I am pretty fussy about compilations. But then there some notable exceptions. For instance labels like BBE and Honest Jon’s have had a consistently high level of quality for so many years, I trust compilations from labels like this and I own a few. There are other labels for sure, Mr Bongo for instance, are in that same league. And once in a while a collaboration happens, in this case between Mr Bongo and a curator who has such sublime taste and who knows their shit from across the musical spectrum, that something truly special happens. I like to think i know a bit about music but Luke Una has knocked it out of the park taken me on such a voyage of discovery with É Soul Cultura Vol.1 and 2, I have been left pretty speechless.
I actually only bought both volumes on vinyl over the summer having only listened to both online previously. I mean i knew they where good and i would invest in the wax at some point. But having had them my turntable as matter of course for the past few months and they seem to get better and better, I strongly advise anyone this sounds familiar with to buy these on sight next time you see them.
The selection is eclectic, global, and plucked from different times and spaces. In theory, perhaps they shouldn’t work together, but there is a mysterious link that makes them gel as a whole. That’s what Luke does best. He creates a sort of musical alchemy, unifying the diverse. This isn’t a compilation focussed purely on the rare, even though many tracks featured do fall into that camp. It is best described by Luke himself, “It’s not about showing off, collector rarity, or ego-strutting, it’s all about telling stories, sharing the music, and making life’s journey mean something. In the end, of course, it’s just a compilation of other people’s music, but hopefully it’s more than that, adding something back to the pot.