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One of those rare, lesser-known Latin funk gems is undoubtedly Miami by Dominican-Venezuelan musician Porfi Jiménez, originally released in 1971. Sought after by DJs and collectors for years, original copies are now almost impossible to find in decent condition.
The track has been high on Matasuna Records‘ wish list for a long time – and after several years of work, it’s finally getting an official reissue. The release also includes a great edit by Philadelphia-based DJ and producer Retro Roland Riso, who has already left his mark on previous Matasuna releases. This heavy Latin funk joint from Venezuela is ready to bring the heat just in time for summer!

The original version of „Miami“ impresses with its driving percussion, powerful horns and raw, unpolished sound, delivering pure energy. The fusion of funk grooves and Latin American rhythms creates an infectious vibe that is perfect for the dance floor.
Retro Roland Riso’s edit carefully enhances the track by adding extra beats and percussive elements, giving it more punch and making it even more club-friendly, while staying true to the original feel. It’s a fresh favourite for any bag!

Artist info

Porfi Jiménez, whose real name was Porfirio Jiménez Núñez, was born in 1928 in Hato Mayor del Rey in the Dominican Republic. He began his musical training at the early age of 9. After studying at the Municipal Academy of Music he became a member of an orchestra at the radio station Voz Dominicana. Its director Enrico Cabiatti introduced him to the art of arranging.

Due to the Trujillo dictatorship, he left the country in 1954 and went to Venezuela, where the young musician became famous as a trumpeter and played in the most important groups of the time. The quality of his original arrangements opened the doors of the most famous record companies of the time in Venezuela. Porfi also became one of the most outstanding composers and arrangers of those years, rebuilding Cuban José Pagé’s Cuban label Velvet in Venezuela and working for all the label’s national and international singers.

At the end of the 50’s until the beginning of the 60’s, he worked in orchestras of various TV stations in the Venezuelan capital Caracas. In 1963, Jiménez founded his own orchestra, which became known as one of the most important musical groups in Venezuela throughout Latin America.

In the 70’s, musical transformations resulted from the emergence of new musical styles & rhythms. Porfi Jimenez, as a contemporary artist and passionate jazzman, began to incorporate new musical elements into his songs that distanced him from the prevailing commercial style. This resulted in the album Parrilla Caliente, which was released as the band Phirpo y sus Caribes and remained the band’s only album. The production, practically unknown, allowed him to experiment and express his artistic creativity, distancing himself from the traditional style of his dance orchestra.

Salsa music and its orchestras lost importance in the 80s and were displaced by new music. However, another Caribbean rhythm filled the gap: the Merengue, which triggered an international boom. Porfi also embarked on this path, releasing an album that immediately catapulted him back to fame. It was a period in which he received numerous awards, such as two gold and one platinum disc.

Shortly before his death, on June 9th 2010, Porfi Jiménez managed to realize his lifelong dream: the formation of his jazz big band, with which he performed at numerous festivals in Caracas. With it, he left an important musical legacy, with several original compositions and arrangements of the most prominent names in jazz history. In 2007, Porfi Jiménez was honored by the United Nations as one of the most outstanding musicians of the continent.

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Berlin based label Matasuna Records kicks off the new year 2025 with a soulful 7inch featuring songs by Barcelona’s The Blaxound and singer John Vermont. Their common love for vintage soul from the 60s and 70s brought them together for this project to compose and record classic soul sung in Spanish. This 45 shows that the concept worked out wonderfully: Spanish Soul at its best, sounding authentic and contemporary at the same time!

Matasuna Records, known for its reissues of musical treasures from the past, also has an eye for exciting new discoveries in contemporary music. With The Blaxound & John Vermont the label has once again found an interesting project for soulful & contemporary music that fits perfectly into the label’s sound spectrum and will appeal to lovers of authentic soul music.

The two songs No Es Por Ti and Qué Más Te Da? from their recently released album will be released for the first time as a 7-inch vinyl single on Matasuna Records. The instrumentation and the lovely harmonies are the ideal basis for John Vermont, who with his versatile voice, sometimes powerful, sometimes smooth – but always soulful – can fully develop his vocal spectrum and fill the songs with his presence. Instrumental and vocal arrangements are beautifully balanced and harmonious. Beatific!

