It's a pleasure, a labour of love, and a yearly highlight to present a new volume of the Mr Bongo Record Club series. In this collection, we have curated new finds alongside old, treasured tracks that hold a special place in our hearts. We selected music that inspires us from various genres including Brazilian, Latin, soul, disco, gospel, cosmic, dancehall, and downtempo.
We have chosen a diverse array of artists, including **Os Panteras** from Brazil, stomping underground disco by **Claude Jay**, the Danish soul sounds of **Gitte & Inger**, and the gospel excellence of **Truth & Devotion**, to name a few. Most of the selections in this volume are older vintage productions, however, there is one very special contemporary production recorded exclusively for Mr Bongo Record Club 7.
For "Spring Has Sprung", we linked three of our cherished musical family together; the legendary cult artist **Asha Puthli**, the wondrous band **SOYUZ**, and Swedish maestro **Sven Wunder**. The result, as you'd expect, is completely breathtaking.
Reflecting on Volume 7, it now feels like a record comprised of two themes. Firstly, we have gone quite heavy on the Brazilian selections. This saw us searching further afield and digging into other areas of the endlessly rich Brazilian musical tapestry. The reflection of a more folk/Afro-Brazilian sound than presented in previous volumes in the series can be heard in the songs of **As Sublimes**, **Romeu Fernandes**, and **Conjunto de Percussao Dora Pinto**.
The second theme is a representation of the tracks that we have been playing in our club DJ sets and are aimed more at the dance floor. Disco tracks such as "Come Inside" by **The Shades of Love** and **The Duncans**' "Too Damn Hot" have been firmly tested favorites in recent years.
We hope these songs, by the sensational artists on display, inspire you as much as they do us. Music is the gift that keeps giving, and there is so much more to learn, find, and share.
