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 October.
Click the album covers to listen and buy vinyl!
Squid – Lino – 12” EP
‘So many great records from around the world came out this month, however this one comes from just around the corner from our shop. A stunning record from local Brighton band Squid, which has been a favourite in the office since they dropped a copy off. A great mix of atmospheric ambience, Krautrock and pysch. Fans of Flamingods, Floating Points etc check this out. Limited pressing with insert. A band to watch for the future!’
30/70 Elevate – Vinyl LP
‘We are big fans of Allysha Joy here at Mr Bongo since hearing her work on the excellent Northside Records out of Melbourne. So where really pleased to see her crew 30/70 team up with the mighty Rhythm Section for this fantastic mini-album. Fans of Hiatus Kaiyote check this fantastic record!’
John Gordon Erotica Suite – Vinyl LP
‘Superfly dropped four amazing re-issues this month, so it was a toss up between this and The Descendants Of Mike And Phoebe. A beautiful rare and saught after modal jazz nugget by John Gordon, originally released on the legendary Strata East in 1978. Lovely package by the Parisian crew.’
Maria Rita Brasileira Remixes – Vinyl 12”
‘How do you go about remixing a record as genius as Maria Rita’s ‘Cantico Brasileiro No 3 (Kamaiura)’. Instead Selvagem and co., have invited Maria back into the studio to produce new interruptions of it.’
