Mr Bongo started life in 1989 as a small record shop underneath Daddy Kool’s Reggae Store on Berwick Street in London. They were the first shop to sell vinyl releases from independent hip hop labels such as Def Jam, Rawkus, Nervous and Big Beat outside of the USA. They also became an established bearer for hard-to-find, classic Latin music, particularly Brazilian, outside of the Americas. Over the following years Bongo moved three times within Soho and opened in Shibuya, Japan. They moved their offices to Brighton in 1999.
25+ years on they now have a recording roster featuring some of the best Brazilian, Latin, reggae, African and Jazz music by artists including Terry Callier, Jorge Ben, Joyce, Seu Jorge, Prince Fatty, Incredible Bongo Band and Marcos Valle. At the end last year they opened up a new store in Brighton. We are incredibly excited to announce that Mr Bongo have agreed to do a monthly feature of their top 5 in store picks. Below are their 5 favourite records in store this January.
Tomorrow’s People – Open Souls – Vinyl LP
‘A much needed re-issue of rare and sort after raw, rugged and stripped down soul LP from Chicago. Repressed on Floating Points’ and Mafalda’s excellent Melodies International label.’
Victor Assis Brasil – Toca Antonio Carlos Jobim – Vinyl LP
‘Far Out continue their Quartin release series with this wonderful Brazilian deep-jazz album.’
Various – Doing It In Lagos (Boogie, Pop & Disco In 1980s Nigeria)
‘A superb compilation of gems unearth by the Soundway family, worth it the price alone for Oby Onyioha’s – Enjoy Your Life, what an anthem!’
Marcos Valle – A Paraiba Não É Chicago /Don Beto – Não Quero Mais
‘Number 61 in our Brazil45 series, features a Brazilian disco-boogie nugget from Don Beto which is reminiscent off The Doobie Brothers ‘Long Train Running’, a great party record.’ ‘A Paraiba Não É Chicago’ is a smasher from the very first beat! Golden era Brazilian boogie by Marcos Valle from 1981, with a brilliantly hooky chorus section. Originally released on his ‘Vontade De Rever Voce’ LP.
Gaby Hernandez – Spirit Reflection
‘A truly brilliant soul jazz album from Gaby Hernandez featuring Kamasi Washington, Dexter Story, Carlos Niño, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and more.
Soon to see a Mr Bongo pressing later this year.’
Listen to this months playlist below.