Electronic: Señor Coconut

What do German techno pioneers Kraftwerk have to do with cumbia? Quite a lot, Señor Coconut proved us with his 2000 debut El Baile Aleman. His collection of Kraftwerk hits transposed to latin rhytms was more than just a novelty, but a great example of how a good idea can become musically attractive too.
In the same spirit, the German DJ/producer now released Around The World with latin reworks of dance classics by Prince, The Eurythmics and of course Daft Punk. Not an unispired sequel, but a well-thought selection of essential dance songs from all over the world.

Only the original rhythm of "Que Rico El Mambo" and "Pinball Chacha" is close to the Señor Coconut version, in all other tracks the elaborate process of breaking the track down and rebuilding it step by step with his live band gives them that hard-to-define Coconut style. They sound familiar yet refreshing, charmingly old but at the same time trés hip. Belgian electro band Telex is honored with a brass-rich version of "Moscow Discow". Prince's timeless hit "Kiss" is given the latin touch by crooner Louie Austen (a special mention for the bass & percussion here). And Daft Punk's club anthem "Around The World" is the glue that holds everything together.

Most of all, it's just wonderful to see how much all those different musical genres have in common rhytmically. Who would've thought that Laid Back's "White Horse" makes an excellent merengue? Or that the Eurythmics classic "Sweet Dreams" is rhythmically and melodically a perfect chachacha? Around The World is a quirky mix of some great songs that will truly impress anybody.

Señor Coconut - Moscow Discow mp3
Album: Around The World (Nacional Records)
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(PS: El Baile Alemán is being reissued digitally & physically to coincide with the release of Around The World!)
(PPS: Images and audio will be added as soon as my hosting is fixed!)

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Electronic: Acida - The Greatest Hits

It's been a long time since I was so pleasantly surprised by a band I didn't know. Acida was the musical partnership of two of Argentina's most talented latin pop artists, singer-songwriter Alina Gandini and her producer husband Tweety Gonzales (yes, from the superstar rock band Soda Stereo that's making its comeback now). I seriously regret that a digital-only Greatest Hits compilation is my first contact. You get it: I like Acida a lot :)

Their music can best be described as dreamy electronics for an indian summer in the city. "Música para fumar y olvidar", sings Alina on the emblematic "Nadie Como Vos", and I can vividly imagine her sitting lonely at the bar, on a gloomy night in Buenos Aires. Acida's songs are drenched in the kind of cosmopolitan atmosphere you can only evoke with impeccable sampling and crystal-clear production like Tweety's. Think Groove Armada and Massive Attack.

He couldn't have found a more suiting voice than Alina's, sultry and girly at the same time. She makes "La Vida Real" and most of all "Burbank" sexy, smooth and soothing. But on the funky "Presente Permanente" is she's playful, just like on "Destino" with its cheery 90's synth piano.
And melancholy... the emotion that seemes to drive Acida, and undoubtedly created their most beautiful songs. "Yo Nunca Te Doy Paz" starts off with a moving piano solo by Alina's father, Gerardo Gandini, musical director for the Buenos Aires Philharmonic Orchestra. And is it a coincidence that Gustavo Cerati, the master of gloomy guitars, plays bass and sings backings on several tracks?

As a treat for those who already know and love Acida, the album comes with a collection of five remixes. The Federico Aubele mix of "Nadie Como Vos" highlights a nice little guitar loop, but the rest is totally obsolete. Another small minus: the jazzy drum 'n bass and repetitive vocals of "Las Palabras" don't mix with the sensitivity of the other tracks. The same for the crazy psychidelics of "Perdida" - think sitar, bass synth and lots of echoes. But overall, this is a must-have for any latin music fan who thought he knew all about electronica in the Americas. The old fans, well, they're just lucky bastards they have the original CDs :)

Acida - Nadie Como Vos mp3
Acida - Burbank mp3
Album: The Greatest Hits (Sonic 360)
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Electronic: Bajofondo - Mar Dulce

The name Gustavo Santaolalla keeps popping up on this blog - if it's not as producer for Café Tacuba, Juanes or Calle 13 then it's for his ground-breaking and Oscar-winning soundtracks (Babel, Brokeback Mountain, The Motorcycle Diaries). But he also has his own band, the electronic tango collective Bajofondo Tango Club. Now shortened to Bajofondo, the mostly instrumental group gathered an impressive list of guests for their new album Mar Dulce.

