DJ Lubi Jovanovic presents Salsa Funk Experience

Here’s yet another addition to Nascente’s Funk Experience series – Kid Loco’s French Funk Experience has been released simultaneously – and yet another compilation in the seemingly bottomless pit of salsa compilations. But Lubi Jovanovic’s Salsa Funk Experience is a fun-filled ride through the genre’s grooviest corners: as these 18 varied tracks testify, the Leeds-based DJ knows his stuff. There are NuYorican classics and contemporary takes by London-based outfits alongside one-hit wonders and instantly recognisable names. Knowledgeable liner notes give a potted history of a fusion that began when the rhythms of Cuba and Puerto Rico merged with down-and-dirty Afro-American funk in New York City in the mid-60s, taking in barrio soul and rock along the way.

Though pitched as an album for lovers of salsa and funk alike, not all of it is easy to dance to – a cover of ‘I’m a Man’ by London-based Venezuelan outfit Spiteri has all the rhythm of a balloon being deflated – but then Lubi has always liked to throw Latin music fans the odd challenge. An inspired choice of opener (‘Bacalao Con Pan’ by the Grupo Fantasma) is followed by enough old faithfuls to keep punters happy: Eddie Palmieri’s ‘The Highest Good, Ray Barretto’s ‘Tumbao Africano’ and ‘Feelin’ Alright’ by percussion god Mongo Santamaria, for example. The odd duff track aside, this one’s made for serious partying.