In the shadow of the great lands of sound which are Brazil and Cuba, or even Argentina and Mexico, we could be forgiven for thinking that the rest of the South American continent resembles a musical desert - it is so widespread and little known.

However, groove is alive and fertile there. Take Panama, for example: a little country, true. However it acts as a junction between the Northern and Southern continents, giving it a geography of musical confluences, the meeting of the Latin sounds and Soul music. This topography of Groove can be retraced with this compilation which spans the years between 1965 and 1975.

An isthmus from North to South, a canal from East to West, what else does it need to be the cardinal point, the meeting place of influence? In the early steps of democracy we can already hear the rumblings of the magma of youth, coming from underground.

Panama ! Latin, Calypso And Funk On The Isthmus 1965-75 (2006, Soundway Records)

If you are a fan of 70's afro-jazz-funk, I can only recommend you buy the Ghana Soundz compilation (2 volumes of equal high quality), which, contrary to Eurotunnel shares, will bring you a truly excellent return on investment.

It all began in Africa...