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 month.
Click the album covers to listen and buy vinyl!
Basa Basa – Homowo – Vinyl LP
‘Big first release from the Amsterdam record shop Vintage Voudou. The sought after cosmic afro masterpiece ‘Homowo’ by Basa Basa from 1979, which features the dope club track ‘Africa Soul Power’, but also a solid album though out.’
Darryl Douglas – Inc Holding On / Jesus Is The Light – Vinyl 12”
‘Re-issue of an all-time favourite of ours – the awesome gospel boogie nugget ‘Holdin On’ by Darryl Douglas from 1981. Such a fantastic record!’
Tim Maia – Disco Club – Vinyl LP
‘Official Mr Bongo reissue with replica artwork, of Tim Maia’s 1978 classic ‘Disco Club’. This is a latter-period gem from the larger than life legend, combining the glitz and glamour of disco’s heyday with Maia’s raw funk and soul roots.’
Shadow – Let’s Get It Together – Vinyl 7”
‘High quality re-issue on Black Pearl – of Shadow’s island anthem ‘Let’s Get it Together’. Comes backed with an great dub version, plus a beautiful thick card, full-colour, tip on cover.’
Camarão – Imaginary Soundtrack To A Brazilian Western Movie – Vinyl 2-LP
‘Analog Africa return with an awesome ‘Forró’ album by Pernambuco´s Camarão . Recorded in 1960 in Recife, north east Brazil, this sound is typical of the area. Beautifully packaged double-vinyl with 12-page booklet and download code.’
