Author Archives: hank

Truth And Soul (USA) :: TS-063 :: BACAO RHYTHM & STEEL BAND

Posted on by

TS063P.I.M.P. b/w Laventille Road March

Official re-release of the infamous PIMP on Truth & Soul Records.

“Truth & Soul is proud to present the first Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band single on our imprint. Following up on the smashing success of their “Bacao Suave” b/w “Round & Round” 45 on Plane Jane, we bring you “PIMP” b/w “Laventille Road March”. Back in 2008 BRSB released it’s smashing cover of 50 Cent’s P.I.M.P. which was long thought to be the original sample for the tune. The Mocambo pressing already hard to come by and fetching top dollar on the internet has become an underground classic. On Side A BRSB treat the tune to their signature smashing drums and bass heavy production, taking the original loop and turning it into a full composition. Brass and steel pan parts putting it somewhere between reggae, steel funk, and the Superfly Soundtrack. Side B is the first BRSB original making it’s way to vinyl, “Laventille Road March” hits hard. The heavy drumming, open breaks, and pan melodies make this a sureshot for DJs and listeners alike.”

SOLD OUT

45-1039 :: LAURA SEIJA & THE HAWKMEN

Posted on by

a2563514246_10Keep On Working b/w Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover

Laura Seija & The Hawkmen are a hot new British rockabilly/R&B outfit, lead by Scott Milsom (known for his work with The Hawk, Coffin Nails, Big Boss Man) who deliver a fresh take on classic hot-rod’n’soul music. The song and its accompanying video, shot in a classy 1950’s burlesque car-wash style have received praises from all over and been on featured on The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show on BBC. With a full-length and tour on the horizon, Mocambo Records is delighted to serve up the best cuts on vinyl.

Laura Seija & The Hawkmen ‘Keep On Working’ – Keep On Working EP (Greystone Records) from Greystone Records on Vimeo.

FAVORITE RECORDINGS (France) :: FVR096 :: THE MIGHTY MOCAMBOS with AFRIKA BAMBAATAA, CHARLIE FUNK & DEEJAY SNOOP

Posted on by

hotstuffHot Stuff b/w Version

An outstanding 45 from the ongoing killer collaboration of the Mighty Mocambos and Afrika Bambaataa, who deliver surprising cover version of Rolling Stones’ moderately successful single HOT STUFF (from the 1976 album ‘Black & Blue’).
While the Jagger/Richards-penned original vaguely flirts with the disco-funk sound of the era, the rework outfunks it in true and inventive mocambo style, bringing the song closer to its intial inspiration and stretching it further out into a banging street funk jam. Afrika Bambaataa makes you wonder who the funk Mick Jagger is, and fellow Zulu Nation members Charlie Funk and Deejay Snoop top it all up with P-Funk-style vocals and talkbox. The jam continues on the flip side with an exclusive part 2 including more beats, breaks and helium voices.

Favorite Recordings (France) :: FVR 096 :: THE MIGHTY MOCAMBOS with AFRIKA BAMBAATAA, CHARLIE FUNK & DEEJAY SNOOP

Posted on by
FVR094-AHot Stuff b/w Version

An outstanding 45 from the ongoing killer collaboration of the Mighty Mocambos and Afrika Bambaataa, who deliver surprising cover version of Rolling Stones’ moderately successful single HOT STUFF (from the 1976 album ‘Black & Blue’).
While the Jagger/Richards-penned original vaguely flirts with the disco-funk sound of the era, the rework outfunks it in true and inventive mocambo style, bringing the song closer to its intial inspiration and stretching it further out into a banging street funk jam. Afrika Bambaataa makes you wonder who the funk Mick Jagger is, and fellow Zulu Nation members Charlie Funk and Deejay Snoop top it all up with P-Funk-style vocals and talkbox. The jam continues on the flip side with an exclusive part 2 including more beats, breaks and helium voices.

Truth And Soul (USA) :: TS-064 :: LEE FIELDS

Posted on by

TS064-45-A-SIDE-DIGITAL-ART-copy-2-480x480Just Can’t Win

Official Truth & Soul release feat. the Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band’s re-version of Lee Fields “Just Can’t Win”.

“Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band lend their unique blend of steel drum melody and pounding drums to Lee’s unmistakeable raspy tone giving the tune an upbeat sunshiney vibe.”

OUT OF PRINT

Plane Jane (USA) :: PJ 002 :: BACAO RHYTHM & STEEL BAND

Posted on by

Bacao Suave b/w Round and Round

plane jane pj 002“Plane Jane Records is proud to present The Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band’s newest 45 release. The BRSB made a ton of noise with their cult classic cover of 50 Cent’s “PIMP” a few years back, most people thinking that it was the original tune 50 sampled from. This time they take the Steel Drum Funk sound to a deeper part of Hip Hop with their own rendition on the late great J Dilla’s classic tune “Rico Suave”. The A Side is “Bacao Suave”, a surefire version of the tune, and you know we like versions. DJs, have a great time. The B Side is their rendition of the underground classic “Round & Round” from Hi Tek’s Hi-Teknology album. An absolutely killer version of the tune, drums are heavy, steel pans playing thru the melodies, sure to turn heads on the dance floor.”

