March 3, 2023

Cumbia is the new punk

I've seen Son Rompe Pera perform four times in the last year, and I'm here to tell you they're one of the most compelling live acts right now in any genre.  If you saw them at the Richmond Folk Festival last year, you know what I'm talking about.
 
Their second album Chimborazo (presumably named for the mountain in Ecuador not the hill in Richmond, although it's a nice thought) will be released on March 10.  It really captures what the band sounds like right now, although nothing can prepare you for seeing their mosh-pit marimba madness in person.  You'll hear two songs from Chimborazo on this week's edition of Global A Go-Go alongside other like-minded disruptors of cumbia orthodoxy.

Also this week (Sunday March 5, 1:00-3:00 PM on WRIR, for two weeks afterwards at wrir.org/listen, check your local listings for airing on other radio stations, and any old time at my podcast site): reggae versions of the great American (and Canadian) singer-songwriters, Manu Chao's mestizo sound meets Cabo Verdean funaná, West African psychedelia, Colombia takes on Cuban songo and timba, and a little African dance party.

 
 
Artist | Country | Song | Recording | Label | Year
 
Oliver Lake | USA | Separation | Matador Of 1st & 1st | Passin' Thru | 1997
Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros | England UK | Global A Go-Go | Global A Go-Go | Hellcat | 2001
 
The Tamlins | Jamaica | Baltimore | Baltimore - Single | Taxi | 1980
Ken Boothe | Jamaica | Down By The River | Everything I Own | Wild Flower | 1974
Reggaddiction | Canada-Jamaica | Are You Ready For The Country | Ganja Harvest | NuFunk | 2022
The Uniques | Jamaica-England UK | Mother And Child Reunion | Mother And Child Reunion - Single | Trojan | 1972
 
Manu Chao | France-Spain | Mr. Bobby | Próxima Estación … Esperanza | Virgin | 2001
Doctor Nativo | Guatemala | Zion | Guatemaya | Stonetree | 2018
Christophe Maé & Ceuzany | France-Cabo Verde | Pays Des Merveilles | Pays Des Merveilles - Single | Parlophone | 2022
Tchota Suari E Chando Gracioso | Cabo Verde | Nha Boi | Pour Me A Grog: The Funana Revolt In 1990s Cabo Verde | Ostinato | 2019-1992
 
Ogassa | Benin | Gbe We Gnin Wa Bio | Ogassa Original (Vol. 1) | Acid Jazz | 2023-1978
Guelewar Of Banjul | The Gambia | Ya Mom Sumaray | Dieuf Dieul Khadin Bassoul | Sonafric | 1982
 
Lila Downs | México-USA | La Cumbia Del Mole | La Cantina: "Entre Copa Y Copa …" | Narada World | 2006
Chico Trujillo | Chile | Alturas (feat Banda Wiracocha) | Reina De Todas Las Fiestas | Barbes | 2015
Son Rompe Pera | México | El Tamal (feat La Perla) | Chimborazo | AYA | 2023
Son Rompe Pera | México | Selva Negra | Chimborazo | AYA | 2023
Los Pao Paos | México | Señorita Muerte | Los Pao Paos | Devil In The Water | 2022
 
Juan Formell Y Los Van Van | Cuba | ¡Qué Sorpresa! | Lo Último En Vivo | El Inspector De La Salsa | 1994
Papá Bocó | Colombia | Sos Mi Cura (feat La Mambanegra) | Sos Mi Cura - Single | Tambora | 2023
La Mambanegra | Colombia | La Mezcla | La Mezcla - Single | Tambora | 2021
 
Penny Penny | South Africa | Shaka Bundu | Shaka Bundu | Awesome Tapes From Africa | 2013-1994
Emmanuel Jal | South Sudan-Canada | Shangah | Shangah | Gatwitch | 2022
Elizio | Cabo Verde-Angola-France | Mossa Boa | Mossa Boa - Single | Dolce Melody | 2014
Jey Liba | Togo-France | Ambiancement | Odyssée | Lusafrica | 2012

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