Bongo Rock

This better have bongos in it lol. Ok it does, lot of fucking bongos. Too many fucking bongos, if I'm honest. 3/5.

Bongo's check. More Bongo's check. Some bad ass rifts with Bongo's, check! I got a feva; and the only prescription is more bongos!

Wow. I so enjoyed listening to this album from the time that I turned it on. Love the horns, bongos, guitar riffs and the feeling that I'm either hanging out with The Sugarhill Gang making music or reviewing the Rockford Files with Starsky, Hutch, TJ Hooker, Barney Miller, Thomas Magnum, The Six Million Dollar Man / Bionic woman and planning my next vacation on the Love Boat. ... Incredible. https://www.whosampled.com/Incredible-Bongo-Band

Album contains the sweetest cover of inna godda davida ever. I was in the right mood for this today.... Another reason O appreciate this 1001 album site... Would not have actively sought this out

“Bongo Rock” by Incredible Bongo Band (1973) This album is highly entertaining, and if you can’t dance to it, you’re comatose. But, except for percussion, the music here (there are no lyrics) is completely sappy, corny, schmaltzy, and twee. What it could really use is a vocal performance by Alvin and the Chipmunks. And the percussion is—well, ‘formulaic’ would be a generous compliment. The gimmick on this record is to take tested tunes and render them with lots of bongo playing and other colorful percussion (uncredited but performed by quite creditable session musicians). It requires steady (I.e., boring) tempos and soulless attention to meter. Thus we have knockoffs of “In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida”, “Dueling Banjos”, “Wipeout”, “Apache”, etc. This is ‘music’ best enjoyed at old style parties for boomers, preferably after everyone is two sheets in. I believe the only country where any of these tracks charted was Canada. I’ll leave it to the reader to draw the appropriate inferences. There is humor here, but it’s at a small college marching band level. It’s the kind of thing serious musicians do on their time off, or when they’re bored, depressed, unemployed, or insufficiently talented (or all of the above and failing to connect the dots). This record might have improved productivity in a 1950s Soviet gulag or Chinese laogai, but I doubt it would have been allowed. Actually, it would make for a great YouTube video as a soundtrack to clips of chain gang workers from the Paul Newman movie Cool Hand Luke. Roofers and carpenters, however, should not play this as background music while working. It could cause seizures. 1/5

I like bongos, but not that much

WOW I am so glad I listened to that. Perfect 10/10 for me. That was just miraculous. Actual sonic perfection. It blows my mind that these groovy songs that slap so hard were made in the early 70’s before my parents were even born. I have heard one of the songs before, Bongolia from Baby Driver. It’s really funny when I’m listening to old stuff like David Brubeck or Focus and am like… “Where have I heard this song before?” And once I realize it’s Baby Driver, it makes me love the movie that much more just because of how based Edgar Wrights taste in music is. Anyway, I couldn’t possibly recommend this album more. Actually just incredible.

This is good record to play “who sampled this?” with….and boy are there are a lot. Musically, it’s decent r&b/funk record, but…a little bit of bongo goes a long way, you know what I mean? You’re going to be hearing bongos in your sleep after listening to this and, soon, the “clop-clop” of bongos will permeate your psyche until you slowly disassociate, unsure where you end and the bongos begin…Somebody help me….Every day is a waking nightma— CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP

APACHE!!! Origin of so many samples. This whole album is just super cool.

I never realised this album existed, and suddenly the origin of every hip-hop and dnb bongo sample I've ever heard has been revealed to me. Not only that, it's an absolutely banging album, I don't think there is a single track I didn't enjoy - whenever I got bored of the bouncy bongo beats a guitar riff appeared from nowhere to drag me back from the brink of not having fun.

Neat little time capsule of 70s vibe, but a bit much to listen to all at once... This kind of soul sound but with the bongos turned down to a reasonable level was done well on The Olympians' self-titled (2016).

I knew within five seconds of the first song "Apache" that I would like this album. This album started as a supplement to the soundtrack of B-film "The Thing with Two Heads." It is mostly cover songs using bongos, conga drums, rock drums, brass horns and guitar. The songs are all instrumental, mostly upbeat and funky and highly influential among hip hop artists - a lot of songs are sampled. To me, the sound is like "The Peter Gunn Theme" enhanced with bongos and funk. It's interesting; it does have a soundtrack feel but there are a lots of guitar, organ and other instrument solos making it feel also like a rock song. No need to further explain the song "Dueling Bongos" either. Great production also on this record. "Apache" starts with a great bongo and drum beat, horns and organ come and the funk kicks in. Great bongo solo. The orginal song was popular in the UK by The Shadows and in the US by Jørgen Ingmann. It also became very popular in the late 70's among hip hop artists. "Last Bongo in Belgium" is musically all over the place with organ jams, an impressive guitar solo sounding like Steely Dan, a few brass horns solos and of course, the multiple percussions keeping the rhythym. It has also been sampled by the Beastie Boys, Massive Attack and the Leftfield. I was in a bar last week, heard "In a Gadda da Vida" from the juke box and mentioned to a friend that has been a few years since I've heard this song. Little did I know, a week later I'd hear a bongoed-up version of "In a Gadda da Vida," a song that has also been used as the main loop in two Nas' songs. And, as if the orginal song isn't strange enough. I knew I was in for a unique experience when I saw this album pop up on the 1001 randomizer; It was to some extent but the real highlight was finding out about its influence and enjoying listening to the music.

