Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: This 7" reissue brings together two scorching salsa gems from the early 70s, showcasing the vibrant energy and infectious rhythms of Ray Perez, aka "El Loco". Perez, a true innovator and iconoclast, is a revered figure in the Latin music scene, his influence spanning decades and continents. These two tracks, originally released in Venezuela, capture the essence of his sound, a fusion of Cuban influences, New York salsa, and Venezuelan flair. 'Muchacho Barrigon', a dancefloor filler that transcended borders, is a testament to Perez's ability to craft irresistible grooves. Its pairing with the equally infectious 'Guaguanco Del Adios' makes this 7" a must-have for any salsa enthusiast or DJ seeking to ignite the dancefloor.

Review: For the latest volume in their essential "Brazil 45" series of seven-inch singles, Brighton-based Mr Bongo has decided to offer up a fresh pressing of MPB star Renata Lu's superb 1971 single "Faz Tanto Tempo". You'll find the title track, a heavyweight fusion of US style soul and funk with added Latin percussion and a touch of easy listening sassiness, on side A, with original B-side "Sambaloo" on the flip. This features Lu singing over a hybrid samba/boogaloo backing track rich in jaunty bass, rasping horns and jazzy electric piano riffs. It's arguably every bit as alluring as the A-side.

Review: For Maria Raquel, there is no fear when it comes to following her passion. Whether it be moving from Colombia to New York to follow her dream, or getting onstage with the greats of Latin music, Maria does no second guessing. On her debut album Mucha Mujer, Maria dives headfirst into the classic sounds of boleros and cumbias, spotlighting her smoky alto amidst a live 16 piece orchestra of percussion, strings, horns, bass and guitar. Featuring all original compositions and recorded to analog tape, Mucha Mujer is reminiscent of classic recordings by artists like Omara Portuondo, Celia Cruz, and La Lupe, yet Maria Raquel breathes new life into these classic genres - the haunting yearning of the boleros contrasting with the pulsing insistence of Cumbia. Featuring some of New York's top Latin musicians such as Reuben Rodriguez (Tito Puente), Marcos Lopez (Marc Anthony), Ivan Renta (Eddie Palmieri), and arranged and produced by Mike Eckroth (Orquesta Akokán) and Jacob Plasse (Los Hacheros), Mucha Mujer introduces the world to a spellbinding new talent.

Review: Ray & His Court's self titled album is a masterclass in Latin funk by Ray Fernandez, a key figure in Miami's Cuban music scene. Originally released in 1973 on Sound Triangle Records, the album blends salsa, funk, soul, calypso and Afro-Cuban rhythms and is a real family affair that features Ray's wife, sons and top musicians like Rickey Washington, who is the father of the revered jazz cat Kamasi Washington. Side A boasts irresistible Latin tracks like 'La SeNorita Lola' and 'Lo Sabia' while Side B heats up with Miami funk including the DJ favourite 'Cookie Crumbs' and the standout instrumental 'Soul Freedom' to make for a magnetic fusion of Afro-Cuban energy and Miami groove.

Review: Since switching to original production following years spent offering up killer remixes and re-edits, Sam Redmore has released an increasingly impressive stream of singles. The consensus has been that has long-promised debut album, Universal Vibrations, would be extra-special. And so it has proved. Put simply, it's brilliant - a musically rich and expansive affair full of quality sung (and occasionally rapped) vocals, organic instrumentation (including inspired string and horn arrangements) and effortlessly good fusions of soul, broken beat, jazz-funk, disco, hip-hop, Afrobeat, Latin grooves, tropicala and head-nodding R&B. It's little less than a triumph and could end up being one of the most acclaimed albums of 2022.

Review: Rio 18's Radio Chevere is a vibrant, genre-defying musical experience that resists being neatly boxed in. Part mixtape, part radio show, it's a sprawling tribute to Tropical Music, bursting with energy, sincerity, and groove.
Guided by guest DJ Coco Maria, Radio Chevere embarks on a sonic journey across multiple continents. From the samba rhythms of Brazil to Venezuelan salsa and even Californian psychedelic disco, the album becomes a musical metaphor for migrationicelebrating the movement of people, sounds, and stories.Collaboration lies at the heart of this record. Brazilian legends the +2's appear on the soft samba ballad 'Oh Minha Querida', while transatlantic Yacht Rockers Young Gun Silver Fox bring laid-back charm to 'She's In LA'. Silvia Machete from Sao Paulo adds an infectious funk vibe to 'Maybe Man', and Venezuelan icon Luzmira Zerpa delivers rhythmic intensity on 'Padre Tiempo'. The album's linguistic variety is equally impressive, blending Spanish, Portuguese, Welsh, and English into one rich tapestry. Founder Carwyn Ellis, having explored Latin music since Rio 18's 2018 inception, takes a step back from singing on Radio Chevere, focusing instead on songwriting and production. With bold cover art by Colombian artist Yoda, Radio Chevere is a lively and heartfelt celebration of the diverse influences that make up its unique sound.

Review: This vinyl reissue honours the wonderful Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound's 1970 debut for Fania Records. Formed in 1969, Apollo Sound became one of Puerto Rico's premier salsa bands. Highlights of this rich and vibrant album include 'Tu Loco Loco, y Yo Tranquilo,' 'El Escapulario,' and the Bobby Capo classic 'SoNando con Puerto Rico.' The 180-gram vinyl features lacquers cut from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, ensuring top-notch sound quality. Packaged in a vintage-style tip-on jacket, this US import is a must-have for salsa lovers.