La Pambelé – Nací Mestizo (2024)
Bogotá’s mighty salsa orchestra, La Pambelé, returns with its second studio album, Nací Mestizo (I was born mestizo, of mixed race). This nine-track release pays homage to the golden age of 1970s salsa while infusing it with contemporary storytelling that reflects everyday life in Hispanic neighborhoods. Rooted in Bogotá’s cultural identity, the album bridges tradition and modernity with a distinctive local flair.
Under the musical direction of Camilo Toro Morato, the nine-member ensemble delivers a rich savory sound featuring piano, conga, flute, trumpet, trombone, timbales, bongos, and baby bass. Scintillating vocalists Miguel RoRebolledo and Lorena Contento bring raw emotion to tracks that explore themes of love, resilience, and mestizo identity.
Influenced by salsa legends such as Markolino Dimond, Eddie Palmieri, Edy Martínez, and Ismael Miranda, the band captures the fiery spirit of salsa brava with a fresh, modern lens. For sure, it totally beats any reggaeton machacón that dominate the Latin charts.
The group’s name, inspired by iconic Colombian boxer Kid Pambelé and derived from the Bantú phrase meaning “defender of one’s own,” reflects their mission to dismantle stereotypes about Bogotá’s cultural vibrancy. Since their self-titled debut on Brooklyn-based label Names You Can Trust in 2022, La Pambelé has earned global acclaim, including two vinyl editions and an LP highly sought after by collectors.
Recent highlights include opening for salsa singer Marc Anthony before 22,000 fans in Bogotá, headlining festivals like Salsa al Parque, and gaining airplay on stations such as Radio Nacional de Colombia and Latina Stereo. With Nací Mestizo, La Pambelé cements its status as a leading force in Colombia’s tropical and alternative music scenes, combining nostalgia with a progressive vision for salsa’s future.
Buy Nací Mestizo.
Author: Iliana Cabrera
