Name: New Regency Orchestra
Brand: New Regency Orchestra

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

MRBLP307R

Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: Yes

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2024-06-14

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Proper

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

7119691299518

Total Cap

Red LP

MRBLP307

Black

Extended format: No

7119691299419

Black LP

MRBCD307

7119691299624

Artist

New Regency Orchestra

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

Newest Listed Items

Announcing the debut album from one of London's most electrifying acts, New Regency Orchestra.

 An 18-piece Afro-Cuban big band, inspired by the musical melting pot of NYC in the 1950s, but with the punch and power of a whole host of London's best Latin and jazz musicians . Blowing new life into these compositions, the album is a reimagining of some of the finest music from that golden era. From early 1950s Rene Hernandez and Tito Puente, through to the 1970s salsa of Rafael Labasta and Orlando Marin, produced and performed with fresh fire.

 NRO is the brainchild of its artistic director, and the man behind Total Refreshment Centre and Church of Sound , Lex Blondin. Through a long- held passion for jazz, Lex discovered the explosive Afro-Cuban rhythms of mid-1940s NYC via the godfather of Afro-Cuban jazz, Mario Bauza. A time when two musical worlds collided in a fusion of creativity and energy, jazz luminaries like Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker joining forces with Cuban greats like Machito and Chano Pozo. This vibrant sound was music to dance to and found a home at The New York Palladium, a formative space of freedom and expression that was key to the scene's development. 

Although dance-focussed in their makeup, those early recordings are not often heard in modern club environments and Lex dreamt of retelling their story with a contemporary dynamism. A slice of serendipity followed, as a slot at a new festival opened up and Lex jumped at the chance to make this idea a reality, an 18-piece big band breathing new life into these beloved songs.

 Enlisting the expertise of some of the capital's finest talent, Lex and co-captain Andy Wood , of Como No fame, put together a world- class line- up of talent. Bringing in Eliane Correa as musical director and bandleader, a fluid and interchanging 18-piece band was formed. 

The album itself is a hand-picked selection of timeless Afro-Cuban jazz classics, reimagined with NRO's unbridled energy. It contains ten incredible instrumental tracks including 'Pregon' with its anthemic horn stabs and the addictive head nod bounce of 'Mambo Rama', alongside two scorching vocal numbers in 'Papa Boco' and 'Labasta Llego'. Coupling a heavyweight rhythm section with a wall of horns, they provide a fresh spin on songs from Tito Puente and Chico O'Farrill , Rene Hernandez through to Rafael Labasta. 

"Some of the tunes like Tito Puente's 'Mambo Rama' and 'Scarlet Mambo' might sound like they went to a gym as extra drums and bass synth were added to them whilst the tune 'Sahib &amp; Tito' is a mix of Tito's 'Mambo Buda' and Sahib Shihab's 'Nus'. Our intention is to be both respectful to the innovators and inventors of this incredible music and to pay our dues, but also to add something special from London where the city's new jazz scene connects with its Latin American musicians and the musical influences around us."

Music GB

Discover New Regency Orchestra by New Regency Orchestra on vinyl records from Mr Bongo. An electrifying Afro-Cuban big band reimagining classic jazz with a contemporary twist.