Author: Paul Tunkin

East Side Rumble is taken from Harlem Hipshake released today on all digital services.

The Bongolian sixth album Harlem Hipshake is released today via Cargo Records Distribution (UK) and is available everywhere digitally worldwide.

Formats: 180g Black vinyl (BU126LP) / 180g limited clear vinyl (BU126LPC) / CD (BU126CD)

“The fabulously cool Harlem Hipshake is everything the title promises” Shindig! 4/5

“ I’m just loving this! So perfect—can’t stop playing it. Just by listening to this makes
you feel cooler” Craig Charles (Funk & Soul Show BBC 6 Music)

“Awesome album” Scootering

It was four years ago today that the Baltic Fleet third album ‘The Dear One’ was released. Here is what was said of the album at the time:

“A soundtrack for a journey into the cosmos. 4/5″_ The Times

“This album is full of swooning glory”_ The Mirror

“A wonderful recording and definite contender for album of the year”_ Louder Than War

“Simultaneously mysterious, evocative and heartwarming. 4/5″_ Shindig!

“Glacial yet emotional synth-pop. 4/5″_ Mojo Magazine

“It’s quite a piece of work this album”_ Steve Lamacq (BBC Radio 6)

“The Dear One, an excellent record”_ Gideon Coe (BBC Radio 6)

“Good stuff that is, the Baltic Fleet. Excellent”_ Radcliffe and Maconie (BBC Radio 6)

‘The Dear One’ BBC Radio 6 Album of the Day: 24th November 2016

The Dear One available in 180g vinyl (black or clear) / CD / Digital direct from the Blow Up Records shop: https://blowup.greedbag.com/baltic-fleet/

As exclusively announced today by Shindig Magazine, the Bongolian video for Flatfoot Hustle is available to view via the Shindig website. See it here:
https://www.shindig-magazine.com/?p=4207

Whilst the latest edition of the magazine also carries the first review of the album “the fabulously cool Harlem Hipshake is everything the title promises”. 

Pre-order Harlem Hipshake from the Blow Up Records / Greedbag shop here:
https://blowup.greedbag.com/buy/harlem-hipshake/

Blow Up Records is pleased to announce The Bongolian brand new album ‘Harlem Hipshake’ will be released 13/11/2020. It will be the sixth album under The Bongolian moniker, AKA multi-instrumentalist and Big Boss Man front man Nasser Bouzida. It is the much anticipated follow up to the highly acclaimed Moog Maximus and is available to pre-order now in the following formats: Clear 180g vinyl (limited 500 ), black 180g vinyl, CD and digital from the Blow Up (greedbag) shop: https://blowup.greedbag.com/buy/harlem-hipshake/

Harlem Hipshake finds The Bongolian deeply immersed in his lifelong love for the music of the sixties New York’s Latin Soul scene, particularly the music of Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria and Joe Bataan.  Principally a drummer, percussionist by trade, Nasser has once again delivered another set of heavy breaks and percussive grooves underpinning this brand-new collection of songs which he has written and produced. Whilst Nasser performs many of the instruments (as is usual with Bongolian albums) on the album, it also features a prominent use of additional UK musicians on brass duties. These include Terry Edwards (Trumpet, Trombone, Sax, Flute), Gareth James Bailey (Trombone) and Craig Crofton (Alto Sax), James Morton (Alto Sax), Andrew Ross (Tenor and Baritone sax) and Ralph Lamb (Trumpet).

From the East Side to the West Side, get ready for the Harlem Hipshake.

“It’s quite a bold experiment nonetheless, as indeed is the whole LP. One to watch.” Aspic Boulevard ‘Memory Recall of a Replicant Dream’ as reviewed in the current issue of Shindig! Magazine… the latest!

Limited edition of 100 only – Blow Up 25 Tote Bag – as sold at the Blow Up 25 concert at The 100 Club are available to order direct from the Blow Up Records shop (Greedbag). Grab them while you can!
https://blowup.greedbag.com/buy/blow-up-37/

We are pleased to announce new signings Aspic Boulevard, here is a taster from what will be their debut album ‘Memory Recall of a Replicant Dream’…

Sicilian brothers Alessandro and Marco Barrano take a journey through space and time with a sound is characterized by vintage electronics: analogue keyboards, analogue drum machines, tape recorders, circuit bending and many homemade musical instruments. Influences range from Pierre Schaeffer and Musique concrète school in France in the early 40’s to the sci-fi nuances of 60s & 70s cinematic music, psychedelia and kosmische. Composer Marco Barrano is of course no stranger to Blow Up Records having previously released MHz Invasion as one half of Daiquiri Fantomas which received support at BBC 6 Music from DJs including Radcliff & Maconie and Steve Lamacq.

Listen on Soundcloud »

Read More »

As part of the Blow Up 25 year celebrations Blow Up Records is reissuing some classic titles. One of the first is a brand new cut of The Bongolian‘s third album ‘Outer Bongolia’ (alongsideBig Boss Man‘s ‘Full English Beat Breakfast‘), available for first time on 180g heavy weight vinyl. This pressing is limited to 500 copies only.

Pre-Order Limited 180g Clear Vinyl »

“A man with talent to spare. A Latin-flavoured jazz-funk odyssey”
Q MAGAZINE

“Forget your preconceptions, this is the REAL incredible bongo band”CLASH

“The authentic real deal crafted groove”THE ORGAN

“A beautifully well rounded album. Gorgeously psychedelic”
★★★★½ SUBBA-CULTCHA

“Mightily funky, Hammond driven bongo rhythms… part mod, part Sergio Mendes, very swingin’…”TIME OUT

As part of the Blow Up 25 year celebrations Blow Up Records is reissuing some classic titles. One of the first is a brand new cut of Big Boss Man‘s third album ‘Full English Beat Breakfast’ (alongside The Bongolian‘s ‘Outer Bongolia‘), available for first time on 180g heavy weight vinyl. This pressing is limited to 500 copies only.

Pre-Order Limited 180g White Vinyl »

“The Sgt Pepper of boogaloo – and you can’t go without breakfast, can you?”
MUSIC 4/5, SONIC 4/5 HI-FI CHOICE

5/5 DRUMMER MAGAZINE

“Effortlessly hip” 4 STARS – ECHOES

“Their best album yet ” 4 STARS – RECORD COLLECTOR

“Big Boss Man are back and groovier than ever” CLASH