Bosco Mann is known as the bass player and bandleader for the Daptones, along with co-founding Daptone Records in Brooklyn. In recent years, he has returned to his hometown of Riverside, California, where he has recently built a recording studio, and now launched a new imprint, Penrose Records. To celebrate the launch of this imprint, they are now giving us a label sampler simply titled Penrose Records, Vol. 1.

While it will come as no surprise that the overall sound of this compilation is that of vintage soul, there is a markedly different sound to the West Coast. It’s noticeable in not only the way that drums and guitar are recorded, but their function in group as well and the patterns they play. There is also a more laidback approach, with the tempo slower and the groove sitting a little further back in the pocket. Over the course of the compilation, we get two songs apiece from five different acts – Thee Sacred Souls, Thee Sinseers, Jason Joshua, The Altons, and Los Yesterdays. Another way in which the label distinguishes itself with these acts is that there is a decidedly Latin influence across the board. This is most notable with standout act Jason Joshua who mixes soul and salsa in a way reminiscent of Joe Bataan, which is always welcome. He has a really excellent voice and a lot of charisma, making his two tracks quite an introduction that had me scrambling to learn more about him. There’s not a weak track on the compilation, and you’re guaranteed to pick at least one act as a new favorite, if not all five.

If you’re going into this compilation thinking, “What could make this different from anything else has Bosco Mann done?,” one listen should be enough for you to hear how the approach of these West Coast groups is distinct from all of the East Coast groups Mann has worked with over the years. But really, would you really be mad if Mann, one of the most consistent and high quality musical voices of the last twenty years repeated himself? Fortunately, we get the best of both world with Penrose Records, Vol. 1. It’s got it’s own distinct flavor, while also delivering the quality vintage soul that is Mann’s bread and butter.