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)
buy@iTunes buy@Amazon myspace

(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!)

Show Videos...

Hide Videos

The Biggest Holiday Giveaway Ever!

It's been a while since we had a contest here, verdad? Well, I have no less than 12 full CDs to give away before Christmas (those record companies sure are spoiling us!). And all you have to do is send one e-mail! Piece of cake! Send your name, mailing address and preferred CD over to laondatropical@gmail.com. One condition: you mention 'Ho ho ho!' somewhere in your mail. The contest closes Friday Dec. 14th, so you'll have your CD in time to put it under the tree :)
Which CDs we're giving away, you ask? Here's the list:

• Nacional Records has 5 compilation CDs to give away. The album has tracks of latin 'indie' artists like Mexican Institute of Sound (review), The Pinker Tones and Nortec Collective. Funky stuff!


• On the urban front, we have two CDs each of the latest important reggaeton releases: Sobrenatural by Alexis y Fido (mentioned here), En Lo Claro by Voltio and Toby Love Reloaded by Toby Love (both mentioned here)!
  


• And finally we have one copy of YouTube hit Los Mono - their eclectic electronic album Somos Los Que Estamos was reviewed here.

But there's more. Due to popular demand, we again made a selection of fine latin remixes, all of which have some connection with artists we love. There's the usual batch of urban makeovers to big latino hits, but we've also come across some unexpected covers and rare electronic remixes. If you found an interesting mix yourself, don't hesitate to comment!

Shakira & Beyoncé - Beautiful Liar (Freemasons Remix) mp3 buy@iTunes
British club-house deejays Freemasons (responsible for many European summer hits) made a thumping dance mix of Shaki's duo with Beyonce. It's both easy on the ears and groovy to the feet (an expression of which I'm not sure it exists :)).

Sergio Mendes ft. Black Eyed Peas - Mas Que Nada (Masters At Work Mix) mp3 buy@iTunes
Only two posts ago I confessed you my love for Masters At Work, a latino DJ duo specialized in exotic danceables. This funky remix of the Black Eyed Peas' version of Brazilian samba classic "Mas Que Nada" is also a part of the Loteria Beats Mixtape by Raul Campos.

Aterciopelados - Complemento (Nino Remix) mp3
"Complemento" was one of my favorite tracks of 2006. This remix tears the song apart, and then rebuilds it step by step over a groovy dance beat. If you're up for more, Aterciopelados post all the remixes of their songs to the 'Downloads' section of their official site.

Los Tipitos - Mil Horas (Andrés Calamaro Cover) mp3 buy@iTunes
A beautiful update to Calamaro's latin rock classic. I especially like the addition of the piano. This song is part of Calamaro Querido! Cantando Al Salmón, a tribute CD to the Argentinean legend, also featuring Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Julieta Venegas, Pereza, Los Pericos and many more.

Café Tacuba - Ojalá Que Llueva Café (Juan Luis Guerra Cover) mp3 buy@iTunes
That's right, Mexico's finest alternative rockers covering the Dominican Republic's best known merenguero: Juan Luis Guerra. This is Café Tacuba the old style - lots of traditional/folk influences, no drummer, and an infectious positive mood. Excellent cover! (Sorry for the lousy quality...)

Gloria Estefan - No Llores (Urban Remix with Pitbull) mp3 buy@iTunes
One of the better 'urban' reworks of a big latin hit - but that's Pitbull for you, always conscious of his roots. He emphasizes the rumbling basses and deep trumpets in the song, removes Santana (great move!), and raps a few lines himself. Never knew R&B could sound so tropical!

Juanes - Me Enamora (Reggaeton Remix) mp3
An average, typical reggaeton remix - well, all that's been done is adding a background dembow beat. Still, I prefer this delicate mezcla over many of the more agressive horn-and-bells remixes out there.