I am a sucker for some good percussion, and this album delivered on that and much more. I really enjoyed the upbeat/funky vibes that were present throughout "Bongo Rock". This record was just pure fun, and I had a great time listening to it throughout its super quick tracklist (I listened to the original eight song release rather than the extended 2006 version, but I am now tempted to listen to all of the bonus tracks in the future). The tight collection of songs here just feels timeless with all of the performers clearly giving it their all. After doing some research, it looks like a good chunk of these songs are covers of older hits (In a Gadda Da Vida was the only one I knew for sure was a cover), but I feel that they did a fantastic job making these tracks their own and giving them the twist they need to keep things exciting. This definitely feels like a record that had the potential to be sampled a lot in the future, and I recognized 'Apache' by its use in the Sugar Hill Gang's song 'Jump On It' immediately. Overall, this was a great album to go through, and I feel like I should own this one on vinyl in the future. 4/5.

I'm not sure that I should like this album as much as I do - but I do. It's like a collection of the greatest TV and game show themes from the 70s and 80s, and I mean that as a compliment. It's just fun. Their rendition of Satisfaction is almost (maybe) better than the original. Ironically, the only thing that wore on me was the bongos. Sometimes they were cool, but - at the end of the day - they end up making every song sound like Apache. Every ounce of my being wants to give this a 5, but I'm just not sure I can justify it.

A decent knock knock joke. I chuckled, I smiled, I forgot it straight away.

So bongo cover versions then. I could have done without hearing it but not too terrible

I love this album more than life itself. The perfect expression of the 1970's. A bit cheesy, incredibly fun (yes, incredibly), slightly tipsy. I can imagine Fatboy Slim hearing these grooves and thinking "I'm going to base my entire career on this." Incredible.

We were pleasantly surprised by how lively and fun this ridiculously named band was. It's fantastic.

Well this is a lot of fun. No grand artistic statement here just a bunch of talented musicians showing off their substantial chops on some old favourites. Nothing wrong with that. 3.5 stars

Upon getting this album pop up for today's listen - I was really skeptical. But the first song on the album is Apache which at first didn't recognise by name, but recognised the sound from countless covers, samples and features in films. The entire album has a soundtrack like quality to it, which makes sense when you realise that Michael Viner was a record artist manager and executive at MGM Records. Overall a good listen for a Friday afternoon Best: Apache; In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida Worst: No real weakness just a nice flow through the album as a whole Disclaimer - I only listened to the first 8 songs on Spotify as they were part of the original album. The remainder was part of the 2006 CD Release

Now That’s What I Call Bongos Vol 1. Having the word “incredible” in your band name is like North Korea having the word “democratic” in its name. It doesn’t necessarily make it true.

Kitsch. Novelty. Not even done very well. But it's fun to listen to for a while. Some songs are alright, but there's also some very bland versions of more spicy originals, like Pipeline and Satisfaction. A full album of this is too much. If you need samples for your hip hop or dance music, this record is for you. Otherwise ignore it. In my opinion this doesn't belong on the list. Favorite song: Kiburi.

Despite my initial fears of this having too much bongo to handle, I actually found myself wanting/needing more bongo from the Incredible Bongo Band. This is a 5/5 instrumental covers record on its own but the bongos really bring this into a whole new world. Most of this could easily be used as the soundtrack to a paradoy Tarantino film. I would also like to hear it substituted for the original Dirty Harry soundtrack - I reckon that would fit very well.

Flame

Is this the album that launched a thousand hip-hop careers? Quite possibly. I had no idea what to expect from what appeared to be 80 minutes centred around bongo drumming, but mercifully, it was much more than that and funky as hell. It might actually be my favourite discovery yet from this challenge.

