{"product_id":"manu-dibango-ray-barretto-the-panther-together","title":"Manu Dibango \/ Ray Barretto - The Panther \/ Together (MR THELONIOUS edits)","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"319\"\u003eFew reissue singles capture the bridge between Afro-funk and Latin jazz-fusion quite as perfectly as \u003cem data-start=\"101\" data-end=\"125\"\u003eThe Panther \/ Together\u003c\/em\u003e. Pairing Manu Dibango and Ray Barretto on one 7-inch feels less like a compilation choice and more like a conversation between two rhythm visionaries working different sides of the same street.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"321\" data-end=\"891\"\u003eOn the A-side, Manu Dibango’s “The Panther” remains as hypnotic and forward-moving as ever. Built around its instantly recognizable sax motif, the track slinks forward with effortless cool — tight percussion, elastic basslines, and a groove so deep it practically loops itself into your subconscious. Dibango’s genius was always in the balance: jazz sophistication stripped down into something raw, danceable, and universal. Decades later, the record still sounds startlingly modern, equally at home in a cosmic jazz set, an Afro-disco session, or a late-night club mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"893\" data-end=\"1374\"\u003eFlip it over and Ray Barretto’s “Together” shifts the energy into warmer, more expansive territory. Rich with Latin percussion and soulful instrumentation, the track rolls with a loose, organic flow that rewards repeat listens. Barretto’s arrangement is all about movement — congas bubbling underneath shimmering keys and brass, creating a groove that feels communal in the best sense of the word. There’s complexity in the musicianship, but it never loses sight of the dancefloor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1376\" data-end=\"1696\"\u003eWhat makes this reissue especially strong is the contrast between the two sides. Dibango brings razor-sharp Afro-funk precision; Barretto answers with fluid, sun-soaked Latin soul. Together, they form a beautifully balanced snapshot of 1970s global groove culture — music made without borders, categories, or compromise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1698\" data-end=\"1817\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eA must-have double-sider for DJs, jazz-funk collectors, and anyone chasing timeless grooves with genuine musical depth.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Funkadoobian","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53822295671121,"sku":null,"price":22.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/9850\/9393\/files\/MR_THELONIOUS_Panther_f.jpg?v=1778760587","url":"https:\/\/thefunkadoobian.com\/products\/manu-dibango-ray-barretto-the-panther-together","provider":"The Funkadoobian","version":"1.0","type":"link"}