moshe on alto sax, all gliding as one. 

Both grounded and galactic, it’s an intricate, soulful and spiritual jazz journey with a depth and richness that is perfectly saturated by recording and mix engineer Henry Jenkin’s vintage recording setup.

Finn Rees - Expansion

One of the most electrifying acts to have emerged in recent years, New Regency Orchestra announce their highly anticipated debut album on Mr Bongo with their first single, ‘Labasta Llego’. A reimagining of Rafael Labasta’s 1972 original, the group have delivered a contemporary take on this sublime serving of Afro-Cuban jazz energy.

Harnessing the fusion of ideas that exploded out of New York’s melding of jazz and Latin during the ‘50s to the ‘70s, New Regency Orchestra are an 18-piece big band that has been setting the scene alight on stage. Led by artistic director Lex Blondin, the group are a hand-picked line-up of some of London’s finest Latin and jazz musicians. Providing a fresh spin on a selection of the seminal songs that emanated out of that golden era, they bring a contemporary radiance to their recordings.

Originally written in 1972 by Dominican trumpeter and orchestra leader Rafael Labasta, who played with greats such as Kako, Cortijo y Su Combo and even The Big 3: Machito, Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente, ‘Labasta Llego’ is a salsa-infused track bursting with colour and creativity.  Congas, cowbells and timbales dance around bandleader Eliane Correa’s joyous keys providing an infectious rhythm on New Regency Orchestra’s version. With the rhythm locked, a wall of horns blasts you straight to the shores of the Dominican Republic. One of two vocal tracks from the album, Jose Cesar’s expressive vocal tones, backed by Flavio Correa add to the Latin spice, as Nick Walters steps forward for a spirited and spellbinding trumpet solo.

Lex sums up the single perfectly, “It’s one of our live anthems and it always goes down a storm. The music speaks for itself. It’s impossible to keep your hips still with this one!”

New Regency Orchestra - Labasta Llego

Brazil 45, number 20: http://www.mrbongo.com/products/wilson-simonal-nem-vem-que-nao-tem-b-w-trio-mocoto-nao-adianta

Wilson Simonal - Nem Vem Que Nao Tem:

An instant and super catchy samba-MPB hit made famous through by its inclusion in Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund’s ‘City Of God’. This is a firm Simonal favourite here at Mr Bongo HQ.

Simonal was a hugely successful singer in the 1960’s and early 70’s; one of the most popular artists in Brazil infact.

‘Nem Vem Que Nao Tem’ was previously released on 7” by Odeon in France and Spain, and appears on his ‘Alegria, Alegria !!!’ LP on Odeon Brazil, released in 1967

Trio Mocoto - Nao Adianta:

Trio Mocoto were one of Jorge Ben Jr’s main backing bands and highly influential to his sound. They recorded with him on the seminal ‘Força Bruta’, ‘Negro É Lindo’ and ‘Tábua de Esmeralda’ LP’s.

Nao Adianta first appeared on Trio Mocoto’s self-titled 1977 Arlequim LP. It was subsequently released on 7” in Spain, Portugal and Italy (and we are assuming France too).

Trio Mocoto - Nao Adianta

Taken from the album 'Mundo Meu' forthcoming on Mr Bongo http://www.mrbongo.com/products/flavia-coelho-mundo-meu

Available from https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/por-cima-single/id972599876

Flavia Coelho - Por Cima

http://www.mrbongo.com/product/seu-jorge-carolina-1109

http://www.mrbongo.com/product/carolina-lp-1304

Debut album from the City Of God and Life Aquatic star Seu Jorge, co-produced by Mario Caldatto of Beastie Boys and Planet Hemp fame.

Seu Jorge - Carolina

http://www.mrbongo.com/product/brazilian-beats-cd-boxset-1143

The fifth of eight installments of the all-Brazilian compilation series

Vanessa De Mata - Nao Me Deixe Só

http://www.mrbongo.com/product/looking-for-the-perfect-beat-1121

Marcelo D2 was the leader and vocalist from rap/rock band Planet Hemp, who have sold over 900,000 units in Brazil. 

