MR BONGO

Founder and director of the Mr Bongo empire, David "Mr Bongo" has a huge and diverse record collection and is an incredibly experienced DJ.

As a result, David has played all over the world including the Mambo Inn, Blue Note Japan, Yellow Japan, Favela Chic France, The Jazz Cafe and AKA London, Union Brighton, Drum Rhythm Amsterdam, Elysee Montmartre, MTV European Dance Music Awards Portugal, BBC Radio One, festivals and carnivals in Brazil and a fair few others over the years.

Musically Mr Bongo can play anything from hip hop to reggae to jazz, but he is most renowned for spinning an eclectic mix of Brazilian; funk carioca, bossa, batucadas and samba soul and funk old and new

RUSS DEWBURY

From his debut in 1986 Russ Dewbury has become one of the most influential and, highly respected figures on the international dance music scene. Brighton based Dewbury is one of the top DJs on the circuit and has developed a substantial reputation as live music promoter, record compiler,broadcaster, composer/ producer and all - round musicologist.

One of the original UK jazz DJs, Russ opened the Brighton Jazz Rooms in 1987. Stronger than ever in 2006, the Jazz Rooms has become one of the most successful sessions in club history. "A legendary affair that all should attend" (Straight No Chaser Magazine). From this base Russ has performed at all of the top clubs worldwide and enjoys a hectic touring schedule.

As an acknowledged champion of live music Russ Dewbury is best known as promoter of the renowned "Brighton Jazz Bop", an essential date in the live music calender. Established in 1988 the Jazz Bop features exclusive live appearances from a whos who of artists. Combining international cult musicians together with the scenes best new acts,these shows regularly attract audiences of up to 2000. The sessions have featured Art Blakey/Jazz Messengers ,Pharoah Sanders,Spearhead, Terry Callier, Jon Lucien, Jamiroquai, The Roots, Herbaliser, Marlena Shaw and many others. Other Jazz Bop projects have taken the show to London, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Zurich and other European cities.

Dewbury launched the Jazz Bop concept in Australia in 2004 with a Nationwide Tour featuring the Quantic Soul Orchestra and Alice Russell which recieved rave reviews and a 3 page article in International music magazine Straight No Chaser. A second tour featuring the Quantic Soul Orchestra, Alice Russell, The Bamboos and DJ Mad Mats played to full houses accross Australia in November 2005. A third tour featuring US based Breakestra is set for November 2006

Russ has played a key role in the independent record industry. Originally signed to BGP Records as A+R chief he was instrumental in the rediscovery of artists including Jean Jacques Perrey and Terry Callier who he subsequently managed for a period. He has since developed a reputation for quality compilation releases spanning the dance arena. These include the hugely successful "Africa Funk" and "Club Africa" series for Strut Records and the "Freedom Time" and "Jazz Bizniz" projects for Counterpoint Records.

Together with Producer Ben Mitchell the pair created a contemporary classic blending cutting edge studio techniques with live performance to create an intriguing mixture of Cosmic Soul, Jazz Disco and Universal Blues. Mitchell and Dewbury's first LP "Rapping with the Gods" on Mumo Records received much critical acclaim and airplay all over the world and work begins soon on the follow up.The pair have also remixed Terry Callier,Roy Budd and Hipnosis for various labels. Mr Bongo records will be releasing a collection of original tunes and remixes entitled "Beyond the Rains" in 2007.

In his role as a Broadcaster Russ has created the critically acclaimed "Nu Jazz Spectrum" radio concept which enjoys a cult international audience and can currently be found on Brightons Juice 107.2 and on the Internet through www.totallyradio.com He also features on various National stations including BBC Radio 1,Jazz Fm,and BBC London Live.

Russ has won the prestigious "Respect Is Due" Straight No Chaser award.

BRAZILIAN BEATS BROOKLYN DJs

Greg Caz & Sean Marquand

Brazilian Beat Brooklyn is a club night first started by DJ Sean Marquand in June of 2001 at Black Betty in Williamsburg, New York, initially as a way to share the music he'd bought during a two-year period living in Salvador, Bahia.

As the months went on, the party began to take shape with the arrival on the scene of Claudio Meduza and, eventually, Greg Caz. The Sunday night weekly's focus gradually shifted from its psych/Tropicalia origins to a samba-rock groove.

At the same time, Caz's use of traditional samba dancefloor killers further upped the intensity and energy of the party, and the party's reputation began to spread. A series of promotional mix CDs, beginning with 2003's now-classic "Baile Funk Vol. 1," made their way around the world and brought further notoriety.

After four eventful years, Brazilian Beat Brooklyn now stands as the duo of Marquand and Caz, with Meduza making appearances on special occasions.

Along with Mr Bongo Greg and Sean are responsible for compiling the 'Brazilian Beats: Brooklyn' compilation on Mr Bongo Records and they will be touring the world over the next year with their boxes of Brazilian gems to promote the album.