Artist info:

The Blaxound is a Barcelona-based music project with deep ties to the city’s Funk and Soul sceney. The project started in 2003 under the direction of musician, songwriter and producer Marta Roman. The Blaxound has released four studio albums between 2007 and 2024 on different labels.

Years ago, Marta focused on the idea of recording a classic soul album sung in Spanish, respecting as much as possible the original production and sound of the late 60s and early 70s. Luckily, she met singer Ivan Espejo aka John Vermont, which was the turning point and led to the full vocal album Déjalo Ir released on Love Soul Productions in 2024.

All songs were composed, recorded and produced by Marta Roman in her own studio, Black Flamingo Recordings, in Barcelona, Spain.

Matasuna Records, on a mission to unearth musical treasures of the past for the last 7 years, presents an exciting discovery of the present with the band Bidaide from Barcelona. This 7-inch vinyl single not only marks Bidaide’s vinyl debut, but also unveils their captivating versatility and musicality with two previously unreleased tracks, Batua and Love Me & Give Up.
Soul, funk, psychedelic rock, reggae-dub and library music merge seamlessly in Bidaide’s recordings, forming a unique sound. Two great tracks that are now available on vinyl!

Batua on the A-side is the energetic prelude to this 45. A dynamic, unfiltered rhythm section provides the foundation, while two guitars engage in an agile conversation underscored by sharp keys and fantastic brass overdubs. Recorded in the band’s studio on multiple tracks using analog methods and equipment, the song boasts an opulent, organic sound. Batua is a funky, psychedelic journey interspersed with soulful & harmonious interludes and stirring percussive breaks.

Flipping to the B-side, Love Me & Give Up offers a more soulful, relaxed contrast, showcasing the band’s versatility. A laid-back beat sets the stage, with keys and guitars weaving a soulful sound tapestry.The chorus, delivered with restrained conviction and backed by a warm organ, evoke a Motown-esque charm.

Founded in 2019, Bidaide began as a duo with Asier del Álamo and Juan Cruz Chiappara. With the arrival of Sergio Caño (keyboards), Manuel Diaz (drums), and Nacho Llauradó (Telecaster), the duo blossomed into a vibrant band. Through experimentation and maturation, they forged their own distinct sound, reflected in their 2021-2022 recordings titled BATUA (Basque for unity). These recordings embody the spiritual essence of a group that has found and solidified its own powerful sound, showcasing its talent for arrangements and harmonies.

Some members of Bidaide, who already knew Matasuna and their releases through their involvement in the Gatzara Soundsystem, sent Matasuna their demo of the recordings in mid-2003. Their fresh, impressive sound immediately found open ears. This connection paved the way for Bidaide’s exciting vinyl debut, marking a new chapter in their musical journey.

After its release, Moyo Wangu quickly became a very sought-after album on vinyl for collectors and DJs. On this third Renegades Of Jazz album, Hanke combines elements of Afrofunk with his love for breakbeats with club appeal.

Having spent his early childhood in Arusha/Tanzania in the early 1980s, producing an Afrofunk album was on Hanke’s list for a long time to reconnect with his time living there. With his love for African rhythms and club music, Hanke produced with Moyo Wangu a blend containing the best of both worlds.

Later, he continued his Afrofunk journey under his Dem Juju Poets alias and released his album Liberated Thoughts here on Matasuna Records in 2017, which also quickly sold out.

Moto Moto is featured on the a-side of our new 45, an infectious opener which captures the hot, vital feeling of a crowded dance floor throughout an amazing night out. Catchy drums and frenzied percussions meet funk guitars, a deep grooving bassline, great horns and vibrant vocals.

Zebra Talk on the b-side is an exciting collaboration with producer and multi-instrumentalist Ingo Moell aka Kabanjak, also known for his projects like Deela and as one-half of Ancient Astronauts. Together they create a mesmerizing tapestry of sound that slowly builds, immersing the listener in the groove and captivating them.

