Tags: Cumbia

Review: Ricardo Suntaxi's wonderful 'Baile De San Juan' perfectly encapsulates the vibrant spirit of traditional Latin rhythms. With plenty of pulsing drum machine beats and dazzlingly infectious melodies, Suntaxi blends elements of salsa, merengue, and cumbia to create a truly dynamite dancefloor anthem. The track cannot fail to transport you to the lively streets of San Juan where the music fills the air during festive celebrations. 'Que Siga La Farra' on the flip has more of a dub feel but is still pack with vivid and vibrant melody that is a testament to Suntaxi's talent for infusing contemporary flair into classic Latin sounds and will ensure a lively atmosphere wherever it's played.

Review: Vampisoul dedicate one more 7" to another fresh-from-the-woodfired slice of modern cumbia, this time from the eponymous La Cumbia Moderna De Soledad band and Machuca Cumbia respectively. On the A, the former band offer up a two-toning cumbia version of Rod Stewart's 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?', sparse but well-wrought in its sound. The B is a treat that vibrates at a different, but equally as effective frequency, being a convincingly retro take on the Bee Gees' 'Stayin' Alive', and lending the song's ineluctable melodies a Latin twist by way of hypnotic percs and guitars.