CD Review: Chicha Libre's 'Cuatro Tigres'

Chicha Libre
Cuatro Tigres
Barbes Records

Based in Brooklyn, Chicha Libre brings us sounds from various regions and cultures. The band's members come from Mexico, Venezuela, the USA, and France. The collective creates a form of Peruvian cumbia-beat, which is akin to Afro-beat. However, the primary difference revolves around more Latin, South American, and urban dance forms with psych-trance, rumba, and tropical rhythms. The spicy mix of funk, jazz, and urban folklore creates a fascinating listening experience with lively vocals, hip percussion, and electronic accompaniment. The psychedelic ramblings are very melodic and nostalgic. Despite the lack of music on the new album (only 4 tracks), the music that is available is unforgettable. Fans of contemporary cumbia will love the music of Chicha Libre. Cuatro Tigres is Colombian, Peruvian, Californian, and Amazonian, but most of all, it is music that is to be experienced by everyone. ~ Matthew Forss

CD/LP Review: Various Artists' 'Diablos Del Ritmo' 2-CD/2-LP Set

Various Artists
Diablos Del Ritmo
Analog Africa

Analog Africa's latest release, Diablos Del Ritmo, is a 2-CD or 2-LP set of historic African-tinged Colombian music. Part 1 contains mainly afro-beat, funk, terapia, and palenque music, while Part 2 contains more specific, traditional styles, including porro, gaita, puya, cumbiamba, mapale, and chande. The music is taken from 1960-1985. This is a historic set of songs with numerous artists contributing, including Wganda Kenya, Grupo Abharca, Abelardo Carbono, Andres Landero, Cumbia Soledena, Conjunto Son San, and many others. The music is highly danceable, trance-inducing, and psychedelic. The Latin and African funk sounds are memorable, addictive, and a pleasure to experience with each listen. The thirty-two tracks come alive with a deep cultural significance regarding Colombian music as a whole. The CD and LP set comes with a 60-page booklet with 40 old photographs and 24 interviews. Anyone with a sincere interest in Colombian, Afro-Caribbean, and Latin music should check out this compilation. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Very Be Careful's 'Remember Me From The Party?'

Very Be Careful
Remember Me From The Party?
Downtown Pijao

LA-based Afro-Colombian vallenato maestros, Very Be Careful, bring us another fine recording of upbeat, dance music on accordion, percussion, and other heart-pulsing instrumentation. The danceable music is characteristic of South American, Latin American, and North American tejano. The accordion-driven music is uptempo and refreshing, especially on "El Mosquito." Nevertheless, there are twelve rippling tunes of sonic beauty. The party atmosphere is full of vallenato music. Nothing is amiss here. The instrumentation and Spanish vocals are top notch throughout. Very Be Careful is essentially a party-version of Colombian polka music. Remember Very Be Careful is a group that knows how to perform. All in all, it's that good. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Antioquia's 'Viajero'

Antioquia
Viajero
Self-Release

Colombian-born and Oakland, California-based, Antioquia [pron. an-tee-OH-kee-ah], brings us a rousing set of edgy, rock and folk songs inspired by Afro-Colombian psychedelica permeating throughout their new album, Viajero. The quasi-electronic, “Attack of the Killer Balafon,” is a pensive, slightly spacious song with meandering balafon sounds, lilting guitar notes, and special effects that signify more of a Saharan blues connection than South America. The jangly, jungle sounds of the highly percussive “Dibon,” are rich in South American flavor without the rock elements of a few other songs. The instrumental song is very short, but it serves as a nice break from longer songs and it shows their versatility with different sounds. “Kassa - Nisoro” follows the same musical style as “Dibon.” The beginning of “No Sleep Til Oakland” follows a similar vein, but an urban, hip hop sound takes over with a percussive-driven background. The slightly progressive tone of “Idaho” and “Sister” contain more guitar-driven song structures and wild vocals that stay grounded overall. Antioquia is a new voice in Neuvo Colombian music that is not afraid to cross borders, musical boundaries, and leave listeners reeling for more. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: La Chiva Gantiva's 'Pelao'

