La Melodia The Melody transcends the border of musical genres and transforms into the concept with which we express our originality, feelings, thoughts, and most importantly: how we cope with everyday life. La Melodia (The Melody) is what Cali’s fusion music & visual collective Zalama Crew call their sounds. Sounds right up my alley doesn’t it? It is. The live… Continue reading Zalama Crew: DJ Cronic Interview on La Melodia & More
Category: Colombia
Colombian Music Artists
Zalama Crew’s Everyday Fight Doesn’t Disappoint
Have you ever found a band at a fantastic live show, only to buy their CD and find out it makes you a bit sleepy next to the live experience? I have. Many times. The most recent for me was Tarrus Riley, my great live find at Reggae Sumfest. I loved Zalama Crew’s live show at … Continue reading Zalama Crew’s Everyday Fight Doesn’t Disappoint
Is Bogota “The World Capital of Music”?
“Bogota is the world capital of music.” That’s a big claim yeah? An even bigger one than being “the greatest reggae show on earth”. This is what a non-native Colombian – living in Colombia (not in Bogota) – and playing music in a Colombian fusion band – recently told me in Bogota. Is Bogota really… Continue reading Is Bogota “The World Capital of Music”?
ChocQuibTown Demonstrates The Power of Music
Back in Bogota from Medellin a few hours – all other plans for the night cancelled when a friend told me ChocQuibTown was playing a gig in Bogota. I had to go yes? Six years on from my 1st ChocQuibTown gig in Bogota –my introduction to Colombia’s amazing fusion music bands. I love their Pacific Coast hip hop/Afro… Continue reading ChocQuibTown Demonstrates The Power of Music
Puerto Candelaria – “Medellin’s Best Fusion Band”
When I told Colombians in the musical know that I was going to a Puerto Candelaria concert in Medellin, they all said something like: “Puerto Candelaria is Medellin’s best fusion band.” I kept answering: Si, I know, that’s why I’m going. I love their kooky music. There is no other band I’ve ever heard… Continue reading Puerto Candelaria – “Medellin’s Best Fusion Band”
DJs With Bands = Musical Diversity +++
Many of the fusion bands I have heard live in Colombia (and/or have on CD), have a DJ in the musical mix. Those DJ’s play a fundamental part in the diversity of sounds created by the band as a whole. Live music is the ultimate musical experience for me. A great DJ to dance or listen to is also an… Continue reading DJs With Bands = Musical Diversity +++
Zalama Crew – Best New Colombian Fusion Music Find
I was going to give La Feria de las Flores events in Medellin a miss this year. Changing my mind and going to Sunday’s Negra Noche (‘Black Night’) – part of the Parque Cultural Nocturno program in La Feria de las Flores – was a blessed thing for the three new musical discoveries I made. 1. ZALAMA CREW One of… Continue reading Zalama Crew – Best New Colombian Fusion Music Find
Mitú – An Entrancing Electronic Music Experience
Last night in Bogota I had an absolutely unforgettable and entrancing musical experience. A most surprising and unexpected one: Mitú. I had no idea what the gig was. I only went to see some friends before I leave Bogota. What I found even before the main act was awesome – one of the coolest venues I’ve… Continue reading Mitú – An Entrancing Electronic Music Experience
Nestavibe – A Cute Reggae Band In A Stunning Venue
The band, Nestavibe…8 youngens. The venue… In a very beautiful, but reputedly dodgy (justifiably so) historical neighbourhood of Bogota called La Candelaria. I love La Candelaria. A stunning old theatre. One of a few different spaces within the walls where lives the Fundacion Gilberto Alzate Avendano. Every stone and piece of wood within those walls has character… Continue reading Nestavibe – A Cute Reggae Band In A Stunning Venue
Papaya Republik – Tongue in Cheek Colombian Fusion Music
Think about the meaning of ‘Banana Republic’. Know that ‘papaya’ is a Colombian fruit and, without wanting to sound obvious, that ‘republik’ is Spanish for ‘republic’. There you have Papaya Republik – a contemporary Colombian fusion band making unique sounding, quality music. Papaya Republik is 7 Colombians from different regions of Colombia, with diverse musical backgrounds,… Continue reading Papaya Republik – Tongue in Cheek Colombian Fusion Music