05.20.03
Electronic Latin Music
In the last few years I have heard modern Latin music that tried to use drum machines, scratching or other electronic music formats, but was not at all good. Most of the modern Latin Electronica seemed to be the same Pop crap that sounds like someone entered of all the other Pop crap into a computer, then told it to analyze what it found and create a new song that sounds exactly like all the other songs. Most of this music is sophomoric in sound and construction making predictable and uninteresting composition choices.
I had right about given up on the genre when providence brought a couple of new songs to my headphones, songs that give me hope. The first is a song that popped out of the nether workings of Launchcast and into my play list called Mulatica Mia by The Tao Of Groove. The song effectively mixes a well-laid Cuban Son sound with some rap lyrics and great electronic instrumentals.
My friend Jane handed me the second song and third songs on the impressive compilation World 2002 on the Narada label. I highly recommend this album to anyone who likes world music and is looking for what is new and good.
The first of the two is El loco by Los De Abajo (click on the song name for a page where you can listen to the song). The song has a nice rhythm, catchy lyrics and a fresh sound. I have heard some other tracks by this group and not liked them quite as much but been quite encouraged by the freshness of their sound. You can find 3 songs and a video at http://www.soulfood-booking.de/song.htm
The third song and most certainly my favorite of the group is Una Musica Brutal by Gotan Project. The song samples an Argentine tango accordion riff and lays it against a plunging bass line in a sweet and effective mix that sticks to your mind like honey. Listening to samples from their other albums I see that I have some music buying to do over the next few days.
Here are the lyrics from the intoxicating “Una Musica Brutal”:
Descubrimos vos y yo
en el triste carnaval
una musica brutal
melodias de dolor
Despertamos vos y yo
y en el lento divagar
una musica brutal
encendio nuestra passion
Dame tu calor
bebete mi amor
Sara Koopman said,
May 20, 2003 at 5:34 pm
carnaval, not canraval
steveO said,
June 19, 2003 at 7:47 am
checkout: Senor Coconut: El Baile Aleman
this is constructed by a german electronica whizz pretending to be a sleezy chilean dance band playing (in strict south american dance tempo) the works of Kraftwerk - who says the germans dont have a sense of humour!
Leopoldo said,
June 19, 2003 at 8:38 am
Oh, I heard Senor Coconut before. I listened to the track through with the same facination which one one watches a car crash with.