Bajofondo's tango-with-a-beat has long been a success in cafés all over the Northern hemisphere, but on this album Santaolalla wanted to incorporate a more Latin American feel. A hard thing to achieve with pure instrumental tracks and lots of violins, though the melancholic alma of the tango shines through on all tracks. Most of all, Mar Dulce sounds very cosmopolitan, a little how I imagine Buenos Aires or Montevideo sound after hours in some ultra hip district.

The eight instrumental tangos on the album swerve between sensual, melancholic, extactic and gloomy. But it's the guests that make the album. On "Ya No Duele", guest rapper Santullo converts a hyperactive accordeon into the perfect accompaniment for his poetic, almost spoken-word-like performance. The contrast with "Hoy", where Juan Subira screams out his emotions raw and raunchy, couldn't be bigger. The international names however, disappoint a little. Elvis Costello is just a big old bore, and Nelly Furtado still hasn't mastered her afwul accent.
The best tracks are reserved for a handful of Latin American superstars. "El Mareo" has an inspiring Gustavo Cerati marrying his bass voice to echoing guitars and accordeons. La Mala Rodriguez makes "El Andén" entirely her own with a ceaseless rap attack on what must be the first elektrotangohop ever. And on single "Pa' Bailar", Julieta Venegas enhances the best instrumental track on the album with an incredibly catchy vocal.

As electro-tango collective, it's inevitable to be compared to Gotan Project, the band that launched the hype about eight years ago. And I must say, despite the big names and quality musicians on Mar Dulce, Bajofondo still falls short of the original. Maybe it's the dominance of Santaolalla, but it all sounds so produced in comparison to the soulful Gotan. Or is it my European ears that are used to heavier beats than Bajofondo's? Still, Mar Dulce remains a solid record that is probably well on its way to a new load of Grammys.

Bajofondo ft. Julieta Venegas - Pa' Bailar mp3
Bajofondo ft. La Mala Rodriguez - El Andén mp3
Album: Bajofondo - Mar Dulce (Decca)
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Electronic: Bostich+Fussible, The Pinker Tones

The Tijuana based electronica conjunto Nortec Collective is back with a follow-up to the Latin Grammy-nominated 2006 album The Tijuana Sessions Vol. 3. Two key members of the five-piece collective, Ramón 'Bostich' Amezcua and Pepe 'Fussible' Mogt, teamed up for Tijuana Sound Machine (Nacional Records), an electronic voyage into the deep north of Mexico, its deserts, and its polka-meets-mariachi norteño music.

Their contemporary update of the highly conservative norteño is entertaining and diverse whilst never losing touch with the roots. Clever beats accompany the quick-paced accordeon and bass rhythms, with layered vocals or echoing trumpet samples alternating in the lead role. Perhaps the biggest achievement is a sound that is uniquely their own, despite the similarities with other electronic-ethnic artist like Mexican Institute of Sound and The Pinker Tones (below). Tijuana Sound Machine puts their hometown yet again on the map as a crossing point between cultures and a leading centre of electronic experiment.

Nortec Collective presents Bostich+Fussible - Tijuana Sound Machine mp3 buy@iTunes buy@Amazon


The Pinker Tones are another electronic collective based in Barcelona, ready to conquer the world from their tiny rooftop studio with a very international sound. For starters, their latest album Wild Animals (also on Nacional Records, available digitally from May 20th) is in English most of the time. And then there's the sound: funky electro-pop with an indie egde, balancing between German techno pioneers Kraftwerk ("S.E.X.Y. R.O.B.O.T."), disco pop sensation Miranda! ("The Whistling Song") and modern electrotrash like Digitalism ("Fugaz"). Songs in four languages, the diverse influences and the general fun atmosphere make Wild Animals a very pleasant and eclectic listening experience. Ideal for the summer! The track below, "Electrotumbao", is graced with the always excellent Amparo Sanchez (Amparanoia) on guest vocals.

