Daniel Ponce
New York Now!

The history of "Jambú e Os Míticos Sons Da Amazônia" is the history of an entire city in its full glory. With bustling nightclubs providing the best sound systems and erotic live shows, gossip about the whereabouts of legendary bands, singers turned into movie stars, supreme craftiness, and the creativity of a class of musicians that didn't hesitate to take a gamble, Jambú is an exhilarating, cinematic ride into the beauty and heart of what makes Pará's little corner of the Amazon tick. The hip swaying, frantic percussion and big band brass of the mixture of carimbó with siriá, the mystical melodies of Amazonian drums, the hypnotizing cadence of the choirs, and the deep, musical reverence to Afro-Brazilian religions, provided the soundtrack for sweltering nights in the city's club district.The music and tales found in Jambú are stories of resilience, triumph against all odds, and, most importantly, of a city in the borders of the Amazon who has always known how to throw a damn good party.

Vis-A-Vis released a hugely impressive 13 albums between 1975 and 1982. Both talented studio artists and live musicians, the band was led by vocalist Isaac "Superstar" Yeboah with Sammy Cropper on guitar, Slim Manu on bass and Gybson "Shaolin Kung-Fu" Papra on drums. The We Are Busy Bodies label is in the process of rolling out reissues of plenty of those records and this is one fo the best . A real listening joy, it brings with afro grooves and noodling jazz melodies, richly textured organ and bass work that all help take you to warmer, earthier climes in an instant.

Mango Woman' is fresh a 7" by the German duo Mo' Horizons, known for their eclectic mix of downtempo, funk, soul, jazz, Latin, and African music. Prominently featuring the vocals of Gyedu-Blay Ambolley - an enduring pioneer of Ghanaian highlife, and debatably considered by some to be one of the forefathers of rap music - this is a sultry affair, charting up-close, boomy vocals and well-rounded percussion choices. Vintage Latin music artist Sono Rhizmo helms up the remix on the B-side, providing a carefully uptempo take on the track.MO' HORIZONS feat GYEDU BLAY AMBOLLEYMango WomanAgogo Austria

Latin Jazz originally released in 1958Leo Quica With The Earl Hagen Orchestra – Caliente / Oh Leola

Samba Esquema NovoJorge Ben

Les Diablotins " Biguine Na Bongo " is a rare gabonese Lp from this amazing formation. A lot of killer tracks in beautiful shape !