Spiteri’s “Night Time Love Affair” gets the remix treatment of Barcelona’s Disco-Funk outfit: Fundacion Tony Manero. Taking on a parallel path from their usual production style the Spaniards convey a quality Euro sounding groover which manages to smoothly balance out both, traditional club culture sounds and live instrumentation.

As for the flip, London / Venezuelan producers Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel take off in a Moroder inspired trip and do their reconstruction in an uplifting Italo-Discoey direction.

The original mix from 1980 is also included on the release without any alterations to the delight of the rare groove diggers.

This release is a continuation of a series of reworks from Spiteri’s Latino Funk fusion album, originally recorded between 1978-80 on the London premises of EMI studios.

Spiteri’s original band members were:

Jorge Spiteri – Lead Vocals & Bass
Stephen Alpert – Keyboard, Bv’s & Vocoder
Charlie Spiteri – Percussion & Bv’s
Richard Bailey – Drums
Chris Ainsworth – Drums
David Ulm – Congas
Fermin Thomas – Timbales
Winston Dellandro – Rhythm Guitar
John Altman – Sax
Pete Thoms – Trombone
Guy Baker – Trumpet
Phil Todd – Tenor Sax
Jonathan Lovera – Piano
Rebecca Spiteri, Carol Kenyon, Joy Askew, Corrina Poore & Joan shenton – Bv’s

Electropical Pt.4 takes a deeper excursion into Afro-Latin music to create a unique blend of timeless, acoustic ‘Roots’ and contemporary leftfield production. This latest instalment of the acclaimed project helmed by Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel, the duo behind the much loved Los Charly’s Orchestra, evokes the spirit of the Amazonas forest, the beating heart of their native Venezuela. The sounds are born of the earth and nurtured for the soul.

The EP features performances and remixes from longstanding friends and musical allies: Oyobi, who has recently been busy working with none other than AtJazz and Aroop Roy, brings a burst of intensely vibrant energy to Kalimba Vibration while the mighty Andre Espeut lends his utterly distinctive voice to Abstract Fragments Of A Dream. As for multi instrumentalist- producer Kris Houston he puts his signature touch on Beyond Civilizations.

As always the music is brought to life by a pool of superior players who are the house band for the Imagenes label. Saxophonist-flautist Marcelo Andrade, guitarist Raphael Delphino, percussionist Emeris Solis, and bassist Mateus Nova ensure that the grooves are tight and that the magic of a live session enhances the precision guided esthetic of programming and sequencing.

Notes by Kevin Legendre

Ilustration by Jefrain Galipolli

Imagenes Recording 2021

Diggin’ into the Afro-Latin-Discodelia, Rahaan & Dave Allison deliver each an outstanding re-work of Juan & Jorge’s classic version of Sexmachina’.

Essential joint from this lot.

And here it comes The Reflex re-visioning Los Charly’s Orchestra & Heidi Vogel’s Soul / Jazz gem: FREE.

Evoking memories of 4Hero’s / Nuyorican Soul period, the LCO’s track with it’s original moody Motown vibes is taken into a parallel dimension where deep Jazz meets Funk & Soul with a unique British flavour, capturing the vivid emotions of 2020. The result is universal music.

Remade in The Reflex lab this track has a vibrant spirit enhanced by the live drumming of special guest: Adam Betts (drummer for Goldie, Heritage Orchestra, Jarvis Cocker among others).

Including an amazing low rider Latin Funk version of The Beatles Day Tripper, this release features two unreleased Boogaloo gems which were recorded 2005 at Bolivar Films (Caracas / Venezuela) in collaboration with some of the ex members of the legendary Salsa band: Dimension Latina (Latin Dimension) and Spiteri’s original band founder and music partner: Stephen Alpert.

Signed to major record labels in the 1970s such as EMI, and having surrounded himself with some of the most iconic musicians of the time, Jorge Spiteri is considered by many to be the pioneer of fusion in Latin music in the UK.

Spiteri passed away in the summer of 2020, but has left a timeless musical legacy that will be remembered through times.

Credits:

Lead vox: Jorge Spiteri
Electric Piano and Chorus: Stephen Alpert
Conga, Bongo & Percussion: Carlos El Negro Rodriguez
Baby Bass: Elio Torres
Trombone: Johan Muñoz
Accoustic Piano Juan (Pulìa) Liendo Hernándes
Vibraphone: Fredi Roldan
Chorus: Rafael Chirinos ( Rufus Khann )
Drums: Renzo Ciravolo
Sound engineer: Daniel Montesinos

LCO (Aka Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel) in collaboration with singer: Heidi Vogel come up with a message of hope, respect, soul togetherness, peace and love for all humanity as one.

As Marvin Gaye did Inner City Blues on the times of the civil rights movement, LCO delivers today’s message as a grain of sand to contribute into the re-construction of a better world for all of us and generations to come.

A big Motown sound with a modern Soul twist that captures the mood of the times yesterday, today & tomorrow.

The very talented singer/songwriter Heidi Vogel has opened for the likes of Erykah Badu, performed at Montreux Jazz festival for Quincy Jones.
She has also performed/recorded with: Isaac Hayes, Bobby Mcferrin & The Cinematic Orchestra & now with Los Charly’s Orchestra on this timeless track that defines an era.

Music is a great healer and certainly the best cure for the soul.

With love LCO.

Music and Video written and produced by Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel.
Lyrics by Heidi Vogel.

Heidi Vogel’s shoot at STM Studios by Simon Maynard.
@simonmaynardphotographic
FB: simonmaynardhair/stm studio

NYC Disco / Boogie pioneer: John Morales (M+M Mix) meets the terrific London outfit: Los Charly’s Orchestra for one of the most exiting editions of reworks they’ve done to date. (With LCO celebrating 10 years of trajectory this year!)

Mr Morales gives his “Boogie Wonderland” treatment to the classic LCO tracks: “History & Sunshine”, delivering 6 different mixes, carefully crafted to open up in the big sound system with the sonic ease and grace that characterized his work since back in the original days of the Paradise Garage and Studio 54 up to today.

Featuring U.K. Singers: Andre Espeut & Omar, this release is “real talk” for those who know their Soulful / Boogie gems, whilst still the perfect cue for those who just wanna get to know the synergy of the groove music.

Pete Herbert has been a regular collaborator of Imagenes Recordings since the early years of the label, producing some of the most epic remixes, and always pushing the boundaries of creativity for constant sonic innovation.

Their friendship reminds strong, and the tunes keep rolling!