Artwork by Tropi Delia
Welcome to this month´s journey into the hot, misty world of intergalactic cumbias. This selection reflects the sweet, sweaty sound of the tropical summer, and the relaxing, poetic ambience of the oceans. There is a never ending stream of tasty musical treats around at the moment – here are some of the choiciest cuts below:
Kaygee selected:
V/A – Entre Tiempo Y Espacio (Tropical Twista Records – 2016)
WAOW ! I wouldn’t know where to start with this one. There are loads of amazing compilations coming out these days, but this one hits the spot on the variety of artists and diversity of sounds & rhythms it offers: “As a whole, the album offers an exquisite journey into the mysteries of time and space and reflects a Latin America that is united through a new musical scene that is strong, independent, transcending geographical barriers, and creating new connections.”
Make sure you listen to the while thing, it’s full of gems, as mentioned by the Silly Tang further below.
YEAHMAN! – Minca
Confluencias I: Selva (Shika Shika)
This track is just bangin’. It has it all: a sick beat, a wicked groove, and most of all, a set of beautiful and pure sounding instruments. I’m not sure how they were recorded or sampled or whatever, but they sound great. YEAHMAN is on my hotlist these days; he’s releasing some great tunes. Keep an eye out for the man !
This tune deserves its place in this great compilation, brought to us by Shika Shika. I love that they always find new artists from around the globe; this compilation has indeed brought to my attention many new ones who I had never heard of and who produce some serious tunes !!
GUAZÚ – El Club del Condor
Confluencias II: Montaña (Shika Shika)
And if one wasn’t enough, here’s another set of tracks for our delight from Shika Shika, with the second part of ‘Confluencias’. Another great selection for us to enjoy, with tunes from Nicola Cruz, Spaniol, Quixosis, amongst others; but there’s one that stuck out for me every time I listen to it. He was a stranger for me: Guazu. His tune is so deep, powerful, with a hint of darkness, slowly progressing towards the top of that mountain ! I love it !
Urban Cosmonaut Tales (Urban Cosmonaut Radio)
It’s like Christmas has come early, and it’s snowing tunes and compilations in August ! It’s amazing ! They are all so diverse, and bring to us so many new artists who deserve to be heard around the planet; as seen in Coconutah’s selection further below.
Here, Urban Cosmonaut Tales travels through the tropical diversity of this globe, stopping in different electronic environments. I strongly recommend you take the time to enjoy all of the tunes. They are all very different and come together very nicely in this compilation. The tune ‘Uwi’ by Geju, Betelgeize & J.O. seems perfect to close the whole thing!
ElPeche – Calorzito (Tropikalia Vol.1) (University of Tropical Sound)
Who said compilation ? Here’s another one fresh on the block, straight from the University of Tropical Sound, who we had the pleasure to see play and meet @Tropical Camp. Here’s another great variety of artists, including our beloved Silly Tang and 2G1B and many other ones who we often mention on this blog, as well as this banger by ElPeche. I’d heard this accordion before and really love how he’s used it here, with that groovy guitar and a fat bassline! Wicked !
And if you’re in for a more Shamanic type of experience, check out El Camo’s Ritual.
Contoneo Tropical 2016 (Taciano Records)
Stream/Download: https://tacianorecords.bandcamp.com/album/contoneo-tropical
And here’s another compilation that’s well worth a listen. It has a totally different approach to the sounds than the ones mentioned above and definitely has some heavy dancefloor bangers in there!
Vruno – Oxytocin (AKUMANDRA)
Bim ! Vruno’s in the place ! I adore his productions, and particularly enjoy the slow and progressive touch he has! A deep techno beet & bassline to get you going and allow all the rest to slowly build around you. You can really feel how this story needs these 8 minutes to be fully enjoyed & completed ! Big ups !
Make sure you check out the label AKUMANDRA ! Proper deep world business to make you travel through their amazing releases.
Intiche – Ulmos
Stream/Purchase: http://intiche.bandcamp.com/album/ulmos
This beauty also came out at the end of last month. A wonderful musical journey signed by Intiche. Another slow & progressive approach which always works on me, leaving time to appreciate the whole atmosphere and thickness of the tune, catching every little sound & detail right into the jungle.