A Procurada da Batida Perfeita, or Looking For the Perfect Beat, was the long awaited second solo album from MD2, with his first album Eu Tiro Onda having sold over 100,000 units in Brazil. Marcelo D2 goes deeper into his search for the perfect mix of samba and hip hop.


Marcelo D2 - A Procura Da Batida Perfeita

Marcelo D2 - Vai Vendo

Marcelo D2 - A Maldicao Do Samba

Marcelo D2 - Pilotando O Sonde Da Excursao

Marcelo D2 - Loadeando

Marcelo D2 - Profissao M.C.

Marcelo D2 - C.B. Sangue Bom

Marcelo D2 - Qual É

Marcelo D2 - Eu Tiro E Onda

http://www.mrbongo.com/product/brazilian-beats-cd-1125

http://www.mrbongo.com/product/brazilian-beats-lp-1322

http://www.mrbongo.com/product/brazilian-beats-cd-boxset-1143

The sixth of eight installments of the all-Brazilian compilation series

Black Alien - Como eu te quero

http://www.mrbongo.com/product/tudo-ben-jorge-ben-covered-cd-1149

A collection of covers of master Brazilian musician and writer Jorge Ben. With such classics under his belt as Mas Que Nada, covered by the likes of Sergio Mendes, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and Al Jarreau, and the song Taj Mahal which was the source of Rod Stewart’s Do You Think I’m Sexy?, Ben is a huge force in Brazilian popular music.

Often described as the James Brown of Brazilian music due to his prolific output, he is the most sampled Brazilian artist ever with people from the Black Eyed Peas to DJ Marky lifting elements off his tracks. His song catalogue has also been covered by some of the finest bands in Brazil.

This selection represents a more dance-floor orientated outing including mega rarities for the collecting fiends like Cosa Nostra by Os Mutreteiros Grilados and tracks that even Ben himself never got around to singing like Rei Do Maracatu's Cyro Aguiar.
Available on CD, LP, 7" and digital download.


Os Originais Do Samba - Tenha Fé, Pois Amanhã Um Lindo Dia Vai Nascer

Os Originais Do Samba - Falador Passa Mal

http://www.mrbongo.com/product/various-artists-slum-dunk-presents-funk-carioca-cd-1124

http://www.mrbongo.com/product/various-artists-slum-dunk-presents-funk-carioca-vinyl-lp-1194

Slum Dunk is a musical collective made up of Brazilian artists residing in London. At the core of Slum Dunk is the electronic duo Tetine, made up of Eliete Mejorado and Bruno Verner, who have compiled this album.

Funk Carioca represents the old Brazilian Baile Funk sound which is - in our opinion - some of the best funk music.

Originally released as a mix on in 2004, we re-released this as an unmixed version on Mr Bongo Bass as it is in our opinion even more potent today.

Bonde Do Tigrão - O Baile Todo

Bonde Do Tigrão - Cerol Na Mão

MC Batata - Feira De Acari

Cidinho & Doca - Rap Da Felicidade

http://www.mrbongo.com/product/supersize-cd-1154

http://www.mrbongo.com/product/supersize-lp-1337

Renowned sound engineer and record producer Mike ‘Prince Fatty’ Pelanconi has been a prominent member of the reggae and dub scene in the UK since the mid-90s. Finding himself frustrated by the tempos and mixes of certain records he loved – typified by DJing one time after Don Letts who had already played half his selection – he set about recording his own versions with a super group of London’s finest reggae musicians. 

“I have worked with many of the UK-based reggae musicians at one point or another so I went about selecting the best possible musicians from my experiences with two criteria in mind: the best skills and the most vibe. At the same time my Dub Supervisor and Reggae Jedi aka Little Roy and I had started to record tracks for his new album and I found myself recording reggae every day. The Pioneers were dropping by my studio, Al Capone was cutting specials and singers like Winston Francis were just hanging out.”

