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26 RED HOT SKIN SLAPPIN' BONGO BASHIN' LATIN JAZZ N' MAMBO BANGERS - The phrase 'living legend' is undoubtedly overused but there can be few people more deserving of such an accolade than Jack Costanzo. Born on the 24th September 1919, Costanzo is arguably the most significant percussionist of the modern era. Playing with many key orchestras, leading his own band, appearing in numerous TV shows and films and tutoring bongo playing to the stars, more than any other figure Jack Costanzo brought percussion, specifically Latin percussion and his trademark bongos, to widespread attention. But he wasn't merely a popularist, he was in turn revered by his peers and critics alike for his natural ability, invention, and perhaps most importantly his sheer versatility. He became known as 'Mr. Bongo' (first coined by jazz critic Leonard Feather), and the tag could hardly be more appropriate.Latin music and its influence in general is often criminally overlooked in music history, but as a white Italian American who rose to prominence playing Latin music at the height of the mambo craze of the 1950s, Jack Costanzo has probably even more neglected. But hopefully not for too much longer as this 23 track retrospective seeks to redress the balance and give him the special treatment his spectacular career deserves. Showcasing many of the musical highlights of his mid-50s peak and featuring extensive liner notes based on new interviews with Costanzo himself, 'Mr. Bongo' serves as a perfect introduction to the many who may not yet be aware of Jack Costanzo, as well as providing those who are already fans with the ultimate collection of his work.· All tracks digitally restored from original sources· Deluxe double-gatefold 2LP vinyl WITH FREE 'HOW TO PLAY THE BONGOS' 20 PAGE BOOKLET INSIDE!· CD with 16 page colour booklet· Original cover art from Derek Yaniger· Both formats contain pics & notes provided personally by Jack Costanzo himself

PERFECT COPY !!!!A limited edition special collection of rare 1970s Dance Music. Includes ultra rare collectors items and exclusive re-edits Part one of two

Heavy-hitting dancefloor Cadence from Martinique. A classic of the genre from MB, with snappy drums and bass, Rhodes and saxophone. Polished, jazzy and hard-swinging.None other than The Hamsters on the flip, tiny gnashers bared with carnival-style ferocity. Thumping bass and insistent drums, plus a heavy dose of Haitian-influenced guitars, equals sure-fire party-starter.

Candido Cameron was a Cuban percussion maestro who had played with luminaries such as Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Rich and Count Basie throughout his illustrious musical career which started in 1952. Fast forward to 1979 and Candido finds himself caught up in the Disco boom that had engulfed his adopted New York City. Feeling he could add his trademark quick-fire Conga and Bongo playing to Disco's straight 4 x 4 syncopated rhythm he cut some records with legendary NYC label Salsoul. The fruits of this partnership were 2 full length LP's and a handful of 12" singles that changed the face of underground Disco.The first of these two LP's made for Salsoul was the truly epic "Dancin' & Prancin" containing the all time classic "Jingo" which has been sampled, edited, re-configured and coveted by too many names to mention! It's a killer funky Disco version of master Nigerian drummer Olatunji's 1969 percussion suite of the same name, Salsoul style. The LP also contains one of the deepest Disco records of all time, "Thousand Finger Man" a testament to Candido's percussion prowess and a spacey, beautiful voyage that has left more than an indelible mark on modern House music, often being cited as a huge influence by artists such as Masters At Work and more.This new re issue contains all 4 tracks from the original LP plus this new expanded edition contains lost rarities and extended versions of "Jingo" and "Thousand Finger Man". All fully re mastered for 2015 and re released in conjunction with Salsoul.