The Pinker Tones - Electrotumbao mp3 buy@Amazon

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Electronic: Pacifika - Asuncion

'Global' is the only right word to describe Pacifika. This Vancouver-based trio is comprised of a Peruvian singer with a love for flamenco, a dub infused bassist raised in Barbados, and a Canadian guitarist with roots in 80's new wave. That's eclectic for ya. The result is Asunción, an international yet unique sounding album filled with minimalistic electronic pop.

Opening track "Sol" will inevitably remind you of Aterciopelados, although the ethereal voice of singer Silvana Kane and the more spiritual sound and theme of this song are the only points of comparison. Nature is however a recurring theme on the album: also see the flamenco-infused "Paloma", the mystic "Las Olas", and the single "Me Caí". It's a great single, with warm percussion, guitars and delicate electronica provoking scenes of sunshine and happiness. More melodious merriness on "Oyeme", an uplifting and energetic song uniting the best of the poppy voice of Silvana and the skilled guitars of Adam Popowitz.

If Pacifika prove one thing, it's that they sure can relax. "Estrellas de Miel" is a jazzy acoustic song suited perfect for a late-night bar performance, "Cuatro Hijas" has Silvana in a sultry mood and floats on delicate guitar arpeggios, joined by warm and smooth cellos near the end.
The band thrives on subtlety: the percussion is at times barely more than a whisper, and you'll hear very few instruments used at the same time. This minimalistic approach results in some delicate jewels of songs, but at times I craved for more depth and harmony. On "Mas y Mas", dirty guitar contrasts with an angel's voice, but the climax feels incomplete without drums or percussion. Also, Silvana's bubblegum pop background sometimes shines through, like on the English-language "Sweet" or the bossa dub "Chiquita".

So Asunción is a great summer album, but nothing more. The album ends with "Las Olas", a relaxing soundscape of sea waves, guitar plucking and violins, not the only nice-but-not-great album filler. Still, I'm a fan of the sparkling and dynamic Pacifika you hear on "Me Caí", "Paloma" and "Oyeme".

Pacifika - Me Caí mp3 buy@iTunes buy@Amazon
Pacifika - Oyeme mp3 buy@iTunes buy@Amazon

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Alternative: Los Updates, Señor Flavio

Today we look at the solo efforts of two former members of famous Latin American rock bands.


Señor Flavio is the lucha libre-loving masked bassist of Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, a true rock phenomenon back in the 90's. The Argentine ska punk band won several Grammies and sold quite a few records, and Flavio Oscar Ciancarulo (his real name) was one of the key songwriters. His third solo album Supersaund 2012 isn't really a look into the future (as the title suggests), but takes us back to the heydays of the Cadillacs, showing the same versatility and diversity. Reggae/ska is performed with the same ease and agility as garage rock, all with the punk mentality of The Clash."Polaroid 66" is one of the calmer tracks of the album: a polaroid picture provokes memories of a sunny childhood in 1966. The strangely appealing synth and the psychidelic guitar effects create a pure sixties surf atmosphere - everything just fits together. Great track!


Jorge Gonzales was the thriving force behind Los Prisioneros, an iconic eighties rock band from Chile. His latest project Los Updates takes the good from his new wave roots, and gives it a modern revamp, while still focusing on good songwriting. The result is very danceable, minimal electro pop with a little 80's nostalgia. "¿Acaso Quieres Venir?" (from the Los Updates EP) has unusually beautiful lyrics for a dance song, if Jorge's voice hadn't suffered that much over the years I'd even say this could become a hit.