Hanke and Moell continued working together on their new project The Maenads, exploring the depths of electronic club music.

With the help of a Lisbon friend, Matasuna Records has managed to reissue two outstanding songs from the debut album of Angolan musician “Chalo Correia” on a hot & fiery 7inch. Although the album was originally released in 2015, only a handful of people outside Portugal were lucky enough to get their hands on one of the coveted copies. This is unfortunate, as Correias music uniquely combines traditional Angolan styles with new melodies, creating a intoxicating & exotic mix. For this release the tracks were remastered and the title track was even completely mixed again to achieve the best possible sound.

The A-side of the single starts with the title song “Kudiholola”. Kuhohola (correct term in the Quimbundu language of Angola is Kudiholola) which means to heal from a hangover, but where Chalo Correia, takes the title as a restart and a return to the traditions and roots that had been stuck in the past. The melody is embedded in the Angolan Kazukuta style that manages to give life and brilliance to this instrumental where the harmonica fills the contours of the music. Kudihohola is an imaginary microcosm of Angolanity in terms of culture in general, but also the image of interpersonal relationships.

“Chercher Crioula” on the B-side, sung in “Quimbundo” and the choirs in “French”, reports an incessant search for a love that insists on not appearing. This search is not limited to one country or continent but to many places in the world, which makes the author adapt to the places, as time prolongs that same search.

Artist info

“Chalo Correia” is a talented singer and songwriter born in 1968 in “Luanda”, the capital of “Angola”. He grow up in the most intense and blazing musical period of Angola – the 70s. In a time when musician fought for independence, reinventing the Angolan sound in order to re-establish their identity. In his late youth, Chalo met musicians from revolutionary bands like Os Merengues and Os Kiezos, who would influence his future music.

In the early 90s Chalo moved to Portugal, where he practiced guitar and harmonica. Far away from his country, music was the only way to connect with his roots and so he started to create original songs based on traditional & urban music styles of Angola and on early childhood memories. During the last 20 years his music went through a long process of maturation, which resulted in the recording of his debut album “Kudihohola” in 2015. In 2016, this album was nominated as one of the best popular music album at the Angolan Music Awards.

Chalo is a very versatile musician: you can find him with his explosive 5-piece band at concerts in Europe, Brazil and Africa, prestigious world music festivals, or mixing a Portuguese guitar from the traditional Fado with Angolan music in his trio. But you can also meet him at a tireless one-man show, where he plays traditional Angolan guitar chords, handled by syncopated and percussive complex rhythms like Semba – the precursor of Brazilian Samba – among other traditional urban Angolan styles like Massemba, Kilapanga, Rumba, Kazucuta, Kabetula and RebitQa. His vigorous voice sings about the Angolan daily life stored in Chalo’s childhood memories, combined with his life experience as an Angolan immigrant in Lisbon. The harmonica joins his instrumental compositions with energetic melodies that fit perfectly with his new music, combining an old, festive flavored style with a contemporary way of songwriting.

Tracklist:

A Batunga & The Subprimes – Gates Of Ouantou 04:42
B Batunga & The Subprimes – Man In The Field 04:44

Description

Matasuna Records starts the new year 2020 with a brilliant release, featuring two contemporary tracks by Paris based Afrobeat band Batunga & The Subprimes, available for the first time on vinyl.

Gates Of Ouantou from their EP is a great tune that sets the bar for contemporary Afrobeat and has all the ingredients for a timeless classic: the arrangement, the instrumentation and the interplay of the seven musicians in the song are excellent and will immediately draw you into its spell. A real gem and great tune!

Man in the Field on flipside is a cut of their first official album. Unusual is the use of a banjo in an Afrobeat song but not surprising that this fits in very well and also shows that classical structures can be broken up and developed in a new approach/context. Another great piece of this extraordinary band that has been operating under the radar – until now!

Artist info

Batunga & The Subprimes was founded in Paris in 2009 by musicians from different backgrounds, united by the will to mix traditional African music with other elements (Latin, Jazz, Second Line and even Rock) and to bring this explosive mix on the streets & on stage. After many shows all over Europe and beyond, their first official album Man in the Field was published in 2017, followed by their EP Let dem In in late 2019. Matasuna has chosen two extraordinary cuts of these self-released albums to release them on vinyl for the first time.

