We have almost reached the halfway point of 2011 and once again time is just flying by. The rest of the year promises some great new World Music releases and live performances. Here are a few great moments and releases that have inspired me so far this year:



Chancha Via Circuito – Rio Arriba

I got this release almost a year ago at a ZZK Records showcase. I wanted badly to write about it but this is a blog about what you can get at Amoeba, right? In March, the CD/LP release of Rio Arriba became available in the U.S. and I couldn't be happier. Chancha Via Circuito explores the world of South American folklore, blending his hypnotic beats with the revolutionary past of South America. The result could be considered another sub-genre of the digital Cumbia movement…perhaps Digital Nueva Trova?? Nevertheless, it is one of the most beautiful and organic electronic records released in some time.

Celso Piña Live At Amoeba Hollywood

When we usually get Latin artists to play at Amoeba, it usually fits into two categories: The Latin Alternative set: (The Nortec Collective, Ozomatli, Aterciopelados and pretty much anything on Nacional Records) or Salsa/Latin Jazz artist. Having Celso Piña play in the store was a big deal for me for two reasons. He is a Cumbia artist, a music that is more popular in Los Angeles than people in the Latin Music industry will have you believe. The second reason is Celso appeals to our many Mexican, Central and South American immigrant customers who frequent Amoeba Hollywood on a daily/weekly basis. Next up for Amoeba Hollywood? How about a legitimate Regional Mexican artist to play the Amoeba stage? Then a Bachata group? a Punta group….

With the reissue of Chico Mann’s Analog Drift album on Wax Poetics Records comes another chance for you to experience the brilliance of Marcos Garcia. Analog Drift was one of my favorite releases of last year, a limited self-release by Marcos (aka Chico Mann) that was only on sale at his shows and a few stores, like Amoeba Hollywood. Chico Mann’s blend of Afro Beat and 80’s Freestyle over Cuban & Puerto Rican influences is still one of the freshest sounds around. The energy that Chico Mann’s three-piece group puts out live is so contagious; you’ll find yourself on the dance floor busting a move to their Afro Cha-Cha rhythms.

Sunday, October 24th finds Chico Mann performing live at Sonido, located at the Little Temple. I have been blessed to also be on the bill with the gregarious DJ Sloe Poke and Mando Fever. King Steady Beat, a long time Los Angeles Ska and Reggae aficionado that also kills it with the Cumbias will be playing too. All in all, it should be a great night.

Chico Mann, aka Marcos Garcia, has a new album. However, like many releases these days, it is only being released digitally. However, Amoeba Hollywood was fortunate enough to get a few CD copies of the tour edition of his latest release, Analog Drift Muy Esniqui, straight from the man himself.
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Analog Drift... recalls the days back in the 80's when musicians from the U.S. and England started listening to African and Cuba music. Artists such as The Talking Heads, Grace Jones, Hector Zazou and even Michael Jackson had elements of African music in some of their biggest hits. Chico Mann merges his love of funk and freestyle with Afro-Beat and Afro-Cuban music making this an infectious low-key dance record.

Part of this album's appeal is its marriage between lo-fi and hi-fi. On one hand we have Marco with the Casio and hand claps; then you have collaborators such as Victor Axelrod (better known as Ticklah), who is a highly sought remixer as well as a former member of Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings and current keyboardist for Antibalas adding his thing to the mix. Also, the album is vocal rich, with Marco performing most of the vocal duties with help from Mayteana Morales (Akoya Afrobeat, The Pimps of Joytime) and Vinia Mojica, who sang back-ups on many classic 90’s Hip-Hop albums by artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, and last but not least, Mos Def and Talib Kweli.