Brighton based independent label Mr Bongo records has been an essential home for global tunes and compilations from South London to West Africa and beyond for over thirty years. “Luke Una Presents E Soul Cultura” is one of their latest to hit the shelves. DJ Luke Una, ogirinally from Sheffield moved to Manchester and has become a sought after DJ whose musical taste covers a myriad of styles. The fifteen track compilation showcases Una’s musical palette with hard to find treats as well as familiar crowd pleasers. “Space Queen” from King Erisson is an Afro Carribean mid-tempo gem from the consumate percussionist. “Robot Man” displays a funkier side to the Legendary reedist Yusef Lateef. “La Cyclope” is intoxicating jazz fusion from Swiss drummer Daniel Humair, bassist Henri Texier and Saxophonist Francois Jeanneau. Jeanneau unleashes a flurry of glorious melodies on soprano while Humair and Texier create an infectious groove on this incredibly hard to find heater. There’s plenty here that will draw a smile and inject instant toe tapping due to the familiarity. The others you may not recognize but you’ll enjoy them nonetheless.
