Thank you for stopping by to check in on us, this is the fourth edition of Funky Friday Cumbia and we are going strong. I’m excited to see where this ride takes us. Late August in Arizona is unpleasant to say the least, it makes me stay in doors like a scorpion and sleep too much. Once those fall and winter months are upon us I’ll be more enthused. But not only because of the change in weather but here at The Global Bass Experience we’re going to have a lot of fun and exciting things happening for us. Stick with us and you’ll see!
We might have exciting things coming later but that doesn’t mean we don’t have any going on right now. Quite the contrary actually. This last Tuesday we released a single from our upcoming Cumbia EP release, which will be this coming Tuesday, August 27th. It is great to have DJ Negro Dub on board with us, it’s almost equal to how great it is to have something new from him blogged about. I have shared some of his tracks in the past but they were too few, and I don’t see much about him anywhere else, at least not in English. The dues were needed to be paid and I’m doing all I can to pay them.
Here is his single from his upcoming EP I shared earlier this week on TGBE.
Turning direction now to Peru we find DJ Chakruna tearing it up as usual with his new remix.
Piper Street Sound recently produced this amazing album by Jack Fivecoate called “Wake Up.” It was truly a beautiful reggae album. Because of producing it, Piper Street Sound has all the stems of all the tracks and he shared with us this lovely instrumental version of “Wake Up” a day or so ago. The percussion really stands out on this. I know it’s not Cumbia per se but it’s close and I know personally that Cumbia was an influence on the production.
Cub De Baile CD’M makes another appearance here on FFC with his new fun original piece ”Limon.”
Earlier this week we also saw a major free release come from Latin Bass Mexico Records. It is the second volume of compilations featuring FFC regulars and more. Kuto Quilla Selektah is among the many featured on the compilation. He shared his lovely contribution with us.
Albert DJ Style was a regularly featured DJ on my old Sexxy Saturday Cumbia’s but now I happily bring him over to Funky Friday Cumbia! Once again the maestro brings us a classic remixed.
Fiestas Pirata has turned three years old. They almost disappeared this past year but we’re gratefully seeing a comeback. Commemorating their third anniversary, Spike Devil Disco released this dope mix, which truly is a mixed bag of styles.
A “Groove Is In The Heart” Cumbia is quite possible and actually pretty cool. Thanks to Arturo Herrera DJ for providing it for us.
Another unique release this week came from Galletas Calientes Records with their 100% Colombian podcast they recorded live in Paris.
Before we go into the classics I believe this to be a good segue. MLSS (Mexico Lindo Sound System) dropped this re-drum/edit of a classic Chicha with style and finesse. It is a perfect way indeed to take a trip back in time and segue to our classic of the week.
In the past three weeks we have visited classic Cumbia artists from its birthplace of Colombia. While we’re definitely not finished there, this week I wish to travel just a little ways away into the Amazon where we find ourselves in Peru listening to Cumbia inspired by their Colombian neighbors, Huanyo and psychedelic but in my opinion more so, surf rock music from the United States. The sound is Chicha.
While most would probably start with either Juaneco y su Combo or Los Shapis, I instead wish to first visit Los Demonios del Mantaro and then Los Destellos. I chose these two for two reasons, one Los Demonios del Mantaro were cited as the first Chicha artists but the Chicha sound the world has become familiar with is better represented by Los Destellos, the second reason is that these two bands are to this day revered as legends.
Los Demonios del Mantaro led by Carlos Lizaraso, were arguably the first hit makers in the genre with their song “La Chichera.” They emerged from the highlands of Junin where they were heavily influenced by their own heritage and of the others I listed before. Their sound is still more like Colombian Cumbia due to their use of horns while with Los Destellos as you’ll hear, appears more as a “rock band” in format and sound, which as I stated before is more common with what people refer to as the Chicha sound.
One very cool modern example of Los Demonios del Mantaro’s influence can be found on our friend’s Dengue Dengue Dengue remix, or “refix” I should say of “Liliana.”
Now Los Destellos and even more so Enrique Delgado is credited also as the creator of Chicha. And for the sake of the sound and style associated with Chicha, I might have to agree. He started Chicha with the famous Peruvian band Los Destellos in 1966. Enrique brought the electric guitar, the tool that changed everything, into Cumbia, which greatly transformed the sound. Being a guitarist and a guitar loving freak myself, when I first encountered Chicha by hearing the band Los Mirlos, I was immediately taken. The music spoke directly to me and has ceased to speak since.
The members of Los Destellos changed throughout the years but their hits remain hits and are regarded as legendary. Their influence on other local bands was powerful. Their music stands the test of time in my opinion. Their songs are very enjoyable today but I bet they were groundbreaking back in 1968 when their first LP came out.
First I have a few remixes I really love that I wish to share before getting to the originals.
Many might remember the name Sonido Martines from a few years back, those whom are new to the Nu Cumbia movement might not. Sonido Martines was and is a giant in the Nu Cumbia community. His knowledge of Cumbia is profound and deeper than mine will ever be. I hope some day soon to hear more to come from him. But I do have this remix he made a few years ago of “Elsa” by Los Destellos and it kicks [email protected]#.
Guess who gets to make another appearance here on FFC this week… DJ Chakruna! He too is inspired by his local legends in Lima. He made a dope Hip Hop edit of “La Llorona.” I have played this track out live many times and always to great reception.
Also DJ Chakruna tackled this one!
Another good friend of mine Lucas Posada, originally from Colombia but now tearing it up in Australia, also was influenced by Los Destellos and shows his love in a unique and fun way with his remix of “La Cumbia del Japones.”
Fortunately this guy was nice enough to upload a song by Los Destellos to download for free.
Here are a few more awesome tracks.