Los Granadians Del Espacio Exterior-Donde Ningun Hombre Ha Llegado Jamas

Reggae is huge in all Spanish-speaking countries. Almost every genre within modern Latin music has some nod to Reggae, whether it be the Ska-Core groups, Reggaeton, Digital Cumbia, Hip-Hop and even some of the lightweight Spanish pop. Not too many groups venture into Traditional Ska and Rocksteady though. There are some that I’ve heard, such as some of the excellent bands out of Mexico like Jamaica 69 (Matehuala) Los 4 Vientos (San Luis Potosi) and The Riddim Cats (Monterey), who skip the punk/ska fusion and go for the sound made famous by labels like Studio One and Trojan Records.

Los Granadians Del Espacio Exterior from Spain replicates that 60’s Jamaican sound perfectly. On their latest release, Donde Ningun Hombre Ha Llegado Jamas (Where No Man Has Gone Before) Los Granadians blend their vintage Rocksteady rhythms with playful Spanish lyrics and a hint of good ol’fashion Mersey-style rock. This is what I think a 60’s Spanish Rock band like Los Yorks would have sounded like if they went to Jamaica and hung out at the many Studio One recording sessions. Outside of the language you could swear this band came from the 60’s Jamaica.

The thing I like about this band is that they can sing as well as swing. Most of the retro Ska and Reggae groups play well but falter on the vocals, forgetting what crooners people like Derrick Williams and Desmond Dekker were. I think that’s why I really like these guys. There’s your Hepcat and Los Granadians and then there is everyone else. Period.


Chico Sonido & Tropicaza-Cumbia Mutante Vol. 1

Ok, so you know I love me some Cumbia. That is no secret. But as every Hip-Hop/Electro/Club deejay now has a Cumbia set, it’s time to separate the Cumbiacheros from the Cumbianots. This cassette only release (first in a series that will have some big name DJ’s throwing down their best and deepest Cumbia sets) comes from Chico Sonido and Tropicaza from Mexico. Both have a deep collection that makes even the biggest Cumbiahead feel like a novice. Both sides of the tape make me look at my Cumbia record collection in shame. I probably don’t have ninety percent of what those guys have. To top it off, not only are these guys great DJs and deep collectors, but great musicians as well. Chico Sonido released a terrific solo album back in 2009 and Tropicaza is an amazing drummer that plays with just about every band in Mexico, including Los Fancy Free and a dozen other groups. This cassette release is limited to 250 copies and only 10 per store, so I'd advise you to get one soon. I’m just so glad my car still has a cassette player.