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 last May.
Click the album covers to listen!
Tradition – Captain Ganja And The Space Patrol
‘First up on this months shop picks comes a new office favourite. This amazing trippy reggae/dub masterpiece from the 1980’s London based group Tradition has sounded so good on hots days. Now out on a limited re-issue on Bokeh Versions, fantastic stuff.’
Ruby Rushton – Trudi’s Songbook Vol. 1
‘Any release on 22a is always a treat and Ruby Rushton’s new album Trudis Songbook volume 1 really delivers the goods. Awesome spiritual jazz from Tenderlonious and friends.’
ORM – Edits – 12″ Vinyl
‘Production duo ORM where pioneers of electronic dance music & disco in Czechoslovakia in the late 70’s early 80’s. This ltd 12″ package offers an excellent bunch edits from Ashley Beedle, Jonny Rock and others. For more on ORM check out Graham ‘Greymatters’ Disco Wave mix.’
Anubis – Ecology – 7″ Vinyl
‘This has been a long time cherished go to record with our own Gary Johnson and thanks to Athens Of The North we can all get our mits on Bobby Hamilton’s mega-rare spiritual soul funk gem. A fantastic record.’
Star Stuff – Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2
‘Another record that really comes to life on a sunny day is this great collaboration between Chaz aka Toro Y Moi and The Mattson Twins. Hard to categories this album is real psychedelic roller coaster ride through instrumental jams, Californian hippy soul, soundtracks, David Axelrod style vibes alongside classic Stones Roses touches in parts.’