Señor Flavio - Polaroid 66 mp3 buy@iTunes buy@Amazon
Los Updates - ¿Acaso Quieres Venir? mp3 buy@iTunes buy@Amazon

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Alternative: Radio Zumbido

I can seriously not believe I never bumped into Radio Zumbido before. Not only are they from Guatemala, my second home, but frontman Juan Carlos Barrios was a member of Bohemia Suburbana, one of the greatest bands Central American rock has ever known. Thank you, Fat Planet, for the discovery!

After he left Bohemia Suburbana, Barrios retreated to the magical landscape of Sololá, where he got inspired by the volcanoes and the pristine waters of Lake Atitlán, or as he puts hit himself:

The sights and sounds of old men discussing politics, chicken truck horns, dusty generations-old salsa and jazz records, and the ubiquitous AM radio [...] emerged to me in a way which transcended cliché and inspired me to express the poetry of my native land.

The result was Los Ultimos Días del AM (The Last Days of AM), a beautiful instrumental album of Guatemalan sounds amidst eerie live guitar and countless triphop loops.

That was five years ago. Now Barrios is more a global resident, hovering between Barcelona and Los Angeles, and the 2007 album Pequeño Transistor de Feria can be seen as a reflection on those cities. Not the palm-lined beaches or the big mansions, but the dusty streets of Barceloneta, or the chaos of a latino district in LA.
Radio Zumbido keeps true to the collage-style AM radio feeling, with the more electronic songs ("El Desierto") strongly reminding me of Boards of Canada. Psychidelica reigns on many tracks ("Third Day In Chinatown" is a guitar solo played backwards), but is never disturbing. It's the scruffy analog-recorded percussion of "Revuelta" that appealed the most to me, but the album is so diverse and layered I'm sure you'll find much more that draws you.

Radio Zumbido - Revuelta mp3 buy@iTunes buy@Amazon

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Tita Lima - 11:11 (+Contest!)

Tita Lima is the daughter of Liminha, bassist in the Brazilian rock band Os Mutantes. With 11:11 she dares her first solo steps, after playing and singing with dozens of popular musicians.

Tita mixes up the Brazilian sounds of MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira), samba and bossa nova in a dub-rich setting. Leaning towards latin jazz at one point, and to hiphop on others, 11.11 is the ideal record for enjoying a glass of wine in the afternoon sun. Best 30 seconds of the album: Tita singing along to the funky trumpet solo in "A Conta Do Samba" like a true jazz muse. The song is a personal favorite of famed DJ Gilles Peterson, and I'm a fan too: check that delicious wah-wah guitar!

Gradually, this record became the soundtrack of my springtime 2007. There's something about a sensual female voice singing in an unfamiliar language that makes me long for a sunny patch of white sand. Tita Lima has that warm, mellow sound of voice that will enchant you, and the rich and soulful arrangements highlight her vocal talent perfectly. A must for this summer!

And you can WIN this album right here! Just send an e-mail with your mailing address to laondatropical@gmail.com, and you're eligible to win. The contest ends next monday (July 9th), and the winner will be announced shortly afterwards. Good luck!

Tita Lima - A Conta Do Samba mp3 buy@iTunes buy@Amazon

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Electronic: Gotan Project - Lunatico

A new century, a new life for tango. That's what Philippe Cohen Solal (France), Eduardo Makaroff (Argentina) and Christoph H. Müller (Switzerland) must have thought when they founded Gotan Project ('Gotan' being Rioplatense argot for 'tango') in 1999. Mixing traditional, Astor Piazolla-influenced tango with smooth club sounds and basslines, in 2001 they came up with the startling debut La Revancha Del Tango that would give them world wide fame. Followers like Gustavo Santaolalla's Bajofondo Tango Club arose, the "Electrotango" movement was born.