Calle 13 & Orishas - Pa'l Norte (with Don Cheto) mp3
Don Cheto apparently is a hispanic TV show host (I never heard of him). All I know is this banda-sounding remix is very well done. Of course it helps that the original song is one of the best and most contageous of this year ;)

Casa De Leones - No Te Veo (Remix) mp3
The 'remixed' elements here are subtle and (let's be honest) quite obsolete, but any excuse is good enough to re-post this club banger. The reggaeton anthem of '07!

The Pinker Tones - Karma Hunters (Mexican Institute of Sound Remix) mp3 buy@iTunes
The Pinker Tones are one of the artists you'll find on the Nacional Records sampler we're giving away above. Here one of their tracks is remixed by one-man DJ project Mexican Institute of Sound. Always a guarantee for a funky track with lots of scratching and sampling! :)

Hope you enjoy the tracks, and don't forget to participate in the giveaway!

Show Videos...

Hide Videos

2nd Birthday Extravaganza: Contest! Remixes! Mp3s! Reviews!

Has it been two years already? Damn! I could write an extensive post remeniscing the good ol' days, when this blog was written in Dutch and had about 20 daily visitors. Fact is, I still massively enjoy writing and designing La Onda, and I hope to spend much more hours looking for rare latin music and sweating over minuscule design details!

Of course we're doing another giveaway for the occasion! You can win one of these two sparkling new and super hot albums:

Calle 13 - Residente o Visitante
Even more impressive as their debut: Calle 13 have matured. Visitante confirms as a key innovator in latin urban music, Residente proves his splendid lyrical skill and sharp sense of humor. An essential album! (read full review)

Spanish Harlem Orchestra - United We Swing
This Grammy-winning all-star orchestra gives a new meaning to virtuosity. They prove old-school New York salsa is still hot, and will be hot forever. We'll review this album here soon!

Just send your name, address, and album of preference to laondatropical@gmail.com. Don't forget to mention "Birthday" in the subject. We'll announce the winners next week!

But what would an anniversary post be without a big load of mp3s? Here's a collection of remixes, covers, live versions and mash-ups, loosely related to artists and songs you first heard here at La Onda. (My bandwith limit has been exceeded - I'll re-upload the songs soon!)

Shakira ft. Alejandro Sanz - La Tortura (DJ Manish Arabanghra Remix) mp3
Shakira herself, of partly Lebanese descent, would certainly approve of this eclectic remix. The Middle Eastern violins play a prominent role while the banghra-influenced beat constantly switches and changes. PS: "La Tortura" was the first song ever posted on this blog! (original post)

Ojos de Brujo - Sultanas de Merkaillo (Novalima Remix) mp3
An exciting remix of a magnificent song. The flamenco clapping and fast guitar were already irresistible in Ojos de Brujo's original (found on Techarí, recently released in the US). Afro-Peruvian band Novalima added a thobbing beat and voice effects, with a tropical dance track as result. (original post)

Gustavo Cerati - Crimen (Live, ft. Ricardo Mollo) mp3
The most beautiful rock song of 2006 performed live in Buenos Aires by two legends of Argentinian rock. Cerati is as brilliant as in his Soda Stereo heydays, and ex-Sumo guitarist Ricardo Mollo joins in for an explosive solo and sober vocals. (original post)

Grupo Control - La Camisa Negra (Juanes Cover) mp3
"La Camisa Negra" has been remixed dozens of times. This norteño cumbia version by Grupo Control contrasts wonderfully with the light-headed, poppy original because of its melancholic, almost sad vocals. (original post)

Federico Aubele - En El Desierto (Live @ Stubb's) mp3 buy@iTunes
Although this live version lacks the sweaty atmosphere of the original song (found on his forthcoming sophomore album Panamericana), Aubele must be applauded for his effort to translate this mainly electronic track to an unplugged performance. (original post)

Chambao - Pokito A Poko (David Ferrero Housepark Remix) mp3
DJ David Ferrero takes flamenco-chill collective Chambao to the dancefloor. You probably did not hear them first here, but if I'm correct, Chambao is now ready to storm North and South America with Caminando, a rework of the previously released Pokito A Poko and some older tracks. (original post)

