Category Archives: Latin

INSTANT FUNK-INSTANT FUNK.

INSTANT FUNK-INSTANT FUNK. Often, Lady Luck has played her part in the success of artists and record labels. Back in 1978 Norman Harris’ Gold Mind Records was struggling financially. Without a major distributor the outlook was bleak for his beloved record label, even though it was a subsidiary of Saloul Records. What Norman Harris would …

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THE SALSOUL STRINGS-HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE.

THE SALSOUL STRINGS-HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE. Recently, I’ve been reviewing many of Salsoul Records’ releases, and during these reviews, explaining how Salsoul Records started to change around 1978. This change came about when several of Salsoul’s key personnel started to leave the label or play less of a role in the label’s releases. This …

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CHARO AND THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-CUCHI-CUCHI.

CHARO AND THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-CUCHI-CUCHI. Having been discovered by bandleader Xavier Cugat Maria del Rosario Mercedes Pilar Martinez Molina Baeza, or Charo as she became, went on to become one of the highest paid performers in America during the early seventies. Reputedly, actress, singer and guitarist Charo was paid as much as Rat Pack members …

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THE SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA-SOLIDARITY.

THE SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA-SOLIDARITY. When The Souljazz Orchestra released their acoustic album Rising Sun in 2101, it was to widespread critical acclaim. Now two years later, The Souljazz Orchestra are celebrating their tenth anniversary with the release of their fifth album Solidarity, which will be released by Strut Records on 17th September 2012. During the last …

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CARMEN MCRAE-CAN’T HIDE LOVE.

CARMEN MCRAE-CAN’T HIDE LOVE. During Carmen McRae’s long and illustrious career, she released over sixty albums and was nominated for seven Grammy Awards. Carmen was one of the most influential jazz singers in the history of music. Although she’s best known as a jazz singer, there’s much more to Carmen’s career than just jazz. Inspired …

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DISCO RECHARGE: VOYAGE-VOYAGE.

DISCO RECHARGE: VOYAGE-VOYAGE. When Harmless Records launched their new label Disco Recharge back in June 2012, the new label’s first release was Voyage’s eponymous debut album Voyage. Released in 1978, this sees Voyage embark upon a worldwide whistle-top tour, where they pay homage to various styles of music. Their whistle-top tour ends in America, the …

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ODYSSEY-HANG TOGETHER.

ODYSSEY-HANG TOGETHER. Not only was Odyssey’s 1977 eponymous debut album Odyssey, the group’s most successful album, it featured their biggest hit single, Native New Yorker. This was a song that would forever become synonymous with Odyssey, reaching number twelve in the US Billboard 100 and number six in the US R&B Charts. Spurred on by …

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CEU-CARAVANA SEREIA BLOOM.

CEU-CARAVANA SEREIA BLOOM. Back in 2005, when Céu released her eponymous titled debut album Céu on Opius  Music I’ve been following her career with interest. Since then, she’s released two further albums, 2009s Vagarosa and 2012s Caravana Sereia Bloom. Given just how talented a singer, songwriter and musician Céu is, I’ve always felt that she …

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PATRICE RUSHEN-PATRICE.

PATRICE RUSHEN-PATRICE. By the time Patrice Rushen signed to Elektra Records after releasing three jazz albums for Prestige she decided to change her style and sound. Previously, the three albums she’d recorded for Prestige, 1974s Prelusion, 1975s Before the Dawn and 1976s Shout It Out had been traditional jazz albums. Now signed to Elektra, Patrice …

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LOS TRANSATLANTICOS-FIRST TRIP.

LOS TRANSATLANTICOS-FIRST TRIP. As most people who regularly read this blog will have realized, I’ve quite an eclectic taste in music. Over the years, I’ve explored and enjoyed all types of music. One of these genres I discovered over twenty years ago, is world music. Whether it’s Latin, African or Caribbean music, I’ve explored and …

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BOSSA RIO-BOSSA RIO.

BOSSA RIO-BOSSA RIO. Back in 1969, Bossa Rio released their now legendary album Bossa Rio on Herb Albert’s A&M Records. The album was produced by Sergio Mendes, who’d brought Bossa Rio to A&M. After signing with A&M, their first appearance was on Cannonball Adderley’s album Cannonball’s Bossa Nova, released in 1962. This wouldn’t be Bossa …

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FAC. DANCE: FACTORY RECORDS 12” MIXES AND RARITIES 1980-1987.

FAC. DANCE: FACTORY RECORDS 12” MIXES AND RARITIES 1980-1987. Between 1978 and November 1992 when Factory Records became insolvent, Factory proved to be one of the most influential and innovative British labels. Indeed, it wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that Factory’s influence spread much wider, influencing independent labels worldwide. During this period, Factory Records were …

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LATIN CONCRETE: A MODERN LATIN RHYTHM SUITE-MIXED AND COMPILED BY CHRIS READ.

LATIN CONCRETE: A MODERN LATIN RHYTHM SUITE-MIXED AND COMPILED BY CHRIS READ. So far this year, BBE Music have continued their policy of releasing an eclectic selection of quality music, starting with Al Kent’s The Best of DIsco Demands, a five disc box set crammed full of disco delights. This was followed by the classic …

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