In 2006, Gotan Project's second album Lunático appeared: maintaining the sexy electronic sound of La Revancha, it digs deep into the history of Argentinean music. A perfect example of this, is "Notas", a chilled out song that tells the history of el gaucho - the Argentinean cowboy - and tango, to the sound of the bandoneon. "Diferente" is more club-oriented: a pulsating bassline and wistful bandoneon come together in a feverish dancefloor dream (video below). "La Vigüela", with its looped guitar, (again) bandoneon and vocoder sound is also fairly danceable: not in a discotheque, but late at night in a stylish Buenos Aires afterlounge.

Lunático didn't win BBC's 'Club Global' Award 2007 for nothing: it's an inspiring, beautiful, and above all higly addictive album!

Gotan Project - La Vigüela mp3 buy@iTunes buy@Amazon

Gotan Project - Diferente:

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Electronic: Moenia - Solar

No, it hasn't been easy for Moenia. Mexico just wasn't ready for experimental synthpop in 1992. They could only emerge from the underground electronic scene in 1997, with the nationwide success of single "No Puedo Estar Sin Ti". Ten years later Moenia is Latin America's most successful electronic band, with 10 remarkable albums in their catalog, including the first latin 'remix album' (Moenia Mixes), and a critically acclaimed tribute album to latino rock of the 80's and 90's (Stereo Hits).

Although inspired by European electro pioneers like Kraftwerk, their music is often compared to Depeche Mode and New Order. More so on their latest work, Solar: the occasional greasy guitar riff confirms the 80's electro-rock comparison. It's a dark album, not easily accessible, but very rewarding if you appreciate the genre. Lead vocalist Alfonso Pichardo recites the almost poetical lyrics with his morbid, somber voice, accompanied by bizarre synth sounds. Though essentialy, tracks like "Lo Que Tu Digas" and "Me Equivoqué" are structured like a solid pop song - verse, bridge, chorus, repeat, climax. Which make them sound hopeful, even optimistic, despite the gloomy music.

Solar lasts only 45 minutes, a wise decision: long enough to make an impact, and brief enough to keep our mood up. On our Best of 2007 list? I think so!

Moenia - Lo Que Tu Digas mp3 buy@iTunes buy@Amazon

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Electronic: Buscemi - Retro Nuevo

Here in Belgium we have all the luck: two true masters of latin lounge music regularly provide us with their much-needed chillout tunes. Sven Van Hees and Buscemi have both played sets all over the world (including latin america), and since their first releases over ten years ago little changed in their style, or in their success. We're gonna review Buscemi's most recent record (which is all over the radio here), so you'll have to check out Sven Van Hees on your own.

Retro Nuevo is Buscemi's fifth album, and his most international to date. When Camino Real (2003) and Our Girl In Havana (2001) focused mostly on Latin America, his musical endeavors roam the whole world now. We hear soft female vocals in English, Spanish ("Retro Nuevo"), Arab, Hindi and Portuguese, but as usual loungy music and exotic samples form the foreground. Take "Não Falo Português" (I Don't Speak Portuguese): an irresistable 'patati-patata' chorus over samba percussion and weird electro sounds.

As with most lounge fusion, this album is best enjoyed at some beach, with a cocktail, watching the sunset. Opening track "Lost" would be the perfect soundtrack, and as Isabelle Antena puts it in "Nothing To Worry About":

Don't stress, it ruins everything, even happiness

Electronic albums often suffer from the 'originality syndrome': songs can sound very much alike. Retro Nuevo however has some interesting sidesteps: "Sahib Balkan" mixes Arab desert sounds and chants with balkan horns à la Beirut. "Jazz Jumper" lets Fay Lovsky sing along a skipping jazz piano like a true muse. And mind-blowing dance track "Bollywood Swing King" borrows its dry techno beats from Underworld, and its irresistable violins from an Indian movie soundtrack. Check out the video below.

An impressive journey through sounds and samples. After ten years and five albums, I'm still not tired of Dirk Swartenbroekx (Buscemi's not-so-exotic real name) and his tropical beats!