45-1038 :: THE MIGHTY MOCAMBOS with AFRIKA BAMBAATAA, CHARLIE FUNK, HEKTEK & DEEJAY SNOOP

Posted on by

45-1038 labelIt’s The Music Part 1 b/w Part 2

The stunning collabo between the Mighty Mocambos and hiphop-legend Afrika Bambaataa goes into the 2nd round. For the joy of all b-girls and b-boys, the Godfather of Hip-Hop and today’s best heavy funk band present their banging new anthem. ‘It’s The Music’ brings the sound of early hiphop livebands into present time, with the Mocambos showcasing their skills on a discofied breakdance beat, only topped by the vocal authorities of the Amen-Ra Of Universal Hip-Hop Culture and fellow Zulu Nation members Charlie Funk (aka Afrika Islam), Hektek and Deejay Snoop, the latter providing a trademark talkbox feature. The flip side contains an exclusive instrumental ready to smash dancefloors on its own.

45-1037 :: TARA PRIYA

Posted on by

45-1037

Who You Do b/w Rollin’

Armed with a voice “you just need to hear” (BBC London) and an irresistible blend of snaps, claps, and golden trumpet peals, Tara Priya combines vintage soul, poetic lyrics, and a dash of pop to provide relief from today’s Auto-Tune avalanche. Sweet and sour, lovely and lovelorn, her story is as distinctive as her sound. “Sass’n’soul, little bitta Go-Go”, says the San-Francisco-native about her music.

Things moved fast ever since Tara’s first album on Japanese P-Vine Records was released in 2012 and made #2 on itunes charts. Tara moved to London recently and recorded new material with award-winning producer Steve Booker (responsible for Duffy’s worldwide smash hit ‘Mercy’ and well-known for his work with John Newman, Lisa Marie Presley, Jamie Cullom, among others). “Who You Do” not only shows expertise in production that we haven’t heard a while, the post-break-up song also gives way for Tara’s distinctive voice and attitude. Both “Who You Do” and the second A-side “Rollin’ (off her first album) now see their first, well-deserved limited edition vinyl release. The video for “Who You Do” has already passed the million mark on youtube, so get your copy quick. Ltd. edition.

“Fantastic, timeless” – City Beat

“The epitome of ‘sassy’ … Tara was a hit down at this year’s SWSW- and with tunes as good as this, there’s no wonder. ‘Who You Do’ is one of the most empowered post-break up songs we’ve heard of late and we’ve not got it out of our heads. With over 800,000 hits racked up on YouTube it would seem we’re not the only ones to dig it…” – Huffington Post

“Tara Priya rises above with this refreshing soulful sound. The music reflects the retro Motown sounds of the 60?s, while still being current and relative. Her powerful voice and catchy tunes will leave you wanting more.” – MostlyJunkFood.com

“Punchy, sass-laden retro soul” – Time Out Tokyo

“A voice you need to hear!” – BBC London

“Summer pop hit!” – Time Magazine

“While Tara has attracted much attention as a talent following in the footsteps of Amy Winehouse, Adele, and Duffy, she’s an extremely catchy songwriter with a smoky voice–full of soul without being overly bright–that’s all her own. Her debut release has an exquisite sweetness and is a mix of good ‘ole vintage soul and modern pop” – MSN Entertainment (Japan)

“This lady has soul! Tara Priya describes this track as ‘retro’ – which kind of explains its familiar sound – yet it still holds its own as regards to being unique.” – BBC 6Music

45-1036 :: EPHEMERALS

Posted on by

45-1036

Call It What You Want b/w The Oligarch

Ephemerals are a London based soul team featuring an allstar cast of musicians, founded and lead by producer Hillman Mondegreen (formerly of Hannah Wailliams & the Tastemakers). They are fronted by NYC-born singer Wolfgang Valbrun. Within only a couple of days, they recorded a stunning selection of songs to analogue tape that many critics dubbed as ‘the best contemporary soul production’ this side of the atlantic. The A-side ‘Call It What You Want’ is built around Valbrun’s sincere vocals and a sinister soul groove that sounds like a lost Wu-Tang sample, the flip side “The Oligarch” showcases the band, letting loose on an organ- and horn-driven instrumental.

45-1035 :: THE BROTHERS NYLON

Posted on by

45-1035

You Got A Tiger?  b/w Does The Tiger Got You?

The Brothers Nylon is a transatlantic allstar project set out to make musical adventures. Mike and Nick Rufolo (from NY) collaborate with legendary producer Shawn Lee and Mighty Mocambos’ trombonist BGS (from LON) to create “cinematic type tuneage with the freedom to overdub whatever you want” – tracks were served up hot and fresh off the reel to reel, digitized, and sent across the pond. This tiger funk single features two edits of one musical suite, exclusive on this vinyl 45.

Michael Rufolo- drums, bongos, tambourine, vocals
Nick Rufolo – bass, guitars, Roland Juno 6 synthesizer, strings, melodica, sitar
Shawn Lee – Yamaha CS5 synthesizer, cabasa, quijada, metal mercussion, Suzuki Unisynth, mouth percussion, vocals, xylophone, glockenspiel, magic bull horn, marimba
BGS – trombones
Matt Boose – trumpet