IT’S THE MUSIC (A-SKILLZ + STICKYBUDS REMIX) b/w Original
Exclusive vinyl edition of this remix, with original version on the flipside pressed from original Mocambo Records stamper. A.Skillz and Stickybuds team up for the first time on this version of Its The Music, producing a club twist on a Mocambo funk classic.
Not Get Caught b/w Never Get Caught (instrumental)
Limited edition 45 release on Légère Recordings. ‚Not Get Caught‘ is a standout tune from the longplayer SHOWDOWN featuring the vocals of the great DeRobert (from GED Soul, Nashville). Not Get Caught tells the story about committing a crime on a low down funk beat.The instrumental B-side ‚Never Get Caught‘ is exclusively available in this format.
Don’t Get Crazy b/w Caught On The Wrong Foot
The Snitch from London play raw funk that recreates the feel of obscure bands on small private labels in the early 1970s. Their first album ‘The Dirty Job’, recorded with primitive analogue equipment, became part of Warner/Chappell’s library music catalogue, available only for usage in TV and film. While you might have heard several tunes in programmes, trailers or films, the material has never been commercially released. Two brilliant cuts are now availabe on 45 for the first time in a limited run of DJ promo copies. The Snitch’s funk is rough and dirty, fueled with heavy breaks and frantic horns like you’d only find them on a 300$ funk 45. Get your copy while they are still a bit cheaper.
SHOWDOWN
Release date: 27.03.2015
also available on Compact Disc by Légère Recordings and P-Vine Records, Japan.
The Mighty Mocambos’ new album “Showdown” sets another cornerstone in their prolific career as a globally active instrumental funk outfit. While maintaining their organic approach of recording real musicians live on tape, the group has refined their trademark sound with a dramatic edge, a hard hitting production and ventures into less obvious musical territories.
While highly enjoying themselves as the tight unit they are, The Mighty Mocambos invited an exciting list of guests to contribute to their musical “Showdown”: German film composer icon Peter Thomas, hiphop godfather Afrika Bambaataa, rap legends Charlie Funk aka Afrika Islan (member of the original Rocksteady Crew) and Donald D (of Ice-T’s Rhyme Syndicate), plus Nichola Richards, Shawn Lee, DeRobert from peer label GED Soul in Nashville, Zulu Nation MCs Deejay Snoop & DJ Hektek and organ genius Guillaume Metenier all joined the group for their new musical adventure.
With two highly successful albums under their belt as The Mighty Mocambos and a plethora of singles and music under different monikers such as the Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, this new full-length is by no means the final battle, indeed the show has just begun. The album shows a group who is prepared to stand up with anyone in the game. Their guns are heavy beats, epic horns, dual guitars and outstanding compositions – and they are locked and loaded.
The Showdown theme also reflects our times, and the group continues to spread the vision of “peace, unity, love and having fun(k)” by choosing musical instrumenents as their weapons of choice.
The songs come along as coherent as they are diverse in nature. The old school discofied breakdance tune “It’s The Music” and the funked up Rolling Stones cover “Hot Stuff” were released as a vinyl singles before. Both were playlisted by the BBC and have become club favourites by DJs like Craig Charles. Both songs are from the ongoing collaboration with Afrika Bambaataa and Charlie Funk, this time they brought Hektek and Deejay Snoop with them for some chants and talkbox.
The epic opening track “Road To Earth” features the one and only Peter Thomas on piano and orchestral arrangements. Thomas wrote over 500 film scores, most widely known are his works for the 60s Sci-Fi series “Space Patrol”, “Chariot Of The Gods” or German cult crime series like “Edgar Wallace”.
“In The Dark” introduces young soul singer Nichola Richards with a fine piece of sister funk. Her personal showdown is love-related. “The Spell Of Ra-Orkon” is a sinister afro-funk inspired instrumental with a fantasy score chorus. “Political Power” unites Afrika Bambaataa, Charlie Funk and Donald D for a bold statement against repression by politics and media. “Drifting Stars” is a take on Sixties sci-fi erotica instrumentals from an indie hiphop point of view.
“Not Get Caught” is DeRobert (of the DeRobert & the Half Truths) telling a story about committing a crime on a low down funk beat. Dee agruably has the most amazing soul voice of our generation, and it’s hard not to believe his showdown story. “Catfight” is an uptempo soulshaker with a mysterious Eastern flavour and a tripped out downtempo break, featuring well travelled multi-instrumentalist and tiger Shawn Lee on a variety of exotic string instruments. Cats have their showdown too.
“Locked And Loaded” is cowbell breaks at their best, another b-boy favourite for a one to one, while the title track was meant to combine spaghetti western and blaxploitation aesthetics with soul drums. It ended up sounding like the Mighty Mocambos with more trumpets, which it actually is, and which is brilliant.
Wei
sser Sand b/w Sexsong
Mocambo is proud to present the official 45 release of the holy grail of European rare grooves.
With arguably the funkiest vocal delivery in German language and its killer 60-second wahwah-ladden drumbreak, Su Kramer’s “Weisser Sand” has gained legendary status among DJs and deep funk collectors.
Recorded for the pop-opera TRIP by Austrian television in Vienna in 1971, the song appeared in a dance-scene in the very musical-like TV film about a hippie guru. German label Telefunken released a promotional record of the soundtrack in very limited numbers for radio and TV stations only.
The song has since appeared on several bootlegs and compilations, using a mediocre recording off a vinyl copy and overcompressed CD mastering.
We dug a little deeper. After unsuccessful research of the original master tape at both Austrian TV archives and Telefunken, Su Kramer herself got us in touch with Peter Müller, sound supervisor and recording director of the original sessions. Not only could he give us interesting background information, he also unearthed an original tape that included an alternative version with different vocals and mix.
The musicians on the recording were, according to Peter Müller: Karl Ratzer, guitar, Richard Schönherz, keyboards, and most likely Manuel Rigoni on drums and George Dogette on bass. The horn section probably consisted of players from the ORF bigband. The music was written by Austrian jazz icon Fatty George, who was also in charge of the production. Silke Schwinger wrote the lyrics.
For this release, all songs were taken from best analogue source possible and carefully remastered by Michael Schütz to represent the sound of the original master in full dynamics on superior 45 format.
Included on this release is the original version of “Weisser Sand”, the never-heard-before alternative version, and the semi-instrumental “Sexsong”, from the TRIP soundtrack.
The 7inch-single release comes with a replique print of the original album artwork. The first copies are made in sand-white vinyl and handsigned by Su Kramer.
P.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
Keep 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.
Hot 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.
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.
Just 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