Prezident Markon’s New Singles Round-Up (Adrian Younge, Antiheroes, Boogarins, Panteón Rococó, Protoje and more)
16 November, 2024No comment on the disastrous turn of events this month, let’s just focus on music, music, music – as the famous show-tune would urge us.
Adrian Younge: “Esperando por Você”
Fingers on buzzers… Here’s a left-field starter courtesy of the co-founder of the Jazz Is Dead label. It’s taken from a compilation album on its predecessor, the Linear Labs label, out about now. It compiles nine as yet unreleased tracks to be taken from a raft of forthcoming albums on the label by the likes of Bilal, Snoop Dogg, Liraz and the Brazilian actress and singer, Samantha Schmütz. The single is “a dark and psychedelic glimpse” into the world of Younge’s Something About April III, the third instalment of one his most heavily sampled works. The album will be entirely in Portuguese, so you’d better brush up on all those language tapes gathering dust in the attic.
Eduardo Zurita: “La 3a De Los Toquecitos”
Here’s another extract from an album I flagged up last time: the wondrous Analog Africa label’s latest rootle around moulding crates of obscure music from Latin America, Super Disco Pirata – De Tepito Para El Mundo 1965-1980, out now. This one features some seriously cheesy organ played over a shuffling and retarded cumbia beat. It was originally released by the Colombian Eduardo Zurita under the name “Lamento De Cumbia” before it was tinkered with by those pesky sonideros of Mexico City. Either way, it’s a winner.
Antiheroes: “Presentes Urbanizados/Algo Nos Sucede”
Something now that sounds like Joy Division found themselves in Argentina and collaborated with a local band with serious punk attitude. It’s a double A-side 7” vinyl release from Munster Records in conjunction with Twistin’ Bones of Costa Rica. Surely a first for us! It was originally released in Argentina in cassette form back in 1985 and almost inevitably achieved cult status. The overall dark mood of both sides suggests why poor old Ian Curtis topped himself.
Pancho Acosta: “Egyptian Reggae”
We’ll linger awhile with Munster Records in Madrid because next up is a demented version of Jonathan Richman’s already half-cut version of “Egyptian Records”. Pancho Acosta, if you read the accompanying blurb, was founder of and guitarist with Peru’s Compay Quinto. This cumbia of the highest order is coupled with Money Chicha’s similarly bonkers “Carnaval de Jujuy”. Two gems on one thin slice of vinyl.
Balthvs: “Sun Colored Eyes (Bay Ledges Remix)”
I loved the singing-ringing sound of the Colombian trio’s original version and I’m happy to report that the Berkeley-based re-mixer hasn’t damaged it in any way. Soe might even say that he’s enhanced it, particularly fans of bedroom alt-pop. Mr. Ledges himself reveals how he “wanted to try the song in a more sample-driven style, keeping the same melodies but in a different setting. Overall, I tried not to over-think it and just have fun.” Yes, I reckon that “hears itself”, as Francophones might have it.
Boogarins: “Corpo Asa”
From one guitar-centric band to another, this one though from Brazil. Boogarins have been around for about a decade or so and, I’m reliably informed, their fourth album, Sombrou Dúvida, was voted among the 25 best Brazilian albums of the first half of 2019 by no less an authority than the São Paulo Association of Art Critics. Blimey! The current single is taken from their latest album Bacuri, due out later this month.
Francisca Valenzuela: “Rompecorazones”
I’ve featured this Chilean pop-rocker from San Francisco before and I shall do it again, you see if I don’t, because I simply love the title of her umpteenth single. It just rolls off the tongue with a glorious guttural Spanish inflection. The song’s not bad either. Full of drama and passion, it’s apparently all about the pain of a friendship turned toxic. “Channelling female rage and reclaiming her power in this bold, cathartic release”, all I can say is “good for her.” Toxic friendships ain’t no good for no one.
Panteón Rococó: “Rojo”
The long-standing Mexican band with the kind of name you couldn’t possibly make up were busy earlier this year touring around Europe followed by 14 American cities. Quite some itinerary, particularly if their repertoire is as energetic as this new single. It’s the first sound-bite from their tenth studio album that they’re currently preparing. Written by lead singer Dr. Shenka, “Red” is all about the colour and its associative power – in this case, I’m told, “the longing for love and the crazy things that happen around it.” It’s great stuff. Sort of early Who visit Muscle Shoals.
