Lars Latino 2022

Towards the end of 2021 and fresh off the back of releasing their second album, ‘Melodi', Kit Sebastian recorded their first Lagniappe Session for the much-respected audio journal, Aquarium Drunkard. Taking the momentum of the album campaign and channelling it into a covers project, the band reimagined Turkish pop sensation Sezen Aksu and avant Londoners, Stereolab in their own unique style. Having originally been an exclusive for Aquarium Drunkard, the EP is now seeing its commercial release. 

Sezen Aksu is one of the band's favourite Turkish singers / songwriters, inspiring them through her effortless mix of different genres, playful lyrics and captivating vocals. The original version of ‘Şinanay’ is a beautiful example of late 80’s Turkish disco pop. The lyrics belong to an important Turkish poet, Melih Cevdet Anday, who talks about the ferry that goes to Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands carrying and bringing together different segments and races of society. Kit Sebastian transformed the song into something more delicate and smoother, with a Brazilian inspired rhythm on guitar and jazz piano lines.

As fans of Stereolab and having drawn regular comparison since the release of their debut album, 'French Disko’ stood out as an interesting piece of music to cover. The deadpan intensity of the original is a hard-to-produce effect and Stereolab achieved it so well. So, they thought: how would Stereolab sound if they revisited it? The result was dark guitar lines, loud, Latin percussion, and J.S Bach inspired synths. La Resistance!

Kit Sebastian - Şinanay

‘June’ is the third single to be taken from Project Gemini’s forthcoming album. Project Gemini, aka Paul Osborne, has created a cinematic musical journey that plays out like a long-lost soundtrack (think cult B-movies of the 60s and 70s); 'The Children of Scorpio’ was formed from Paul's love of a myriad of genres; from European library music, acid folk, psych-funk, vintage soundtracks and the contemporary breaks scene. 

Every good soundtrack needs a love song, right? 'The Children of Scorpio' is no exception. 'June' takes a left-turn from the tough and funky psychedelic tracks and eases us into a gentle, brief calm to cleanse the palette. It is reminiscent of a late 60s pop and folk-rock love theme that draws inspiration from The Free Design, Wendy & Bonnie etc. Calming, beautiful and warm, but with a slight sinister shimmer. 

Paul Osborne describing the lyrics and production said “The original intention of the lyrics was about the passing of Summer to Autumn, but as the narrative thread behind the album is about a missing person, they became the mysterious June of the title. Paul Isherwood (from The Soundcarriers) who mixed the album added the final touch with the spooky 2 second intro.  I try and shy away from doing vocals these days but needs must for this tune and I was actually really happy with how they turned out which never happens. The closest thing to a proper ‘song’ on the record!”

Project Gemini - June

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

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 - Loadeando

Marcelo D2 - C.B. Sangue Bom

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

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

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

Brazil 45, 40 – http://www.mrbongo.com/products/sandra-de-sa-olhos-coloridos-equipe-radio-cidade-bons-tempo-7

A. Sandra de Sa - Olhos Coloridos / AA. Equipe Rádio Cidade - Bons Tempo Sao Paulo (Good Times)

Two brand new names for the Brazil 45’s series.

‘Olhos Coloridos’ is an 80’s MPB/boogie jam, thats sits perfectly alongside the likes of Maia, Valle, Jorge and Olivetti. Backed here, by some of the members from Banda Black Rio.

Taken from her self-titled 1982 LP on RGE Brazil.


‘Bons Tempo Sao Paulo (Good Times)’

Originally released on a rare promo only 7" from 1980, this is a Brazilian boogie version of Good Times by Chic / Rapper's Delight, voiced by radio DJs from Sao Paulo especially for the Christmas holiday season!

The replayed version of ‘Good Times’ stands up to the Chic version, and the added cuica heavy percussion breakdown gives it the true Brazilian flavour.

Lars Latino 2022

Timofeevsky