BEN MITCHELL

Sao Benitez / Mr Hermano / Mitchell & Dewbury

Bens DJ sets are renowned for their uplifting blend of Latin flavours, batucadas and funky soulful percussive vibes that reflect his own productions. He has played world wide, most recently at the Favela Chic - Paris, The Venice Film Festival, Movement -Toronto, One Happy Cloud - Athens and the Loop - Tokyo. At the end of last year Ben played at the MTV Awards in Lisbon as part of the Mr Bongo DJs. He has recorded various radio shows for Jazz FM, Bat FM, Milk Radio, Radio Shabuya, Tokyo and currently has a show on B-Live Radio

As a producer Ben has worked with artists such as Terry Callier, the Lo Fidelity All-Stars, Faze Action and Afrobeat legend Bukky Leo. His own projects include Sao Benitez whose remixes of Masters At Work, Paula Lima, Samantha Mumba and Jimmy Smith have all been club anthems in their own right and can be found on the Sao Benitez album ‘Elemental’ released on Mr Bongo. He has also produced an album with Brighton DJ legend Russ Dewbury called "Rapping with The Gods"

GREYMATTER

Unique Uncut / Samurai FM / Basement Soul

Greymatter aka Graham Luckhurst is a soulful music DJ/producer from Brighton, England, founder of the Unique Uncut collective/record label and the Basement Soul club session. He also works for the renowned Mr Bongo Records. His dancefloor focussed sound fuses all forms of soul music from all era's; disco, boogie, broken, other electronic music, dance/deep jazz, deep funk, latin, hip hop, samba, african, world and more....freestyle soul music.

Greymatter has over 10 years DJing experience and has played at the highest level at venues across the world alongside the likes of Gilles Peterson, Orbital, Domu, DJ Yoda, Rainer Truby, Benji B, DJ Marky, DJ Patife, The Nextmen, Howie B, Omar, Fink, Andy C, 4Hero, Koop, Marcelo D2, Fingathing, Danny Breaks, Flowriders, Colonel Red, Wajeed, Mark de Clive Lowe, Evil Nine and more. Venues and festivals include WOMAD (UK), The Jazz Café (London, UK), The Big Chill Bar and Festival (UK), Cargo (London, UK), Loop (Tokyo), and Sugarfactory (Amsterdam), MTV Awards (Portugal), carnival parties in Brazil and Beijing, China on NYE 2007. He also appeared and was interviewed on Gilles Petersons BBC Radio 1 show.

Regular DJ slots include his own Basement Soul club night that has recently moved into London and Amsterdam and runs alongside the monthly session at the legendary Jazz Place in Brighton. In addition he hosts the monthly Mr Bongo Records radio show on Samurai FM and is a member of the Mr Bongo Records, Basement Soul and Russ Dewbury's Jazzrooms Allstars DJ collectives.

Current live projects include collaborations with Colonel Red, Lyric L and younger brother Kev Luckhurst (2xUK DMC Finalist/Mr Bongo). For bookings please contact info@uniqueuncut.co.uk

His first two solo productions featuring Lyric L and Emma Brammer respectively are out now and follow the acclaimed Basement Soul: Sounds From The Floor Volume 01 compilation CD that was released in April this year, all on Unique Uncut.

G's Myspace page is here

LADY JANE BONGO

Having worked at Universal Music, Zomba Records, run her own artist management agency 'Siren' and now Label Manager of Mr Bongo Records, Jane's influences and record collection span a wide range of genres. Her set's range from classic Brazilian, Latin and Afrobeat and hip hop and funk from around the globe.

Jane has played at various clubs in Brighton and London as well as worldwide gigs including MTV Awards in Portugal 2005, and in 2006 - Recife Carnival in Brazil, Womad, Braziliant, A Rum Do to name a few, as well as supporting Gilles Peterson and DJ Marky.

She has a residency at the Big Chill Bar in London's Brick Lane. She is one of only a few female DJs in the UK playing Brazilian and Latin party tunes, mixed with hip hop from all over the world

Jane's Myspace page is here

PHAT KEV

2 x UK DMC Finalist / Luckhurst Brothers / Unique Uncut

A turntablist with a difference - Kev plays the pick of Hip Hop, Soul, Disco, Funk and Rare Groove alongside Latin, Boogaloo and Dancefloor Jazz. Guaranteed to rock a party for both music heads and mainstream audiences alike, Kev's turntablist background sees him cutting tightly between genres, always with a strict eye on the dancefloor and ear for quality soulful music.

Kev has been Djing since the age of 13 and in clubs and venues since 16. Now 22, he has already supported a wealth of artists including De La Soul, Omar, Fun Lovin Criminals, Ugly Duckling, People Under The Stairs, Jehst, Mr Thing, Blak Twang, Andy C, Woody and DJ Yoda to name but a few. His first attempt at the DMC world DJ championships was in 2003 when he reached the UK final, and in 2005 he placed 3rd in the UK Final. The future could see him bettering it. He has also appeared on Radio 1and has regular guest spots on other radio stations including Zebra Traffic's 'Dugout' show.

Also a producer, Kev primarily makes soulful Hip Hop, and with brother Greymatter produces and DJs under the Other Brothers guise. Live sets see them shaking dancefloors with 4 turntable/Serato/CDJ/FX sessions which have been described as 'bridging the gap between mr scruff and the scratch perverts.' Be sure to check out the first installment of their production showcases 'Beat Tape 1'.

2007 is set to be a big year for Kev, with a Brazilian cut-ups mix due to drop in the spring on Mr Bongo Records, a stream of national and international gigs and his first foray into radio presenting amongst the usual residencies, regular mixes, podcasts and radio guest spots. Definitely one to watch if you haven't been already...

Click here for a YouTube video snippet or here for Kev's Myspace page.