Back catalogue: Disco/Reediciones

Review: As part of a new glut of music from Mr. Bongo comes this new curator's compilation from Luke Una. Featuring tracks from Yusef Lateef, Airto Moreira, Crooked Man, Henri Texier and many more, Una collates these tracks under the umbrella of 'E-Soul Cultura' - a kind of nocturnal underground soul, disco and funk (both new and old) that the disenfranchised inheritors of the Earth prefer to play in their sleepy, tucked away home kitchens and lofts. A blend of Latinxfuturism, space-age jazz and all manner of folk exquisites appear - not to mention a slew of infectious house detours on the latter half.

Review: Marcos Valle's illustrious career is nothing short of extraordinary. From becoming an international sensation overnight to navigating political turmoil, dodging the Vietnam draft, and shaping fitness trends, Valle's journey is as dynamic as his music. To truly grasp his impact, one must experience his diverse discography. Spanning from his 1962 debut to the present, Valle's work covers bossa nova, samba, disco, psychedelic rock, and beyond. With 22 studio albums, his music has been celebrated by legends like Frank Sinatra, Elis Regina and sampled by contemporary icons such as Jay-Z and Kanye West. Valle's twenty-third album, Tunel Acustico, marks a grand synthesis of his musical evolution. The album unifies Valle's varied styles with a natural, sincere touch. It features two tracks from his time in Los Angeles in the late seventies: 'Feels So Good,' a soulful gem created with Leon Ware, and 'Life Is What It Is,' a disco delight co-written with Laudir De Oliveira of Chicago. 'Feels So Good' was restored from an old demo with producer Daniel Maunick, who used AI to enhance the track, while Valle added Portuguese lyrics and new instrumentation. Valle's take on 'Life Is What It Is' boosts the tempo and groove for an infectious summer vibe. The album also showcases contemporary Brazilian talents like Joyce Moreno, Ceu and Moreno Veloso, alongside Valle's brother, Paulo Sergio Valle. Closing with 'Thank You Burt (For Bacharach),' a tribute to Burt Bacharach, Tunel Acustico promises to be a compelling addition to Valle's legendary career.

Review: Marcos Valle's 23rd studio album, Tunel Acustico, is a sweeping blend of the Brazilian legend's six-decade career, from his iconic bossa nova beginnings to jazz-funk and LA disco. Valle, who has worked with names like Sergio Mendes and Leon Ware, pulls together past and present on this release. With two members of the renowned Brazilian jazz-funk group Azymuth on board, the rhythm section sets a lively foundation for Valle's soulful melodies. Highlights include 'Feels So Good,' a groovy 1979 collaboration with Leon Ware, freshly updated with AI stem-separation and new Portuguese lyrics, and 'Life Is What It Is,' a disco-infused track co-written with Chicago's Laudir De Oliveira. Guest lyricists such as Ceu and Moreno Veloso add a contemporary flair, while the closing track, 'Thank You Burt (For Bacharach),' pays homage to the legendary composer. With its dynamic mix of samba, soul, and timeless grooves, Tunel Acustico is another standout in Valle's storied career.

Review: Marcos Valle's extraordinary life is marked by international fame, political upheaval and diverse musical achievements. Rising to fame overnight, he evaded a military dictatorship and the Vietnam War draft, had his music featured on The Simpsons, and became an unexpected fitness icon. With 22 studio albums since 1962, his work spans bossa nova, samba, disco, rock, and more and compositions have been recorded by legends like Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan, and sampled by Jay-Z and Kanye West. Valle's latest album, Tunel Acustico, brings together his eclectic sound with tracks like 'Feels So Good' and 'Life Is What It Is,' reimagined with fresh arrangements and contributions from prominent Brazilian artists. The album also includes a tribute to Burt Bacharach, so what's not to love?

Review: Favorite Recordings returns with the second edition of its compilation series: Fusion Global Sounds. Comprising eight rare and hidden tracks produced between 1976 and 1984 in various parts of the world, this hot-off-the-plate comp delivers a mighty-fine array of dynamic, soul-feeding jazz, soul, disco, jazz and funk delicacies. As a fine collector of jazz-funk and fusion for many years, curator Charles Maurice can be credited for sourcing the ingredients for and cooking up this fine spread of forgotten entrees, this time brought together by a common Brazilian influence.

Review: Mark GV Taylor and George Arthur are the deep diggers behind this new compilation on BBE and it takes its same from their own Reference Point events which pop up all over the place. They are known for travelling far and wide through various genres to explore lesser-known niches and that's what they do here with a broad and brilliant mix from across the ages. Across 15 cuts they serve up jazzy vocals numbers, 1970's Brazilian jazz and everything from soul, jazz, fusion, electronica, yacht rock and plenty more. Many of the tunes are hard to find in their original form, but some are much cheaper but totally less well-known - until now.