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!
Ebo Taylor – Yen Ara – Vinyl LP
‘We were so pleased to be a part of this project and Ebo & his team did an awesome job! Ebo says it’s perhaps his best album to date!’
Shimshon – Miel Amsterdam to Nueiba – Vinyl 12”
‘We were lucky to meet the guys behind Fortuna Records at April’s Utrecht record fair and scored a few copies of this tripped-out, psychedelic, percussive workout from Israel’s Shimshon Miel straight from them. Originally recorded in 1977 this was Shimshon’s only release. Comes backed with a club friendly edit from Kalbata.’
String Theory – Modularity – Vinyl 12”
‘Rhythm Section International consistently put out fantastic new gems. Super catchy dance tracks with tasty jazz keys and live bass from our friends in Glasgow String Theory.’
Heem The Music Monsters – Keep God On Your Side – Vinyl 12”
Altın Gün – On – Vinyl LP
‘Such a great long player from contemporary Turkish funk rock outfit Altın Gün. Dope record!’
