SOUL UNLIMITED Radioshow 680

In this episode, we’re once again embarking on a little musical journey around the world. We’ll kick things off with some Latin funk and boogaloo. Then we’ll head toward cumbia and similar sounds from the Andes region.
The first album highlight is a compilation of songs by the Peruvian band Los Orientales De Paramonga, released by Analog Africa, featuring recordings from 1972 to 1976. The band was founded in the late 1960s in Paramonga, a coastal town in the Lima region, by Victor Ramirez and Maximiliano Chavez. Their very first single, released in 1970, was a huge success and catapulted the band to national fame. After internal tensions arose, the two founders parted ways, resulting in two rival bands sharing the same name. The compilation released by Analog Africa focuses on the band led by Victor Ramirez. The album’s 25 songs provide a great overview of the fascinating, psychedelic-sounding cumbia sounds the band created. In particular, the guitars—influenced by surf, rockabilly, and tropical sounds—not only define this band’s sound but also shape the musical identity of the entire region. The music of Los Orientales De Paramonga is yet another great discovery presented to us by the Analog Africa label. Record of the week!

A modern interpretation of cumbia and related sounds can be heard on the debut album “Visit Malphino.” The album was released back in 2018, but I only recently discovered the band Malphino when they played at the Inter:Komm! Festival in Reutlingen and wowed not just me. So this is a good opportunity to revisit it, because it’s a charming album that shines with wit and great ideas.

I first became aware of Gitkin two years ago when he released a brilliant cumbia version of the Human League classic “Don’t You Want Me Baby.” Now, multi-instrumentalist and producer Brian J. Gitkin has released his fifth solo album, “Where the South Winds Wail,” which I find thoroughly successful. The guitar sounds—similar to those of Los Orientales De Paramonga—are inspired by surf twang, blues exotica, psychedelic cumbia, and other tropical sounds. Added to this is the influence of New Orleans, a city with a very special atmosphere and musical history. As a result, “Where the South Winds Wail” has become a truly unique and diverse album. Very nice!

Brazilian musician Marcelo Frota, aka Momo, is working from his exile in London on his vision of Brazilian music that pays little heed to genre boundaries. His music takes a little time to unfold its full effect and for you to discover all its wonderful details. It’s an album with lasting appeal that also features some top-notch guests, such as the magnificent singer Nina Miranda and the legendary Marcos Valle, who can be heard playing the electric piano on one track.

The compilation “Kaiso Power” focuses on music from Trinidad that emerged in the 1970s, whose songs combine the radical political vision of that decade with a return to an ancient spiritual consciousness. A very interesting compilation with great music.

The music scene of the Cape Verde Islands has already produced many exciting acts, whether directly from the islands or from the diaspora. The Cabo Verde Show is one such band, and their 1980 album “Caminho Esperança Coladance 80” was reissued this year for Record Store Day. It’s an album brimming with dancefloor energy, featuring several classics—some of which have already appeared on relevant compilations.
From the Cape Verde Islands, we move on to Benin to check out Orchestre Poly-Rythmo. The label Acid Jazz Records has compiled rare singles by this legendary band on the compilation “West African Beat.” It’s fantastic—this band has a truly immense repertoire!

Finally, here’s a sneak peek at the “Be A Lover EP” by the Berlin-based band Jembaa Groove, set for release in mid-September. This fantastic band delivers a smooth and laid-back highlife sound. I’m already looking forward to the new EP!
Enjoy listening to this episode!

Tracklist:

Soul Unlimited – Radioshow Theme
Latin Blues Band - (I’ll Be A) Happy Man
Tito Puente & His Orchestra - Hit The Bongo
Johnny Angel - You Got Me Jumpin’
Manny Corchado - Chicken And Booze
Johnny Rodriguez & Angel Rene - Sister Sue
Sonocombo De Herminio - Nina Fresa
La Tribu - Oara Que
Poder Del Alma - Mimo
Juan Pino Y Sus Muhachos - Toquen Cumbia
Junior Y Su Equipo - Alegrate
Polibio Mayorga - Panuelo De Seda
Ranil Y Su Conjunto Tropical - Baila Bonito
Los Orientales De Paramonga - El Guarda Caballos
Los Orientales De Paramonga - A La Playa Me Voy Cantando
Juaneco Y Su Combo - La Cumbia Del Pacurro
Los Orientales De Paramonga - El Metiche
Pancho Acosta - Egyptian Reggae
Malphino - La Bella Isla
Malphino - Ototoa
Los Guapos Sensibles - Cumbia De Columbia
Gitkin - Alter Ego
Gitkin - High Tail
Momo. - Canto De Aldeia
Momo. - Egum Eo
Andre Tanker’s Country Dirt - River Come Down
Sensational Roots - Calypso Zest
Cabo Verde Show - Terra Longe
Cabo Verde Show - Volta Cara: Passa Sabe
Solo Hit - Imoikeme
T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - Akon Kpin Kpan Ni Kpe We
T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - E Wa Dagbe
Jembaa Groove - Be A Lover
Jembaa Groove - No Pain, No Gain