Tracklist:

A Heroes of Limbo – Madchester Woman 04:11
B Heroes of Limbo – White Noise 04:01

Description

With its latest release Matasuna Records continues to explore contemporary Afrobeat from different countries. After the last trip to the Swiss Mittelland, this time the journey goes across the English Channel to discover more new & authentic Afrobeat and serve it on a tasty vinyl single.

Madchester Woman takes Ebo Taylor’s African Woman and uses it as a chassis for a cut ‘n shut reworking of Happy Mondays’ 1990 classic ‘Loose Fit’ – a hot and explosive mixture as you can easily hear!

White Noise, featuring vocals from Clair Fallows (The Impellers, Soul Grenades), re-works Disclosure & Aluna George’s electro-house anthem into an uplifting slice of afro-disco dancefloor shuffle.

Artist info

Heroes of Limbo is a new studio project from long-time collaborators, producer and multi-instrumentalist Glenn Fallows (The Impellers, Disposable Breaks, Andres y Xavi) and trombonist/arranger Gram ‘Canyon’ Treldavs.

Reimagining classic and contemporary pop as authentic 70’s Afrobeat and Highlife from Nigeria and Ghana, this first release asks you to fire up your time machine in your mind and wonder what would the Happy Mondays sound like if they’d played at Fela Kuti’s Afrika Shrine, rather than Manchester’s legendary Hacienda Club? What if Disclosure were not a Mercury Prize-nominated electronica duo, but a Highlife Orchestra based in Accra, Ghana?

Tracklist:

A Banderas – Tema de Banderas 04:13
B Banderas – Banderas Mambo 03:57

Description

Matasuna Records is proud to continue its groove-ridden journey with its latest release, served on a must-have 7 platter with two incredible tracks from Japanese band Banderas.

Tema de Banderas is a stomping high speed and incredibly tight Latin barrage of salsa at its spicier! Crisp horn section, relentless percussion and impossible to stay still while listening to it, this is a sure shot tune for every dance floor, anytime, anywhere.

The flipside Banderas Mambo begins by letting you know that another high speed groove chase is ensuing, in a crescendo that immediately grabs you by the hips. A track filled with mouth-watering breaks for the dj and dancer alike, be prepared to be hit by the ritmo. The Banderas rhythm. Universal, proud and scorching hot, a release not to be missed or you just might miss this dance.

Artist info

Picture this: 11 musicians, dancers and dj join forces in 2014. Drawn together by their passion for and hypnotized with the infectious grooves of Salsa, Boogaloo, Afro, in short, the Latin fervor that runs in the veins of those who live with a positive flow in their body and minds. 11 funkateers that go by the name of Banderas. Waving their caliente strut. From Tokyo, Japan. Banderas is a Cuban fueled Japanese power combo led by Kazuma Koseki on piano and former Orquestra de la Luz member Dategen on congas, Naohito ‘Temjin ‘Yomoda from famed Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro on wild, loud and fabulous trumpet and Izpon, known for his leading work in Kingdom Afrorocks and collaborations with Tony Allen.

Description

After releasing the first single Voodoo Jazz end of 2016 the journey of Dem Juju Poets keeps on with Barabara, the first single taken off their forthcoming album Liberated Thoughts out due early 2017 on Matasuna Records.

Barabara is a heavy piece of dancefloor Afrojazz goodness, decent horn sections, tough drums and rich percussions combined with vintage vocals. People’s Republic is a organ and flute driven Afrosoul tune with a heavy brass riff, thriving percussions and flute solos galore.

Artist info

David Hanke aka Renegades Of Jazz, brainchild behind Dem Juju Poets, keeps on with his distinctive Afro sound and delivers a great 45 in various styles. As the Renegades Of Jazz journey will take a step away from Afrofunk music, Dem Juju Poets will be now the main outfit for Hanke to release more Afro driven music in the future.