This is the only example on this 1001 list (as far as I can tell) of a particular genre of record that you constantly come across int he wild, but is very seldom given any critical appraisal; the studio cash-in record. Studio professionals corralled together to crank a bunch of usually instrumental covers of some popular hits, and maybe some hastily written original charts that sound vaguely similar (but allow the publishing royalties to be collected by someone close to the project). Some name musicians had quite a lot of success using this formula (James Last is a good example), but often it is an arbitrary band name (as here) or even completely anonymous. A day or two in the studio can knock out a quick album that might sell a few thousand copies. As here (or in Australian EMS recordings of this type), studio down time was used to reduce costs. Well, this is an example from within that genre that exceeded all expectations. The fact that it has really great band (big ups to Jim Gordon on drums) and was superbly recorded int e MGM Studios means that it sounds like a million dollars. It has a great beat and lots of percussion breaks, which led to it being one of the ur-texts of hip hop. This has given this album a second life and a cultural influence that far exceeds the original ambitions for this record. The sound of this record has cast a massive shadow of music in the decades since its release. It's a pretty funky listen, assuming you like bongos. Standout tracks; Apache, Dueling Bongos, In A Gadda Da Vida.

A loud audible groan when I saw this pop up, but this is WAY better than I was expecting. This is some FUNKY shit. I am way digging these bongos (just as well really) and some of these covers (like Apache) are BAD ASS. I thought I would finally answer the question of "how many bongos is too many bongos?", but you know what? I haven't. We need more bongos if anything. More. Bongos.

TIukkaa bongotykitystä ja rytmikästä menoa. Mukavan pirtsakkaa musaa, tätä kuunteli mielellään!

Trumpet drums guitar. You can hear so much of what influenced future artists in this album

Can't help but bop around when listening to this. Duelling Bongos was a bit of a let-down due to it not being a cover of Duelling Banjos. I feel like I should be driving around Santa Monica in a bright pink low-rider, with my uzi on the back seat, smoking like a chimney, picking up some roller babes and just being an all-round badass. 10/10 would listen to again. Would give 4.5/5 but withholding my 5/5 for something which I can just listen to on repeat

bongolicious bongo songs hitting bongbastically hard? Ja bitte!

One of the more quintessential blueprints for what would be known as hip-hop/b-boy culture and it is perfect condensed and understood in the four minutes and fifty-four seconds of the first track (which I've just learned was a cover of a two decade old song). This is a pretty good collection of innovative songs and intriguing covers (the aforementioned Apache, In a Gadda da Vida, Satisfaction) and it's worth the time. Bongos have never sounded so funky.

Well... this exists.

Nice tunes and enjoyable all the way through, all covers though

It's a rocking bongo album delivered as packaged. There is no false advertising here. It's a proper groove.

FUNkier than expected

Yeah it sure does have that funky soundtrack sound for a movie in the early 70s. I keep anticipating Issac Hayes piping in with: You see this cat Shaft is a bad mother (Shut your mouth) But I'm talkin' about Shaft (Then we can dig it) After two songs I was wondering why it's called "Bongo Rock '' Yeah, I get it, there are bongos playing but nothing to justify naming the album Bongo Rock. The Bongos stepped up on Bongolia and again on Bongo Rock where they really do sizzle but in general I don't see anything special percussion wise. I guess if the only drummers you had heard play were Charlie Watts (RIP) and Ringo, the percussion might sound unusual enough to be impressive. I'm more impressed by the percussion on the Ravi Shankar album we listened to and the tabla playing on that LP was a footnote rather than the main billing. I'd prefer an a track of tabla soloing over the song Dueling Bongos any day of the week. Watching Dueling Bongos live might be fun but listening to it is as much fun as listening to some knucklehead mow his lawn. Ditto the solo in In-A-Gadda_Da_Vida although the jamming after the solo is quite good. Also, I'm far more impressed with the lead guitar playing than I am with the Bongo playing on Last Bongo in Belgium. I might consider a 3 if it weren't for the bongos. Given the name of the band, a 3 is off the table.

Pre-listening feelings upon seeing the album art: Oh no. Post-listening feelings: So... these are covers of popular songs of the day, but with bongos? That's... that's what this is? Just to clarify - why 1,001 albums, exactly? Why not, ya know, 200 maybe. Weed out a couple. But also - reading up on it, I guess this album has been sampled a good bit, which makes it a little bit interesting. But I'm not otherwise loving it.

I would happily never listen to this again. It wasn't a bad album, but it did nothing for me. I think it was too earnest, and I can imagine that people who understand music would really appreciate it.

OK, this is kind of fun. But I admit I couldn't listen to every song all the way through. But I did have to listen to in a Gadda Davida all the way through. I couldn't make it through satisfaction all the way though. They definitely had some pretty good musicians on this

1/5 it began well, in the end it became disturbing

Why is this here

Honestly, wtf

Stopped listening after I got halfway through the second song. Can’t believe someone convinced a record company to let them fuck around on bongos for almost an hour and a half.

“Largely ignored “ said the review. Where it should have been left. Ignored forever. Cover art 3/5

Background Muzak for a crappy tiki bar. What is this doing on the list? Not only that - but cover songs that are desecrations of the originals? I bet Mick and Keith did not love the cover of Satisfaction. I certainly didn't.

