OSMAR MILITO Vinilo y CD

Review: Taken from their impeccable compendium last year - The Brasileiro Treasure Box Of Funk & Soul - Cultures Of Soul unleash two of the album's sunniest cuts for a limited 45". Emilio Santiago's "Bananeira" is a rare groove anthem with a slinky, laid back arrangement and classic Brazilian use of language as a percussive tool. Osmar Milito's "America Latina" takes more western influence of the era as we're treated to a soft focus, hazy Bobby Caldwell-style delivery over a slippery jazz groove. Beautiful.

Review: The Brazil 45s series from Latin diggers extraordinaire Mr Bongo reaches its 24th edition and its becoming clear Wilson Simonal de Castro is a favourite of the label curators. "Nana" is the Rio artist's fourth appearance in the series thus far and is a rather lush samba jazz affair with horns and strings aplenty backing Wilson's delightful vocal delivery. Originally issued as part of the 1964 album A Nova Dimensao Do Samba, this airing from Mr Bongos is the first time the track has appeared on 7" in 50 years and is complemented by "Rita Jeep", a early 70s track from Osmar Milito that was penned by the legend Jorge Ben!