Bebe - Malo (Oskar Fuego Remix) mp3
Oskar Fuego spices up "Malo" with a heavier rhythm. "Malo", and even more "Siempre Me Quedara", became worldwide hits after they were featured here - could there be a connection? ;) (original post)

Mach & Daddy - Pasame La Botella (DJ Tranzas Batucada Remix) mp3
The anthem of last summer in most parts of Latin America. Also, the anthem of many dumped men who drunk away their sorrow. The remix adds carnival-style drums to the already cheerful carribean rhythm. (original post)

Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean - Hips Don't Lie (Sera Sera Spanish Version) mp3
The anthem of last summer in the rest of the world. This is the Spanish version, which is usually better than the English one. I guess Shakira's voice is just more suited for singing in Castellano... (original post)

Calle 13 - Atrévete-te (Rompe Mashup) mp3
"El reggaeton se te mete por los intestinos, por debajo de la falda como un submarino": even mashed up with a Daddy Yankee song, Calle 13 sound superior. The hit that catapulted them into latino fame still hasn't lost its appeal. (original post)

Daddy Yankee - Impacto (ft. Voltio, Jowell y Randy) mp3
This remix has the participation of the hot reggaeton duo of the moment, Jowell y Randy. I like the Fergie version more, but hey, you probably hear it enough already ;) (original post)

And our final treat: the long-awaited new Daddy Yankee album, El Cartel 3: The Big Boss, extensively reviewed below! To think I posted this only two weeks ago ;)

Show Videos...

Hide Videos

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

Show Videos...

Hide Videos

Bolero: Ibrahim Ferrer - Mi Sueño

No, (unfortunately) Ibrahim Ferrer has not risen from the dead, nor has he recorded an album in heaven. BUT, luckily Mr. Ferrer did (almost) make his lifetime dream come true before he passed away on August 6 of 2005: he always wanted to record a pure bolero album. With Buena Vista Social Club, Ferrer was often pushed towards playing rumba, son and guaracha, but on "Mi sueño" (My Dream) he could finally dedicate himself fully to the most romantic genre of Latin music. When he passed away, recordings for this album were stopped halfway. But Ferrer had already recorded some high quality demo's that - long live technology! - were enriched with modest arrangements afterwards.

If bolero's are often very, very corny, Ibrahim Ferrer with his magic touch turns them into true gems. Everyone knows "Quizás, Quizás" (or the English version by Nat King Cole "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps"), but never was it so touching: in this version, Ferrer is accompanied by another Cuban monument, Omara Portuondo. The result of this is the most fragile interpretation of this song I have ever heard. Actually, this applies to all songs on this album: Ferrer's old, frail voice gives them such subtlety and fragility, that you'll never want to hear anybody else sing them. The romantic "Quiéreme Mucho", the jazzy "Perfidia", they're all to die for. Also, the arrangements built around Ferrer's voice (by pianist Roberto Fonseca) are so well chosen, Ibrahim Ferrer today would be proud to hear how su sueño ended up sounding.

If Rhythms del Mundo - Cuba was a cheap spin-off of Buena Vista Social Club's international succes (see our post), betraying the true soul of Carribbean music, this album is Cuban all the way. And beautiful.

¡Adiós Ibrahim!

Ibrahim Ferrer & Omara Portuondo - Quizas Quizas mp3 pre-order@Amazon

Show Videos...

Hide Videos

Salsa: Tito Nieves

Nostalgia can be a treacherous thing. Great songs can be loaded with bad memories, distorting your actual appreciation. The same counts for awful songs with lots of emotional value: you know you'd hate the track in any other situation, but with such pretty memories attached, you can only love it.

That's about the relationship I have with the songs of Marco Antonio Solís. I agree he's a decent songwriter with an impressive career, but his songs are so packed with romantic clichés (the violins, the way he says "amor", the honey-sweet melodies) that I wouldn't EVER listen to him. That is, if I hadn't lived in a small Guatemalan village for a year, where everybody seemed to love his music, and played it all day through. I can't listen to "Mas Que Tu Amigo" (video) without thinking of my madre postiza watching some telenovela.

