It is our absolute pleasure to announce our two releases for the 15th anniversary of Record Store Day, 2022. See the full list and find participating stores at Record Store Day.
Brazil 45 Boxset, Curated by Kenny Dope - 5 x Vinyl 7"
We couldn't think of anyone more fitting to curate the third volume in our "Brazil 45 Boxset Curated by" series than one half of the Masters at Work duo, the mighty Kenny Dope.
For his volume of the series, Kenny selected 10 knockout tracks from the golden era of Brazilian music. As you would expect from such a legend, he surpassed the brief of simply compiling the tracks, as he re-edited and remixed a number of his favourites especially for this boxset. Amongst these exclusives is a blazing, heavy psych-funk remix of Antonio Carlos & Jocafi's 'Quem Vem Lá’, and a hip-hop breakbeat bounce woven into Luli Lucinha E O Bando's folky-MPB beauty 'Flor Lilás’. Di Melo and Miguel De Deus are also given the Dopeman remix and edit treatment.
Kenny's selections pull out some forgotten classics and recently overlooked gems, many of which were once top of the want-lists for collectors in the 90s. These include Milton Banana Trio and the irresistible version of 'Berimbao' by Jayme Marques. Along with the Brazilian funk and jazzy-bossa dancefloor-oriented tracks, Kenny has also chosen the leftfield, deeper, trippy
psychedelic folk sounds of Papete.
As with previous volumes, the selections are very personal and represent the individual sound and taste of the selector digging from the rich tapestry of Brazilian music. Its unique palate and stamp are exactly what you would expect from a Master At Work.
A: Luli Luchinha E O Bando - Flor Lilás (Kenny Dope Remix) / B: Jayme Marques - Berimbao / C: Di Melo – Perlonga (Kenny Dope Remix) / D: Toni Tornado - Sou Negro / E: Milton Banana Trio - Primitivo / F: Milton Banana Trio - Cidade Vazia / G: Papete - Procissão Dos Mortos / H: Papete - Domingo No Parque / I: Antonio Carlos & Jocafi - Quem Vem La (Kenny Dope Remix) / J: Miguel De Deus - Black Soul Brothers (Kenny Dope Edit)
Rob - Rob (RSD Red Vinyl Edition) - Vinyl LP
The Accra-born pianist and frontman, ROB, only released a few albums in small quantities, yet two of them are among the most sought-after records from 70’s Africa. This was the first.
So what do we know? After learning his craft in Benin and playing with the likes of Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou, ROB returned to Accra to write his own material and find a sound.
Hooked on the driving funk and raw soul of stars such as James Brown and Otis Redding, he would often imitate his heroes on his father’s piano during school holidays.
The title track sets the pace with a JBs-like rhythm, ROB almost shamanic with his sparse yet commanding vocal. The organ and wahwah guitar spin us out before those imperious horns bring us back in.
And what better way to close this set than with ‘More’, swept up in a call and response between Rob and his backing singers as a ‘Blow Your Head’ synth flares and the brass blasts. Good times guaranteed.
As the man himself says, “Funky music is in my blood. What you hear is the coming out of my mind.” No one sounds like Rob, because there is no one like Rob.
A1. Funky Rob Way / A2. Forgive Us All / A3. Boogie On / B1. Just One More Time / B2. Your Kiss Stole Me Away / B3. More
