Cal Jader’s 10 Big Tunes of 2018
02 January, 2019Few know better the freshest tunes coming out of Latin America than Cal Jader – one of the busiest tropical DJs in the UK, and the man behind the Movimientos radio show, record label and parties. It’s for this reason that we ask Cal each year to pick his favourite new dancefloor fillers, and so here he is to give you his rundown on the best bass, funk, chicha, trap, electronic and downright groovy tunes that he’s been playing out over the last 12 months. These are guaranteed to speak to the hips. Also head to the bottom of the page to check out Cal’s favourite albums, compilations and labels of 2018. Here’s Cal to run you through the selection:
Vhoor “Assim”
One of the best new producers from São Paulo, bringing warmth (and a Sango-esque) soulful touch to that baile trap sound so popular this year. He’s equally adept at flipping some Afro-Brazilian roots flavour on a hip hop beat or disco boogie, and his track “Kika” (from the awesome Team Oneself compilation Afrika, comes a very close second to this.
Hijo de la Cumbia “Che Revolution” feat. La Dame Blanche
Almost 10 years after dropping some of electro-cumbia’s most seminal tracks we wondered where the hell El Hijo de la Cumbia had gone, but this year he delivered an album worthy of his reputation. For me, the standout came in the form of this collaboration with Cuban rapper (and fellow Parisian) La Dame Blanche, managing to bridge searing cumbia bass with trap and anthemic horns.
Ms Nina “Rico Rico”
Ms Nina channels old school reggaeton, updated with 2018 moombah bounce, on an infectious dembow riddim produced by Beauty Brain.
Colombiafrica & Louis Towers “Mama Africa” (Umoja remix)
My favourite track from surely one of the compilations of the year, Palenque Remixed Vol 2, on Galletas Calientes. The Umoja boys vibe up the dance with this champeta bounce and some serious low end bass.
Chancha Via Circuito “La Victoria”
Despite “Ilalo” probably being the standout track from a great album, this track featured in more of my DJ sets and has a certain life-affirming euphoria, proving yet again that Chancha and Lido Pimienta is a dynamite combo.
La Mambanegra “Me Parece Perfecto” (Sidestepper Remix)
Richard Blair echoes the original Sidestepper formula of deep bass-lines and driving grooves with the perfect marriage of organic and electronic elements transforming La Mambanegra’s jazzy salsa banger into a dubby odyssey with singer Eka dovetailing an added vocal alongside Jacobo Velez’s original vocal refrain.
Guampara Music “Cubanéantelo” featuring Niño Fony, El Individuo, Sigrid, DJ Lapiz and Luz de Cuba
Most of the Guampara crew contributed to the decent ¡Súbelo, Cuba! album on Browswood but on this single release they showcased the talents of most of their distinctive vocalists and rappers and the afrobeat and trap-tinged production felt particularly fresh.
Omulu “Paredão”
Absolute monster arrocha bass mash up – future Bahia sound! There’s even a nifty Kanye ‘Mercy’ a capella version that fits like a glove. Great Grand Theft Auto style video too.
Los Shapis “Valle Sagrado” (Tribilin Sound & Rollo Gallardo Rework)
Sometimes simplicity is best when it comes to edits and this one perfectly refines the attributes of this sweet chicha classic adding some spaced-out effects and dubbing to accentuate the psychedelic impact.
Joaquin Cornejo “Esmeralda” ft Wabi Sabi
One for the end of the night crew from another compilation of the year, Shika Shika’s Union Vol. 1, mesmeric futuristic filtered techno for the Latin American downtempo generation.
Top 5 Albums
Malphino – Visit Malphino
Sango Groove – Mezcla
El Búho – Camino de Flores
Insolito Universo – La Candela del Río
Orquesta Akokán – Orquesta Akokán
Top 5 Compilations / Mixtapes
Various – Palenque Remixed Vol 2 (Galletas Calientes)
Various – Union Vol 1 (Shika Shika)
Uproot Andy – Bumper to Bumper (Free DL / Bandcamp)
Various – Afrika (Team Oneself)
Various – Levanta Poeira. Compiled by DJ Tahira (BBE)
Labels of the Year
Shika Shika
Names You Can Trust
Galletas Calientes
Wonderwheel Recordings
Guampara
Check out Cal’s Mixcloud page for lots more quality selections
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