Name: Teatro Amadeo Roldan Recita
Brand: Grupo Irakere

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

MRBLP289

Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2024-03-15

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Proper

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

7119691293615

Total Cap

Black LP

MRBCD289

7119691293721

Artist

Grupo Irakere

Genre GB

Latin / South American 

Label GB

Mr Bongo

Mr Bongo is a British label that was founded in 1989. Originally located in a small record shop of the same name, it later moved to various locations in Soho and Shibuya, Japan. In 1999, the label's office was relocated to Brighton and its London & Shibuya shops were closed in 2003. However, a new shop was opened in Brighton in 2016. Since 2004, Mr Bongo has expanded into the world of cinema and also has a publishing division that produces and licenses music for third parties.
The label's rich history and diverse range of music make it an influential player in the industry. With its extensive catalog and commitment to quality, Mr Bongo continues to be at the forefront of discovering new talent and delivering exceptional music experiences.
Label Code: LC 12527

For the third release in our Mr Bongo Cuban Classics series, we reissue the iconic 1974 debut album by the mighty Grupo Irakere.

Led by Chucho Valdes, son of Cuban pianist and bandleader Bebo Valdes, the band would go on to become of the most influential and successful groups emanating from Cuba in this period. Their debut Teatro Amadeo Roldan Recital&nbsp;is an in- demand and incredible Afro-Cuban jazz-funk masterpiece originally landing on Cuba's state-owned imprint, Areito.

One of the jewels of the album is the beast of an opener, 'Bacalao Con Pan'. A heavy dancefloor Latin-funk burner, with ripping Wah-Wah guitar, a blistering mix of Latin percussive elements and horns firing on all cylinders. It's a song which builds and breaks with an energy and power that still lights up the dance to this very day. 

The album is a varied bag of tricks, traversing moods, styles and genres whilst melding traditional rhythms with more contemporary mindsets. Take the delectable downtempo ballad 'Danza Naniga' or 'Valle Picadura' that starts on a similar tip, before erupting into a horn heavy heater. Move through to find 'Taka Taka Ta' where Afro-Cuban jazz, call and response vocals and brain- busting organs marry in steamy unison.

 Elsewhere, continuing this melting pot of musical influences, the prog/ psychedelic rock leaning 'Quindiambo', expertly combines traditional Latin music with psych rock in a similar way to Santana. 'Misaluba' is another highlight, a cover version of a song by the British-Italian based group Cyan, written by Mario &amp; Giosy Capuano, making it their own with this tripped-out, percussion-rich makeover.

As debuts go, Grupo Irakere's Teatro Amadeo Roldan Recital&nbsp;is about as good as it gets and gives a snapshot of Cuba in the mid '70s, with a band that were destined for big things.

Teatro Amadeo Roldan Recita

Music GB

Discover Teatro Amadeo Roldan Recita by Grupo Irakere. A Cuban jazz-funk masterpiece on Mr Bongo, available in various formats.