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. Below are their 5 favourite records in store last August.
Click the album covers to listen and buy vinyl!
Maalem Mahmoud Gania – Colours Of The Night LP
‘Love this it’s an amazing record and the debut release on the new Brighton label Hive Mind. ‘Colours of the Night’ is the final studio recording by the late great Maalem Mahmoud Gania, who collaborated with Floating Points & James Holden for a release on Eglo in 2015. The album is a deep, spiritual hypnotic journey of ‘Gnawa’ trance and officially licensed from the Gania family with support of all who were involved in the original recordings. This is Maalem Mahmoud Gania first solo recording to receive a vinyl release. Only 500 copies pressed.’
Marcos Valle – Marcos Valle LP
‘What a cover, with Marcos fully embracing the 80’s vibes. Preservation Records continue their great work and drop a big one with Marcos’s much loved AOR / boogie album from 1983. Includes the Brazilian boogie gem ‘Estrelar’ and comes with an 8-page booklet based on an interview with Marcos Valle, written by Allen Thayer.’
Antonio Adolfo – Viralata LP
‘A good month for Brazilian re-issues with Far Out also putting out this all-time classic by the great Antonio Adolfo. The opening track ‘Cascavel’ is well loved over the years both on the ‘London Jazz Classic’ scene and a favourite from Saturday night sessions at Plastic People, magic!’
Tabu Ley Rochereau – Hafi Deo (Nick The Record & Dan Tyler Re-Edit Dub) 12”
‘Nick The Record and Dan from Idjut Boys deliver a fantastic edit of Tabu Ley Rochereau’s anthem ‘Hafi Deo’, with extended dance floor action, pressed on a load 12’’ out on Soundway.’
Bro. Valentino – Stay Up Zimbabwe LP
‘Two track afro-calypso mini lp from Bro. Valentino out of Trinidad, an awesome dancefloor cut with a message, has received plays by Bradley Zero and others. Limited edition coloured vinyl with silkscreen printed cover.’