Canada's powerhouse afro / latin / soul / jazz collective, The Souljazz Orchestra, surface with a hard-hitting new album for Autumn 2015, Resistance, resuming their link-up with Strut Records.“We approached this album with a fresh ear,” explains bandleader Pierre Chrétien. “We were keen to build on the band’s sound and message, bringing in some of the French Caribbean and Francophone West African influences that we’ve loved since our youth, so the new album brings in French language tracks and elements of coupé-décalé, zouk and cadence to the overall mix.” In keeping with the band’s previous work, the band keep powerful lyrics at the heart of their music, delivering some biting social commentaries alongside messages of hope. Storming opening track ‘Greet The Dawn’ heralds a better way of life for the downtrodden while the manic ‘Shock And Awe’ celebrates people power with a wry reference to Bush-era military tactics. The Souljazz Orchestra remain one of the most solid units in their scene, retaining their original line-up since they were first formed back in 2002. On Resistance, they showcase their continuing versatility with saxman Ray Murray, percussionist Marielle Rivard, drummer Philippe Lafrenière and keyboardist Pierre Chrétien all taking on lead vocal duties on different tracks. “We originally started out as an instrumental band,” reflects Chrétien, “so this is actually our first all vocal album, a big step forward for us.” Chrétien himself also contributes the superb front cover artwork to the album, “I was inspired by the bold, stark, streamlined look of works by artists like Saul Bass, Emory Douglas, or Cuban poster designers - I love how they manage to maximize impact with a minimal amount of strokes and colours.”

Original Rio beach boy Marcos Valle returns with a Brazilian masterpiece. Evoking his Carioca sound - where expansive orchestral sweep meets beautiful melody and complex harmony - Valle mixes perfect romantic bossa-pop with cinematic brass and strings. This new recording explores a six decade career that has swung between pop, bossa nova, delicate psychedelia, jazz, and funk. Responsible for bossa classic 'Summer Samba (So Nice)' Valle has collaborated with Leon Ware, Sarah Vaughan, & Chicago, seen his track 'Ele E Ela' sampled by Jay Z for Blueprint 3, and his songs recorded by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Bebel Gilberto.EstaticaMany of these tracks sound strangely familiar, as if you've always known them, fresher and more immediate than ever in Valle's modern renaissance on Far Out Recordings. This album ' Valle's fourth original recording for Far Out ' features standout compositions including the instant classic 'Vamos Sambar', the infectious jazz of 'Bai'o Maracat', and the stunning duets and brass of 'Papo De Maluco'. Valle's cinematic orchestral 'Novo Acorde' and the rich psych incidentals show that Valle is as creatively inspired "by Rio, music, and a lifetime of travel touring the globe" as he ever was as the original Ipanema beach poet. Produced by Daniel Maunick (son of Bluey, Incognito), recorded, mixed, and co- produced by David Brinkworth (Harmonic 33), and with Marcos' unparalleled arrangements, aided by horn and string arrangements by Jesse Sedoc Vocals, Valle is brought back with a widescreen bang.Partnership with Far Out RecordingsJoe Davis' flagship UK based Brazilian record label brought together Valle and a host of famous Brazilian musicians in the early '90s for the legendary Friends From Rio series of albums, which breathed new life in to Valle's career. Working with producers Joe Davis and Roc Hunter he recorded three acclaimed albums 'Nova Bossa Nova' ('98), 'Escape' ('01) , and 'Contrasts' ('04) and saw his music remixed and by the '90s drum 'n' bass explosion & the hottest DJs & producers from Bugz In The Attic to Jazzanova, Valle has always 'stayed abreast of the times without compromising the spirit of bossa.'Marcos Valle's Extraordinary Six Decade CareerOne of the second-wave of early bossa nova composers, following in the footsteps of Gilberto and Jobim, he is 'the man who punched Marlon Brando and made millions'. Responsible for the bossa classic 'Summer Samba (So Nice)', written by the 21-year-old Valle as a tribute to the joys of life as a Rio surfer, it is the one bossa nova tune apart from "The Girl from Ipanema" that everyone knows. Made into a hit by Walter Wanderley in 1967, the song has been covered by hundreds of artists. Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1943, Marcos began writing songs with his brother Paulo Sergio (who wrote lyrics to two tracks on 'Est'tica'). As his reputation grew, he released his debut album 'Samba Demais' for EMI Brazil. It was his first release on Verve however that brought him well-deserved fame, 'Samba '68' becoming a Brazilian musical landmark thanks to tracks such as 'Batucada' and 'Crickets Sing for Anamaria'. The early-seventies spawned two Valle masterpiece's, 'Garra' and 'Vento', which combined the 'cosmic expansion of Pink Floyd with the orchestral sweep of Ennio Morricone' MOJO. From there Valle has written brilliant album after another and was even commissioned to provide the equivalent of the USA Moss/OZ magic for the Brazilian edition of Sesame Street.