International Cypher b/w Queen 16 Theme
Recorded live on 8-track tape at Queen 16 Festival, Berlin. Queen 16 Theme was written for the event and recorded during the finals. International Cypher was recorded during the cypher on the same festival day.
Breaker b/w Let The Music Play
Two killer breakdance bangers by Germany’s funk champions on one 45. The brand new exclusive studio cut ‘Breaker’ is a fierce b-boy battle anthem – imagine an electro track performed on organic instruments, like only the Mocambos would do it. Cracking drums, a relentless bassline, a Hohner Clavinet through a stereo phaser and tuned cowbells are topped with a horn section featuring gralla, a Catalan double reed horn with a siren-type sound, ready to ring the alarm. Featured on the flip side is their stunning cover version of Shannon’s ‘Let The Music Play’, standout track from their much celebrated live album ‘Scénarios’, now available on 45 to the great delight of all DJs.
The Take Off – Part 1 b/w The Take Off – Part 2
Donut chiefs The Mighty Mocambos return with triumphant funk workout “The Take Off” out on limited edition 45.
On the instrumental A-side, crunchy drums and percussion set off into a 7-minute breakbeat extravaganza where dramatic horns and psychedelic, fuzzed-out guitars build up to an epic finale.
On the flip, Nichola Richards chants soulfully before passing the baton to Brooklyn MC JSwiss, whose spoken word poetry takes the listener to another level, ready for take-off!
Another sure-shotwinner from the Mocambo camp, for all funk DJs and aficionados.
Raise It Up b/w Space
In the wake of their new album Expansions Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band drop another must have two-sider.
On the A side they take on the J DIlla produced Slum Village club banger “Raise It Up” and give it the BRSB treatment. SV fans will lose their shit when this comes on. Heads will be nodding from the first beat of the opening drum break and when they start playing the top line on the pans it’s a wrap. Now that they have your attention they take the tune and expand on it changing the arrangement and lacing it with brass and guitar parts that keep pushing the tune to higher and higher levels of energy.
The B finds BRSB taking on the infamous Galt MacDermot tune “Space”. Made famous in the hip hop world when it was sampled for Busta Rhyme’s classic “Woohah Got You All In Check” it is about to receive another boost from Bacao’s version. Both sides of this 7” are going to be mainstays in DJ sets for years to come.
Sirocco b/w Nymphea
The Diasonics from Moscow, Russia bring two dope sides of what they describe as “hussar funk” – a style that seamlessly blends infectious deep funk instrumentals, east european flavours and psychedelic echoings. On this 7inch, their mystique vibe is complemented by a Koto – a japanese zither – that adds a samourai flic twist to the sovietsploitation groove of the band. File under “outernational” or “unusual funk”.
Love Like This b/w Was Dog A Doughnut
From Big Crown Records:
“With their highly anticipated debut full length “55” hitting in early May, Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band hits us with another killer two sider 7″ sure to be in every DJ’s box. The A side is an incredibly catchy cover of Faith Evan’s smash hit “Love Like This”. Instantly recognizable from the first note they work their way through the tune in proper BRSB fashion. Advance “Test Press” copies were sent to tastemaker DJs across the globe, the results have all been the same. This one is a dance floor killer and has crowds captivated and curious. The B side is a gritty punchy interpretation of the classic Cat Stevens tune “Dog Was A Doughnut”. BRSB really pushing the genre envelope with this one, using steel pans on an otherwise dark electro backdrop sprinkled with killer open drum breaks.”
Hot Stuff b/w VersionAn 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.