Music is so often about connections. Places, spaces, names, faces…it’s not a massive leap to draw a line from the Amnesia dancefloor of DJ Alfredo to the Loft of David Mancuso? Both striving for the utmost sonic exploration, while never ignoring the needs of the dancefloor. And so it is with this very timely reissue from the good good people at Mr Bongo. The connection may be tenuous, but the fact is this music could so easily work in either location and many more in between.

But before that, a quick catch up. Mr Bongo started life as a must stop on the Soho record shop trail before evolving further into a label, publishing and film imprint. Sadly the physical shops are long gone, but the label and online shop live on. In fact, they just keep powering forward with essential release after essential release. The latin connection is strong as ever, but the sounds have expanded over time. New music from Transmission Towers, Kit Sebastian, Dora Morelenbaum and Project Gemini in recent years nestle harmoniously with reissues from heavyweights like Ananda Shankar and Asha Puthli to lesser known acts like FA-5 …this is a massively understated summary by the way of the range the label has put out into the world. Throw in some of the compilations of recent years, ‘Tangent’, a selection by John Gomez and Nick The Record, ongoing ‘Record Club’ series, now a Brazilian Disco comp from the Horse Meat lot and, well, you get the idea. Did Luke’s sub-label get a mention? New music incoming there too….

But back to the matter at hand. Born in Cuba, but basing himself in, where else, New York, Alfredo’s immersion in Nu Yorica was complete by working with legends like Eddie Palmieri and Willie Colon. Simultaneously touching the worlds of disco and soul he collaborated with Sylvester and Aquarian Dream. Know this backstory, and suddenly the make up of Alfredo’s self titled 1979 album adds up perfectly. And while the violin may not be the first instrument on the latin radar, the sound is completely complementary to the more traditional timbales, bongos and percussion showing out here.

A game of two sides. The first four tracks lean heavily into the latin influences of the time. ‘Toca Alfredo Toca’ literally means play Alfredo play. He willingly obliges, it’s a funky, groove laden opener full of energy and life, and so evocative of that time. ‘El Casabe’ continues that feel, dropping the tempo mid-tune to a piano solo and walking finale. ‘Que Rico Bailo Yo’ foretells some of the B’s more expansive tendencies via flexible bass and more intensity on the horns and Alfredo’s violin. A consummate work out that would make for a special album, purely on that basis.

But what about side two? Elements of samba, now move in, married with disco hotness and a critical mass of funk guitar for ‘Hot to Trot’. The beat is more four four, but none of the essential roots and emotion of musical heritage get lost in the headwind. A classic dancefloor burner, that will almost certainly cause a Balihu. Trane did it, Mary P did it. Is there a definitive version? Kind of good how people keep trying to make one though. ‘My Favourite Things’, Alfredo style, takes what is an unmistakable track and bends it to his own ways and means. Backing a sunset in the open air or losing it in a darkened room, it just works. Finally, the album ends with the nigh on 8 minute wonder that is ‘Canto del Corazon’. Abstract piano shapes morph into stark hardened drumming that then breaks, giving a heartfelt canto of a classical lilt its turn. Then there’s a burst of life with elasticated bass and funk, the track rounds out with the joyous violin and the ‘toca’ where it all began.

Alfredo is a timeless album that has rightfully sat in the collections and sets of many DJs over the years. To the uninitiated and aficionados alike, it continues to make the right connections.

Alfredo is available today via the Mr Bongo Bandcamp and multiple other fine retailers.