THE STORY BEHIND SOFRITO :: TROPICAL DISCOTHEQUE

Strut present the debut compilation by one of the UK's leading Afro, Caribbean and Latin music party collectives, SOFRITO. Comprising DJs Hugo Mendez and Frankie Francis alongside The Mighty Crime Minister, Sofrito has consistently combined the serious vinyl hunter's ear for amazing records with a stylish, accessible approach, rocking dancefloors worldwide since their inception in 2007. From their legendary Tropical Warehouse parties in East London to the clubs and bars of Brooklyn, from beach parties in Greece to festivals and clubs across Europe including WOMAD and the Big Chill, Sofrito has now become a worldwide proposition. The club has also attracted a string of A-list guests for live performances including Manu Dibango, Poets Of Rhythm, Souljazz Orchestra and Quantic.

The club's graphics by artist Lewis Heriz have become an important a part of its identity, with each event accompanied by unique hand-drawn poster art, each now a collector's piece in its own right. And, running alongside their events, their Sofrito Specials 12" imprint has made available exclusive edits of impossible-to-find rarities. Their 'African Soul Power' edit was picked by Gilles Peterson as one of his re-works of 2008.

For their debut compilation, Sofrito get the party started with 15 dynamite tropical grooves old and new ranging from cumbia, Congolese guitar, calypso and highlife. Highlights include an exclusive cumbia by Quantic, 'Cumbia Mochilla', a new edit of a rare Victor Uwaifo disco cut and firing Carnival jams from old-timers Roaring Lion and Mighty Shadow.

THE NEW YORK SALSA EXPLOSION 1968-1985

Strut are proud to be associated with the greatest and most important Latin American music label of them all, Fania. Tagged “the Latin Motown”, Fania is perhaps most famous for its recordings during the coming of age of salsa from the late ‘60s to the mid-‘80s, when Latin (often Cuban) dance formats like rumba, guaracha, mambo, son and cha cha fused with big band American jazz and the gritty punch of US R&B in the unique melting pot of New York.

Strut begin their programmed of Fania albums with the first in the Fania Essential Recordings series, tracing the development of the many styles that matured on the label from Latin soul to salsa and boogaloo. The first instalment, Salsa Explosion, provides an essential introduction to the classic Fania sound through some of the label’s major artists including Celia Cruz, Mongo Santamaria, Willie Colon, Hector Lav

In joining forces with Fania, the undisputed powerhouse of Latin music labels, Strut hopes to bring a new set of fans into the fold. Salsa Explosion is a wonderful introduction into the vast sea of classic and influential music in the Fania catalog, touching on many of the separate styles that make up the salsa movement. Strut is proud to offer the collection with completely new artwork, liner notes from Latin music afficionado Ernesto Lechner, and a wealth of previously unpublished photos.



LOUIE RAMIREZ - AHORA ES EL TIEMPO

Tracklist:
1. WILLIE COLON – CHE CHE COLE
2. HECTOR LAVOE – EL TODOPODEROSO
3. MONGO SANTAMARIA – O MI SHANGO
4. TITO PUENTE & CELIA CRUZ – PACHITO ECHE
5. JOE CUBA SEXTET – DO YOU FEEL IT (TU LO SIENTES)
6. CELIA CRUZ & JOHNNY PACHECO – CUCALA
7. FANIA ALL STARS – MAMA GUELA
8. RALFI PAGAN – BROTHER, WHERE ARE YOU?
9. EDDIE PALMIERI – BILONGO
10. TITO PUENTE & AZUQUITA – GUAGUANCO ARSENIO
11. LA SONORA PONCENA – BOMBA CARAMBOMBA
12. RAY BARRETTO – EL NUEVO BARRETTO
13. LOUIE RAMIREZ – AHORA ES EL TIEMPO
14. RAFI VAL Y LA DIFERENTE – A MI NENA
15. WILLIE COLON & HECTOR LAVOE – TODO TIENE SU FINAL

DANNY KRIVIT & STRUT RECORDS

The second volume of Danny Krivit's Edits By Mr. K series sees the master editor, DJ, and record collector dipping into his extensive crates to put his magic touch on personal favorites and floor fillers from the golden age of disco and soul. On "(Do The) Spanish Hustle," Fatback Band's breakout hit from 1976, Krivit leads with the break, slowly building momentum until catharsis comes nearly four minutes into the track. It's a driving, uptempo track which highlights the beginning of funk's evolution into disco, and a terrific slice of dance floor gold. Edits By Mr. K Volume 2: Music Of The Earth comes out September 14th on Strut.

FATBACK BAND - (DO THE) SPANISH HUSTLE (DANNY KRIVIT EDIT)

BOB BLANK - THE BLANK GENERATION

Great Comp from Old School Disco Producer Bob Blank that's available for purchase on all formats. My Favorite track is from Debby Black Well which was released in 86. Definitely a heater and a hard one to find. Check out more info on the comp and Bob Blank at STRUT website.

DEBBY BLACK WELL - ONCE YOU GOT ME GOING 1986