Mr Bongo

Mr Bongo Record label. Record store. Film label. DJ. Since 1989. Over the following years Bongo moved three times within Soho and opened in Shibuya, Japan.

We started life in 1989 as a small record shop underneath Daddy Kool’s Reggae Store on Berwick Street in London. We were the first shop to sell vinyl releases from independent hip hop labels such as Def Jam, Rawkus, Nervous and Big Beat outside of the USA. We also became an established bearer for hard-to-find, classic Latin music, particularly Brazilian, outside of the Americas. We moved our offic

es to Brighton in 1999 and closed all shops in 2003.

20+ years on we now have a recording roster featuring some of the best Brazilian, Latin, reggae, African and Jazz music by artists including Terry Callier, Jorge Ben, Joyce, Seu Jorge, Prince Fatty, Incredible Bongo Band and Marcos Valle. In 2004 we moved into world cinema, a venture that has grown to compliment the music. In keeping with the record label philosophy, we carefully select and source films from around the world and our catalogue now includes works by esteemed directors including Scorsese, Coppola, Has, Bertolucci, Rocha and Dovzhenko amongst others. We aim to unearth iconic, stylish, hard-to-find gems and cult classics and make them readily available to cinema lovers. We keep production costs relatively low by releasing the feature film without multiple extras allowing us to deliver the highest possible quality prints on DVD’s at the most competitive prices. We are modest compared to our competitors in the film world but hope that our rich history and knowledge has established us as an aficionado that punches above its weight (and is yet to reach its full potential). In 2011 we ventured into the realm of feature film production and theatrical releases with Justin Mitchell's Rio Breaks which premiered at the Odeon Leicester Square in June. We look forward to working on more projects like this. We also have a publishing arm with an in-house team that produces and licenses music for use by third parties. Our clients include advertising, film and TV companies around the world; brands such as Bacardi, Nike, Adidas, Fosters, Nissan and Guinness have used our music. We also deal with worldwide royalty collection for artists and organisations.

A huge thanks to  for another superb edition of their record fair. It was great to meet so many friendly faces over the ...
03/06/2026

A huge thanks to for another superb edition of their record fair. It was great to meet so many friendly faces over the weekend and also get to spin at for the kick-off party. Already looking forward to coming back next year!

After a roadblock first instore of the season we are back on the 12th June with our next party at Bongo HQ. There’s a Me...
02/06/2026

After a roadblock first instore of the season we are back on the 12th June with our next party at Bongo HQ. There’s a Mediterranean leaning to this one and we’ve got three firm favourites joining us for the occasion. , rhythm master and the man behind the Ritmo Italiano compilation on Mr Bongo is inbound from Italy. We are celebrating the release of his fantastic new album, ‘Maraviglia’.

We also have , the exciting new project from Kit Sebastian’s , and . Their debut album has been on repeat here at Bongo and Glenn will be treating us to a taste of their Turkish-infused, Mediterranean disco pop sound. Lastly, fabled digger and fountain of musical knowledge, , will be rounding off proceedings behind the decks.

Free entry | 3-9pm | 12th June

Three fresh selects from the new additions to the store. Come see us in person for a dig at the Brighton shop 11am-6pm.F...
31/05/2026

Three fresh selects from the new additions to the store. Come see us in person for a dig at the Brighton shop 11am-6pm.

First up the inaugural release on ’s label. A superb reissue of a jazz-fusion, disco-funk, Latin jazz beauty with batucada rhythms by the Filipino keyboardist Boy Katindig. ‘After Midnight’ was originally released in 1980 and now gets its second time to shine. ‘Love Till The End Of Time’ has a real Dingwalls energy, well recommended!

Next, a welcome reissue from Universal Music‎ of Jorge Ben’s sensational ‘Negro é Lindo’ album from 1971. The album features the classic track ‘Comanche’ and includes arrangements by the iconic Arthur Verocai.

Lastly, a beautiful deep cinematic jazz album by one of the UK’s finest jazz musicians on .

Out today, the CD version of Hollie Cook and Ben McKone’s Shy Girl In Dub! album. It’s a reimagining of Hollie’s fifth s...
29/05/2026

Out today, the CD version of Hollie Cook and Ben McKone’s Shy Girl In Dub! album. It’s a reimagining of Hollie’s fifth studio LP, seen through a dub reggae lens by the album’s producer Ben McKone. Crafted and improvised live on an analogue mixing desk, he strips back the productions in vintage style, weaving in delays, echoes, and reverb to masterful effect.

The first single from the forthcoming Mr Bongo Record Club Volume 8 compilation is an exclusive rework and pairing of tw...
27/05/2026

The first single from the forthcoming Mr Bongo Record Club Volume 8 compilation is an exclusive rework and pairing of two legendary acts in their own right. Esteemed DJ, producer and one half of the legendary Masters at Work duo, gives iconic LA family band The Sylvers’ 1972 hit ‘Wish That I Could Talk To You’ a fresh rework. Adding extra bite to the drums while bringing more drama to the horns and strings, the song now has a contemporary edge yet still stays true to its roots. The single is available to stream / download now with the full compilation landing on the 26th June.

Photo credit: Anthony Wilson / 101 Apparel

This Saturday we are back at  for the next event in our Mr Bongo Record Club residency. It’s Mr Bongo resident DJs from ...
21/05/2026

This Saturday we are back at for the next event in our Mr Bongo Record Club residency. It’s Mr Bongo resident DJs from open to close on this one and ahead of the night our very own Gareth Stephens and Matt Neale have picked out a few favourites that will be making it into their bags.

Saturday 23rd May | Free Entry | 18:00-23:00

We’ve just dropped a new range of T-shirts on the site and in store. Classic designs from Owen Tozer screenprinted in Lo...
21/05/2026

We’ve just dropped a new range of T-shirts on the site and in store. Classic designs from Owen Tozer screenprinted in London on a heavier weight 100% combed ringspun cotton tee. There’s also been a re-up on a few of our favourite caps, with the olive green corduroy already sold out online and only a handful in the Brighton store. These won’t be around for long!

Three fresh selects from the new additions to the store. Come see us in person for a dig at the Brighton shop Wednesday-...
20/05/2026

Three fresh selects from the new additions to the store. Come see us in person for a dig at the Brighton shop Wednesday-Sunday 11am-6pm.

First, an amazing new project on by , a collaboration between Merve Erdem (), and . The album blends Mediterranean disco pop, outernational funk and Turkish psych.

Next, unearth a treasure trove of amazing previously unreleased cosmic-disco-funk by Magique, that includes a version of the much-loved underground disco track ‘Inch By Inch’ which was recorded prior to it being re-recorded by Junior Byron.

Lastly, a supreme slice of funk and soul from the Indonesian band on . Cleo Sol fans check this out! Released 22nd May.

Address

6 Gloucester Yard
Brighton
BN14AF

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