So I can only love this cover by Tito Nieves, brushing up the original ballad to an uptempo salsa. Tito has retained the melody and the violins (relentlessly appealing to my sentiments ;)), but added some improvisation to keep things interesting. "Mas Que Tu Amigo" is part of a whole CD of Solís covers - but I don't think I can handle that right now :)

Tito Nieves - Mas Que Tu Amigo mp3 buy@iTunes buy@Amazon

Show Videos...

Hide Videos

Covers: Jorge Drexler, Los Van Van, Buena Vista Social Club

Could it be coincidence? This week I bumped into two latin covers of Radiohead's timeless ballad "High & Dry", off their 1995 debut album The Bends (video). It would be hard to improve the original, but both covers are a unique new take on the song, be sure to check them out.

The first one is by Jorge Drexler, a man of sensitive pop songs. Remember his contributions to the Motorcycle Diaries soundtrack, or "Que Bueno Que Bueno" (with Jarabe de Palo), my selection for best latin pop song of 2006.
His version of "High & Dry" is stripped down to voice and acoustic guitar, the first note instantly creating an intimate atmosphere. The Spanish accent, the soft guitar arpeggios and the minimalist feel of the song remind me a lot of José Gonzales. Great cover!

The other version is off the latest Buena Vista Social Club album (though not many of the original members remain). On Rhythms Del Mundo - Cuba legendary Cuban musicians collaborate with alt-rock Anglo acts, for charity. That gives you combinations like U2 and Coco Freeman, Coldplay or Arctic Monkeys in a groovy BVSC remix (video), and Los Van Van doing a serene Radiohead. It's an interesting concept, but most of the songs sound a bit artificial. Even the last recording of the late Ibrahim Ferrer couldn't really move me.
El Lele's version of "High & Dry" (definelty the best song on the album) is smooth latin jazz, spiced up with a few guitar samples. It's not difficult to imagine this song being a traditional Cuban ballad: the lyrics are translated very well, and the delicate piano competes with El Lele's strong, emotional voice for your undivided attention.

Yo viviré, en la soledad
Yo quedaré, en la soledad

This Afro-Latin gem certainly deserves a place on your iPod!

Update: more info on Rhythms del Mundo at Mister Bryans.

Jorge Drexler - High & Dry mp3 buy@iTunes (Europe) buy@Amazon
El Lele (Los Van Van) & Buena Vista Social Club - High & Dry mp3 buy@iTunes buy@Amazon

Show Videos...

Hide Videos

Pop: Vaya Con Dios

Vaya Con Dios is (in contrary to what the name suggests) a quite successful Belgian band. Back in the nineties, their gypsy jazz music quickly conquered Europe, and the latin feel to some of the singles ( Nah Neh Nah, Puerto Rico) even gave them some success in Latin America. Ten years ago singer Dani Klein quit the music business ("too stressful"), but now a greatest hits album was released, accompanied by a little gem of a single: Pauvre Diable. Die-hard reggaeton fans will recognize the melody and lyrics, because in fact "Pauvre Diable" is a French-language cover of Don Omar's major hit Pobre Diabla.

It's a complete style shift compared to their previous work, but I love this song. They kept the original bachata feel, but without the electronics and synth beats, giving the song more authenticity. And of course Dani Klein's hoarse voice is a great addition. Or maybe I'm a bit personally biased here: "Pauvre Diable" lays a link between my two home countries, Belgium (I heard loads of Vaya Con Dios in my kid years) and Guatemala (where I discovered Don Omar and Pobre Diabla).

PS: Sorry for the slowness of the site these days. I think it's Blogger's fault, my own server is quicker than ever...

Vaya Con Dios - Pauvre Diable mp3 buy@iTunes (Europe only) buy@CD Universe

Show Videos...

Hide Videos