Bongos

Bongo’s kept-a-bongoing

Das hat gelutscht um tbh zu sein. 5 sterne für den apache break

wow! didn't see this one coming, flawless for what it is, maybe it's an embarrassment of riches bit but wtf, it's bongos

Great album, like the ultimate backing track. I really was put off by the name of the band and album thinking it would be something gimmicky but it really works.

Albums like this is the reason why I'm doing this. This is some fun music. 5RS

10/10, one of the best instrumental albums I've ever listened to. No notes other than 'everything is perfect'

This is absolute happy music. I love it so much. The fact that it started from the soundtrack to "The Thing with Two Heads" is just amazing. "In a Gadda da Vida" is a masterpiece.

I mean, funky bongos?!? What more could one possibly ask for???

I came here to listen to bongos and kick ass.

Epic, I like it very much.

Funktastic! Highly recommend!

Je moet wel heel erg van bongo's houden, wil je dit leuk vinden. Gelukkig hou ik heel erg van bongo's. Lekkere jaren 70-funk met trompetten, wah-wah-gitaren, een orgeltje, en... bongo's. Wat wil je nog meer?

Genre: Bongo Rock Review: That was brilliant. Apache is the one that screams (read: "percusses") at you from the get-go, but it's all pretty damn good. The combo of bongo and rock is so cool. Loved the covers of famous rock songs like "In A Gadda Da Vida" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" too. Rating: 9/10

Loved it

F$cking amazing!

Wow, so many instrumental hits here.

What just happened? An instrumental album featuring the bongos was going to start off ok, then get boring quickly. Nope! Not in the least. It's an ode to the rhythm section with some of the greatest rearrangements of popular songs. Especially the surf songs. Particularly Pipeline. This was such a wonderful surprise.

Didn’t get a chance to listen to this one, but… come on, it’s Bongo Rock. Five Stars.

I guess it will be the first time I'll rate an instrumental album with the maximum rate, but this one was so unexpected that it deserves it. It is so jazzy and so funky that it's impossible to listen to it without enjoying at least one song.

1973 - FUNK; Rare Groove; R&B

Very solid

Yeah I knew about Apache and Bongo Rock but wasn't expecting to spot a famous sample in almost every single track on the whole album! An essential history lesson that also happens to be a great album in its own right.

Really liked this one!

Loved it! Very easy to tap along to so probably not the best album for work times

WHAT IS THIS?! I’ve never heard of Incredible Bongo Band, but I am a big big fan of this sort of thing. The album does not disappoint. Great bongo-centric covers and tunes that were new to me, leaning heavily into the bongos, horns and organ. I loved every minute and spent the day grooving around my house to the crazy beats. A welcome addition to my musical library!

I was really pleasantly surprised by this. It was not what I was expecting at all. Really funky. A cracker!

baita sonzao instrumental, bongo mandando lenha

FUCK YES

What an incredible bongo band

As a big time hip-hop fan, did this album influence almost every album because there is so many melodies that I've heard before in other songs. In other words, this album itself is so damn groovy.

5/5 why not. Funky! Pretty damn good. I would get down to this.

Don't know what I was expecting, but I wasn't expecting this. I rather like it.

Even if the principal instrument is a bongo and the rest of the music are percussions it isn't repetitive. This album have the videogame soundtrack vibes, the only issue is the duration, it's really long but enjoyable

Como não amar?!

10/10 Would vibe again.

Realmente é uma álbum incrível. Uma mistura de ritmos, mas com uma assinatura sonora interessante e marcante.

funk/jazzy BONGO SOLO?

Drums goes Boom, bongo goes bam bam bam! Everything goes wild. Tchick tchack, party up badaboum!! Pouet Pouet

Oingo boingo

Lots of good stuff on this. Lots of bongo. 😅

Really relaxing music, i enjoyed it very much..

Surprised to find this was excellent

What a hilariously fun album. No complaints here!

Really beautiful music to listen to at any time

BONGOTASTIC

Is het omdat Dranouter nog wat in mijn lijf zit bij het raten van dit album? Of vind ik gewoon erg goed? Goed veel koper, bongobeats en af en toe een stevig gitaartje

This one was an absolute banger. 10/10 will listen again daily. Only criticism is could have done with a few more bongo.

Classic - dueling bongos and apache. Used as the basis for many songs and samples

Really fun and funky instrumentals. Can just groove to it!

Absolute great stuff

BINGO BANGO BONGO BOMBOCLAT ALL TIME GREAT HOT HOT HOT HOT FIYAAA

So many juicy samples for other artists to pluck from the Incredible Bongo Tree. Great to hear the originals.

It was way to fun to listen to