As well as versions of favourite reggae and soul songs, two tracks stand out: covers of Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s Shimmy Shimmy Ya and Cypress Hill’s Insane in the Brain.

“I was sad when Ol’ Dirty passed away and for me the great hip hop era ended with him. I cut the version of Shimmy Shimmy Ya soon after he died. As a tribute we often hold a minute’s silence when Horseman and I perform it live. We did Insane In The Brain for fun as we had a show supporting Madness. The nutty boys challenged us to a sound clash and they lost. Though we played a dirty hand, they were gracious in defeat.”

The vocal line-up on the album also include Hollie Cook – Slits singer, daughter of Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook and new Mr Bongo signing. Also on the album is a dub of That Very Night from Hollie’s own debut album. 
Prince Fatty’s 2007 debut album Survival Of The Fattest achieved widespread critical acclaim from the music press and was supported across BBC Radio, resulting in a raucous live session on Mark Lamarr’s show. Favouring recording on vintage equipment to preserve his signature sound, Pelanconi’s unique style has attracted the likes of Lily Allen, Graham Coxon, Little Barrie, Gregory Isaacs and Sinead O'Connor to work with him. He has recently opened his own studio, The Ironworks, in Brighton.


Prince Fatty ft. Horseman - Shimmy Shimmy Ya

http://www.mrbongo.com/product/latin-beats-cd-boxset-1155

Previously only available as separate albums, this boxset contains over 120 tracks from the mambo and boogaloo to the sounds of fania, Latin funk and jazz as well as contemporary remixes from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Masters at Work, Quantic and Bonde de Role.

Artists featured in this release include Tito Puente, Pete Rodriguez, Ray Barretto, Fania All-Stars, Lenni Sesar, La Lupe, Charlie Palmieri All-Stars, Henry & Orlando Fiol, Don Barreto, Havana Casino Orchestra, Lecuona Cuban Boys, Sao Benitez, Cachao Y Su Orquestra, Dave Cortez, Jose Conde, Hanny, Beny More, Jack Costanzo and many many more.

Jose Conde Y Ola Fresca - El Chacal

Brazil 45, number 32 - http://www.mrbongo.com/products/tom-ze-jimmy-renda-se-jorge-ben-take-it-easy-my-brother-charlie-7

Ze’s ‘Jimmy Renda-se’ is instantly recognisable thanks to the driving lead guitar intro and funk drums; Tropicalia at it’s finest. The track is taken from his 1970 self-titled LP. As sampled by Ameriie on ‘Take Control’ and recently included in the soundtrack to ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E’.

We thought it was time to release this all-time classic samba-rock/MPB song by Jorge Ben, also known as ‘Take It Easy My Brother Charles’. Taken from his self-titled 1969 LP on Philips Brazil and also released on a 7” EP the year before.

Sampled by Drumagick on their Drum & Bass big hitter ‘Easy Boom’.


Jorge Ben Junior - Take It Easy My Brother Charlie

http://www.mrbongo.com/product/the-best-of-mr-bongo-cd-1150

Incredible Bongo Band - Apache

Labi Siffre - I Got The

Available from http://www.mrbongo.com/collections/ebo-taylor/products/ebo-taylor-my-love-and-music

Originally released in 1975 on Gapophone Records, George Prah’s label, hailing from Ghana. Only available in very limited quantity (reportedly 500 copies) due to the musical vacuum imposed by the military dictatorship in the country at the time.

Laid back, lush, highlife vibrations from start to finish, with noticeable reggae influences throughout.

Ebo Taylor - My Love And Music

The official Mr Bongo reissue. Replica gatefold vinyl LP/CD. Available from http://www.mrbongo.com/products/hareton-salvanini-sp-73-vinyl-lp-cd

Buy vinyl LP/CD

Hareton Salvanini – Só

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

Popular tracks by Mr Bongo