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DOWNLOAD: Mariachi El Bronx - 48 Roses
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(Photo: Ashley Maile)
Mariachi El Bronx, the Mexican alter ego of SoCal hardcore band The Bronx, released its second self-titled album back in August via ATO Records. Despite the band’s heavy rock upbringing, Mariachi El Bronx’s brand of punchy, swinging Latin music is compellingly authentic. The group, who are currently on tour with the Foo Fighters, offer fiery compositions with a catchy flair -- something you can experience on album cut “48 Roses,” which pairs an impassioned ballad with traditional mariachi stylings and the group’s formative rock background.
DOWNLOAD: Chucha Santamaria Y Usted - Fiebre Tropical
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Perhaps disco would have been granted a longer shelf life had it been imbued with a sense of historical significance. Chucha Santamaria Y Usted aims to make that case, a pair of Puerto Rican and Brooklyn natives that now calls Oakland home. With a spirit and political sense that recalls "Arular"-age MIA, the two weave myriad subgenres of dance and pop with their message. "Fiebre Tropical" is no exception, addressing the 'discovery' of Puerto Rico amidst an entrancing beat. Increase your knowledge when their mini LP drops June 28 on Austin's Young Cub label.
Chucha Santamaria Y Usted - Fiebre Tropical
DOWNLOAD: Fair Nick Stars - Arrete Mal Parlé
On Tuesday, London collective Sofrito will release Tropical Discotheque on Strut. Comprising DJs Hugo Mendez and Frankie Francis, along with The Mighty Crime Minister and Lewis Heriz—who designs all their flyers and artwork—the makeup of Sofrito displays a group of people who try to recreate an experience. From design to music to venue, as seen in their East London Tropical Warehouse parties, Sofrito is trying to transport their audience as close to the equator as possible. From edits and originals of African rock to cumbia to calypso, the Sofrito guys are all about showing where the palm trees and the disco intersect. "Arrete Mal Parlé," by the Fair Nick Stars, gives a taste of Sofrito's sound, showing how even the oldest music can provide more energy and spirit than the most frenetic contemporary dance music.
Fair Nick Stars - Arrete Mal Parle
DOWNLOAD: Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno - Dub Y Guaguanco
Guaguanco is a rhythmic variation of rumba, and by extension a dance, but the term doesn't really have an agreed upon definition, other than that its use means the song in question must contain a certain conga pattern. For "Dub Y Guaguanco," Colombian musician Quantic has—with the piano assistance of Salsa legend Alfredito Linares—integrated it into his dub- and reggae-infused Flowering Inferno project, though that dubbiness isn't exactly obvious. It's more of a guaguanco tune as played by some guys who have probably spent a lot of time hanging out listening to reggae—with a blithe, sweat-through-your-shirt casualness. Grab it below; the album it's from, Dog With A Rope, is out now through Tru Thoughts.
Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno - Dub Y Guaguanco
Find More Free Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno Music Here
DOWNLOAD: Gilles Peterson - Roforofo Fight (Louie Vega Remix)
A year or so ago, jack of all musical trades Gilles Peterson spent five days recording in Havana, Cuba with jazz pianist Roberto Fonseca and his band. The results–a blend of Latin- and Afro-jazz fusion teeming with prodigious efficacy–became Havana Cultura: New Cuban Sound, released last year on Peterson's Brownswood label. Being, by profession, a DJ, Peterson has now put together an accompanying remix disc, roping in luminaries like New Jersey house don Louie Vega and UK garage pioneer MJ Cole to retouch the sessions. Vega let the Fela Kuti cover "Roforofo Fight" breathe under his thumb, subtly stretching it out into nine minutes of sweltering bliss. Whatever the opposite of insufferable is, it's that.
Gilles Peterson - Roforofo Fight (Louie Vega Remix)
DOWNLOAD: Maluca - El Tigeraso (Sticky K Remix)
Yesterday, while Major Lazer were getting nominated for a VMA, Mad Decent released "El Tigeraso", the debut single from ESG-loving New York club maven Maluca. Produced by Diplo, it's on some belligerent cyborg merengue shit, and comes backed with equally batty flips from Feadz, DJ Gant Man, NGUZUNGUZU, and this one from Dubsided's Sticky K. Mpfree below, hit iTunes or Beatport for the whole shebang.
Maluca - El Tigeraso (Sticky K Remix)
DOWNLOAD: Joe Crepúsculo - La Cancion De Tu Vida + Gabriela
I could rattle out some interesting metaphors about how Joe Crepúsculo's synth-buoyed pop is articulate enough to obliterate the language divide, but I don't think I could say anything more articulate than listening to Joe's music makes me want to go on holiday. When was the last time you went on holiday? Do you want, need, crave a holiday? Listen to Joe Crepúsculo. A simple, but valuable equation, aided by the involvement of Discoteca Oceano (El Guincho, Extraperlo) who are putting out Joe's third album later this year.
Sounds Like: Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Atom and his Package, Seu George
Joe Crepúsculo - La Cancion De Tu Vida
Joe Crepúsculo's RCRD LBL Page
DOWNLOAD: Céu - Bubuia
Brazilian singer Céu nabbed a Grammy nomination for her self-titled 2007 debut, so like, no pressure on her new one, Vagarosa, which came out yesterday through Six Degrees. Despite my best efforts, I'm not the foremost expert on all things Brazilian (could be 'cause I've never been), but what I do know is this song sounds like unwinding tension in the Southern hemisphere, where there are Speedo-populated beaches and vast quantities of rum for me to stick paper umbrellas into. I almost feel inclined to wear sandals for the rest of the day, but I fear I might get called a hippie when I go eat lunch. The label told us the song is about "floating on the surface of life," so I guess I got the vibes right.
Céu hits the States next week for shows in Seattle, LA, San Francisco, and New York. All those dates can be found here.