With so much music for our ears, here are a few good videos to check out:
The Nu LatAm Sound – Ecuador Episode 1 – The Amazon Voices (ZZK Films)
I was really looking forward to this coming out and really enjoyed the watch. It gives us a great insight into the Ecuatorian artists, influence, roots, environments present in todays scene, and how they are reviving and merging with ancestral sounds. This will be a great set of episodes to watch.
Animal Chuki – Luna (Radio Gladys Palmera)
During their stay in Madrid for Guacamayo Tropical’s event, Animal Chuki recorded this live version of one of their new tunes @ Radio Gladys Palmera. Really nice chilled vibe on this one !
Sesiones Bajo Tierra – QUIXOSIS – “Cordillera” (Episodio2)
Episode 2 of ‘Sesiones Bajo Tierra’ brings to us Quixosis performing ‘Cordillera’ live. I think we just went one floor deeper; I love it !
Lulacruza – Gente Mariposa @ Szimpla Kert
While we’re on the live performance, you can enjoy Lulacruza’s performance of ‘Gente Mariposa’ @ Szimpla Kert in Budapest. Her voice is beautiful; I really hope to see her live soon.
Nomad Frequencies – Teaser Medley 2016
Here’s a wicked project we had the pleasure of seeing live a few months ago in France, a French live duo between machines & instruments, who go from Cumbia to world techno/trance with a hint of Balkan d&b. Great live show !!
Mataga – Mixtape · Viveylate Radio 1×012
Another interesting journey but this time in a flight straight to Brazil with Mataga, presented to us by Viveylate Radio.
And like every month, on top of all these tunes, compilations, videos, projects, which I mentioned above, there are always some delightful mixtapes to be enjoyed, here are some of them:
San Ignacio \IST 045 (Casa Caos)
YEAHMAN! InterCities # 5 (Summer Moments MixTape)
Sonikgroove World Electronica Mixtape
Griffin Crafts – Flavour of The Month -Julio (Shika Shika)
Silly Tang Selected
Kumbiamberos Internacionales – El Siguiente Nivel Vol. 12
This month of August is hot, festive and full of vibes as always! To start my selection this month I wanted to forward this compilation full of great artists. Some of my favourites of course; Turbo Sonidero, Dj Classic y mas! A very good selection out of the true cumbia family from, Mexico, Argentina and USA. All in all, very classic and unmissable with a twist of craziness!
Señor Chancho – Bacallao (Tropical Twista Records)
On this original killer track was the all mighty Bacallao. And then, I came across this remix with the all-around Cumbia Rastafari lol Señor Chancho ! The production of Señor Chancho, one half of the Regional label, is always getting much tighter and solid by the months. This unreal and futuristic beat must hit all the chill outs this summer to get people vaping and getting some cocktails down! So fresh it reminds me of a blend between a strawberry mojito and a lime ice cream 😉
Bigote – Tabaco (Tropical Twista Records)
The grime village king is back for more as always ! On this tip he hits a very deep note with these succulent vocals and this low deep bass. In some notes of this tracks it reminds me of a Mala (DMZ) production because of its atmos and all around production deepness. Bigote is part of the might label Caballito but this has been released on another label called Twista Records. Get the towel out and go run to the beach to stick this on your mp3 players 😉
Unqa – Panoja De Quinua
Now this is what I called a discovery ! The first kick and low bass reminds you of a funky disco tune . Then, Unqa follows with some lovely dubby effects and tribal percussions. On a very minimal tip, this tune is actually full of suprises. Love the flute with a slight effect added on and the real groovy bassline. Great song once again to listen once your sat in your hammock enjoying a nice beer.
VA – Y Desde Monterrey (Rebajado Mx)
Now now now J Another compilation in one month – what a month ey ! This time around it is the Mexican collective Rebajado Mix which are bringing this delight full of Cumbias Rebajadas. The history of this genre is funny and interesting you should check it out if you don’t know it. Rebajado mix have managed to combine such a list of wicked producers under one roof. Producers such as Hydro Selekter – Hnry – Freebot. Really great work from all producers and a superb compilation from it !
