Video Exclusive: The Bongolian – Flatfoot Hustle

The sixth album from THE BONGOLIAN, aka multi-instrumentalist Nasser Bouzida, is called Harlem Hipshake and contains this hard boiled slab of private eye boogaloo ‘Flatfoot Hustle’ which Shindig! Magazine are pleased to premiere right here!

‘Flatfoot Hustle’ could be taken straight from the soundtrack of some schlock 1970’s dirty cop flick, think of the Vanishing Point soundtrack, especially the JB Pickers, from 1971, and you won’t be far from the mark. Stabbing horns from Terry Edwards sit atop a percussive wall with obligatory wah-wah guitars and a scintillating Hammond groove make for a cool cat combo, ya dig?

Harlem Hipshake finds The Bongolian deeply immersed in his lifelong love for the music of the sixties New York’s Latin Soul scene, particularly the music of Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria and Joe Bataan.  Principally a drummer, percussionist by trade, Nasser has once again delivered another set of heavy breaks and percussive grooves underpinning this brand-new collection of songs which he has written and produced. Whilst Nasser performs many of the instruments (as is usual with Bongolian albums) on the album, it also features a prominent use of additional UK musicians on brass duties. These include Terry Edwards (Trumpet, Trombone, Sax, Flute), Gareth James Bailey (Trombone) and Craig Crofton (Alto Sax), James Morton (Alto Sax), Andrew Ross (Tenor and Baritone sax) and Ralph Lamb (Trumpet).

From the East Side to the West Side, get ready for the Harlem Hipshake.

“Nasser Bouzida vividly brings to life the sounds, the vibes and the grooves of classic Nuyorican boogaloo” – Graham Bent, Shindig! Magazine ****

Harlem Hipshake by The Bongolian is out via Blow Up Records on 13th November, order HERE.