La Chiva Gantiva
Pelao
Crammed

Latin-American percussion and song styles are the focus of the Belgium-based La Chiva Gantiva. Pelao, which means, "kid," is an album with upbeat, energetic rhythms from the heart of Colombia, but performed with members from other parts of the world. The global mixture of influences and ethnic representation encapsulates the musical energy on each track. A selection of tracks contain blaring horns, electric bass, drums, sax, vocals, and heavy percussion. The upbeat tunes are reminiscent of balkan brass, Afro-beat anthems, and Afro-Latin funk gems. The multi-ethnic songs are bound to get the body moving wherever it may be located on planet Earth. Anyone with an interest in Colombian funk, Afro-Latin jazz, balkan brass, and instrumental medleys that will get your feet moving, Pelao is right for you. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Colombia's Systema Solar

Systema Solar

Systema Solar

Chusma Records

The colorful soundscapes of Colombia's Systema Solar defy easy categorization. The music is largely funkadelic with a touch of Balkan brass and Afro-Latin beats amid a techno background. The vocal elements primarily eschew hip-hop or rap overtones. The dazzling instrumentation and electronic beats encompass a party-like atmosphere wherever the music is played. If the attractive CD packaging is any indication of the music's content, then you know you are in for nothing less than a magical psychedelic listening experience. Some of the tracks contain straight up beats with less dependence on vocals, while others are more lyrically driven. Still, Systema Solar is one big street party with modern sounds from the Caribbean and beyond. Overall, the varied beats of Systema Solar signify an intrepid journey of interstellar or cosmic proportions. Even village elders will be found tapping their feet and bobbing their heads to the sounds of Systema Solar. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Soundway Records Sampler

Various Artists

Afro Tropical Soundz Vol. 1

Soundway

The funk-ladened sounds of the African continent and Afro-Caribbean regions are highlighted on this sampler. In fact, only tracks culled from a few of Soundways recording catalog are included. In short, this sampler is an excellent introduction into the pulsating sounds of the African diaspora from classic recordings. All the vocal songs were originally recorded in the 1960's through early 1980's. You will hear music from Colombia, Ghana, Panama, Nigeria, Benin and beyond. Eleven songs comprise the entire album, though it will leave you yearning for more. Despite it's length and repetition of two different tracks from the same full-length release, Afro Tropical Soundz Vol. 1 is a perfect addition to any collection of Afro-Caribbean and African funkadelica. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Anibal Velasquez and "Mambo Loco" (released 4/27/2010)

Anibal Velasquez y Su Conjunto

Mambo Loco

Analog Africa

A legendary accordionist and ambassador for Colombian guaracha music, Anibal Velasquez y Su Conjunto showcase tunes culled from a 30+ year musical career. The organic, rumba-sounding groove backed by the unmistakable accordion, piano, caja drum, and rhythmic beats characteristic of Colombia's bustling city of Barranquilla. The trippy-beats, spicy sounds, and bluesy-jazz accordion playing mark an era of unique music from South America. Mambo Loco is tropical music with a twist...of the hips, that is. It's refreshing, solidly-crafted and composed, and globally-relevant music for everyone! A handy 24-page booklet is included with CD. In addition, Analog Africa is a leader in reviving old music from around the world on LP. Mambo Loco will also be available on LP. For those that cannot locate Anibal Velasquez' 300+ LP's, Mambo Loco will suffice. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: California's 'Very Be Careful'

Very Be Careful

Escape Room

Barbes Records

The L.A.-based Colombian-American band, Very Be Careful, is a group of vallenato and cumbia influenced musicians with an assortment of traditional instruments, including guacharacas, cowbells, caja vallenatas, and accordions. The bass also makes an appearance. Don't let the accordion-toting Ricardo Guzman fool you into thinking this is a polka party. Yet, there is a party element here, but it's not German. If you combined South American beat-jazz with progressive, punk-folk, then you have the gist of Escape Room. Each track captures the rich, musical textures of Colombian folk music in voice and song. Escape Room contains two tracks by other musicians, including Calixto Ochoa and Abel Antonio Villa. There is a pervasive, groovy, trance-like beat that permeates each song. Their music is great for parties and having fun. ~ Matthew Forss