Abstract Index Playlist - February 3/10

Checking in on nueva cumbia these days yields fantastic, diverse results. In the whole spectrum of global urban/booty/whatever beats, cumbia always stands apart because there's no mistaking the classic guacharaca skank. The midtempo-ness to cumbia always appeals to me as well. This is not a music to spastically bounce to, you have to ease into it and grind just a little bit harder.

Though the digicumbia revolution wrought by Argentina's ZZK is still going strong, the continued hybridization of cumbia means that a steady stream of cumbia innovation continues to make its mark around the world. Sergio Elmir of Dos Mundos Radio and I are digging into the growth and spread of cumbia for a documentary to air on CBC Radio's Inside The Music some time this year. Check back to this blog for updates on our progress...

As always, there's a ton of music to be checked out at Generation Bass, and that's where I was introduced to Mexican Dubweiser. He's from Monterrey (the home of rebajada, aka the sound of Huelepega Sound System) and, based on the freely downloadable album/compilation at GB, Sonidos Hoy Y Siempre, he isn't content to plow the same furrow twice.

As the name would suggest, there are quite a few airy and psychedelic touches to his productions, it's not all about concisely slamming beats at all time. The Jorodowsky-graced track heard this week plays out over Policarpo Calle's rootsy, accordion-driven vallenato, a subtle breakbeat and shimmering delays. Tunes by other artists broaden out the sonic space - Texan El Cumbiampiro brings a slow, minimal synth driven collage to a surprisingly grungy guitar conclusion, and Dubweiser's "cumbiastep" mixes pretty much speak for themselves, but thankfully aren't over-wobbled. Not everything is gold here (Double-time Celso Pina? He slows down better than he speeds up...) but you can't argue with the price.

Podcast

the road to nowhere - john heartsman and circles (jazzman)
monday morning - spiteri (vampisoul)
zila - dudu pukwana (jika)
jamana de diya - bassekou kouyate (sub pop)
lay back (in the cut) - anthony shakir (rushhour)
vildgolia (deaf dumb and blind) - gil scott-heron and brian jackson (arista)
cucumelo - juan data & dub snakr rmx by fungus (no label)
cumbia del mexicano artista - mexican dubweiser vs policarpo calle feat alejandro jodorowsky (no label)
el abanica - wganda kenya (discos fuentes)
el diablo - dave da gato (tru thoughts)
mikono kweney hewa - muthoni (penya africa)
(s)cream - saidah baba talibah (sony)
lotus flower - souljazz orchestra (strut)
emmanuel god is with us - dennis brown (blood and fire)
right right time - johnny osborne/earth, roots & water (light in the attic)
luv n liv - subatomic sound system feat u roy (no label)
antigravity - shlomo (friends of friends)
acheron - fleck (no label)
rasta man chant (live) - bob marley & the wailers (island)