By DCist Contributor Andy Cerutti
Imagine the exhaustion of a long, hazy weekend at the All Good Festival and driving back home (to reality) at daybreak. A van full of smelly, happy friends emits indescribable positive vibes, like a Coke commercial, only realer. And what better soundtrack to such a scenario than Bomba Estéreo’s new album, “Amanecer,” which soaks in sweet, sticky summertime sounds with South American roots to boot.
Formed in 2005, Bomba Estéreo emerged from Colombia’s DIY rock and dance scenes. After releasing three successful independent albums and multiple worldwide tours, Amanecer is their first on a major label, their new home at Sony Latin. Over the past decade, Bomba Estéreo have fine-tuned their addicting Afro-Latin fusion sound, which consists of laying Liliana Saumet’s vocals on top of irresistible electronic dance music; the result is a fresh and minimal tropical pop sound with Caribbean and African influences.
Some might be familiar with Bomba Estéreo’s big tune “Fuego”, a cumbia-fueled party anthem released on 2008’s Estalla. The first single from the new album, “Fiesta” is a fitting follow-up, and offers even more depth and creativity. “Fiesta” is a dance track with a bass heartbeat, plus some cumbia and Champeta sprinkled in. But it veers off into new territory with a deep Kwaito (South African house) groove. Bomba Estéreo has deep roots in the Barranquila Carnival and “Fiesta” takes this legendary Colombian party to a global platform.
One of the highlights from Amanecer is “Somos Dos”, a groovy love song that will be familiar to fans of “Sintiendo”, the group’s big hit from their 2012 album Elegancia Tropical. The strength of “Somos Dos” is its simplicity; strong Champeta electric guitar riffs and driving drumbeats frame Saumet’s sweet vocals perfectly.
Bomba Estéreo has championed Champeta music over the years, an Afro-Colombian genre from Cartagena and the coastal regions. Champeta takes its name from a short, curved knife used by Colombians of African descent as a work tool and weapon—suitable for the quick, determined style of its music. “Dance music comes from Africa,” Simon Mejia said in an email, explaining the presence of African roots in the Colombian band’s music. He cites African music as the group’s main inspiration, combining that with electronic dance music they “tropicalize in [their] Colombian way”.
“With Bomba, we’ve always tried to make electronic music played by humans, not machines.” says Simon Mejia. “We loop humanly, and try to give an emotional show, influenced by rock music but translated into an electro-tropical language.” Even though Bomba Estéreo has introduced a variety of global and electronic influences to their music, they have also stayed true to their Colombian roots. This is most evident on “Soy Yo” which uses traditional Gaita flute and tambor alegre drum style.
With the release of their fourth studio album, which breaks new musical ground and boasts excellent production, Bomba Estéreo has proven themselves at the top of the dance music game. But great as their recorded material is, their live performance is other-worldly. The band brings unbridled energy and passion to the stage. They return to the Howard Theatre on Saturday, July 25th. Expect an exciting and high-energy performance on stage and a heaving, sweating dance floor. Even the most jaded ethnomusicologist and music lover will be thrilled and impressed with this party.
Bomba Estéreo wil play at The Howard Theatre on Saturday, July 25 with Mitú and a DJ set by Kristy La Rat of Maracuyeah. Tickets are available here.
