Juno Recommends International: February 2022

Review: On the latest volume in their ongoing Latin Underground Revolution series, Rocafort Records has dipped into the vast archives of Ansonia Records, the NYC-based Latin American division of Decca Records. With six tracks stretched across three seven-inch singles, there's much to enjoy, from the organ-laced Latin soul shuffle of Gilberto Sextet's 'Do You Want To Be Free' and the punchy mambo madness of Mon Rivera Y Su Orquestra's 'A Mi Piln', to the scintillating salsa of Cartiho Y Su Combo's 'Calefaccion Aqui' and the horn-heavy dancefloor strut of Joseito Mateo Y Su Combo's 'Boogaloo Para T'. Throw in some superb, authoritative liner notes and you have another brilliant package from the on-point Rocafort Records crew.

Review: Mariana Zwarg is an accomplished Brazilian flutist and saxophonist who presented her Universal Sexteto group in 2020 with the Nascentes album. Released on CD by Scubidu Music, it's now getting a vinyl pressing thanks to Equinox in Australia, getting the music further afield, which it thoroughly deserves. Zwarg's group deals in a modern, sprightly kind of jazz led by her own joyous vocals and flute flurries, but there's also a sense of the deep heritage of Brazilian jazz hanging behind everything she does. It's a vibrant album bursting with kinetic energy - just the kind of revitalising tonic to lift the spirits through long winter months in the Northern hemisphere.

Review: Alogte Oho & His Sounds of Joy's debut album Mam Yinne Wa was a real triumph. A sensuous fusion of international rhythms, gospel vocals and jubilant vibes that was an instant hit with lovers of world music. His new single is said to be a teaser for a seance upcoming album and is another masterpiece from Frafra Gospe, a legend of this genre. First up is 'Doose Mam,' a repetitive rhythm that goes right for the hips. The big horns bring the character and sensuous vocals are the icing on the cake. On the flip is 'Gure Yose Me,' a tune rooted in reggae rhythms thanks to the work of Josie Coppola, Europe's No.1 reggae drummer.

Review: Lebanese singer Pol Seif has linked with various European instrumentalists for this Molo Sayat project , which has its base camp around the Med. The band compose their material in Arabic, Italian and Romani languages and their first release on Zephyrus Records oozes a soul soothing calmness and plenty of colourful folk sounds. The musicianship is second to none as saxophone, clarinet, double bass and trumpets are all blended into one smooth and beautiful soundscape as Serf's voice adds another layer of magic. Whether jazzy and upbeat such as 'Kai Zhas Seka' or slow and mournful like 'Adame' these are all essential sounds.