Buscemi ft. Fay Lovsky - Não Falo Portugues mp3 buy@iTunes buy@Amazon

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Electronic: Federico Aubele - Panamericana

Argentinian songwriter Federico Aubele was discovered by Thievery Corporation, leaders of the Eighteenth Street Lounge label, when Aubele boldly gave them his demo at a party. An impressive debut (Gran Hotel Buenos Aires) and countless appearances on chill-out compilations and movie soundtracks followed soon. Aubele traveled the whole world, and being a constant foreigner "made him long for Buenos Aires and the Americas as a whole", giving birth to his equally impressive follow-up Panamericana.

The Panamericana is the 25,000 km long highway system connecting all North and South American countries. In that respect, the album's title is well-chosen: Aubele unites influences from all over the continent (tango, bolero, dub, mariachi,...) in a lounge/triphop setting. His melancholic, multi-layered songs remind me very much of compatriots Gotan Project, with the atmosphere similar to that of the self-titled Gorillaz debut. A unique blend, in all aspects. The album features a lot of likeminded guests -Amparanoia, Calexico, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs- and is produced by, of course, Eric Hilton of Thievery Corporation.

The vocals on Panamericana attract a lot of attention: smooth warm echoes sing longingly about escapism, lost love, and old emotional songs. "Lluvia", carried by a great guitar melody and sung by the angel voice of Natalie Clavier, has beautiful lyrics about a rainy day. The intimate "Pena" starts with a cracking old record, Aubeles acoustic guitar and soft conga percussion. "Este Momento" features Colombian vocalist Vernie Varela, a great 'lalala' chorus and cool sound effects. Sounds great, right? My only point of criticism is that all songs are very similar, but who would notice that when you're chilling out in the sun? Panamericana hits the stores in May!

Federico Aubele - Lluvia mp3

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Electronic: Luz Mob - Luz Interpretations

Luz Fleming, aka Luz Mob (sounds cooler, doesn't it?) was born and raised in San Francisco, but if I were to invent his biography myself, judging by his new (instrumental) album Luz Interpretations I'd say Frisco is just his current residence, the last stop after a long journey through the Carribean and Central-American area: it seems as if he had learned cumbia in Colombia, absorbed ska, dub and reggae in Jamaica and picked up some reggeaton here and there, before he finally added a jazzy electronic touch to all this in the United States. Sounds like a whole lotta styles!

Luz Mob may sound familiar to fans of the Cuban-English band Ska Cubano, with the difference that Luz is a lot more laid back. Nevertheless, "Luz Interpretations" is not just an album for laying back and smoking joints. In fact, it's also the perfect album for waking up and getting out of bed on the right side. Or, as a colleague on 3Hive described it so well: “Recommended for [...] the lazy days you call in "sick" to work and end up dancing all morning in your pajamas.” "The Selecter", for example, is a great cover of the 70's ska revival band of the same name. If this song won't make you want to joyfully move your feet, I assume you don't have any!

For a chance to win this album, click here!
And as an extra, enjoy the video of cumbia-esque "La Subienda" below.

Luz Mob - The Selecter mp3 buy@iTunes buy@Amazon

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Semana Electronica

April 16th - April 20th

There's one genre that has been shamelessly overlooked during the 22 months this blog has been running: electronic music. Considered indispensable for dancing, chilling or listening in most of the Western world, Latinos never really adopted the 'monotonous' white music. Top DJ's like Chilean Ricardo Villalobos had to move to Berlin before getting the attention their talent deserves. On the other hand, Western electronic artists embraced traditional latin elements, mixing them up with (mostly) loungy beats, to much success on countless compilations (Cafe del Mar, Putumayo,...).

During our special Semana Electronica (Electronic Week), we will present you 5 recent albums for your electronic enjoyment. It was hard to find artists with latino roots making latin electronic music, so you'll come across some foreigners with loads of southern influence in their music too. And we didn't include some obvious choices, like the aforementioned Villalobos, because their music has nothing to do with their origins. Be sure to come back regularly: we'll have new tracks up every day, and there's a contest coming up soon as well.

We hope you enjoy the discovery!

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