ATA Schallplatten & CDs

Review: UK mambo kinds Orchestra Mambo International share their second single for ATA Records, both on digital and vinyl formats once more. After a dazzling debut single for the label back in May 2024, 'Balia Mi Cha Cha' is a funky cha cha number driven forth by the songwriting of bandleader and trombonist Jonny Enright, backed up by vibraphone from John Settle and lead vocals from Venezuelan singer Carlos "Pachanga" PeNa. The B-side, meanwhile, is a mambo instrumental entitled 'Bajo Con Vibes' ('Bass With Vibes'), which riffs on the double metonymy of the word "vibes" and plays up to a fantastically warm bass sound, providing a proper aural rung onto which central part of the track the listener may latch themselves and become thus enthralled.

Review: The Sorcerers usher in something of a new era here with Exit Athens, which is a further investigation of the worlds of Ethio-jazz and library music from the 60s and 70s. Now the group consists of Joost Hendrickx who has made his mark with the likes of Kefaya, Shatner's Bassoon and Abstract Orchestra, as well as Richard Ormrod on saxes, keys and flutes and ATA label head and bassist Neil Innes. The rhythms here are driving and funky with exotic percussion and plenty of vintage keys as well as great combinations of horns, flutes and vibes. It's a maximal sound but one drenched in soul and which immediately transports you to another world.