El Buga – Mini Conga (Señor Chancho Remix)
Now it seems like Señor Chancho is in full form at the moment. Inspiration and remixes and its best, two great artists from the tropical scene in one superb track. Really groovy bassline with some hits of marimba and flutes works a treat on this one. As I said before it seems like Señor Chancho is full of love for the dub these days and that shows in his production. Really recommended track and also free to grab so go run tell your friends, and keep an eye out for more remixes of ‘Mini Conga’ to follow on Regional
Chakruna – Sabor a Selva ([email protected])
Chakruna is a producer I had never heard of if i´m honest but I came across this video the other week and it totally gripped me. I love the combination first of all of old and new technologies. Transmitted here is an old cumbia song remixed via Maschine MPC type and added effects on top of that. All manual control, and lovely composition of breaks. I´m sure we will see more from this guy.
To end this month’s selection I would like to add some info on where to grab your musical hits at festivals this summer. Here is a list of festivals where you will definitely have a good dance:
Tropical Camp – Iboga – Goulash – Balter – Visual Brazil – Fusion – Boomtown – Secret Garden Party
Coconutah selected:
Sistema Beat Andino – Cumbia Explosiva remixes (Regional Label)
Regional label is an amazing outlet and an even better inspiration for many artists and music lovers. Here they do not disappoint; Sistema Beat Andino open the ball with Cumbia Explosiva, a brooding cumbia dub riddim that takes no prisoners. The torrent of remixes that follow are very diverse , going all the way from sonidero vibes with Sonido Mamalon´s version, to a more trappy version courtesy of Mister teen, to a full steppa dub experience thanks to Loko Bono. Small Fall & Owem G, Barda, El Buga, and Lascivio Bohemia round off the compilation. Big up to all involved for this great EP!
Dr. Dre’s Cumbias (Sumohair Remixes) (Kumbale)
Sumohair returns on German label Kumbale with some two chronic tunes that will take you back, back, back…. Featuring legendary Dr Dre, these are dynamic cumbialistic riddims that are full of chops, changes, and funny little edits.
Nato – Babiley (Urban Cosmonaut Tales)
“Bed time stories you tell to a younger generation”, Urban cosmonaut radio presents a compilation of down tempo, melodic tunes. Here, we focus on Babiley by Nato. Charango´s combine with spacy synths, crazy oriental vocals and groovy percussion to great effect. Very relaxing!
G-Sound – Ritmo Universal Feat. Los Master Plus (Rebajada)
Cumbia dub vibes on show from G-sound with Ritmo Universal, featuring los Master plus with awesome rebajado vocals. G-sound´s signature sound is present with layers of catchy synths and a ton of trippy FX. The rhythm is slow and langorous while the bassline has a deep, gravely touch. Great summer tune.
Tribilin Sound X E.Vax – Hijas (Terror Negro Records)
Tribilin sound is ever-present on our monthly cumbia blogs, and for good reason; new tracks are frequent and always bring heavy, heavy vibes! This is no different, as this collaboration with E. Vax takes us to the very core of spacy electro-cumbia. Check it out!
Motin – Salida Del Sol
Here are some techno-cumbia vibes to begin rounding off this month´s selection; Motin presents Temazcal EP. This is a journey through electro Andean sounds. Harmonious flute and string lines capture the listener´s attention, while a heavy techno beat is accompanied by some cumbialistic Guiros and percussions. Both tunes are a must-hear!
Selector Guita – Business, Share Trades, Easy Money
And an added bonus to finish this summer edition of Sexxy Saturday Cumbia: worldwide, heavy-hitting money maker Selector Guitar presents ‘Business, share trades, easy money’. A very futuristic, capitalism driven sound, this is not traditional electro-cumbia but is an interesting blend between juke, trap, and guiro-madness. Funny vocals add a Guita touch to uplifting stabs and accordion melodies.
We hope you enjoyed this month´s tropical summer selection! See you next month for more stomping, psychedelic cumbia.
