DJ KOCO aka SHIMOKITA returns with another deep-dig selection for Mr Bongo, this time turning his attention to Cuba with a carefully curated 45 boxset for Record Store Day 2026.
Following the success of his Brazil set, this latest collection feels like a natural progression. Known as a DJ’s DJ, KOCO’s approach is always rooted in taste as much as technique, and that comes through clearly here. This is not just a history lesson. It is a box built for the floor.
Opening with Ricardo Eddy Martínez y Expreso Rítmico’s “La 132”, the tone is set early. Funk-leaning, rhythm-heavy and full of movement, it rolls straight into deeper Cuban territory with selections from Juan Pablo Torres y Algo Nuevo, bringing a richer, more layered sound.
Farah María’s “Ámame Y No Pienses Más” stands out as a left turn. Slower, more disco-leaning and carrying an unexpected American influence, it reflects a different side of Cuba’s musical landscape at the time. Elsewhere, Orquesta Riverside’s “En Casa Del Trompo No Bailes” builds from a laid-back groove into a full Afro-Cuban workout, the kind of track that shifts energy mid-set.
KOCO’s own edits add another layer. His rework of Grupo Ismaelillo’s “Amanecer” tightens things up for modern play, while the FA-5 edit leans into that breaks-heavy, b-boy energy that has become a signature part of his sets.
Final thoughts
The Cuban 45 Boxset is all about selection.
A deep, rhythm-driven collection that connects Cuban music to DJ culture, built with dancers and diggers in mind.
If you dig this, check this heater in a similar lane.
Get it
Available exclusively for Record Store Day via Mr Bongo. No digital, so you’ll need to dig for this one.
