various / numero

Cult Cargo : Belize City Boil Up

Even by the skyscraper tall standards set by themselves with previous outings, this Numero collection is a shining beacon of how crate digging can be done with respect, grace and a whole lot of fun. Looking back to the 1960's/70's and taking the culturally invisible nation of Belize as its focus, 'Cult Cargo: Belize City Boil Up' exposes a rich seam of musical nourishment that has gone unsampled for too long. With an ingredient list that features everything from R&B, calypso, disco and funk, through to reggae, soul and folk, the music on offer here is a collision in the best possible sense. Sixteen tracks deep and featuring some gorgeous sleeve reproductions, the likes of The Web, Soul Creations, Lord Rhaburn and Nadia Cattouse all add their distinctive slant to an album of bottomless delights. If all compilations and retrospectives were done with such evident love and attention then the music world would be a much richer and varied place - as it is we can look on releases like this with genuine affection and foot-tapping glee. Lovely.