El Cuarteto de Nos: “El Perro de Alcíbiades”
Heck! We’re really rockin’ out this month. Something else in a similar vein, and again a promotional release for a new album in the pipeline, is a pair of songs grouped under the title “Miren Para Allá!” by this Uruguayan quartet. I’m focusing on this literate and witty take on the legend of Alcibiades and his dog. The oligarch would walk around 5th century Athens with his magnificent hound until the day when he created a scandal by ordering the dog’s tail to be amputated. Rightly so, but – as Alcibiades pointed out to his henchmen – the populace thus failed to notice the other misdemeanours of his government. There will be many such smokescreens once the flaxen-haired American president in waiting assumes power again. Be alert, be very alert…
Protoje: “80’s Wild”
Protoje adds grist to that particular mill with his current single, with one of its messages that you can’t believe everything you read. Protoje is a reggae artist who incorporates elements of hip-hop, soul, dancehall and jazz into his particular mix and this fine, righteously angry single comes from a five-track EP, The Jamaican Situation: Side A. Side B is set to follow soon and the song also features on his debut film of the same name, slated for release next year. I like the song and the homage to Dylan’s promotional film for his “Subterranean Homesick Blues”. Protoje’s in the alleyway, thinkin’ ‘bout the government…
Zenderista: “Embrujo”
And yet another preview of a forthcoming album… Well, I suppose that’s what singles are all about, in some respects. Zenderista (Francisco Baquedano) is a Chilean producer, musician and DJ. His single typically blends folk and tribal elements with electronic dance music, while the timbales and Batá drums of percussionist Tomás Dahm lend Caribbean spice to its prevalent Afro-Latin feel. The title translates as bewitchment and that’s a suitable way to describe the way that this number builds relentlessly to its drum-fuelled climax.
Luana Bayô: “Tem Dendê”
A terrific samba-jazz number now, written by Nei Lopes and Reginaldo Bessa and originally recorded by Alcione. Luana Bayô is a singer, songwriter and educator, whose voice is a force of nature. Unsurprisingly perhaps, she won the 2023 Prêmio Profissionais da Música in the category “Best Samba Singer”. Her voice is nicely complemented by the trombone and a swinging band on a song that celebrates beauty and magic.
Luccas Martins: “Headland” (Nature mix)
Playing a “handpan” that sounds like a steel drum and looks like an upturned wok, percussionist and composer Luccas Martins brings us the second in his Australia series, following his earlier “Lagoon”. They are both crafted from field recordings captured at sunrise on Dee Why Beach Headland in Sydney. Enhanced by flute and that most magisterial of instruments, the bass clarinet, this is a beautiful meditative number that reminds me a little of the late-lamented Uakti.
Raphael Vital: “Flor Pantaneira”
Written by the legendary pioneer of Brazilian folk, Helena Meirelles, Raphael Vital’s interpretation pays homage to the Pantanal, one of the world’s largest tropical wetlands, a region renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity and currently – like half the world, it seems – being engulfed by wild fires. The beauty of the melody does justice to the beauty of its natural world.
Leila Pinheiro, Paulo Francisco Paes and Priscilla Frade: “Flor de Outono”
And finally… I leave you with the classical beauty of a song all about the beauty of autumn. Sung exquisitely by Leila Pinheiro over a rich but simple acoustic accompaniment, its “gentle melodies and evocative lyrics invite listeners to immerse themselves in the subtle transitions and reflective mood of the season.” Couldn’t have put it more succinctly meself.
Well, there we are again. I wanted to tell you about the terrific single by El Dusty with DJ Kane, “Tra Tra Tra”, but I can’t for the life of me find it anywhere on my customary platforms. Please check it out if you can find it: it’s high-energy, dance-tastic stuff. I’ll endeavour to do better next time. See you in December.
Thanks to Gabriel Rolim for the cover photo of Boogarins.
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